So, it seems my plans are finalized for the summer!

This summer, I will be working with the California Department of Industrial Relations as a legal intern for the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). Woot Woot! I’ll be helping combat wage theft, protecting workers rights, and upholding employment laws in workspaces. It’s a ~9-week program that spans from June to August.

I secured the position via the PICD, the fair where nonprofit legal aid organizations come together and interview law students for possible internships. I cannot stress enough how imperative the fair is for finding opportunities.

As for the fall… that is such a long way away. I’m thinking of undertaking an externship with a legal aid organization, or maybe taking a judicial externship for the semester. But I have a feeling that an externship won’t be needed. I think I’ll be busy with my plans as is.

As I write this, I plan on writing on to Law Review, trying out for Trial Advocacy, and applying for a clinic. All of this alongside working a part-time job as an Auditor. This, to me, will offer more than plenty of things to do for my 2L year!

There really is no right or wrong answer for undertaking opportunities in your 2L year. But I will give two pieces of advice:

1) follow your intuition. Go where your skills and passions are best suited.

2) make connections. No matter where you go or what you do, always be sure to make friends and meet new people.

And finally, HAVE FUN! Law school is three years. But it can be exciting, fun, and rewarding, if you play your cards right and enjoy the experience. I won’t lie and tell you that exams are fun. Nor is the studying; or the outlining; or even the impending thoughts of what you’ll do after law school. But the friends you make, the things you learn, and the experiences you have make the journey all the better.

And when the time comes to enter law school. You’ll be ready.

That said, this is Jae Kinney, signing off. Until next time…

As I said before, Loyola’s network is solid! And for those interested in PI work, there’s a lot of opportunities.

First, I would take part in the Public Interest Career Day (PICD)! It’s hosted in February 2022 and provides a great opportunity to get in touch with nonprofit organizations you’d like to work with and earn interviews.

I would also suggest speaking to professors and faculty on campus for research opportunities. There’s quite a few who are always looking for students to undertake research for.

I also can’t stress enough the importance of joining clubs on campus. As someone who’s part of three (BLSA, DSBA, and CLS), I can say with utmost certainty that I’ve been able to meet new people and make connections thanks to these clubs.

Also don’t be afraid to reach out to professors, alumni, faculty, and other students just to speak. Everyone on campus is more than welcome to speak about opportunities. And I can assure you, they’ll have a lot of insight about their experiences in the legal field.

As I write this post (mid-March), I’ll be applying for clinics, trial advocacy, and possible externships for the fall. Don’t stress too much about these things during your fall semester; the time will come to discuss these and apply. Just focus on finishing your first semester of law school during the fall.

And IF there is a Barrister during your law school years, go to it.

From personal experience, law school does take up a good chunk of your life. Literally speaking, it IS your life for three years.

If there’s ever an opportunity to know your peers outside of a school setting, Take the opportunity. It’ll be fun, and besides, what else do you have to do on a Friday night? I mean, this year, it’s Wednesday night, but we don’t have class the next day. So…

Last thing. Don’t limit yourself to just one opportunity or field. Be open to any and everything, because that’s how you’ll find out what area of law you’re truly interested in. Even if it doesn’t sound appealing at first, just go for it. You never know where that interest will take you. And just as you’ll find out as well, the areas of law are more connected than you may think. A housing internship may lead you to a Big Law opportunity down the road. Or a writing class you take now could be useful to you when you enter tax law. You just never know.

Anyways, have fun with this. Law school is exciting, fruitful, and very rewarding if you follow your heart and do what makes you happy.You got this.

Congrats, bros, you found my bio!

My name is Jaelin. Or Jae, Jae Kinney, JK. Or even J. Money (if you want to call me that, sure).