Keeping Balance

We’re about three months into the Fall semester and finals are right around the corner. The Byrne Trial Team is finished for the term and my day-to-day schedule freed up considerably for a few days. But the short break has already ended and one job leads directly to the next. Now, those of us who decided to take Ethical Lawyering this semester have our mock interviews to prepare for and a sizeable portion of us who also have the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (the “MPRE”) to study for and take in early November. I was also able to start working about fifteen hours every week at Goodkin APC, the real estate litigation firm I worked at over the summer. Work actually helps to put the enormity of “THE LAW” into perspective and allows me to incorporate my classwork in surprisingly relevant ways.

For example, in my Business Associations (“BA”) class we had just learned about something called the Business Judgment Rule, or BJR. To give you a little preview of BA, the BJR is an automatic presumption that directors in corporations have fulfilled their fiduciary duties for ordinary business decisions and can be overcome (generally speaking) by showing that the director acted with bad faith or gross negligence. Sure enough, my very first day back in the office my assignment was to research the applicability of the BJR in California for homeowners’ associations. BA is actually my favorite class this semester and I’m really happy to have the opportunity to practice with a lot of the concepts I’ve learned in the class!

But work and school aren’t everything. Ever since Byrne ended, I’ve also made a deliberate effort to spend more time with my friends and family. While I was prepping for competition, I had zero time to spend on anything else. I was either in law review, class, practice, writing scripts, or asleep. I didn’t see much of my friends or Clau, my wife. Since then, I’ve made sure to have two Korean barbeque nights with the old study group, the Geriatric Society, and I always spend my evenings with Clau – whether we go out to dinner or just stay in. It is nice to stay busy and but it’s never too busy for a few hours a week to spend with the people you love.

3L Fall

I’m in my final year of law school, and I can’t believe it! Everyone said that 3L would be a breeze and that I’d probably have the most free time compared to any of the previous years. But actually, I probably have one of the most busiest schedules that I’ve had at Loyola this semester! This year I’m really focusing on completing my transactional entertainment concentration, taking all the requisite classes (plus bar classes), and gaining invaluable legal experience in the industry. So what does a typical day for me look like this year?

• 6:30 am: Wake up, get ready for my day, pack up for school and work, and make my breakfast to-go (Note: this time will 100% get pushed back because I hit snooze at least three times before I finally get up).
  
• 7:30 am: Head to Hollywood for my externship. I live in the San Gabriel Valley, which distance-wise isn’t that far from Hollywood. But when you factor in the traffic, construction, and road closures, it’s very easily an hour and a half to two hour commute to Hollywood. Even though it doesn’t take two hours to get to Hollywood every time, I still try to take into consideration that there are factors out of my control, and that if I get there early, I can do some homework, eat my breakfast, or get settled in for the day. Some would say that this crazy long commute isn’t worth it, but for me, getting practical working experience in the entertainment industry is worth it because I’m working toward my goal of becoming an attorney in the entertainment industry. And besides, everyone has to start somewhere, even the attorneys!

• 9:30 am – 1:30 pm: Externship. This semester, I’m working as a legal intern for NuMedia Studios, which is located on the Jim Henson Studio Lot. This position primarily requires conducting research and writing corresponding memo and assisting the law clerk and attorney with whatever projects they need to complete. My goals for this externship are to improve my legal research and writing skills and gain more familiarity with the two main research providers so that I can be quicker and more efficient with my time.
  
• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Commute to Loyola.

• 2:30 – 3:20 pm: Lunch and prepare for class. During my 1L, I learned that any free time is a good time to be productive. So during this free time between work and classes, I make sure I’m putting it to good use by reviewing notes from the prior class, catching up on reading, or making sure that I’m ready for Trademark class at 3:20 pm.
  
• 3:20 – 4:50 pm: Trademark class. This has to be one of my favorite classes this semester because the professor is so engaging, the law is so fascinating, and it is always so interesting to learn what you can do under the law and what not to do from all the crazy things people have tried to pass off in the past. I think the biggest difference between this semester and previous semesters is that I’m finally able to take classes that are interesting to me as opposed to something that you are required to take by the ABA or have to learn for the Bar exam. This class is a step in the direction of completing my transactional entertainment concentration and helps me get to where I want to be in the future.
  
• 4:50 – 5:59 pm: Break. I usually spend this break between classes grabbing a coffee or a snack, finishing up the reading, making phone calls, or taking a nap in my car. Like I said before, any free time is a good time to be productive (or at least catch some zzzzz’s!).
  
• 6:00 – 8:00pm: Marital Property. This is my final class of the day and of the week! Marital Property is one of those classes that I need to take to graduate and prepare for the Bar. While I’m not necessarily planning on going into family law after I graduate and pass the bar, I’m taking the course to not only prepare for a subject tested on the bar but also learn about how California handles marriages, divorces, and everything in between. The process of getting married or getting divorced is something so common to every day life that we don’t really think too long or much of it, so it’s cool to learn about the processes and the systems that may directly or indirectly affect us or someone we know one day.
  
• 8:01 pm – and beyond: Free for the weekend! After Marital Property is done, I usually do an internal end of the week dance because I survived another work week and school week. I’ll usually do one of three things after class: 1) Go home and have dinner, 2) Go to the gym and have dinner, or 3) Go to Disneyland and have dinner. At the end of every week, I always try to make time for myself to do something non-law related and fun.

On the weekends, I usually try to catch up on work and sleep, make sure I’m prepared for the week ahead, and spend any free time with loved ones.

This semester is going by so fast, we’re already half-way through! Stay tuned friends, there’s more to come! Until next time!

Fall Semester Update

Spooky Season is here and by that, I mean that finals are around the corner; can you believe it? —because I certainly cannot. This semester has been super different for me, I went from having only classes to juggling two externships with three classes.

I am currently interning for the Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution (LCCR) and for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. At the LCCR, I intake clients and conciliate conflicts (conciliation is mediation by phone). On the other hand, at LAFLA I research about different topics, such as country conditions. For those who are not familiar with immigration law, one of the elements of asylum is a “well-founded fear of prosecution” and by researching about the client’s country conditions we can offer some proof of that well-founded fear of future prosecution.

Putting aside the technical stuff, this semester has been challenging but in different ways. See, I am from Ventura, meaning that I commute from Mondays to Thursdays. As we all know, LA traffic is ABSOLUTELY the worst and since I come from Ventura… well you can imagine. So, unfortunately, I spend about 3-5 hours commuting per day. Thus, some days by the time I get home I am so exhausted that I barely have time to skim some pages. However, as I said before, Law School is not impossible. Some days are harder than others (oh, Tuesdays); but hey, that is part of the ride—right?

The Beauty and the Burnout: Fall Semester Update

Hello again, Jury of Peers! It’s feels crazy to say, but 2019 is winding down already! With the end of the year coming up, I now have over three months of law school under my belt and I have so much to share.

Law school has been better than I expected in many ways, but there were some aspects that I did not anticipate being so hard. The work load is actually less than I expected it would be (but that’s probably because I anticipated biblical levels of work). The days are long and the exhaustion can be real, but it’s all part of the process.

The part of law school that I didn’t expect to struggle with so much is the social aspect. This isn’t to say that I don’t have friends or that people here aren’t friendly because that isn’t true. The social atmosphere of law school is just a lot different than in any other space I’ve been. There is this air of needing to be ready at any moment to prove yourself (cold-call style). In some ways law school feels like a never-ending job fair where you always have to be the turned-up version of yourself rather than just who you are. And believe me, I understand that law is a profession of connections, but having no respite after months of it can be very draining on an introvert like me.

But something I’ve learned through all this is what I truly value. I value my alone time to recharge. I much prefer small meet-ups rather than networking symposiums. I’ve learned to listen to myself for when it’s time to go home.

To end on a high note, here is something I really like about having gone to law school so far: it’s an extremely powerful knowledge base to have. Actually being able to answer questions my non-law-school friends have is an amazing feeling. In a weird way, I can tell it makes them feel safe that their peer can explain legal principles in a way they understand. Being able to help people in even just that tiny way makes it so much more worth it.


See you in the next one,

        Kelsey


Kelsey’s Club: Good Related Articles

• “10 Signs You’re Burning Out - - And What To Do About It” by Lisa M. Gerry [forbes.com]
• “Networking for Introverts” by Dorie Clark [hbr.org]

Fall Semester Update

It’s hard to believe that I’m almost halfway through my last year of law school. As exciting as this is, a quick moving semester also means fast approaching finals. Whether you’re a 1L or a 3L, finals season is stressful. In addition to studying, most students are involved in extracurricular activities and many even hold down jobs throughout the school year.

For example, my typical day consists of more than just attending classes. This semester I was able to schedule myself on campus only three times per week while still taking all the classes I wanted to take. This allowed me to continue working at the same firm I worked for over the summer while still being involved on campus during my down time. During my breaks from class, you can usually find me in the ILR office, the Mediation clinic (CMAC), or at a club meeting. Loyola is unique in that it schedules classes so that students can get involved on campus and work while still getting a world class education.

Even though finding a balance between life and school can be difficult for law students, it is key to making sure you’re in the best state of mind to perform both academically and mentally. Whether this means working out, taking naps, or getting together with friends, my motto has been to take an hour or so every day to do something outside of school or work.

Fall Semester Update

I cannot believe we have now been in school for three months. 2L has definitely had a faster pace than last year. 2L gives us more flexibility in our schedule, and for me this means no Friday classes. Even though I am not required to be on campus as much as I was during my 1L, I try to be on campus for no less than eight hours Monday through Friday. I like to keep my schedule and my workload as consistent as possible because this year I am taking part in one of Loyola’s clinics and a practicum. With my clinic, the work fluctuates based on the needs of the clients, so it is important to be efficient with time management with my other non-clinical classes. Because I need to keep availability for any urgent issues that may arise, I would say I probably procrastinate less when it comes to my readings for class and long-term projects. Generally, my typical day consists of arriving around eight am to school, then I have class in the afternoon, and I stay to finish up work for the next day. It is not uncommon for me to take a few more to-dos’ for after dinner that are not as time sensitive. Fridays are a little different because I don’t have class so I will either finish up work for the week or meet with clients.

Since I have been procrastinating less, I have more time to myself, which has been really positive. At the beginning of 2L, I adopted a little kitten from a shelter, Mr. Obi-Wan Catnobi, so he has been my main hobby outside of school. Having a pet in law school can be very challenging because they are an additional responsibility, but I believe the positive outweighs any negative. I find spending time with my cat helps me de-stress. He loves to cuddle up next to me when I am doing homework and loves to climb on my laptop to remind me it is time to avert my eyes off the screen and pay attention to him. Here is a picture for your viewing pleasure:

Fall Semester Update

It’s been three months since the semester began and I feel like my first day of class was just last week. My days go by so fast because I’m either at work or at school every day of the week and often weekends, too. It’s honestly amazing how time flies.

In my third year, I almost feel like I’m keeping up with my hobbies or my work more than I’m keeping up with my schoolwork. I’m hoping I’ll get a handle on this in the next few weeks. It’s a tough balancing act, to be honest. I don’t think enough law students maintain their interests outside of law school, but it can be so difficult to find the time and learn how to be better about time management.

For me, the best way to find balance is to stick to a strict schedule during the week so that I can relax more on the weekends. I never get to sleep in during the week, so I like to make it a point to not be so hard on myself about it on the weekends. Or, for instance, I’ll do my schoolwork on my lunches and after work during the week so that I can do things I enjoy more on the weekends. Time management is honestly key.

A Piece of Advice for Entering Law Students

For me, the most difficult part of 1L was figuring out time management. I am a first-generation law school student and the sheer amount of information and events happening around me during 1L was overwhelming for me. Coming to Loyola, I knew it was important to develop networks and to do well academically. Additionally, I was not sure what type of law I wanted to practice, so I spent a lot of time going to different events and getting to know different areas of the law. So, once 1L started, there was a lot of events, receptions and networking to attend. Looking back on it, I wish I would have been smarter with my time. There were many events that I was not particularly interested in that I nonetheless attended and many of them that were the repetitions of others. If I could give myself some advice, it would be to prioritize my time, and allow myself down-time.

Similarly, I would also tell myself to relax, especially when it comes to the job search. In December, some of my classmates started getting summer offers, before I even had a chance to apply. During the entire month, I let myself stress over the fact that I did not have any offers, despite knowing there was nothing I could do about it. At the end everything worked out fine, however, I probably would have been more effective if I had not been so stressed.

If Only I Knew - A Few Helpful Hints for Your 1L Year

You can’t really know what law school is like until you’re actually in it. I have classmates who grew up knowing they were bound for law school, whose parents went to Loyola, who didn’t know how to outline or write a case brief. It’s okay. The learning curve is steep but most people get the hang of it within the first couple of months. There are however a few things that you can prepare for – things I wish I knew before I started and things that I am still working on. They essentially break down into two categories – study habits and life habits.

The three study habits that I wish I knew before I started were when to outline, when to start using supplement books, and where the good study locations are. First and foremost, an outline is basically your own summary of all the material in the course that you will need to know for the final. My outline was never more than 38 pages long and should probably have been shorter than that. You can find student-made outlines from past year on the St. Thomas More website but you’ll want to write your own.

Most professors will give you advise on when to outline but, generally, you should start your outline after completing the first major section of the course, usually three or four weeks into the semester – for example for Prof. Selmi’s (fantastic) torts class you should start outlining after you complete intentional torts.

Once you start outlining you should also spend an hour every Saturday and Sunday practicing that section from Example and Explanations books (E&Es) and other supplement books. Not all supplements are created equal. Some supplements cover material that is NOT covered in your class so ask your professor if they have any preferences or recommendations. You can burrow a lot of these supplements from the library, scan the entire book with the book scanner in the computer lab, and then upload the scans directly to your personal Google Docs account. Be a good person and share your scans with friends.

Finally, the good study spots are the small study rooms in the library (I like the basement). You usually need to reserve these in advance so beware if someone ever tries to kick you out of a study room. On sunny days, there are a couple great patios on the fourth floor on Burns building where all the faculty offices are located. The views of DTLA are not bad as you can see.

Two life habits that will help you are to manage your time around sleep and make sure to give yourself time for things that make you happy. I’m still struggling with the second of these habits. Try your best to get enough sleep every night so that you are pleasant to be around. At least in 1L year this shouldn’t be too terrible but make sure that you’re not pushing all your reading or studying for Sunday night.

You also need to get outside the library and do something productive that makes you happy. I like to swim, other’s like to go to the gym or walk around Santa Monica. My study group also did game nights and Korean barbeque nights. Keep your spirits up and you’ll do great!

Cold Calling Is Super Scary

Hi all! I hope law school is treating you well; but most importantly… that you are! I am writing from my experience; therefore, this is my truth and other people are entitled to have different opinions. By now, you are probably familiar with “cold calling,” but in case you are not, I’ll try my best to give you an accurate description (I said try, okay?). Professors assign readings (duh). However, you are expected to read everything BEFORE class and of course they want to know if you did it; so, this is when cold calling comes into play, the professor will randomly pick you and ask you something pursuant to a case or a simple question to test your knowledge. It is not as terrifying as it sounds, most of the time it is something that you’ll know. Nevertheless, we are all human and OBVIOUSLY that means we are not expected to answer right 100% of the time. The most important thing is to know when to let things go. No one will think of you differently because you answered incorrectly a question about the “Erie Doctrine.” My point is cold calling is bad if you want it to be. When you learn that a wrong answer does not define you, you will see cold calling as a breeze in the park and I promise it is not “Fake News.”

A Piece of Advice for Entering Law Students

My first year of law school was a bit of a blur. I remember thinking about what the first day would be like. Would I get cold called like Elle Woods on her first day of Harvard Law? Would everyone be super competitive? Would I still know how to study after two years of being in the working world? While I did end up being the first person to get cold called in my Property class that semester, I quickly realized that I had just begun the biggest challenge of my educational career.

Looking back, 1L year was probably the most significant year of law school. Not only are you transitioning into a new chapter of your life, but you are also developing skills that will be the foundation of your legal career. At times it was overwhelming, and I wondered how I would ever be able to absorb all the information that was being thrown my way. However, over the next two semesters I realized that I had underestimated myself.

Law school has a weird way of making you step up to the plate. Ready or not, it’s happening. As such, I quickly realized I had to come up with a game plan. By the time first semester midterms rolled around, I found myself spending countless hours in the library reading, outlining, and preparing for exams. By the end of the week, I was tired and burnt out. You can imagine my surprise then when I got my first midterm back and didn’t do as well as I had hoped. I had studied more than ever and still did not get the results I wanted.

I must have been doing something wrong. When I told my 3L friend about my midterm, she asked me how I was studying. When I told her about my study habits, she quickly informed me that I was approaching it the wrong way. She told me to “study smart.” At first, I was confused: of course, I was studying—a lot.

How does one “study smart,” you may ask? For me, studying smart meant organizing my time better and learning how to prioritize. I would no longer get hung up on every minute detail of every topic when reviewing material or waste time creating flashcards that I would never look at again. Instead I found that big picture mind maps made the most sense to me and started scheduling my day out to make sure I got my school work done while also having time to myself.

Three years later, here is my advice to 1Ls: study smart. While I can’t give you an exact road map of what this means, I can tell you that my 1L year was much more enjoyable after I made these changes. And as always, realize that you have made it this far for a reason and soon enough you’ll
be a 3L ready to graduate from one of the best law schools in the country.

A Piece of Advice for Entering Law Students

If I somehow had the knowledge about law school in my 1E year that I have now, I’m sure I would do so many things differently. The biggest thing I would do differently, however, is to not stress so much about things that don’t really matter. I think back on my 1E year and remember so many times where I was worried about things that just aren’t important. I let so many other people’s opinions about what to do and what not to do in law school get in my way of learning and also enjoying the experience. Once I got into my second year, I quickly realized that all of the anxiety, pressure, and stress I had placed on myself was for nothing. In fact, I was worse off for it.

Whenever I meet people who are considering law school or have just started law school, this is the very thing that I tell them. Along with it, I also try to emphasize that there’s no need to be overly competitive. This is a huge law school myth that I’ve tried to steer away from since I entered. You don’t need to push others aside in order to succeed. You can succeed alongside everyone else and, if anything, it’s a much healthier way to approach your education. Refusing to adhere to the stereotype of law school being a cut-throat environment is a great way to reduce your stress in your first year. This includes competing with yourself – which was where I think I created most of my stress.

Debunk a Law School Myth

Hello again, Jury of Peers! This week, let’s open Pandora’s Box and talk about…Law School Myths.

Sometimes it feels easier to never open the box because it’s easier to not know than it is to know. But hopefully all you prospective lawyers out there aren’t afraid to put in some elbow grease with me as we dissect a couple common myths!

#1: Law School transforms even the most social of butterflies into the most hermit of crabs.

This is actually a Yes-and-No myth. Yes, law school takes a HUGE amount of your time and you do, to some extent, have to plan your life around putting in those solo study hours. But to say you never get to go out with your friends isn’t really true. To avoid feeling stressed about homework while also avoiding burnout, I usually try to limit myself to one social thing a week either on Friday or Saturday night. The best way to ensure you get that social time is to plan ahead and front load your work or, only make plans after your normal study hours.

#2: Law school professors don’t care about you.

Maybe at other schools this is true, but at Loyola I feel so grateful to have professors who genuinely want to not only get to know us as students but get to know us as people. They want you to succeed and become wonderful lawyers. They definitely don’t coddle you in any way, but they sincerely do want to help you do well.

Hopefully this helped allay some of your fears. I truly think you’ll find that the more you investigate these myths, the more you’ll realize that they are just that: myths. Don’t be afraid of opening the box for fear of what you might find. Plus, you can say you’re a Law-School-Myth-Buster!

See you in the next one,

        Kelsey

Kelsey’s Club: Myths About Loyola That Are Fully True (In My Opinion)

• Sonia’s Café is a gift from above
• PILF Auction Night is super fun
• Everyone here is really friendly and inclusive

Law School is a Full-Time Job

Before I started law school and all throughout my 1L, I was constantly told that law school is like a full-time job. After almost three years in law school, I would like to confirm that this in fact is true! When we say that law school is like a full-time job, we mean that it is a lot of hard work, takes a lot of your time, and requires focus, discipline, and your best efforts at all times. While you might think that this is a bad thing, it’s actually not. Law school, like any other job, teaches you a lot about the profession, others, and yourself. With regards to the latter, you learn a lot about your skills and capabilities, your strengths and weaknesses, and your ability to resolve issues and ultimately thrive in whatever you aspire to do.

If I were to talk to my 1L self now, I would tell her that law school isn’t all that bad and that she should treat law school as a job. I would advise her to treat it as a 9-5 meaning go to school in the mornings and get all the readings for the next day done right away instead of taking breaks and putting it off until the last minute. I think one thing I’ve definitely learned while in law school is that time is money. It’s extremely valuable and that if I have a couple free minutes or hours now to get work done, then I will have a couple free minutes or hours later on for myself to do something fun, relax, or sleep.

Finally, I would tell her that it’s okay if things get hard or feel difficult because just like any other job, there’s room for improvement and growth and eventually things get better and easier as you go. It’s possible to thrive and achieve your goals, it just takes time, hard work, and trust in yourself that you can do it.

Until next time friends!

Summer in the City

For those of you who followed my blog post last year, I left you on a bit of cliffhanger as far as my job hunt. I was actually able to land a great position as a law clerk at Goodkin Law in Century City. Goodkin is a boutique firm that specializes in real estate litigation – exactly what I hope to practice after law school. I found out about the position through Loyola’s spring job fair. I met the firm’s founder, Daniel Goodkin, and senior associate, Michael Shakouri, and even though they were actually looking for 2L applicants, they encouraged me to apply after we chatted for a few minutes. I applied and was thrilled when I found out that I got the job. What’s more, I found out that I’d be working alongside my classmate and fellow Wine & Spirits officer Rebekah Hoelscher!

Over the summer I got to work on everything from discovery and pleadings, to temporary restraining orders (TROs) and motions for summary judgment (MSJs). The wins are satisfying but one of the most important things I learned is the reality that, as great as you think your arguments are, you’re just not going to win every time. All you can do is make the best case for your client and when things don’t go your way, you’ve got to learn to roll with the punches, react with purpose, and move on to the next battle.

In addition to my work at Goodkin, I started Bootcamp with Loyola’s Byrne Trial Advocacy Team. Bootcamp started in mid-July and right out of the gate, the workload was surprisingly tough. Last minute reading or writing assignments were commonplace. The Bootcamp is only about a month long but they pack a huge amount of information in including evidence primers, trial basics like moving exhibits into evidence, how to talk to juries and TONS of reading and writing. The whole thing culminates with Bootcamp trials at the end of the summer. I and my Byrne teammate, Rima Sahakyan, prepared for and actually competed in two trials in a week. It was an intense and rewarding experience.

Now Rima and I are both headed to Texas for the Lone Star Classic trial ad competition and I couldn’t be happier! My teammates, Rima, Anders Iversen, and Ilia Borisov are all incredibly talented advocates and we have amazing coaches in John Henry and Melissa Lyons (pictured below with me after a 4-hour Monday night practice). We’re all eager to go represent Loyola and show off everything that we’ve learned and practiced this summer!

Volunteering: A Fun Summer Alternative

As a law student, it is very common to spend the summer either taking classes to ease your fall semester’s course load or externing to satisfy your experiential requirements. However, I decided that this summer I would do neither, instead I wanted to relax (Yes, you read well, I said relax). Sometimes relaxing is essential to recover from finals and law school life in general. Most importantly, taking care of your mental health is crucial to succeed in law school (friendly reminder that Loyola offers support resources).

After enjoying my vacations without any remorse, I decided that I wanted to volunteer near my community. I thought finding a place to volunteer would be challenging and it was so far from the truth. All it took was a five-minute internet search to stumble upon an organization that needed volunteers for their monthly immigration fair. I was surprised with all the exposure I had, with the supervision of a certified attorney I filed paperwork for citizenship, conducted interviews, renewed green cards and DACA applications, and translated. I am not going to lie, I was kind of hesitant because this was my first time dealing with immigration law; however, Loyola has given me the tools to adapt in any particular environment. I never thought that I would spend my summer relaxing while performing legal related duties. Therefore, if you do not want to compromise your whole summer, volunteering is always a great option!

My 2019 Summer

This summer I worked at a mid-sized law firm doing employment defense work. After working in house at Forever 21 during my 1L summer, I was able to narrow down the practice areas that I wanted to explore. Employment was one such practice area that I developed interest in during my time at Forever 21. I appreciated the human-interest aspect of employment law and the uniqueness of each case. In particular I enjoyed working on behalf of the employer as I got to see what goes on behind the scenes after an employee files his/her complaint.

At work this summer I was able to get hands on experience into the world of litigation. From propounding discovery to writing motions and reports, I was entrusted with preparing documents that were crucial to the litigation process. While drafting such documents isn’t necessarily covered in law school, I quickly realized that the knowledge I amassed at Loyola was crucial in helping me succeed at these practical tasks.

Although I worked full time over the summer, I was fortunate enough to also be able to travel and take some time to relax before school started. In July I went to Mexico for a family wedding and later to Chicago with friends. However, vacation could only last so long and school began shortly after I returned. As I returned to school well-rested and relaxed, I reflected back on my summer and could not help but realize how much I learned. I am currently working as a law clerk at the same law firm I was at this summer and plan on continuing for the rest of the year and beyond.

My 2019 Summer

This summer was a total whirlwind for me! A few days after I finished up my finals, I got married and went on a trip through a few cities in the pacific northwest. I decided to participate in the write-on competition for law review in the few days I had when I returned and then a couple of days after that, I started a new job! It sounds like a lot of stress in a short period of time, but honestly the whole thing was pretty fun.

I was lucky enough to work full time this summer and did not need to take any classes. Evening students sometimes have to take classes in the summer to make up for shortcomings in their schedules during the year, but that was not the case for me this time around. Instead, I was blessed with the opportunity to work in a personal injury firm alongside truly amazing attorneys. I decided to stay at this firm in the fall because I’ve just been learning so much. I get to draft correspondence and pleadings, communicate directly with clients, and so much more. I think so much of the law school experience is actually going out and learning in the real world, so I’m really grateful for this opportunity.

My 2019 Summer

This summer I had the opportunity to extern in Federal Bankruptcy Court in Downtown Los Angeles. As a judicial extern, I watched proceedings and performed legal research and writing. I also had the opportunity to talk to many judges about their experiences as attorneys. My favorite part of working in chambers was the chance to put into practice some of the theories I had learned during my first year. For instance, during our first year we learned about the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and during the summer I had the opportunity to see how these rules were integrated into complaints. Furthermore, working in bankruptcy was a great opportunity to learn an area of the law that I had previously not been exposed to. I learned a lot from looking at issues that I was not familiar with and researching primary and secondary sources for new concepts and precedent. Furthermore, having a supportive judge and amazing clerks definitely made the process more enjoyable.

In addition to all the interesting work in court, this summer I tried out a lot of new food places in Downtown Los Angeles. The Federal building was very close to the Arts District, and Chinatown so there were plenty of options for delicious food daily. In addition to the restaurants in the area, Downtown has farmers markets that offer fresh produce during the day. I enjoyed walking to the farmers market to buy delicious strawberries from the farmers market during my lunch break. Oh, also the view from chambers was pretty sweet!

Summer Days, Driftin' Away

Summer blockbusters always trail characters who go on an adventure and come back with a renewed sense of self or a new feeling of belonging. My summer followed a similar path, except my summer lasted a full year because I took a gap-year after graduation.

During my senior year, I had planned to go right from undergrad to law school but decided I needed time off to replenish things in my life that had gotten low. The first portion of my summer break was focused on relaxation. I took time to travel, pick my artistic passions back up, and reconnect with my high school friends who were also back home after undergrad.

The next portion contained a lot of stress. To be honest, I had a crisis. I seriously pondered what was right for my future and really had to look at what was important to me. I wondered if law school was right for me (which I learned was common). But I decided that law school was where I should go and did what everyone probably still has nightmares about: took the LSAT and applied to schools.

I then interned as a social media and marketing intern for an acting studio in Santa Ana where I worked remotely (and in pj’s!) from home in Las Vegas.

In my last weeks of summer, I took on the “glamorous” task of packing to move. It was scary to move again to a new city and take on the daunting task of law school. But what I didn’t have the first time around when I went to undergrad was a stronger sense of purpose and a renewed sense of self.

2L Summer

I spent this past 2L summer decompressing from the busyness of 2L, relaxing, and gaining more experiences to diversify my skillset and make me a more well-rounded person. Over the summer, I worked as a student administrative assistant at the Career Development Office and a law clerk for a local law office.

As a student administrative assistant for the Career Development Office, my duties consisted of communicating with students and other callers, inputting and publishing opportunities on the school’s online job posting website, and assisting the staff with events and other projects. While indirectly law related, this opportunity allowed me to become aware of all the opportunities that are available in the legal profession and understand the importance of being creative when trying to figure out the next big step in one’s life.

As a law clerk for a local law office that specialized in immigration, international business, and corporate law, my duties included conducting research and writing corresponding memos. I also had the opportunity to draft employment contracts, an independent consulting agreement, and visa support letters. This job experience allowed me to learn about multiple areas of the law and work on my legal research skills. I also learned the importance of being flexible, adjusting work styles to fit the expectations and structure of different attorneys, and accepting constructive criticism.

Prior to starting work for the summer, I took about three weeks off to relax, spend time with loved ones, and catch up on sleep. I’m happy I made this decision to take some time off because I was able to start work with a clearer and more relaxed mind. Some fun things I did over the summer include fangirling during the opening weekend of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, cheering on my sister at her college graduation, spending time with my dog, going to Dodgers games, trying new food, attending concerts and sporting events, and making Disneyland trips with various visiting family members and friends.

This summer allowed me to focus on myself by relaxing, getting refocused on my goals, and developing my personal and professional interests. Now that school’s back, I’m ready to take on everything this last year at Loyola has to offer!

Until next time friends!

Introduction.

Hi! My name is Breanna. I’m currently a third-year evening student for those that don’t know me. I live in the valley with my husband, Michael and our two dogs. I’m on campus a few days each week and also work part-time at a personal injury law firm in Century City. This is a little different from my first two years of law school because I previously worked as a tutor for students with learning disabilities and had a much more flexible schedule. Needless to say, the third year of law school as an evening student has brought its own set of challenges.

In the time since I started law school, I’ve been slowly checking things off my bucket list. This summer I got my first job in a law firm since starting law school, got married, and went on a few fun trips. I’m planning to continue that trend this year as I’m on law review, continuing to work, and taking on leadership opportunities at school. Law school can be hard because a good portion of your time ends up being spent on school or doing something else to work toward your future. With that being said, it’s also my goal to work more on being present and mindful. Not sure how well that’s going to go, but I’m giving it a solid try!

Introduction.

Hello Jury of Peers! My name is Kelsey and I’m SO excited to be your 1L blogger this year!

So, since you’ll be hearing from me all year, here’s a little background about who I am. I grew up in Las Vegas with my parents and my younger sister, but I graduated from UC Irvine with my bachelors in Business Administration and Drama in 2018. Zot! Zot! Zot!

I love singing, songwriting, painting, and poetry. I also really love to travel. You might have guessed by my majors that I’m a huge theatre geek, so it only makes sense that my favorite place in the world to visit is New York City. (My list of great Broadway shows is at the end of my post!)

*Yes, that is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s signature on my phonecase*

By far my favorite part of undergrad was being on an improv team that I ended up running my junior and senior year. I taught, performed, and helped run/produce a huge comedy festival, the Coup de Comedy, every spring that drew in both UCI students and the outside community.

In my gap year between undergrad and law school, I took a lot of time to relax and reinvigorate myself. I did an internship as the Social Media and Marketing coordinator for a small acting studio in the OC which was really fun. I got to work from home in my pj’s, so it doesn’t get better than that. I also came back to UCI to teach improv workshops during the Coup de Comedy 2019.

Right now, I’m interested in pursuing Entertainment law, but my interests are always changing since all of my classes are peaking my interests. Even though I’m a busy law student if you ever see me on campus, come over and say hi! Just like pretty much everyone at Loyola, I’m always ready to engage and make meaningful connections with others!
See you in the next one,

Kelsey

Kelsey’s Club: Broadway Edition

• Anything Goes (2011 Revival)
• Bandstand
• Come From Away
• Company
• Hadestown
• Hamilton
• Kinky Boots
• Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812
• Newsies

Introduction.

6 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ME

1. Hola! My name is Nicole Christine Burgos Romero (long, huh?) and I am a third- year evening student.

 2. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico (and yes, I am also tired of hearing “Despacito”). 

 In fact, I moved here three years ago. Even though, I love California and its scenery. I must say that our beaches in Puerto Rico cannot be compared (Sorry!).

3. Before ever thinking to become a lawyer, I wanted to be an “Egyptologist.” 

Yes, that’s a thing! I grew out of it soon since Egypt is a world away from Puerto Rico. However, I am still obsessed with Egypt, think it has the best history ever, and secretly wish to become an Egyptologist.

4. I am obsessed with horror films and crime podcasts.

I think there is nothing more relaxing after reading about evidence than to watch a horror movie or listening to a good crime podcast. If you like crime podcasts, I TOTALLY recommend “Crime Junkie.”

5. I am a mom of a three-year-old.

I had my son and two weeks after I was finishing my last semester of college. So far, I see this as one of my biggest accomplishments. Also, having a kid and being in law school is super manageable; do not let anyone discourage you, if it is something you want to do.

6. Law School is not what I thought it would be.

Law school is nothing like “How to Get Away with Murder” because we have to you know… READ — sorry Ms. Keating! All jokes aside, law school is WAY better in real life, people are actually nice, cold calling is not that terrifying, and some assignments are fun.

Introduction.

And just like that I’m in my last year of law school! It’s hard to believe that just last year I was starting my first year at Loyola as a transfer student. I remember being nervous and wondering how I would start over at a new school. One year later I can confidently say that “starting over” at Loyola was the best decision I made. I’ve become active in the school’s student organizations, joined an awesome clinic, am working at a great firm, and have met some amazing people.

It’s hard to tell people you’re going to law school without getting some kind of unsolicited advice in return. However, I found that the actual advice varied depending on where I was in my legal education at the time of the conversation. During my first year, the most common response was “I hear the first year is tough.” As a 2L, it was much more motivational as people reassured me that “you’re almost there!” Now as a third-year law student, the question has become: “Are you excited to graduate?”

While graduation has always been the endgame, it is bittersweet to think about closing such a big chapter in my life. Law school is hard, there is no way around it. But law school has also shaped me into a more aware, knowledgeable, compassionate, and hardworking person. As someone who has always been in school, this is likely the last time in my life where learning will be my full time job. That in and of itself is hard to wrap my head around.

Don’t get me wrong though, I am excited to graduate. Soon enough I will be putting my law school knowledge to use. This summer I got a glimpse into how I would actually be applying this knowledge working in employment law. Learning about a legal concept and applying it to a real case are two very different things. However, I’m glad to report that Loyola prepared me extremely well for this task. From writing motions to preparing reports, I used the skills I gathered at Loyola to help my firm make a real difference for our clients. Ultimately, I hope to be doing this work on a higher level as an attorney.

With that said, here is some unsolicited advice from someone who has been through it all: learn as much as you can and try to enjoy the process. It’s easier said than done, but soon enough you’ll be a 3L and getting ready to enter the real world.

Introduction.

There is a saying that 1L year they scare you to death, 2L year they work you to death, and 3L year they bore you to death. I can’t speak to 3L year and 1L year was scary but I made a ton of great friends who helped me through it. What they say about 2L year though is spot on!

Hello lovely readers. For those who don’t know me from my blogging escapades last year, my name is Alex Verdegem and I’m now a 2L at Loyola Law School. Since the last time I wrote, A LOT has changed. I earned a summer position at Goodkin APC in Century City working on real estate litigation, I wrote onto Loyola’s International & Comparative Law Review, I made Loyola’s nationally ranked Byrne Trial Advocacy Team, and I made it to my second year of law school! Needless to say, it’s been a busy summer and, since the start of school, the workload has only increased. That’s law school though and I really wouldn’t have it any other way.

Unlike 1L year, my class schedule is mine to control. Right now, I’m literally in class, reading, or writing 12+ hours per day, 7 days per week. Weekends are filled with trial ad practice trials, critiques and constant rewrites of our case. I’m taking two required “Bar” courses as well as prepping for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, the attorney ethics test, in November. Finally, I’m the Internal Chair of the Real Estate Law Society in change of 1L representatives and I’m the Treasurer for the Loyola Wine & Spirits Legal Society. On any given day, it’s not hard to find more work that needs to get done J

Why am I doing all of this? Because I enjoy all of it and it was my goal to be involved as heck during my 2L year! I was so impressed with all that Loyola had to offer during my 1L year that I wanted to dig in and take advantage all the opportunities that surround me. The coaches on Byrne are tough but I know they can help me if I put in the work. The law review is full the most interesting and intelligent people I’ve met here. My classes and my professors were all my choice. And of course, the Real Estate Law Society and Wine and Spirits just bring me joy. For me, 2L year has been a chance to take control and decide where I want to go. And I decided to jump in head first.

Introduction.

Welcome to the Jury of Peers everyone!!! My name is Nicole, and I am a 3L here at Loyola Law School. Since my 1L, I have been a blogger here on the Jury of Peers and have been documenting my time at Loyola. So if you’ve been here before, welcome back, nice to see you! And if you’re new, WELCOME!!! (Also, please feel free to check out my previous posts from 1L and 2L to be assured that law school does get better… it really does!)

So a little bit about me: I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2015 with degrees in English and Global Studies. After undergrad, I wanted to give myself some time and an opportunity to explore my interest in a legal career and be sure that it was what I really wanted. So from 2015 until 2017, I worked as a legal assistant at a boutique law firm in the Inland Empire that specialized in workers’ compensation, personal injury, and trusts and estate. This experience not only taught me discipline, professionalism, and the importance of efficiency but also solidified my interests in pursuing a legal career and going to law school. Now, I’m here at Loyola in my third and final year trying to learn as much as possible and gain as many valuable experiences that will make me a well-rounded attorney and individual.

During my 1L, it was a bit of a challenge getting back into the school routine especially after two years working and not having to worry about the turning in assignments and staying on track with reading. But fortunately with a little perseverance and some good friends, I was able to pull through and survive that first year.

During my 1L summer and through my first semester as a 2L, I worked as a research assistant for the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic. I had gone into law school thinking I really wanted to do immigration law so this opportunity helped me explore the field while at the same time learn more about a subject matter that is so relevant and debated in our society. Moreover, this opportunity allowed me to strengthen my communication skills and improve my organization and planning techniques, both of which are transferable to other areas of the law.

During my 2L, I was a clinical student for the Project for the Innocent. I wrote an entry about this experience last year, and I will definitely discuss it more detail when we get to clinics and externships. But to put it in a nutshell, this experience opened my eyes to a serious and emotional issue: wrongful convictions.

This past 2L summer, I worked two jobs: at the career development office here at school and at a law firm that dealt with immigration, international, and business transactional law. Again, I’ll discuss these work experiences in further detail in a later post, but in short, both experiences, though different, allowed me to develop skills and learn new things about myself.

And now, we’re in the present! As I mentioned, I’m a 3L, which means I’m almost to the end of my time in law school! After working in workers’ compensation, immigration, criminal law, and international business, I have decided to focus on transactional entertainment law. It’s been a journey, but I feel like I’m finally on a path that excites me and appeals to two longstanding interests that I’ve had: entertainment and contracts.

So far, this has been all work and no play, and I’m sure you must be wondering: “Is there no fun to be had while in law school? Is there no time for anything aside from books and work?” While law school is like a full-time job, it is still important to keep yourself in mind and set aside personal time away from law school. So what do I do? I hit the gym, head over to Disneyland for mid-week trips to grab a churro, play with my dog, try new food, watch Dodgers games, spend time with my loved ones, watch Friends, sleep (it may sound funny, but this is so important!), etc., etc.

I hope now you know a little about me! I can’t wait to share this year’s adventures with you! I’m a student ambassador for Loyola, so if you see me on campus during your visit or take a tour with me, don’t be a stranger! Let’s talk – about law school, your questions, food recommendations, the best rides at theme parks, baseball, your hopes and dreams, everything and anything!

Stay tuned! 3L is going to be an adventure!

Introduction.

Hello fellow and future Loyolans!

Welcome to another school year! After spending a great summer in Bankruptcy Court, I was excited to come back to school. As difficult as 1L was, it was also extremely stimulating and rewarding. Even though during the summer I had the opportunity to catch up with my friends, I still missed the day-to-day with them. It is true what people say; your law school friends will end up becoming your lifelong friends.

2L has been a completely different experience than 1L. After the heavy academics of 1L, I decided to take advantage of Loyola’s experiential opportunities. I decided to do both the Civil Rights Litigation Practicum and the Juvenile Innocence and Fair Sentencing Clinic. By far the hardest part of this year has been the level of independence that comes with working with real issues and real clients. This semester I’ve had to truly exercise time management as the projects for practicums and clinics are ongoing. Surprisingly working independently with real issues and real clients is also the most satisfying part of the work. Representing clients has been an amazing experience that integrates the theory of law with my desire to help communities of color. As a certified law student, I have the opportunity to become a better advocate while providing post-conviction services to people sentenced as youth.

So, I am five weeks in and I am still thrilled to be back and excited for what 2L will bring!

Summer Is Here

Loyola holds tons of events – speaking, networking, and otherwise, that are geared toward helping students succeed. I’ve attended a few, but I wasn’t necessarily planning to do an externship during the summer.  I toyed with the idea of taking summer classes, but decided I didn’t want to because I don’t need the units. To be honest, I had no idea how I wanted to spend my summer and was having trouble finding people who could give me some solid words of advice about what I should do. However, I stumbled upon a fantastic externship at a great firm after attending a Consumer Law Society event that I’m very excited for.

I’m going to be a summer law clerk at a personal injury law firm in Century City, which will be my first legal job in several years and my first experience being given more autonomy at a law firm. I’m very excited to learn more about this area of the law and also about the different stages of a case. Loyola has already given me a head start on some portions of that, though, through my Legal Drafting class. The skills that I learned in that class will certainly come in handy since I, not only drafted legal documents and correspondence, but was taught real-world advice about what you need to know if you’re going to work in a law firm. In a way, that’s exactly what Loyola is good for. I can say for certain that Loyola’s emphasis on preparing us to actually practice the law has made a huge difference for me.

Loyola's Pro Bono Requirement

I decided to knock out my pro bono requirement during the summer after my 1E year. Typically, evening students don’t really hold internships before their 2nd summer, but I wanted to do a little more while I was taking Constitutional Law and continuing to tutor students part-time.

However, I went above and beyond the hours that I needed to hit. I decided to spend three days each week at Neighborhood Legal Services working in their clean slate initiatives. Primarily, I interviewed clients, completed expungement paperwork, drafted petitions, and met with them in person at NLS’s monthly clinic. Throughout all of this, I got to get my feet wet in criminal law and public interest work, while also having direct contact with clients. It was a very informative and rewarding experience, but also very difficult work. I have a lot of respect for the attorneys that I worked with for that very reason. I had several instances where I interviewed very emotional clients, who had been dragged through the mud over a conviction on their record which they either regretted or had a very heart wrenching back story for. These experiences taught me a lot about working directly with clients and also working in the public interest realm. I also learned a lot about dealing with the criminal courts and what it’s like to be a pro per litigant. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to fulfill their requirement because it was more than just logging volunteer hours. NLS gave me the ability to spend time with people, to learn their stories, and to tell them the best way that I could help in the hopes that I might be able to change their lives in a significant way. I think that’s the real power that attorneys have in action.

Sunrise, Sunset – The End of the Year and the Start of the Summer

This is my last post of the year and I feel like the time has absolutely flown by. Before I start, I just wanted to thank you for checking out my blog! I hope I have given you a bit of insight into life at Loyola with some advice and fun anecdotes. I have already experienced so much in my classes, extracurriculars, Barristers’ Ball (check out the photo below!), and in my job hunt for the summer. Still though, there is a lot left to do before classes wrap up. I haven’t totally nailed down all of my summer plans but I am interviewing everywhere and there are still on-campus activities that could impact my summer – particular Loyola’s nationally ranked Byrne Trial Team.

On the job front, I’m in the midst of second and third round interviews with several firms. I won’t lie, I am a little jealous of the people who earned judicial externships. Most of my friends who applied for externship spots and have known since January what they would be doing for the summer. It would be nice not to worry about interviews but I’m still happy with my decision to try the firm route. In addition, there are additional externship opportunities available in the future after I’ve taken classes like evidence.

It is funny how my job interests have developed since the start of the year. In the beginning, I thought that I would only ever want to do transactional work. Recently though, I had to present oral arguments as part of my legal writing class. I was so much fun, I HAD to add several litigation firms to my job search. You never really know what you’re going to be good at or how your interests are going to develop so stay open possibilities.

The other exciting summer prospect that needs nailing down is the opportunity to be on the Byrne Trial Team, which is ranked 9th in the country! Tryouts are actually tomorrow and I need to practice my closing arguments and cross examination skills. If I were to make the team, I would have to attend a summer boot camp in the evenings in addition to my summer position. Wish me luck! Whatever happens, I’m excited for the summer and for the coming year.

Summer Is Here

I can’t believe this is my last blog post during my 1L year! I cannot express how quickly time has flown. When I first started law school, I thought this year would drag on, and don’t get me wrong, at times it seemed never ending, but looking back I have no idea where the time has gone. I am so thankful to have spent my first year of law school at Loyola. The friends and relationships I have made so far are more than I could have ever hoped for.

            It has been my honor to blog for Loyola during my first year and it’s been a pleasure sharing my experience so far. My plan for the summer is to work. I have been applying at employment firms and for entertainment positions. I have had wonderful informational interviews with very impressive attorneys that have given me helpful career advice and articulated the different steps I can to take to get where I want to be.  I will also be diving deep into research this summer as I have a plan to implement a new organization on Loyola’s campus in the coming years.

            I am excited to see what this summer will bring. While working and researching I will also be taking a summer school class. I plan to take Evidence so that I can lighten my course load during the fall semester and intern throughout the year. I also like the idea of not getting out of the “school mode” so taking a summer school course is perfect for me.

            Loyola has been very helpful in my career search. We are constantly getting emails and updates about open positions and there are numerous events educating us on how to format our resumes and curate our cover letters. Simplicity (a career builder and event website run by Loyola) is also a wonderful tool in searching for open positions. While final exams are still ahead of me, I often find myself reflecting on this year. A year ago today I was still in St. Louis about to finish up undergrad. It seems like a lifetime ago, and I have grown so much since then. This year has had it its ups and downs, but I would gladly choose Loyola all over again.

Summer is Here

Hello, Jury of Peers! I can’t believe that is the last time I’m saying hi to all of you. Yes, the semester is ending and graduation is so close! Also, my birthday is one day before graduation so I can say that I am twice as excited for May.

I feel that the time flew by, but I also feel that I am ready for a new chapter in my life. I am going to be a clerk for the DA’s Office in Los Angeles and I am so excited for that because I want to practice criminal law in the future so this is going to be a great learning opportunity for me!

Also I will start studying for the bar exam, but I am going to sit for the bar in February so I have more time to study and focus on the exam. I have to admit that I am a little bit scared of the bar exam but I will do my best and hopefully next year I have good news.

It was a pleasure for me to be a LLM student at Loyola Law School this past year. It was so far the best experience of my life and I am so grateful for everything that I learned and that I spent so much time on campus. I recommend to everyone out there to live this experience if you can, and I am sure you will not regret it!

Thank you Loyola Law School for being my home for this past year and I know you will always be my home! I am sure that all the opportunities and achievements that I will have from now on will be thanks to you and because of that I will be forever grateful.

For all the future LLM students, know that you are not alone: Loyola is your family! Also, the LLM alumni are your family too!

Now let’s see what the future has prepared for me.

Bye, Jury of Peers!

Summer is Here

It seems as though from the moment the school year begins, law students around the country begin thinking about their summer plans. While some students find their summer positions during the first few weeks of school through the OCI process, many use the school year to explore their options. As a transfer student at Loyola, I was fortunate enough to be able to still participate in the second round of OCI—an opportunity that not many schools provide to their transfer students. Although I ultimately decided to wait on making any summer plans, the OCI experience gave me a head start at developing my interview skills, finessing my resume, and getting familiar with the law school job market.

As the year progressed, I began putting in more effort into my summer job search. One resource I relied on heavily was Loyola’s Symplicity job page. As positions became available, Loyola’s Career Development Office would share these opportunities with students via this online platform. The page was updated almost daily and allowed students to apply to the positions directly from the postings themselves. Ultimately, it was through Symplicity that I secured my summer position.

This summer I will be working as a Summer Associate at mid-sized law firm in Downtown Los Angeles. I will be pursuing my interest in Employment law by working for the firm’s Employment practice group. I had initially applied for the position on Symplicity in late Fall. I remember thinking that the position seemed too good to be true but thought that I had nothing to lose by applying. After not hearing anything back for a few months, it seemed fair to think that I should probably start exploring other options. Right before Spring Break, however, I got a call for an interview and the rest is history!

I could not be more excited to start my position this summer. I can confidently say that Loyola’s Career Development Office and my counselor Katrina have been instrumental in helping me secure my summer position. Many of my friends at other schools are surprised at how committed Loyola is to placing its students in unique and prestigious externships, jobs, and practical learning opportunities.

And Just Like That, Another Year is Over

Welcome back to the Jury of Peers, readers! I hope this blog post finds you happy and well!

Can you believe it?! This is the last entry for the academic year! The spring semester is coming to an end, and summer is just around the corner, which means final exams, last minute studying, and summer jobs! It’s hard to believe that it’s already that time of year again, but 2L really has gone by so so SO FAST!

I am currently in the process of attending my final lectures for the semester and getting prepared for the exams season, which to be honest is and will always be a nerve-racking and stressful time. It’s truly crunch time trying to work on and finish course outlines, finish office hours for my clinic, the Project for the Innocent, and make sure I’m on top of all my readings and assignments for my courses that are still in session.

In addition, I am also in the process of figuring out what I want to do this summer. I am currently working on the transactional tract for the entertainment law concentration and one of its requirements is experiential. So I am currently trying to decide if I want to do an externship/field placement for credit during the summer or if I want to do another form of employment or internship. I am also trying to decide if I want to take classes over the summer so I can clear up some space in my schedule during my last two semesters and take other classes that I am either interested in or think would be fun. That being said it’s a lot to think about, and to be honest, I’ve been putting the thought of it on the backburner because I’ve really been trying to focus on my classes and getting the grades I need to put me in the best position heading into 3L. Am I stressed? You bet I am. Am I worried? A little. But I’m not letting myself get bogged down by those thoughts when there’s still a lot of work to get done this semester! There’s plenty of time to worry about jobs between now and the summer, and I’m hopeful that everything will work out!

On another note, I’m hoping to find some time to relax and spend time with family and friends this summer. It’s my final summer of law school, and I think that calls for some adventures!

So until the next time readers… enjoy your summer and see you in the new year!

School's Out For Summer!

Well, not yet. But we are OH SO CLOSE. It is hard to believe that this is going to be one of my last summer breaks ever (it is still a break even when you are working full-time, right?). Next year, when I graduate, my summer will be completely devoted to the bar exam, so I do not count that one.

This summer, I will be working for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office as a certified law clerk. I also worked there last summer, but as a 1L, I wasn’t able to be certified, so this summer will be even better because when you are certified, you get to speak on the record. I will be making motions, conducting preliminary hearings and arraignments, and assigned to a specific felony unit. And not only will I get to do all of this, I will actually be getting paid for it (which is rare when working for a government agency).

I am from Sacramento County and ultimately want to end up back there one day, so I was a little worried about going to school in Los Angeles at first. But I soon learned when I started interviewing up north as a 1L that Loyola is respected all over California, especially in prosecuting offices, for turning out trial-ready attorneys. I was specifically asked about the Hobbs program (which I am in) and my interviewers knew what the Byrne Trial Team was from reputation. I know for a fact that just having “Loyola Law School” on my resume made a difference in my interviews. It not only made me stand out in the sea of Northern California schools, but its reputation absolutely proceeded itself.