To be or not to be, it will still be

The start of the second semester has its positives and negatives.

The positives are that law school is not so unpredictable, it feels like you’re starting to get a grasp on the language, and the anxiety of being called on in class is considerably diminished.

The negatives are that there is no more “easing” into law school; the readings and Legal Writing assignments are not so forgiving. There is also a lot more to do such as; job and scholarship applications, and the time spent as a source checker for the Animal Law Review. Whatever time is not spent on assignments is spent on job searching and scholarships. The good thing is that these all have deadlines. The job application process is over and the scholarship process will be over next Friday.

I’ve decided that if I do not get a job at one of the larger firms, I will opt for summer school instead. The reason is the $12.44/hr rate that law clerks receive will hardly be enough to cover rent and two weeks of food (not to mention all the other expenses). I am not against clerking for $12.44/hr nor do I believe I am above such a rate, but practicality wins this argument.

If I take courses in the summer I will receive financial aid, which will most likely be more than $12.44/hour and thus pay the bills. I will be able to get a so-so part-time job that will help with any other summer costs, and by attending summer school I will get some courses out of the way. This could provide me with more time in my 2L and 3L years to either work part-time at a firm or spend extra time on other legal related activities.

My first choice obviously, is to work as a summer intern at a larger firm, but I am content with the idea of summer school as well.

Lay Down the Law.

Got to Work It

What are you doing this summer? At the law school, this is how the majority of our conversations start now. It's the first week of the semester, mid-January, but the job search is already in full force. Classes? Not nearly as important as figuring out how to secure gainful employment out there in the big, bad world.

It's interesting how most of my colleagues have responded to the job question. At first, I expected to hear many of them talk about big firms and big money, high expectations of landing that coveted summer associate position in the city of their choosing. But of course, I forgot about the economy. Most of my colleagues tell me they hope to find anything, anywhere - they simply hope that it's somehow law related. The rest, however, might take classes or travel or work in a non-legal field and enjoy what they see as their last summer of freedom.

As a 1L, you are basically told that there aren't a ton of employers looking to hire you. Really, after one year of law school, what do you know about the law? In addition, you're in competition with 2Ls, 3Ls, and recent graduates who have been hit the hardest by the economic "downturn"...and "downturn" is stating it much too politely. So, what is a meek, naive, cluelessly hopeful 1L to do?

A few job search pointers for those 1Ls who haven't already given up:

1. Call everyone you know and ask them if they know any lawyers, and if so, will these lawyers talk to you, read over your resume, connect you with other potential employers, or simply hire you on the spot because you're desperate and will work for credit/milkshakes/one 15 minute break a day.

2. Go guerrilla and contact law firms big and small, public interest organizations, government agencies, and especially the National Yogurt Association and introduce yourself, tell them why you're awesome, and beg for work.

3. Use your law school's Career Center to polish your resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills and then demand that they find you a summer job because, damn it, your tuition pays their salaries.

4. Relax, take classes this summer if you want to, do some traveling, and get a job delivering pizzas to all of the undergraduates on your campus. As you deliver those hot, fresh pies, let those undergrads know that in a few short years you'll be open for business, ready to meet their legal needs, from a MIP to employment discrimination to estate planning.

I've been asking that "What are you doing this summer?" question too often. It stops now. I don't mind discussing it with folks but I'm simply starting to get annoyed with the sound of my own voice when I ask that question. 

What am I doing this summer? I don't know yet but I'm going to apply to many different firms/organizations/agencies, ask everyone I know if they know any attorneys, go guerrilla and introduce myself to the National Yogurt Association, make irrational demands of our Career Center staff, relax, take some classes, travel, and of course deliver pizzas to those hungry, hungry undergrads. A summer of free pizzas and meager tips? That's heaven, son.

Power to the people.

The First Day, Again

The first day of the second semester of the first year came and went yesterday. The day was uneventful and passed relatively unnoticed. Readjusting to school after break takes a day or two, but I am getting back into the groove.

The new courses this semester are Property and Criminal Procedures. I am looking forward to Criminal Procedures because I feel like I am preparing myself for Law and Order: SLSU (Special Law Student Unit). Our book is co-authored by Erwin Chemerinsky who is Con Law buff, but apparently knows a lot about Crim Pro. If you’ve never heard of Chemerinsky and plan on going to law school, I suggest you check him out. He is, in my opinion, one of the best reads when it comes to explaining the law in an understandable and digestible way. I think Property will be standard - not exciting, but somehow necessary.

I still have not received my grades and probably won’t until late January because the snowstorm pushed back finals and thus grading. I continue on then, in my not so infinite bliss, that my grades will mirror my blood, sweat, and tears put forth in the first semester. Not likely, but I will live in my ignorance until grades are posted.

Lay Down the Law.

P.S. As I start the Gregorian New Year I have decide to drop the (!) after my sign-off and replace it with a humble (.). I believe that one must Lay Down the Law with a sense of purpose that can excite the senses to use a (!). However, I also think that a simple (.) states the matter in a quiet, yet dignified and somewhat ambitious manner. Therefore, please join me when I type Lay Down the Law.

Year of the Ox

During this hazy vacation of Santa and snow and visits to see family and friends, first semester grades were posted.

I hoped for much better but was not overly surprised by the outcome. My job search will be negatively impacted by my GPA but at the same time, I'm mostly happy I survived and believe in my heart of hearts that I'll greatly improve this semester. My guess is that the majority of 1Ls aren't entirely happy with their first semester grades, mostly because they worked very hard and are used to getting higher grades which they equate with academic success. 

It's difficult to receive grades that you haven't seen on any of your transcripts in a long time, especially since you feel you've gained so much new knowledge in the past 4 months. If you allow yourself to wallow in misery for more than a day, however, you'll lose track of the ultimate goal: to become a competent, confident attorney.

My day of misery is past, I belong to my future success, and I will make my own good fortune. Or some such thing I'll say to myself over and over again to help me mentally prepare for class on Monday.

Power to the people.