To be honest, I am actually really excited about this upcoming summer. My last final is on May 15th and only a couple of days later, I will be in Ireland for a study abroad program through Fordham Law School. While the program consists of a few weeks, it will be centered around International Intellectual Property — an area which is of particular interest to me. At the end of the course, I will be jetting back to Los Angeles. Work wise, I will be continuing my remote work for an entertainment law firm and will also be a full-time intern at one of the most well-known Hollywood guilds. If you know me at all, you will know that I could not possibly plan a more perfect combination of my last summer plans than a happy marriage between studying abroad and interning in entertainment law.
When I was trying to decide what to do this summer, I knew I needed to make the most of it. After all, this is very likely to be the last summer break that I will ever have — a rather disheartening fact. Based on the plans that I have set in place, I feel like that mission was accomplished.
Friday, May 11, 2018
Monday, May 7, 2018
How I'm Planning to Spend My First Law School Summer
I’m writing this blog post on April 4, 2018 – exactly 50 years to the day after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated as he stood at a motel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee. Fifty years after his death, the social ill he fought most in his lifetime – the persistent scourge of racial segregation – is still very much alive in our country.
This summer, I’m externing at the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which enforces California’s anti-discrimination laws in employment and housing. In particular, discrimination in housing continues on as a barrier to full racial integration of our communities. This injustice has quantifiable effects on our cities, including Los Angeles. Many of the worst problems cities face – pollution, poverty, violence – are more prevalent in communities that are more segregated.
I’m not under any kind of delusion that my three months of intern work at the DFEH will have much, if any, measurable effect on the current work being done there. And, of course, making even a small dent in the vast problem of segregation is a life’s work. But I couldn’t be more excited to be dedicating my summer, and maybe more down the road, to chipping away at the issue.
Even more, I’m excited to learn about the work that goes into enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and to meet attorneys who fight for fairer, more integrated communities on a daily basis. I doubt Dr. King would be satisfied or even particularly encouraged by the progress we’ve made in fighting segregation since he was killed. But I want to honor his memory, and the ideals he fought for, by pushing that fight along any way I can.
This summer, I’m externing at the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which enforces California’s anti-discrimination laws in employment and housing. In particular, discrimination in housing continues on as a barrier to full racial integration of our communities. This injustice has quantifiable effects on our cities, including Los Angeles. Many of the worst problems cities face – pollution, poverty, violence – are more prevalent in communities that are more segregated.
I’m not under any kind of delusion that my three months of intern work at the DFEH will have much, if any, measurable effect on the current work being done there. And, of course, making even a small dent in the vast problem of segregation is a life’s work. But I couldn’t be more excited to be dedicating my summer, and maybe more down the road, to chipping away at the issue.
Even more, I’m excited to learn about the work that goes into enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and to meet attorneys who fight for fairer, more integrated communities on a daily basis. I doubt Dr. King would be satisfied or even particularly encouraged by the progress we’ve made in fighting segregation since he was killed. But I want to honor his memory, and the ideals he fought for, by pushing that fight along any way I can.
Friday, May 4, 2018
Summer Plans
I had initially planned to do a lot of things this first summer of law school. A lot of people talk about this summer as being very definitive and I was certainly feeling the pressure. However, I’ve decided instead of lighten up a little bit and enjoy my summer.
As an evening student, I am required to take some summer courses in order to complete my classes on either the four-year or three-and-a-half-year plan. I don’t have to take every summer, but I like the idea of focusing on one class for a few months, so I plan to take Constitutional Law. Additionally, I’m going to continue working part-time as a tutor and possibly work on my pro bono hours! I’ve been volunteering with Neighborhood Legal Services since before I started law school and am in the application process now for an externship. I’m hopeful that I’ll get it and be able to, not only put a dent in those pro bono hours, but also gain valuable experience. Externships provide a unique opportunity to figure out if you like different areas of law and also experience what life is like for attorneys working in those fields. This summer, however, I’m just looking to figure out what it is that I enjoy doing and hopefully help some people in the process.
As an evening student, I am required to take some summer courses in order to complete my classes on either the four-year or three-and-a-half-year plan. I don’t have to take every summer, but I like the idea of focusing on one class for a few months, so I plan to take Constitutional Law. Additionally, I’m going to continue working part-time as a tutor and possibly work on my pro bono hours! I’ve been volunteering with Neighborhood Legal Services since before I started law school and am in the application process now for an externship. I’m hopeful that I’ll get it and be able to, not only put a dent in those pro bono hours, but also gain valuable experience. Externships provide a unique opportunity to figure out if you like different areas of law and also experience what life is like for attorneys working in those fields. This summer, however, I’m just looking to figure out what it is that I enjoy doing and hopefully help some people in the process.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Summer Plans
It’s hard to believe that it’s nearing the end of the semester already! What’s even harder for me to believe is that I’m nearing the end of my first year of law school! This time last year I was finalizing my decision to come to Loyola and getting ready to leave my job, and now I’m here! It just goes to show that time flies so fast…
With the end of the semester coming up, it’s time to start thinking of and figuring out what to do for the summer. The advice I’ve received from the faculty of Loyola’s Summer Institute program is to try and find a position that will not only let me gain more experience in the field but also learn something about an area of the law that I may or may not have thought of or considered before. It’s honestly mind-blowing to be in this position again because the last time I was on the hunt for a job I was trying to figure out if law school was for me, and now here I am trying to find experiences that will help me figure out what career path I should take! While I haven’t solidified my plans and secured a position yet, I plan to work or volunteer this summer to broaden my understanding of the legal world, gain invaluable experience, enhance my skill set, and network with other lawyers and professionals.
On a lighter note, this summer I also plan to catch up with all my family, friends, and sleep! It’s not a lie to say that law school has been a lot of work, early mornings/late nights, and countless pages of reading and writing; so I think after a year of pushing myself to do my best and get out of my comfort zone I deserve a little break from the memos, homework assignments, and case briefs before I have to jump back into school mode.
I am hopeful that summer will provide me with the opportunities to learn outside the classroom and gain some practical experience while also have time to get some rest, relax, and recharge before the school year starts up again. (Fingers crossed!)
Well friends, it’s been delightful sharing my thoughts with you this past year. Thank you for reading and following along on my journey through 1L year.
Until next time! Have a lovely summer!
With the end of the semester coming up, it’s time to start thinking of and figuring out what to do for the summer. The advice I’ve received from the faculty of Loyola’s Summer Institute program is to try and find a position that will not only let me gain more experience in the field but also learn something about an area of the law that I may or may not have thought of or considered before. It’s honestly mind-blowing to be in this position again because the last time I was on the hunt for a job I was trying to figure out if law school was for me, and now here I am trying to find experiences that will help me figure out what career path I should take! While I haven’t solidified my plans and secured a position yet, I plan to work or volunteer this summer to broaden my understanding of the legal world, gain invaluable experience, enhance my skill set, and network with other lawyers and professionals.
On a lighter note, this summer I also plan to catch up with all my family, friends, and sleep! It’s not a lie to say that law school has been a lot of work, early mornings/late nights, and countless pages of reading and writing; so I think after a year of pushing myself to do my best and get out of my comfort zone I deserve a little break from the memos, homework assignments, and case briefs before I have to jump back into school mode.
I am hopeful that summer will provide me with the opportunities to learn outside the classroom and gain some practical experience while also have time to get some rest, relax, and recharge before the school year starts up again. (Fingers crossed!)
Well friends, it’s been delightful sharing my thoughts with you this past year. Thank you for reading and following along on my journey through 1L year.
Until next time! Have a lovely summer!
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