
What kind of Law do you intend on practicing?
How do you study for a subject that you hate?
Will you be practicing Law in the same city as your Law School?
I’d like to say, YES! However, making plans (in my experience) tends to have hilarious outcomes. For practical reasons, I will say that I’d love to practice in Dallas. We’ll see what the fates decide.
Is your favorite subject to study, the subject you intend on practicing?
My favorite classes so far are Criminal Law and First Amendment, with Constitutional Law coming in for a close third. So I guess it’s very possible I will practice in the subject areas I find most fascinating. I’ve enjoyed criminal work (both defense and prosecution) and think that appellate work is chock full of challenging opportunities.

What’s the favorite class tool or online learning study aid/guide etc.?
What’s a difficult law school experience that you wish other students knew to prepare for?
Law school is full of pitfalls and awkward situations. Study groups fail to meet on time, there’s too much free food and so many extra pounds to gain, and then you forget to read for class…so many things I wish I could prepare you for. I think the best thing to prepare you for is the diverse group of people you will meet. Prepare yourself to view the world through an open mind. Prepare yourself to try new foods at networking events, learn new facts to stay current and enable yourself to discuss a wide range of topics, and practice a firm handshake.
How do you deal with stress in law school?
This is a question I get often. There are so many ways to deal with stress, but I do two things: read for fun and exercise. I love rock climbing and running; I’ve been climbing for a few years now and do my best to go twice a week. This summer, I also took up 5×5’s (weightlifting). Everything is about balance. Dealing with stress is all about managing tasks and making time for yourself.
Or, if all else fails – play with puppies.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given so far?
Be kind. It’s simple, but so many people forget it. The Founding Dean of our law school recounted a story about one of his previous law clerks. This guy was hired because he interviewed well, was at the top of his class, from a great law school, and then put his fat foot in his mouth while working as a clerk for the Dean who was a Federal Judge. This guy was asked by the Judge’s court coordinator to move some boxes, and this dunce replied, “I didn’t go to law school to do clerical work.”
The coordinator told the Judge and, well, he never forgot how crappy this guy treated his staff. He obviously didn’t get a recommendation letter. What’s worse? Any firm calling the Judge was going to hear the truth, and no one wants to work with someone who is not a team player.
All he had to do was be kind, agree to move the boxes, and then ask if there was anything else he could help with. Clearly, he wasn’t raised in the South. ::major eye roll::
So, remember to be kind. Use those manners, say please and thank you, and never (seriously, NEVER) say that office work is beneath you. No one cares that you went to school for 7 years to become an attorney. They do care about what kind of person you became within those seven years. It’s these men and women that will remind the attorneys of your work once you leave, they’re the reason you will likely get a glowing recommendation letter – so don’t be a jerk.
What drives you to keep grinding on down this law school path?
The best motivation is a HUGE family. These amazing people push me forward on days where I feel lazy or scattered or just, not plain good enough. My family acts as my true North, and my life is all the better because of them. Law school difficulties are nothing compared to the stare down from my grandmother. I can’t disappoint her, or any of my other family members, which means I keep grinding down this path.

Pieces of my Familia

I stumbled upon your blog, and I am truly finding the content so beneficial. Can you provide more information on how to do the study note cards? How else do you use note cards? I realize that you’ve graduated by now, so congratulations.
Hi Yanira! I’m so glad you read my blog. 🙂 I’ve learned a few notecard tricks along the way. You can use Quizlet.com to craft digital notecards – which is EPIC, because then you can share them with friends or your study group. you can also setup Word to a paper size that will fit notecards – then PRINT them. However, be careful not to pick too thick of a paper type, otherwise your printer may have some difficulties. I wish I’d done a better job at the printing, because it would have made studying for finals sooo much easier. I tended to use the digital version ALOT, but mostly because of the convenience and ease to access them from anywhere. Hope that helps!