Summer is on the horizon, and with it comes the chance to continue growing both academically and professionally, while still making time to enjoy life outside of law school.

Looking back at my post from last year, it is amazing to see how much has changed.  This summer, I’m diving into Evidence Law, and having observed my first trial in February, as part of my clerkship, I got a small glimpse of how the rules of evidence play out in practice.  Seeing attorneys raise objections and navigate admissibility in real time was eye-opening, and I’m excited to learn more in class and apply it directly during my clerkship.  My goal is to continue building my skills, earn certification, and contribute meaningfully in the Los Angeles legal community through pro-bono volunteer work – all opportunities Loyola helped make possible.  

Of course, summer is not all work.  Balancing clerkships, classes, and professional growth with time for family and friends and small adventures is important too.  And who knows maybe, this summer, I will actually catch up on Suits.

Here’s to another summer of more learning, more growth, and making the most of every opportunity while still enjoying the moments that make it worthwhile.

Loyola is home to a wide variety of student clubs and organizations, many of which host events throughout the year.  As an evening student, my schedule can be demanding, and it is not always easy to stay on campus beyond what is required.  Still, I made a promise to myself early on in law school: each semester, I would attend at least one or two campus events.  So far, I have managed to stay true to that promise.

While I have attended several great events during my time at Loyola, the one that stands out most is the Health Law Student & Alumni Mixer that took place during the fall semester of my second year.  Before attending, I knew very little about health law.  I mainly went to accompany a friend, expecting to listen politely and learn more about a field that was unfamiliar to me.

What I did not expect was how interesting the conversation would be.

The event featured a panel of four Loyola alumni who now work in different areas of health law. Each speaker shared how their careers developed and how their experiences at Loyola helped guide them toward the field.  One of the most surprising things I learned was that many of them had not planned to pursue health law when they first started law school.  Instead, internships, coursework, and networking gradually introduced them to the field and shaped their career paths.

Listening to their stories opened my eyes to the scope of health law.  The work extends far beyond what I had imagined, touching on areas such as regulation, compliance, and sometimes even litigation. 

After the panel concluded, the event transitioned into a mixer where students had the opportunity to speak with the alumni individually.  What stood out most was how approachable and generous everyone was with their time. The attorneys answered questions and offered advice to students who were still exploring their interests.

I left the event not only with a better understanding of health law, but also with several new professional connections.  I exchanged LinkedIn information with a few of the alumni and later had the opportunity to meet with one of them individually.  During our conversation, she shared helpful advice about preparing for the bar exam and navigating some of the more challenging semesters of law school.

Law school often encourages us to think carefully about the paths we plan to pursue.  But events like this one remind me that sometimes the most valuable experiences come from simply showing up with an open mind. For me, the Health Law Student & Alumni Mixer was a reminder that some of the best opportunities in law school happen outside the classroom.

As a second-year evening student, I am not able to participate in clinics until my third year and that time is coming fast.  Now feels like the perfect time to start learning about the clinics and exploring where my interests lie.

Working as a law clerk at a personal injury firm has given me a front-row seat to conflict in action. Every day, I see how disputes affect real people and how much careful listening and thoughtful negotiation can change outcomes long before a case ever reaches the courtroom, which has sparked my interest in mediation.  I have come to realize that I want to help people resolve conflicts collaboratively, using strategy to prevent harm before it escalates.

This is why I am especially drawn to the Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution Mediation Clinic.  Mediation feels like a natural extension of what I have already learned, applying real-world problem-solving alongside the advocacy skills I practice in class.  The idea of helping people find solutions that work for them while building skills I will carry into my career is exactly what makes experiential learning so exciting.

My first introduction to Loyola’s experiential learning came during my first year through the Legal Name & Gender Marker Change Project.  While I did not work directly with clients, the training gave me insight into how inclusive language, clear guidance, and thoughtful support can make the law approachable and affirming.  It was a reminder that learning the law is only part of the equation; putting it into practice in a way that genuinely helps people is what makes the work meaningful.

Experiential learning at Loyola, thus far, has been invaluable in bringing the law to life. I am looking forward to the Experiential Learning Fair to explore new clinics and opportunities that will help me grow as a student and future attorney and leave people feeling a little more empowered along the way.

 

One of the things that has made the biggest difference in my experience at Loyola Law School has been the faculty.  Law school can feel overwhelming at times, especially when you are trying to figure everything out as you go.  There is no single roadmap, and naturally, a lot of questions come up along the way.  What I did not expect was how willing professors would be to help me navigate those moments.

Every time I have reached out, whether during office hours or after class, my professors have made themselves available.  Not once have I been turned away.  That level of accessibility makes it easier to ask questions, seek guidance, and feel more confident in the process.

One professor who has had a particularly meaningful impact on my journey is Professor Farhat. Even in his first year teaching, he has been incredibly supportive.  He has taken the time to answer my questions, offer advice, and share insight not just about coursework, but about law school and the legal profession more broadly.  Having someone who is willing to invest that time and mentorship has made a lasting impression on me.

I have also experienced this support beyond the classroom.  My first introduction to faculty came during Summer Institute, where I met Professor Craig, Professor Yagura, Professor Tan, and Dean Winograd.  At the time, everything about law school felt new, and their guidance helped make that transition feel more manageable.  They shared practical advice about how to approach exams, stay organized, and adjust to the demands of law school.  What has meant the most, however, is that their support did not end after Summer Institute.  Throughout the year, they have remained approachable and willing to help.  

Professors at Loyola Law School truly understand that law school is a transition, and they meet students where they are.  Their willingness to guide us, encourage us, and share their experiences makes what can feel like an intimidating environment much more approachable.

Law school is still challenging, but knowing there are professors who genuinely want to see you succeed makes you feel like you belong here.

In the month of love and friendship, I have been reflecting on what I genuinely love about Loyola Law School.

Last year when I was asked this question, my answer centered on the diversity of my cohort, the quiet late nights on campus, and the beauty of the Downtown skyline.  All of this still holds true.  But now, after spending a year and a half at Loyola, I have discovered even more to appreciate.  

What I love most about Loyola is the opportunity it creates for all students to be themselves.

If you had asked me during my senior year of undergraduate studies where I would be today, I honestly would not have known.  I was not a traditional student.  I transferred from community college to a university, worked different jobs all throughout my undergraduate years, started studying for the LSAT later than many of my peers, and often wondered whether I was already at a disadvantage before law school even began.

Yet, Loyola never made me feel like I did not belong, even as a first-generation student navigating the legal field on my own.

Through its evening program, supportive faculty, and collaborative student body, Loyola has created a space where students from all walks of life can thrive.  Many of us balance full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and coursework, yet we are met with understanding, flexibility, and encouragement from our Professors and faculty. 

Loyola has given me a strong support network, including mentors who are Loyola alumni, a position at a law firm, and professors and classmates who continually support and guide me throughout this journey.   

Here, your background is not viewed as a limitation, but it’s valued as part of what makes the community stronger.

 

Law school often asks you to make decisions before you feel entirely ready to make them. Electives are no exception. The questions come up early, even if the answers take time.

As a second-year evening student, I have not yet had to formally choose my electives. Technically, I am still in what would be the first year, second semester of traditional law school. But, as I move closer to my third year, when elective choices and schedule choices are in my hands, I have started thinking more intentionally about electives.

The first step for me has been looking ahead rather than waiting until the moment arrives. One practical consideration is identifying courses that are tested on the bar exam and seeing how they realistically fit alongside a full-time job and other responsibilities. Bar-tested courses matter, and knowing when they are offered and how they align with work and life helps make the process feel manageable and strategic.  As a heads up, here are some bar courses offered: Criminal Procedure, Trust & Wills, Remedies, and Marital Property.  Fortunately, Loyola offers a wide range of electives, including bar courses, in the evening, making it easy to plan for electives. 

At the same time, electives are not just about bar prep. Law school is demanding, and taking at least one class that genuinely interests you can make a semester feel lighter and more engaging.  As someone who is a gamer, I am especially excited about the possibility of taking Videogame Law, an elective that connects my creative interests with the evolving intersection of law and video games.

Even without choosing electives yet, I have already seen the value of electives. This year, we were placed into Legislation and Regulation, an elective course, which I have come to appreciate deeply. Learning how to read and interpret statutes and understanding how agency regulations fit into broader legal frameworks feels foundational, regardless of practice area. It was a reminder that some courses quietly shape how we think as attorneys long before we realize it.

For now, I am approaching electives the same way I approach much of law school: with preparation, openness, and patience. 

Law school has a way of measuring time differently. Semesters feel long, finals feel endless, and suddenly you look up and realize you are one and a half years into this journey.

This past exam period was one of the more challenging ones yet. As a second-year evening student, I faced two in-class exams and a take-home essay, all within a two-week span. Balancing three major assessments in such a short period of time was not easy. It required discipline, long study hours, and a lot of patience with myself. I put in significant time and effort, and while it was exhausting, it was also a reminder of how much stamina law school quietly builds over time.

One thing that made this exam period more manageable was the people around me. I studied alongside friends who formed a study group, and that support made a meaningful difference. We helped each other work through difficult material, clarified concepts, and found moments to laugh and release some of the stress. Law school can be intense, but it is experiences like these that remind me I am not doing this alone.

Winter break, on the other hand, offered something entirely different. Space to slow down, reflect, refresh, and reset. Having a little more time to focus on myself made me realize how much law school has come to shape my daily life. It keeps me busy, challenged, and mentally engaged in a way that feels purposeful. At the same time, this break reminded me how necessary rest and balance are. I have learned that productivity and rest are not opposites, they work best together.

Looking back over the past year and a half, law school has changed me in ways I did not fully anticipate. I am more disciplined, more structured, and more intentional with my time. Oddly enough, my time management is better now than it was in undergraduate, even though I balance far more responsibilities.  I approach problems differently now, breaking them down carefully and thinking several steps ahead. At times, the demands of law school can feel overwhelming, but I have also gained confidence in my ability to handle difficult workloads and unfamiliar challenges.

If there is one lesson this stage of law school has reinforced, it is that growth does not always feel comfortable while it is happening. Some semesters test your limits more than others. Some breaks are necessary not just to recover, but to reflect on how far you have come. Completing one and a half years of law school feels less like a finish line and more like a checkpoint. 

As I move forward, I carry both the discipline law school has instilled in me and the reminder that balance matters. Winter break may be over, but the perspective it offered is one I hope to keep with me for the rest of the two and a half years of this journey.

Before law school, everyone offers a million tricks and tips, and trust me, I tried them all. Some worked, some did not, and that is perfectly okay. I have learned a lot through trial and error (no pun intended). 

Part of law school is figuring out which study methods, habits, and routines fit your own style.

But even once you find what works, you still have to adjust for each class.  Every professor teaches differently, and every course demands something slightly new.  Over time, you get better at adapting, balancing, and finding your own rhythm. 

The single piece of advice that helped me the most is this: Outline throughout the semester.  It is a total game-changer.  Keeping up with your outlines as you go gives you the space to actually digest the material, understand the rules, apply them, and still have time for your social life without the constant worry of falling behind.  Then, when reading period arrives, you are not scrambling to catch up course material for your exams.  Instead, you can focus on practice essays and really diving into the details. 

Looking back, there is not much else I would do differently.  Every late-night struggle, confusing case, and misstep along the way taught me something important.  Law school is a marathon, not a sprint. If I could tell my past self one thing, it would be: trust the process, stick with your outline, and remember that balance is possible—it is not all work and no life.

Trust me, I used to get frustrated when people would say law school takes time and things do not just click automatically, but that is the truth.  Even in litigation, progress is a slow process.  So trust the process! 

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.