Ever since I started law school, my friends have jokingly called me “Legally Brunette.”  It began as a fun little insider nickname, but this summer it truly felt like I leaned into my Legally Brunette Era.  And honestly?  Every law student has those moments where you feel a little like Elle Woods: overwhelmed, determined, and somehow still optimistic. 

As an evening student, our first summer is not traditionally reserved for the typical clerkship or internship route; we save that for the next two summers.  Instead, we take Constitutional Law.

Because I was already working as a law clerk, my summer was a double-feature: forty hours at the firm plus Constitutional Law at night.  My entire summer was wrapped in legal doctrine.  But, there is truly something magical about summer evening classes: the sunset on the drive over, the night breeze, and the quiet campus.  And taking just one class really allows you to immerse yourself in the material and master it.  

And when I say you do not realize how interesting Constitutional Law is, especially in the summer, I mean it.  There is something about learning foundational doctrine while the Supreme Court term is wrapping up in late June that makes everything feel incredibly current and alive.

Work was its own adventure.  I helped prepare for my first trial at the firm, which meant collaborating with the attorney and client, drafting trial documents, organizing evidence, and assisting with all the pre-trial prep that keeps cases moving behind the scenes.  I even got to go to court for the Final Status Conference.  Walking into the courtroom for the first time was intimidating, but I realized quickly that it is not nearly as dramatic or terrifying as television makes it out to be. (Yes, including Legally Blonde).  

And because no summer is complete without a little joy, I squeezed in a trip to Chicago.  It was the perfect reset before the fall semester.

Looking back, this summer reminded me why I chose this path. I studied, I worked, I learned, and I grew.  A true Legally Brunette Summer. 

 

 

 

 

Summer has come and gone, another academic year is here, and Suits has still not been watched.  Although that has not changed, nearly everything else in my life as a law student has, and if you did not catch the Suits reference, that must mean you are a new reader.  Welcome! 

A lot shifts in a year, and I am certainly not the same student who wrote her first blog post last year (See A Meaningful Introduction to Law School | Jury of Peers.)  And yes, I am fully aware I just used a legal citation signal in a blog.  What can I say?  Legal writing has officially rewired my brain. 

As a former English major, legal writing felt strange, rigid, and honestly a little awkward at first.  I struggled early on, but over time I adapted to the structure and discipline it requires.  By the end of the year, I earned a grade that I am incredibly proud of, especially after a not-so-great first brief.  So if you find yourself feeling lost in your first semester, do not worry.  Your first semester is all about learning and giving yourself space to grow. 

In my first semester, I was balancing two jobs while adjusting to the demands of law school.  Today, while I am still balancing work and classes, the picture looks very different: this summer I was offered a full-time law clerk position at a personal injury firm.

I’m learning not only how to balance one full-time job with new courses (criminal law, property, legislation and regulation), but also what it means to manage my own case file and work it up alongside an attorney.  Drafting pleadings, reviewing medical records, communicating with clients, and watching case progress step by step has brought my coursework to life.  Each day, I grow more confident and more certain about the kind of attorney I hope to become.  

And here’s the part I never forget to share: the only reason I even have this job is because I answered an email from the evening counselor.  One email changed everything.  So seriously—never underestimate the power of checking (and responding to) your emails!

For new readers, here’s a little more about me:
I graduated from UCLA in June 2024 with a major in English and minors in Professional Writing and Mexican Studies. Now, I’m a second-year evening student at Loyola Law School, working full-time as a law clerk while attending law courses at night.  Outside of work and school, I enjoy  reading, writing, baking, and spending time with family and friends. 

As for my goals this year and the future: I hope to extern for a judge or explore a new practice area, begin planning my electives for next year, and most importantly, graduate knowing I gave this journey everything I had. 

Thank you to my returning readers for following along, and welcome to those joining for the first time.  I am excited to share another year of growth, challenges, and discoveries as I continue navigating life as an evening law student.

 

Hi everyone! My name is Lia Shirvanian, and I’m so excited to return as a writer for Jury of Peers. I’m now a second-year law student at Loyola Law School, and this year already feels completely different from my first.

During my 1L year, I was still figuring out what kind of lawyer I wanted to be. I explored different areas of law, from business to real estate, but my summer at Kabateck LLP, a civil litigation firm, helped me realize that this is where my passion truly lies. I loved being in an environment where I could see the real impact of advocacy, strategy, and client trust in action.

Now as a 2L, I feel more confident and grounded. I’m on the board of the Day Student Bar Association, Legal Education Access and Development (LEAD), and the Armenian Law Students Association. Through these roles, I’ve had the chance to help build community, organize events, and create opportunities for pre-law and current law students to connect and grow.

Outside of law school, I’m still the same person who loves baking, building Legos, and camping with friends and family. But I’ve also grown in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve learned how to balance chaos with calm, how to say yes to opportunities that challenge me, and how to say no when I need rest.

Some of the things on my bucket list this year are to attend my first jury trial from start to finish and visit Japan.

Law school changes you, but in the best way. It teaches you resilience, empathy, and patience. I’m grateful to keep sharing this journey with all of you and can’t wait to see where this year takes us.