Summer Starting & Orientation Lewtz

Today was day 2 of 1L orientation. The first day I did not have to attend because I got the super-duper condensed version a few months ago at the start of the summer semester. However, all 1Ls have to go the the professionalism seminar given by the state bar association. Basically it involved some speeches from the Dean, Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court and then some small groups with local attorneys and judges where we talk about being an ethical lawyer and how to face the myriad of crappy choices we could come up against as practicing attorneys. However, we ended the day with some nice walk aways such as a jump drive from Lexis and some really good info from other organizations. Plus it was really cool to see all the people that started with me in summer and it really helped me get back into the groove again for the coming fall.

I do want to say that I am glad I was a summer starter. I feel like it gave me a nice and easy introduction as to what to expect from the coming fall. I was able to see what kind of studying methods worked for me for the exams, I had both a closed and cheat sheet exam, and get me used to how classes went with only the stress of having two classes. If you are a pre-law and don't mind spending your summer in a class room, I definitely recommend starting in the summer. It definitely gives you a leg up on fall and you can enjoy the beginning of the semester instead of having panic attacks every night before bed :).

Non-Traditiona"L"s

I just created a new social network for Non-Traditional law students at ning.com. Its a lot like Facebook without all the creepy "If you were a Juice Brand, What Brand Would You Be?" quizzes. Its pretty sparse right now but I hope it will continue to grow over time in both members and content.

You can make your own profile page, complete with comment enabled wall, create interest focus groups, make blog posts and what not. Hope on over and join :)!

1L - Part Deux (or Fall Semester)

So, 1.5 weeks from now will find me back in the real beginning of my 1L year. I think of this summer as more of a primer really. A nice quick, intense intro to what the next year is going to be like. But Fall is slowly creeping up on me. Within the past 2 weeks my email has been inundated with book lists, orientation emails (some I get to ignore as a summer starter thank god) and various other offerings reminding me that my blissful weeks of reading a NOVEL and not a CASE, playing Warcraft until late, spending time with the hubster (his semester started tonight) and drooling on myself are coming to an abrupt end.

On one hand, I feel pretty good about the upcoming year because of this summer. I have a handle on what king of studying works for me, what to expect in class, and how much time I should be spending on the reading materials. Thank god for the one thing I have found handiest from my paralegal education, the fact that reading legalese and briefing is second nature to me. It helped tremendously. If you are a 1L reading this, brief the cases for the first few weeks of the semester, then move to book briefing. being able to pull out the important facts from each case is invaluable and saves a lot of time.

On the other hand, I am nervous yet again. This fall is going to be way more intensive then than the summer. More classes, more classmates, more assignments and more activities. That's what gives the most pause. I. Am. Not. A. Joiner. I loathe group activities (unless it is with my friends), hate school related social functions and work best when just left the hell alone. But I am trying to change that in law school, especially since I plan on being a solo. I need to be able to network and *deathly, strangling, choking noises* ask for help/advice (can you tell I HATE asking for help, lol). So, here I am, forcing myself out of the shell I live in, trying to become social.

The other hurdle to me getting involved is my hour commute to school and the fact that my hubster is also working and going to school full time. Between his job, my 1L year, his full time school schedule and everything else in life (hell just us having a life that involves each other and our friends) something has to give, and I fear it will be deep involvement in law school except for any law journals I might (and that's a big freaking might) get invited to and one student group I have planned to join for 2 years. Part of me is totally fine with that sacrifice (she is usually sitting in the back of my head, smoking cigarettes and threatening anyone who comes to close with a sharp pointy stick) but the other half hopes I am not missing out on something because of it.

I guess I will just have to play it by ear, say hi to a few people now and again, and put one foot in front of the other. I would love to know how involved the other Non-Trads got and how it effected them later if anyone would like to share.

Book Review - Later in Life Lawyers

The guys over at Non-Trad Law were nice enough to send me a copy of their book Later in Life Lawyers: Tips for the Non-Traditional Law Student. I loved it. I wish I would have had it about a year ago when I became serious about law school and studying for the LSAT. It gives you a great overview and realistic look at the LSAT, getting into law school, the 1L year and the rest of the trip.


I was able to skim the first part because I had already passed the LSAT, gotten into law school and been through my first mini-semester over the summer. However, it answered all the questions and filled in a lot of blanks that I had when I started thinking about law school such as how to put the LSAT into prospective, how to choose your school and what to do when you do/don't get in. Plus it gives a nice overview of all the issues you, as a non-trad student have to consider like work, what bag to use, health insurance, balancing like and school (and trust me you need to find this balance and it is possible)brief, how the classes run, etc.

I definitely recommend this book for any non-trad student anywhere between pre-law and their 1L year. I wish I would have known about a year ago. It would have helped me skip a lot of aimless wandering around I did trying to figure out what the heck I was doing.

DOMA & Marry Memories

The ABA is asking Congress to repeal the section of DOMA that denies federal benefits to legally married gay couples. I absolutely love the fact that the ABA is standing up for GLBT rights. While I do wish that the DOMA in it's entirety would be struck down, I also realize that small steps forward are still steps.

In fact, sometimes I am amazed at how far gay rights have come since I came out 15 years ago. I was cleaning out my bookshelves over my break and flipping through my gay book collection. One book I have is The Essential Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings. I remember buying that in my local Books-a-Few 9 years ago, I remember the stares and down right evil looks I got as I paid for it, and how certain people would no longer shop in the store I worked in within the same mall after I bought it, I remember how hard it was to hold me head up and look people who liked me a second ago in the eye as the hate washed over their faces. But what struck me most about it was the fact that it was a handbook on how to make your wedding the best it could be with what little, if any, resources the GLBT community had back then. There was nothing to fall back on, unless you lived in a MAJOR city, when planning your wedding but your own creativity and desire for the ceremony.

Now there are gay couples getting married on TV, theKnot.com has a same-sex ceremony site, cities and states are legalizing our marriages and unions, gay honeymoon packages abound, the new edition of The Essential Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings is available, and there are more marriage resources than you can shake a stick at.

I guess the point I am trying to make is, yes, it is frustrating to still be fighting the homophobes that shriek when we walk through the door and clutch their children in fear, it is frustrating that we are denied basic human rights, but we HAVE made progress and continue to do so. Every little step still is a step pulling us closer and closer to equality and farther away from the time where a girl had to be afraid to buy a simple little book. And I am glad that I am becoming a part of the fight to go forward.

Back Again

I know I have been quiet for the past few weeks. I was originally putting the proverbial nose to the proverbial grindstone for finals. I was so wrapped up in CALI lessons, E&E hypos and class notes that I barely had time to breathe much less blog.

The finals were over, grades were posted, I breathed, I was pleased with how I did. I spent the next week doing nothing but playing Warcraft and reading all the books I couldn't over the summer semester. I even spent some time doing nothing but staring off into space. Quite enjoyable of I do say so myself.

But I am feeling intellectually healed again so hopefully I can get some blogging done over the next 2 weeks of my vacation. I plan on doing some Westlaw training (I want to score a WL Student Rep post), reading some more books including Later in Life Lawyers, which the folks over at Non Trad Law were nice enough to send me. I am looking forward to that book, some Grisham (who after years of refusing to read him, I find I actually like legal fiction!), and some plain only escapist fantasy/science fiction.

That coupled with my hubby's and I mad dash to reno our home office before his semester starts should keep me busy over the vacay.

GLBT Roundup

In the past month I have neglected to post about some interesting events within the GLBT world. I had read about them but my priority at that time was studying for my first round of 1L finals rather than blogging, so here is some things I wanted to write about but never got the chance.

The Matthew Shepard Bill is moving through the legislature and towards approval. 10 years in the making but definitely a step in the right direction. There needs to be more hate crimes laws passed that include GLBT words rather than narrowing the scope of the laws to protect for racial or religious reasons only.

The M.A. A.G. is suing the US Government to force them to extend benefits to the gays couples who are legally married in that state. While this will not affect the marriage rights of gay couples in other states, if she wins, it does give us some legal precedent to start moving forward with. With small legal victory only sets the stage for larger ones down the line. I have watched GLBT issues change and grow since I came out 15 years ago, these legal battles will continue that growth.

Bill O'Reilly had a grand time mocking Oregon's Trans Mayor Stu Rasmussen. The fact that Fox News allows this man to openly mock someone for their sexual and gender identity in 2009 shocks me to the core. These larger companies have to see that by allowing this to be said in national television it only reaffirms the hate and fear people carry concerning members of the GLBT community. My partner is Trans and we know first hand how fear and hatred can be potentially dangerous and lethal. While I do not advocate censorship, Fox News needs to stick to reporting the facts and not let hateful personal opinions pollute their airwaves. Would they allowed it had the insults been racially or religiously motivated? I highly doubt it.

Three cheers to the following for coming out in support for GLBT rights: Bill Clinton, Miss Universe, YWCA, St. Paul, M.N., Vermont Senator Leahy, and the Quakers! Hurrah!