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.

 

Happy Daylight Savings! In honor of this time-based holiday, I wanted to give some insight on what a typical weekday looks like for me as a part-time student, full-time paralegal, and also 24/7 human. As an evening student, I only have classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Wednesdays my classes are remote. Here is what my schedule looks like on Wednesdays:

8:00 AM – Wake up, get ready, eat breakfast. Since I work from home, I commute only about 20 feet to my office (the spare bedroom).

8:30 AM – Check my work email, review if any urgent matters need addressing first. If not, I will get started on whatever projects I might be currently working on. This week, I am working on researching and drafting an opposition to a motion to dismiss and preparing a post-trial fee petition, both of which are projects that will take me a good chunk of time.

12:00 PM – Break time! I usually take a walk with my dog, Rain, and eat a quick lunch. If I haven’t already, I will meal-prep my dinner for the night.

1:00 PM – Back to work.

5:00 PM – I’m done for the day (with work). I will usually go to the gym and try to get in a quick 30-minute cardio workout.

5:45 PM – Heat up my meal that I meal-prepped.

6:00 PM – Torts (remotely) begins. In the spring semester, on Wednesdays I only have Torts and Civil Procedure. In the fall, on Wednesdays I had Contracts and Legal Writing. I am usually eating my dinner during class.

7:00 PM – Torts ends, I have a 15-minute break.

7:15 PM – Civ Pro starts. This is the longest class for the night so I usually have to be snacking to keep my energy up during it.

9:00 (ish) PM – Our Civ Pro professor usually gives us a 5-10 minute break in the middle of class to break up the 2.5 hour-long class.

9:45 PM – Classes are done for the day!

I was fortunate enough to be placed into my number one choice of elective: Critical Race Theory (CRT). 

It became apparent to me last semester that who your professor is really impacts your law school class experience. Professor Mendoza teaches CRT. She has an impressive background and stellar reviews from her Criminal Law class students. This impacted my choice significantly. She makes each class a safe space for speaking both about the readings and about personal experiences. She puts an emphasis on lived experiences as a way to connect and exchange ideas in a digestible manner. Some of her Criminal Law students from last semester even followed her to CRT this semester. 

I also wanted to ensure that I understood and appreciated whichever subject I chose. Historically, the law has been looked at through a color-blind lens and CRT seeks to view law through a race-conscious lens. The subject is often misconstrued as a highly political topic because of the emphasis on race-consciousness. However, there isn’t a strict definition of CRT; each theorist has their own interpretation of the subject. The writers are diverse and the topics range remarkably. While it is still an academically rigorous course, it is also a relief from the rigidity of my core classes. In undergrad, I studied Political Science and focused more on political theory in my senior year. CRT readings feel similar to political theory readings; both are dense and full of complex ideas waiting to be unraveled and dissected. 

Choosing an elective was more about trying to understand where I fit in legal academics rather than making a career-motivated move. Because of my background in Political Science, I knew that CRT would feel familiar and be a subject that I could enjoy as well as be challenged by. In our bi-weekly discussions, as ideas are shared and dreams are written out, I feel even better about my choice.

Experiential learning has been one of the most meaningful parts of my law school journey. Last summer, I worked at Kabateck LLP, and I am currently continuing my work there during the school year. I will also be returning this upcoming summer. Securing this position involved networking, refining my resume and writing samples, and utilizing Loyola’s Career Development Office resources. Loyola’s guidance and strong professional network played a key role in helping me obtain and maintain this opportunity.

At Kabateck LLP, I have gained hands on litigation experience, including legal research, drafting memoranda, assisting with case strategy, and observing how attorneys advocate for clients. Being involved in active cases has strengthened my analytical skills and deepened my understanding of how legal doctrine operates in real situations. It has also reinforced the importance of preparation, professionalism, and client communication.

Experiential learning offers benefits that go beyond the classroom. It builds confidence, sharpens writing and advocacy skills, and exposes students to the realities of legal practice. Working in a firm setting has helped me better understand litigation strategy, teamwork, and the pace of real world legal work.

I have selected the Civil Litigation and Advocacy concentration, which aligns closely with my firm experience. Courses like Trial Advocacy and Evidence complement my work and allow me to immediately apply what I learn. I have truly enjoyed the concentration because it provides both doctrinal depth and practical skill development.

Overall, Loyola has supported my growth by connecting classroom learning with real world experience, preparing me to step into practice with confidence.

This semester, I chose Innovation Law with Professor Atik as my 1L elective. At first, I was drawn in by the word “innovation.” As we opened the course with the system of patent law, I started to see something deeper. 

Patent doctrine is not just technical. It shapes market leverage. It can determine who controls a technology, who must negotiate for access, and how competition unfolds.

That shift mattered to me.

Coming from a business background, I have always thought about products in terms of risk, investment, and scalability. The legal structures governing innovation compel you to ask different questions: What is worth protecting? When does exclusivity encourage growth, and when does it stifle competition? 

In class, the cases are not abstract disputes. They involve companies making strategic decisions about research investment, licensing, pricing, and litigation. This intersection between legal structure and business is where I feel most engaged.

When selecting my first-year elective, I prioritized genuine interest over what I thought I “should” take. Loyola gives 1Ls a special opportunity to explore beyond the core curriculum, and I wanted something that connected doctrine to industries I care about. Innovation Law offers that, while pushing me to think critically about how legal rules shape technological progress.

LLS electives are more than just an academic requirement. In a curriculum that is otherwise largely prescribed, Loyola’s elective courses offer a genuine perspective of the law’s impact in different sectors and communities.

There is a huge emphasis on office hours at Loyola, especially for first year students. I could count on one hand how many times I attended office hours in undergrad. I was always doing something else outside of class that kept me from going and building relationships with my professors. Now, I go to office hours whenever I have any question or comment about the class. It is important in law school to develop these relationships with professors because the learning in law school is not just academic. Professors will teach you the content in class but can teach you about how to apply the concept to your profession in office hours. 

I attend legal writing office hours most frequently. As the weeks stretch on and the persuasive brief assignment fast approaches, I find it helpful to talk through the content of the assignment with my professor. Though she tries not to give me direct answers, just the act of talking through the issues that I’m having helps me collect the building blocks to establish a plan for resolving those issues. Learning to write memos and briefs has been like learning to speak another language. Each time I go to office hours, I find a flaw in my assignment. This could be discouraging, but taking these flaws, fixing them, and being able to recognize them later is the goal of the course. Shying away from office hours because you are scared that your question is silly or your assignment isn’t far along enough will only hurt you in the long run. 

At the end of the semester, office hours will be packed full. Last semester, my section had to sign up for slots for our criminal law office hours because there were frequently too many people to fit into the office all at once. Most of the time, depending on the professor, office hours can be a place to sit and listen to your classmates’ questions. When you’re so confused and don’t know where to start, listening to the questions of your classmates can be inspiring and helpful. Office hours are a place of understanding and comfort especially for people who learn better talking things out. 

At Loyola, a large portion of students are from California, but not all of us are locals. I grew up in the suburbs of Connecticut, attending school with the same group of kids from kindergarten through graduation. For college, I chose the University of Washington in Seattle, which felt about as far from home as I could possibly go.

When it came time to apply to law school, I focused my search on the Northeast, where some of my family lives, as well as cities where I could truly envision building my life. With a strong interest in entertainment law, I knew that Los Angeles would offer the greatest opportunities to pursue that path. 

Although adjusting to a new city and state took time, Los Angeles may be the best place I’ve ever lived. My weekends are spent at the beach, my readings can be done outside year-round, and there is no shortage of neighborhoods to explore. Even if you don’t see your career lasting forever in California, Loyola’s alumni network extends far beyond the West Coast. I was able to connect with a Loyola alum practicing in Connecticut to discuss what my options might look like if I choose to move back closer to my family.

Moving to new cities for both undergrad and law school has been the greatest experience of my life. It challenges you, teaches you to trust yourself, and reminds you that you are capable of far more than you might expect.

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.