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!