Hello from a Slightly Older, Slightly Wiser Law Student

Empowering communities with the power of law and story.  

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.

 

TOPICS: 2E, Experiential Learning, Hybrid JD