Time to Get to Work

Today was the last day of orientation. Classes finally start tomorrow (Legal Research and Writing, 9 am sharp). We had a ceremony today where all the 1L's took an oath to be upstanding law students, and eventually upstanding lawyers. It was a very classy event. I am now officially about to embark on my career as a lawyer.

I had my first Civ Pro "class" today... if you want to call it that. The professor went out of her way to hold everyone's hand. A lot of lecturing, and she only called on volunteers. She warned everyone though that the tone of the class would change very quickly and noticeably. I don't doubt it. I am looking forward to the challenge.   

This entire week has sort of felt like suspended animation. I have been raring to go, but the work has been slow coming in. I can tell the school has made a conscience effort to try to make the transition to law school slow and painless. I was anticipating more of a trial by fire. However, with all my syllabi posted online now, and a full slate of classes scheduled for next week, there is more work to do now than I could ever hope for. Its time to get started. Finally!    

Law School = Drugs, Alcohol, and Gay Marriage [Eugene]

Orientation is mercifully almost over. I had an interesting workshop this morning that dealt with the legal profession and substance abuse. Apparently I am about the enter a profession that has a disproportionate number of drug and alcohol abusers. Very encouraging. 

Anyways... the president of the NYC Lawyers Assistant Program (LAP) spoke to my section in great detail about his personal struggles with drugs and alcohol. Apparently he would represent drug dealers in the South Bronx, and he would subsequently get paid in product. After a while, when he was really strapped for cash and with a worsening addiction, he began stealing from his clients. Yikes! Perhaps a counter example to the lawyer = Superman analogy John brought up last week. 

In my faculty seminar section this week, we have been reading and discussing several cases dealing with engagement rings (who gets the ring in the event of no wedding?) Yesterday, the professor gave everyone a new hypothetical case to read and analyze and today we had a little mock court section. The hypothetical case changed several facts from the actual cases we read, most notably that the engagement ring was given from one woman, Cathy, to another, Tara. I know its Manhattan, and I realize this is a northeast law school, but is it so much to ask that I survive 2 days without having gay marriage thrown in my face??? Guess not.   

Day 2 of Orientation: Just waiting around [Eugene]

I made my first sacrifice for law school last night. Instead of watching my beloved NY Giants preseason game against the Browns (a game in which I later found out the Giants starters scored 30 points in the first quarter!!!), I sat quietly in my room and read.  This is likely to be the first of many sacrifices I will have to make this year. I hope the Giants can forgive me. 

Odd schedule for Day 2. I do not have to be in until 2:30 today. Honestly, I would much rather go in the morning and get out at 12:00, than have to go at 2:30 and get out at 5:30.  I have such nervous energy right now, this waiting around all day to attend events and seminars is just brutal.

Also, for my Civil Procedure class (meeting for the first time on Thursday), I have been assigned to read  A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr. It's an excellent book. I am having a lot of trouble putting it down, especially when the alternative is briefing cases. For anyone out there with some time on their hands, I highly recommend it.     

"The Project of Law School" [John]

So Orientation is unofficially over. We have no class tomorrow but only a welcome reception with the Dean tomorrow night. So I would like to use this post to sum up this past week and to lay out my expectations for the weeks to follow.

Orientation was definitely very helpful in easing the pressure and uncovering the mystery that is law school. Most of the lectures they had us sit through delivered very helpful tips on how to approach my law school career and also highlighted the many services that Catholic Law provides its students. The days were long--and I mean very very long, but I definitely appreciated them.

As for next week, I still am a little nervous about what to expect. Granted, today we did have a "model class" which went through the steps of an average day of class. It cleared up many questions I had and left me feeling confident that I will do good in class. However, one of the constant themes throughout orientation was to actively participate in class and don't get left behind. This shouldn't be a problem for me, but there is always that lingering question--what if it does happen?

This is not undergrad; teachers are not going to hold your hand up to commencement. (and yes you all know what I mean...paper extensions, excused absences, postponed exams...no more) They will however, do their best to guide you but of course that is within reason.

That brings me to my next point. Law school is like a job. You show up at 9 and leave around 5. You are suppose to bring an asset to the table that will help benefit the company. In law school, that was your resume and the skills you developed throughout undergrad. The expectation now is not what the law school can do for you, but rather what you can do for the law school. My law school experience not only affects my reputation but also that of the law school. Today, I want to make it clear that I am up for the challenge and cannot wait to delve into what one professor rightfully called it "the project of law school."