Category: Advice

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Advice Daily Dose

Mentorship in Law

Business is cruel and navigating the professional workforce is difficult. My experience in the legal sphere is drastically different than in the corporate business sector.

One of my former bosses is a woman; the only one woman I ever worked for, actually. While working for her, she treated me like a secretary. Nothing wrong with a secretarial position, but that wasn’t my job. I was supposed to learn the industry and it was her role to teach me. But she cared little about my own career aspirations. She told me, on several occasions, that she didn’t understand the drive for furthering my own education. You see, she’d assimilated to the ‘boys club’ in the office and there was no plan to include anyone else in that circle, least of all a young Latina working toward potentially surpassing her. I wanted her to be a mentor and, in that desire, I learned several things.

Mentorships are Forged in Friendship

In corporate America, I’m sure there are mentorships. Sadly, my one lady boss was not willing to help nurture my goals. But you know what? We were NEVER friends. She was cold, distant, and looked down at me for not enjoying scotch. So, I branched out, connecting to other individuals. I found a mentor in one of the male figures within the company and did maintain several friendships after leaving that position.

By finding not-so-common ground with this man, I was able to ask questions about career goals, thoughts on a career change, and which leadership qualities may be best to work on for myself. I asked him practically everything under the sun, and he was always willing to answer honestly – which is not something I found often in that office. This mentorship stemmed beyond the corporate field and he even wrote me a letter of recommendation for law school, and further served as a reference for my character and fitness test.

I say all of this to you because sometimes the people you desperately want to look up to, well – they disappoint you. And others will surprise you. Be open to that surprise. A mentor can be someone very close in age to you, they don’t have to be “older” to be wisened. One of my newest friends and mentors is the same age as I am, but she went directly into law, whereas I taught for a few years before attending law school. Her direction and motivation is just as valuable and appreciated in my life, moreso because she’s a woman in the field and has recently experienced what I am about to go through. Be open to the wisdom and the friendship that comes from mentorship.

Mentors Can Have Differing Opinions & That Is Perfectly O.K.

I know this seems completely obvious, but just go with me on this one. I have two male mentors in the legal field who are partners at different law firms and work in the same practice area. They’re amazing individuals, both earned via potluck situations (meaning, through a couple of different, yet organic, circumstances), and their thoughts on my career ambitions vary. I initially thought I’d practice corporate or patent law and have since retained a love of science but gained an interest in criminal litigation.

One felt I should apply for clerkships, the other thought I simply needed to ace the patent bar and enter the job market. One suggested I pursue positions in the criminal law sphere, while the other voiced his concern in me not earning enough money there. These polarizing views helped me ask myself questions and, more importantly, helped orient my goals. Reaching out to these two, asking their opinion on the same question, always gives me something to think about; multiple perspectives is key to making difficult decisions.

The Mentee Needs to Put the Work in First

Law students tend to feel like mere specks in the legal workforce. As a 1L, when you don’t know how to begin or complete any work of merit, asking for help on anything feels akin to wasting someone else’s time. So it should come as no surprise that many law students fail to establish a relationship with a mentor early on in their legal education. My alma mater requires mentoring sessions during the 1L year. Each week, a group of peers meet up with an assigned set of attorneys (who volunteered to be mentors). The goal is to discuss anything of importance or concern among the cohort. In my first year, we spoke about internships, scholarships, and the difficulties of studying and maintaining life balance. Many students didn’t enjoy the group sessions, but I viewed them as an opportunity to get to network. In so doing, I reached out to the attorneys in our group for coffee, lunch, and the occasional hallway chat. They were incredibly receptive and worked around my schedule rather than making me feel like I was a waste of time.

I showed my interest in getting to know them and genuinely enjoy their company. These attorneys were (and continue to be) sounding boards for case analysis, motion drafting, and bar preparation ideas. I highly doubt they would have taken as much of an interest in me though, if I’d failed to establish the direct line of communication. I took it upon myself to reach out, which I know may be difficult for some. But you should know that I’ve never been blown off by a lawyer after reaching out with something specific. In the business world, sure. Among lawyers? Never.

Case in point, when working on my Blockchain Analysis for an independent study course, I looked up a partner at a Big Law Firm in Dallas and sent him a message via LinkedIn. He responded within 24 hours and we met for coffee to chat about the topic of my paper and where I planned on taking my research.

Put yourself out there. Worst case? They don’t respond. Then you’re merely at square one. Best case? They do respond and you’ve got a new connection.

Women Mentors are Scarce

Per the 2018 Census statistics, 38% of attorneys are women. As of 2010, less than 2% of women attorneys are Latina. Forging your way into a new career is tough, so it helps greatly to have someone rooting for you. Someone who’s been there, who knows just how hard and how long you have to work to get where you want to go.

Enter Nora. (And Lara, Loren, Melissa, Jessica, Lauren, Tracy, and Jenny)
These women have fundamentally impacted my life and career. I doubt they even realize it, but I think about their words of encouragement and advice nearly every single day. As I told Nora, these women – and those who came before them – are the reason I am a lawyer (and studying for the Bar). The reason I could even consider the idea of becoming a lawyer at all. They’re the giants whose shoulders we get to stand upon.

Nora Riva Bergman is an attorney and law firm coach who took the time to write several books (because she’s just that awesome). Her most recent one is 50 Lessons for Women Lawyers from Women Lawyers. Between her crazy-hectic schedule she made the time to speak with me about life goals, career options, and what the heck I plan to do after passing the Bar exam. She even offered to connect me with another female attorney who she thought would be an excellent mentor for me. Trust me when I say that most people want to help you. Nora is a prime example of this and I consider myself lucky to know her.

Nora Riva Bergman
Click HERE for More Info

The day I met Nora, I was panicked. Everything went wrong. My technology failed and I was running late for our meeting. I was nervous and flustered because my two dogs chose that particular timeframe to have the zoomies. She let me go on and on about goals and my blog and my worries regarding the Bar exam. Speaking with her was just so easy! She let me talk (and talk and talk) and, when I was all talked out, she shared her own words of wisdom. I’m sure if I asked her, she’d be happy to mentor me. Heck, she already started to mentor me with her book and the lessons she and her friends compiled. Nora is an ally for all women looking to make a positive impact in this world and we need more people like her.

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you read her new book. I’ve been treating it kind of like a bible in the sense that I flip it open every other day for some inspiration while studying for the Bar Exam. The lessons these women wrote for us are so important to establishing our roles in the legal field. Anyone with the desire to do something, to be a part of something bigger than yourself, should read this book. My current favorite is Lesson #8: Find a Mentor – Be a Mentor.

Your Voice Is Powerful

Mentoring means you make the time to teach and guide another. As lawyers and law students, we are in the unique role of being able to help others on a daily basis. We are privileged in that we can use our voice and know-how to be a platform for others. Remember that. Don’t ever forget how far you’ve come, how far there is still left to go, and the fact that there is always someone in your corner.

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Advice Law School

Vlog Post #1

So I’m entirely new to the streaming/video outlet. I thought it might be a good idea to share my own Bar Exam prep experience, where I share tips and tricks along the way to learn the [insane amount of] content necessary to ace the Texas Bar Exam.

I’m hoping for a #OneAndDone experience and think it’s important to share what a portion of this process looks like. So many people think graduating law school means we can now all go out and practice. That’s entirely untrue. We graduate and then bust ass for several weeks re-learning everything we already learned in law school + all the other things we didn’t learn. Yeah. Super fun stuff, y’all.

In Texas, you cannot represent a client without first passing the Bar exam. Need more info on the test itself? Here you go! The Texas Bar is three days worth of grueling essays, multiple choice questions, short answer responses with a limited character limit, and the multistate performance test (more on that in a later video). Many of us graduate law school and then spend 8-10 weeks rigorously studying for the three day exam (which is only given twice a year). There’s a helluvalot riding on us passing, because we can’t get salaried attorney positions (or earn that full-time paycheck) unless we ace the Bar.

It’s imperative to use your study time wisely and to spend your downtime actually relaxing. It’s a difficult task, to shut off that part of your brain, but it is possible with practice. My downtime will now involve study tip videos. If there’s a topic you’re struggling with, or maybe a Bar Exam or law-school related question you need answered, shoot me an email cerebellumchef@gmail.com and I’ll be sure to respond ASAP.

Happy Studying!

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Advice Law School

Where You Study Matters.

Week One of Bar exam prep is in the books. I’m proud to report that [thanks in LARGE part to a certain red-headed friend of mine], I finished the week ahead of the curve. I also managed to spend a bit of time with family, enjoyed making Sunday lattes (more on that later) with the hubs, and provided some much-needed pets for my furry besties.

First Latte! Happiest Girl. Very Thankful For This Gift.

This week allowed me time to think about my desk placement and whether I should move my study space to my husband’s home office [which also doubles as his gaming space]. I know some of you are thinking “NO!” but his office has much better natural lighting, is larger than my current study locale, and since he really only uses the space in the evenings, it will give me a chance to work [mostly] distraction-free. On the days he does work from home, he can keep me accountable for study time and also offer me the chance for breaks…you know, the ones all of us law students notoriously forget to take once we get “in the zone.”

With week one down, and all the friendly advice my peers and I exchanged on plans regarding studying, I thought it might be nice to share my own favorite study spaces in Dallas. Since I fall on the Paris Gellar side of study zones and the need to have 1) accessible outlets, 2) good, clean bathrooms, 3) great coffee and water options, 4) a friendly, inviting atmosphere, and 5) decent wi-fi speed; my list is pretty specific to these needs.

With all that in mind, here are my favorite places to study in Dallas. Check a few of these spots out! Pick a spot that suits your study style. Stay motivated and keep working diligently. The Bar exam is less than 9 weeks away!

White Rock Coffee

I’m a HUGE fan of WRC. The original location on Hwy 12 has two stories, which means you can study up high and avoid the hustle and bustle of people ordering or walking in and out of the cafe. The staff is incredibly friendly and the location is not super loud. An added bonus? The brownies here are pretty much my favorite dessert in Dallas! Order one, thank me later. My go-to order is a medium iced White Rocker, half sweet.

Crooked Tree

This is an extremely minimalistic study space. This teeny house of a place has parking up front on the street. Their coffee is not my favorite, but I very much enjoy their laid back vibe. There’s a variety of seating types from counter top and tables to wing back chairs. Once I’m in the zone, it’s easy to ignore the no-frills space. Plus, because of its small size, this location is not usually packed.

Toasted Coffee + Kitchen

Another Dallas FAVE! This spot also has a second story, which is tucked away above and behind the kitchen. You can also study on the patio, which is dog friendly! This shop is bright, open, and carries a full menu of eating and drinking options. I recommend the Cardamom Rose Latte and the Bananas Foster smoothie. The prices a re bit steep, but many of the items are worth it! Avoid the avocado toast though. 1 slice of toast for $9? NOPE!

Ok, it’s Texas Toast but still…on the expensive side.

Mudsmith

This coffee shop is along Greenville Ave, so parking is a bit scarce. If you’re willing to park on a side street, or walk a little ways, then you’ll be just fine. The coffee and outlets are most certainly worth the trip. The ambiance of this shop is a bit on the darker side, the music isn’t too loud, and there are laptop stations! I enjoy the Mocha and the Mudslinger, as well as the breakfast sammies. YUM!

Half Price Books

You can’t really pass up Half Price books when weighing study options. All the books, a great cafe, and plenty of great lighting make a fantastic combination for a productive study experience. Take a study break, grab yourself a Vanilla Latte and go look at all the hand-crafted sculptures. Kiki over at KikiDidIt Designs makes some phenomenal art. She even crafted this gorgeous creation for our wedding (which now sits atop one of my bookshelves)!

Happy Studying!

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Advice Law School

Burn Out & Failure: Risking it All in Law School

Why sugar-coat the terrible things? Law school, much like the rest of your life, is tough. The strain you feel is always present and, as much as I’d like to say I am capable of compartmentalizing myself 100% of the time, that skill simply eludes me. The reading, class assignments, research trails, and networking events are a constant hum in the back of my mind. Even when I’m with you, my mind is still trying to work through problems, think of better approaches to arguments, contemplate assignments for my externship, and organize and manage a task schedule.

It’s exhausting. I’m working off a perpetual state of reserve resources, always feeling like I don’t have enough left in the tank. I didn’t expect law school to be easy, but I also didn’t expect it would feel so lonely. So many students subscribe to the “fake it ’til you make it” mentality. What does it cost us to just be upfront about our mental health?

I’ve found that when someone asks how you’re doing, the typical law student answer is “fine.” The truth is, most students refuse to be honest. Why let your colleague know you’re feeling scared, weak, tired, or defeated? Apparently, showing any signs of weakness somehow directly translate into a lower class rank.

To that notion, I say bullshit. Law school is plenty damn hard without having to bottle up every emotion and put on a pretty face. My response to peers who ask how I’m doing recently has been something along the lines of “I’m exhausted, but can’t complain. Everything seems like it’s too much, but I’m ready to get to graduation.” Why lie?

My friend Matt recently spoke with me about his own struggles and we promised we’d drag each other across the finish line; it’s only four weeks away, after all. Funnily enough, we’ve basically vented and motivated each other through these past three years. We’ve shared laughter, tears, regrets, and more coffee runs than I care to count.

Though many of my classmates and I have good relationships with each other, naturally we aren’t always best friends. I’m closer to some than others, but I do cherish them all. They’re basically family. With that in mind, it’s imperative to remember how much you need their support, as well as the simple fact that they need you too.

Burnout is real. You don’t always know when it’s happening, either. Here’s a good example:

My hair texture changed. To be clear, it thinned out. It’s seems stupid and tiny and not worth mentioning, but it happened. Three years into law school, my hair is much thinner than when I started and it’s a change I’m self-conscious about. My family noticed and (still) comments on it.

My body experiences stress, just like anyone else’s, but I didn’t recognize the need for self-care. I failed to realize my naps getting longer, my determination to finish something feeling more herculean. I was taking on too many tasks – two jobs, tutoring, mentoring, classes, clinic…and still needing time to feed and bathe myself to feel human.

Pushing forward to the next deadline was all I needed to do. Just one more day. You probably do the exact same thing. But what I’ll say is this: Take care of yourself, first. You can’t become a lawyer if you completely fall apart before the finish line. Our class is missing several people who began this educational journey with us. Failing is real. It happens. You will experience burnout. How you deal with those moments when you hit a wall is a skill you need to hone to a fine point.

My existing state centers around being happy, not because I force myself into that emotion, but because happiness is my aspirational goal. I smile and laugh all the time. Dancing around my kitchen is quite typical. Cookie batter and brownies taste better when I’m in a good mood. Happiness also sometimes means taking my dogs for a walk instead of staying in and reading more about Secured Transactions.

Learning to balance the shittiness of burnout and feeling like you’re at the end of your rope while still getting yourself through the day is challenging. I tend to feel guilty about relaxing, working out, or spending time with the people I love when I could be studying. Which is probably why a sliver of my brain continues those tasks, rather than appreciate the moment. Sorry.

We’ve got to talk about this though. You’re about to be a lawyer, accomplishing a major goal in your life. You need to lean on your support system and reach out to those resources (on or off campus) when you need them. Mental health breaks and self-care are key pieces to learning your balance. You will reach your limits in law school. Trust me on this.

Law school is a marathon. Keep up your strength, and be sure to borrow some from your friends and family when you need it. I don’t know where I would be without the amazing team cheering me on.

Your team is there for you. Your friends care, your family does, too. They may not always understand what you’re going through, the rigors of classes, the panic of searching for a job before your Bar exam, the crushing feeling of debt, or anything else you’re dealing with. They will listen though. They’ll be there for you.

You can do this. You are almost a lawyer and all this effort is worth it.

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Advice Law School

Law School FAQs

A few months back, I met Briony. She’s a fellow law student from the UK. I love that she enjoys my recipes and advice, but – even more – she shares the same law school struggle and writes about it, too! I find it increasingly harder to come across female law bloggers, and am thrilled to have met Briony. We opted to collaborate on this blog post and decided to share our perspectives on law school preparation. You can check out her posts HERE.
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Do you type or write your  Law School Notes?
I prefer to use the dual method. I write my notes down and then later type them into a full outline for the course. After taking notes in class, I (try) to type them up later in the day. But I regularly fail at that, so I end up typing them up by the end of the week. I blast instrumental pop music and review my notes after typing them. 

What kind of Law do you intend on practicing? 
After working two Federal clerkships this summer, I honestly think Criminal Law is a great option. However, I still hope to use my Biology major in some way. That said, I haven’t completely ruled out Patent Law and Intellectual Property Law. It’s safe to say I am split between these two career paths. Let me just say, I don’t know many students who have a clear idea of what they plan to practice and it’s completely alright if you’re still deciding. You may not figure out what you want to do until you’re practicing! Don’t freak out – you’ll find your niche.

How do you study for a subject that you hate? 
This one’s easy. I talk about it! I thought I was going to love the structured order of Federal Civil Procedure, but I did not! So, early on in my 1L year, my fiance figured out that (since I couldn’t sit and read about it for too long) he could get me to learn the law by teaching it to him. The guy was stealthy about it too. He started with “so, what’s the deal with subject matter jurisdiction, does it affect your outcome of a judge or something? Why does it matter?” From then on, he asked tons of questions and helped me build flow charts on massive flip chart notepaper. Freaking incredible!

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.

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What’s the favorite class tool or online learning study aid/guide etc.? 

I really love note cards. It’s old-school, and they work for me. One of my law school besties and I created a bit of a tradition where we start an outline together and then break the info down into notecards to study/review before our exam.
[If you’re the type that loves pre-canned study aids, I recommend Short & Happy Guides. They’re concise and really helpful!]

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.

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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.”

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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.

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Pieces of my Familia

I hope this year is a wonderful one for you. Find your balance, your motivation, and all the reasons why you’re putting yourself through law school. Keep those close at hand for the nights when your eyelids feel too heavy to study, on days when the sun’s out, and the pool looks terribly inviting, or when you want to slack off on those notes and go to the movies instead.
Do amazing things with this law school life so you can be a phenomenal attorney!
Categories
Advice Law School

Closing Deals In Heels

This past week was a combination of brutal + exhilarating.
[The best times are a bit of both, wouldn’t you say?]

On top of classwork, extra-curricular activities, and working in the law library, I also drove to Austin to participate in the Public Interest Law Fair. The beau and I drove straight to Austin after a full day of classes. But you know what?

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The Consortium of Texas Law Schools hosted a job fair at UT-Law, and it was a great experience; I wanted to share my perspective.

Here’s what you need to know:

When you apply to these job fairs, it kind of feels like a cattle call. There’s a long list of potential employers that set out their criteria for interviewing (GPA threshold, Moot Court requirement, Law review requirement, 1L/2L/3L, etc.) – then it’s up to you to sift through them all and figure out which possibilities would be best for you.

Once you read through the descriptions, you upload your documents and start applying.

job

Personally, I wanted a summer opportunity that would offer me the chance to be in court. Having only clerked in a Probate Court, and worked in the PD’s office (but never building an actual case), I felt those skills could be bolstered. This means I sifted through every opportunity and chose Law Clerk Summer positions that fit 1)courtroom experience, 2) writing and research tasks, and 3) challenge my current skillset.

I uploaded 3 letters of recommendation, a blanket cover letter (written to apply to each and every position [why? because I personalized 37 cover letters for a previous job fair and only received 1 interview. I thought shaking things up a bit was warranted]), the most recent transcript, and my résumé.

Once you apply to the positions you are interested in…you wait.

And wait some more.

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After a few weeks, the firms and/or government agencies post your worthiness.
I am happy to report that, of the eight positions I applied to, I received six interview invitations. ::woot::

Thankfully, I was able to cram all six interviews into a single day.

Friday morning started with a BANG! I hit the ground running, on pure adrenaline…because I tend to avoid eating before an interview. I made sure to print eight copies of my resume and writing sample, just in case an interviewer needed them.

interview

 

Here are the most important interview tips I have for you: 

1. Dress Professionally

For the love of legal briefs! Please do not show up to an interview looking like a cow chewed you up and spat you out. Wear some nice slacks and a button down, or a suit if you have one. I prefer to wear dresses to interviews, with a blazer. It’s comfortable, and usually means I don’t have to iron a crease into the pleats. Wearing a power suit is perfectly fine as well, but since we were traveling, I didn’t want to worry about packing an iron (in case the hotel didn’t have a working one, or whatever lack-of-iron-catastrophe would befall me). There are interesting takes on what attire is appropriate for interviews. I think the best thing to remember, especially for legal interns and young attorneys, is that we have not built our reputation just yet. Work on solidifying the foundation of your professionalism, and then [maybe…much later in your career] you can loosen up on the prim & proper points of your wardrobe. Maybe.

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2. Have extra copies of (at minimum) your [proofed] resume in your padfolio.

Do yourself a favor, and make the extra effort to be extra prepared. Although I always take extra copies into an interview, it is rare that I am asked to proffer anything. I have however, impressed a few interviewers with my preparation. The added prep gives your interviewer the notion that you are a professionally polished person, ready for anything, and prepared for everything.  That matters. People want to hire reliable associates, team members that can be counted on. This just adds an extra layer of greatness to what you’ve already put down on paper. Even better? It shows them you want the job, and you are willing to work hard. Our generation takes a bunch of crap for being “lazy” or “entitled.” That’s certainly not all of us, and it throws a pleasant curve ball to a veteran interviewer when you show up ready to for the game.
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3. Rise to the challenge.

In this particular set of interviews, the attorneys interviewing me all exhibited different tactics. The most-challenging interview was conducted in a large jury room. The heating unit was rather loud, and the attorneys barely spoke above a whisper. It was infuriating. I couldn’t tell if it was on purpose, so I decided to just be myself. I leaned forward in my seat, paid attention to what they each had to say, and – when they asked me the first question – I raised my voice higher than theirs and spoke. I felt like I was screaming, but that wasn’t true. The lead interviewer smiled, and then leaned forward in his chair and continued the conversation with more questions.

::It was a trick afterall::

Sometimes, interviewers will do things to throw you off; it’s a tactic to enable them the opportunity to see how you will react. When in doubt – be yourself. And remember, all of the interviewers were in your shoes at one time. They know what it feels like, and they will likely not try to break you down. Part of their job is to make sure they like you, because they’ll have to work with you.

Be bold. Be confident. Hell, strike a power pose in bathroom stall before you walk into the interview. Give yourself a pep-talk. Show them just how your intellect, tenacity, and charm will add value to their incredible team.

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4. Know Your Strengths & Weaknesses

In other words….practice for the damn thing! You know the interviewers are going to ask standard questions. So you need to PREPARE! Look up questions that interviewers tend to ask. There’s a whole slew of them available online. Do yourself a favor, and dive into them. The key is to prepare, without it appearing that you memorized each answer.

These interviews are a lot like speed-dating. You only get 20 minutes to impress these attorneys. It does not look great to have a ton of “umms,” “well, yeahs,” or “huh, hadn’t thought of that one before!” comments. You owe it to yourself to present the best candidate those interviewers are going to see, because you. are. fantastic!

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5. Research the Position!

Ladies and Gents…this is imperative. Do not, I repeat, do not go into an interview without reading about the company/firm/government agency you are interviewing with. That is the fastest way to get yourself dropped! Know exactly what your duties entail and have a prepared answer for why you’d like to work in criminal/family violence/immigration/patent law. Just trust me on this. Knowing about the company’s mission, or agency’s perview is important. These interviewers need to know that you actually give a damn about the work they do. Don’t muck it up.

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These tips are sure to get you in great shape for your interview.

Regardless of the occasion, interview as often as you can. The more practice you have, the better the conversation flows at the table. I share the above advice, as it was shared with me. For the sake of full disclosure, I [so far] received three offers from the six interviews. My summer is set and, quite frankly, I am thrilled to have the jobs lined up. I am truly looking forward to gaining a better insight to the federal court system, and the unique challenges those cases will encompass.

Now all I have to do is focus on my coursework and clinic cases this semester.
[More on the clinic later]

How are your plans going this semester?

 

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Advice Daily Dose Law School

Spring Semester Goals

It’s really odd to think about being half-way done with law school.
Time flies when you’re drowning in enjoying case law, I guess.

Despite the law school struggles, I am incredibly thankful for making it thus far. There’s a helluvalot of work that goes into prepping for class, attending networking events, and maintaining up-to-date writing samples plus a resume. Seriously though – the effort is worth every ounce of energy you expel.

I went into fall 2017 finals feeling a bit deflated. I’d worked incredibly hard to prepare for all my exams, and just felt like I was coming up short. Dean’s List seemed like over-reaching. The fall semester was, for some unknown reason, just not as focused as I wanted it to be. [To be clear, I was unfocused.] I think I may have gotten dangerously close to burn-out. 

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I figure this semester deserves a fiercer beginning. I made sure to get off on the right foot, made it to class early to get a seat (although, I kind of cheated and had a friend save my favorite seat because I knew she was in the same classroom just before my earliest class), meal-prepped for the week, and updated my calendar for both class and study purposes. What brought this on? I was super inspired by this quote:

Be addicted to the feeling of having your life together.

How awesome is that? I kind of assume everyone has goals in life, so this quote makes complete sense to me. I think I’d go even further than wanting the feeling, and actually shooting to make your goals a reality.

What does it mean to you to have your life “together?”

My mom always reminds my brothers and I about “getting our PIG,” which stands for “Poop in a Group.” It’s a polite, southern momma’s way of saying “Get your Shit Together.”

Right now, together [for me] revolves around these goals:

  1. Read everything for class. If not for my own self-improvement, then at least to avoid feeling like an idiot in class. [hey, who said I’m not up front?]
  2. Run three times a week. I love running. I love it almost more than reading [which is saying a whole lot], but since I hurt my back several weeks ago, I haven’t been able to run at all. Visiting my chiropractor has improved my mobility a whole heap!happy.gif
  3.  Spend Less. Law school is expensive enough without adding in lunch runs, coffee networking sessions, and purchasing extra supplements to help you through a class. My biggest expenditure is coffee. I’ve started setting my coffee maker the night before and waking up to that enticing aroma makes it sooo much easier to get out of bed. Since we are also planning for our wedding later this year, keeping that $200 a month in our bank account, instead of spending it out of sheer laziness, makes a huge difference in a short amount of time.
  4. Participate more. I sometimes feel that being part of so many law school organizations and law review means I’m active enough. This is only true, outside of class. I need to participate more in class; speak up and volunteer when a professor questions the ether. It forces me to not just prepare for class, but to really think about how the law applies to various situations. After all, the end goal is to become a practicing attorney!

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This semester, I plan to dedicate more time to everything I need to do, and spend waaay less time on distractors. I highly recommend you evaluate your own performance, as well as the goals you set for yourself. 

Be productive. Work hard. Make the grade!

Categories
Advice Law School

Vodka & Comfort Zones

Walking into a networking event – where you plan to know less than 2 people – is terrifying. As a law student, networking events include our future employers, partners, and colleagues – which means first impressions count.
While clerking for a Probate Judge last Spring, he said to me ” Sarah, don’t ever be the attorney that thinks they know everything. Be the attorney that makes it your business to know what other attorneys don’t!”
As a 1L, he was basically Yoda speaking in riddles. 

As a 2L – I can kind of see his point.

Although I am still learning the law, and its intricacies, it’s important to remember that youth in (or out) of a courtroom does not equate to ignorance. Many times I find myself speaking to attorneys, asking them about their experiences; pulling knowledge from them and the mistakes they experienced, in order to learn from them.

I highly recommend you NETWORK! Put yourself out there. Don’t know how? Here are a few simple steps:

  1. Dress like a BOSS, even if you are low [wo]man on the totem pole. Why? It will get you noticed!  I wore a killer dress-suit to an event this week and this happened:

While at a networking event, I was approached numerous times by attorneys wanting to know what I taught at UNT Dallas College of Law.My response was always – “Oh, I’m not a professor. I’m a 2L.”

Response: “Seriously? You dress so professionally. Do you always wear a dress suit to events like this?”

Me: “Well, yes. Dean Harris told me I can dress how want when I get a job.”

Attorney – “Amen to THAT! Tell her she’s teaching y’all well!”

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2. Grab a drink.

    • Alcohol is served at many attorney networking events – But You are NOT obligated to partake! Don’t feel that others will judge you if you don’t ask for dry martini, or a glass of the bar’s finest cabaret. There’s nothing wrong with drinking water!
    • Be comfortable, drink what you want to.
    • On that note though – don’t over indulge. Attorneys don’t want to feel like babysitters because the law student couldn’t be responsible. Trust me. You do not want to be the student who gets called in by the Dean to discuss “proper behaviour among the Bar.” #Embarrassing

3. Don’t be afraid to approach groups of people.

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  • Groups of 3 are the easiest to enter, because only one person is speaking and you can slide right into the conversation. Introduce yourself to one of the person not speaking, and then wait until the speaker halts.
  • This may seem hard, but sometimes the person you introduced yourself to will branch off from the group and strike up a conversation with YOU!
  • When approaching a group of TWO, make sure to quickly apologize, and then enter into the conversation –
    • “Sorry, I’d like to jump in here, if you don’t mind.”
    • “Excuse me, mind if I chat with you both?”

4. Keep Extra Business Cards On You

  • I absolutely LOVE the cards I purchased from MOO.COM
  • Don’t be afraid to step outside of the box with your cards, either.
  • Elle Woods would approve my cards. They’re attention-getters, because the cards are textured, and are printed with raised gold-foil; every attorney I’ve handed one to comments on the quality of them!

     

Do your best to have fun, speak about your experiences, and make quality connections!  It’s important to be able to email at least two people after every event, and make sure those connections last! It’s your responsibility to reach out to those established attorneys and judges. Let me know you’re genuinely interested in their work, and explain what you hope to learn from them.

Questions for you – 

  1. What challenges do you experience in networking situations?
  2. Which tips do you use to giver yourself an edge?

 

Have a great week!

Categories
Advice

Paying Rent

 

Solving problems with a creative edge happens to be my forte. Blame my flair and off-the-cuff tendencies on Destination Imagination. I am a [really] proud alum, and honestly use the skills I learned with DI every single day.

Enter the problem: making money while attending college. It’s harder than it sounds, because so many positions try to pay students in “experience.” Since free advice doesn’t pay the rent, I do my best to avoid working for free. That said, I decided to get creative and looked into job opportunities that were just a bit outside the norm.

Law school teaches you how to think like a lawyer. The funny thing is that lawyers need to be creatively diverse thinkers capable of drafting ideas faster than I can suck down my morning macchiato. I truly enjoy law school. My first year was great [but the grades could have been better]. I’m two weeks into 2L, and was realizing how much happier I feel. Classes are going well, and my assignments have been completed days before they’re due. I took a moment to ponder why I felt so wonderful...and then it hit me.

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My financial situation doesn’t feel quite so soul-crushing as it was last year. If you’re reading this, then the likelihood is you understand the complications of paying your way through an education. There’s really only 3 options — scholarships + savings, loans, or your family pays your bills. I don’t know many students in the last group; honestly – I only know 3 people who made it through their undergraduate degrees debt-free (lucky ducks!). I am not in the debt-free category. In fact, by the time I’m done with law school, I’ll be the proud owner of 3 degrees’ worth of education loans. [Woo! Right?!]

I try not to think too much about how I’ve practically signed away my first-born to make it through school. Instead, I stay productive. Through my 10 years of higher-education, I maintained a steady stream of jobs. At one point in my undergrad years, I held 4 consecutive positions and worked about 60 hours per week – all while taking a 16 hour course load!

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I am considerably more relaxed now though, because I gained valuable experiences over the years. Was it easy? Hell no. But, it’s certainly been a great ride. Plus, I get to say I know how to [insert random job here].

If you’re looking to make some decent money, while working through flexible hours, consider these options. I have personally worked every single one of these positions over the years – currently working at 3 of these – and my resume is chock-full of great experiences. Trust me when I say – hard work pays off!

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  1. Respite Care Provider
    • Respite care networks offer opportunities to work with special needs clients and their families. One of my absolute favorite jobs was working for a family who wanted me to take their son to a movie and the park, on a weekly basis. $15/hr. to hang out with a great kid, watch Disney or Dreamworks movies, and have my lunch paid for was EPIC.
  2.  Pharmacy Technician
    • As a Biology major considering the Med-School route, I felt this was a great option for me. Getting the license was not difficult, and it is required to earn the higher pay. This position paid well, $13/hr, and I learned to hone my communication skills! Check out the licensure requirements in Texas!
  3. Tutor (or Teacher)
    • I taught High School students for 3 years – and I loved it! Before teaching, I tutored through most of my undergraduate years. At $35/hr, this was by far the most lucrative position I held before earning my Bachelor’s degree. Working with a private tutoring agency is key! The agency will vet your clients, and that keeps you safe when tutoring in people’s homes.
  4. Dog Walker
    • Working for Wag! has been fun, and earns me an average of $30/hr. I have the opportunity to opt-in for walks between classes, or when I take study breaks. There’s no requirement to meet a set number of walks per week, which is great! This makes for some good pocket monies. #SideHustle
  5. Personal Chef
    • There are many people who need meal prep services! Take advantage of your cooking skills and put them to use! I currently work for a family that enjoy my own culinary creations. Since I stress-bake, this is such a great position! Depending on your expertise, you could potentially earn $50/hr!
  6. Law Clerk or Intern
    • There are plenty of law firms interested in hiring law students to help with their case load. Reach out to local attorneys, or check with your career services team. Many positions pay around $15/hr, and are willing to work around your class schedule!
  7. Blogger
    • There are some fantastic bloggers out there who manage to pay the bills while working remotely. Awesome, right?! One of my faves happens to be Taralynn. She blogs about her travels, fitness experiences, and foodie finds! Maybe you can start your own blog and live off ad monies…I’m just throwing out ideas here.
  8. Library Assistant (Work Study Position)
    • On top of making $12/hr, I get to study while working in a library! This position is one of my faves. Work-study positions are (in my opinion) some of the best jobs on campus! Meet people + study + get paid. 

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Some questions for you:
1. What was one unique job you had in college?
2. Are you planning on working while attending law school?

Work Some. Study More. Do Great Things! <3

 

 

Categories
Advice Law School

Advice from 2Ls

 

I want to tell you all the secrets. Law school will create moments in your daily life where your soul is crushed. Everything may suck, and you’ll remember this advice (which you skimmed, but really should have read in great detail.

Here’s the advice that counts, matters, and may quite possibly save you a load of heartache.

 

No one likes a know it all.
Especially when you’re the type to rub someone’s face in it. 

Don’t be the jerkwad gunner (law school term for ass-hat), continuously answering questions in class, and adding in your two cents everywhere. No one cares how smart you seem. So, when you’re interacting with your peers, behave like you’ve got some manners. Be kind. Work hard. You won’t have anything to worry about.

Check your ego on day one.

 

No one gives a damn about what you did in undergrad or your masters programs. I actually met a guy at school who said this to me, after I shook his hand to introduce myself: “Yeah, I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to be the best.”

Law school is a new ball game. If you go into it with an ego, law school will check that ego for you. It will hurt. Do yourself a favor, and lend advice to others when your experiences might be useful. Once you get to know your peers, feel free to let your ego into more conversations (at your own risk, of course). But, don’t you dare tell people how great you are all the time. Let your work speak for itself.

Don’t live off coffee, pizza, and chili cheese fries.

 

You’re about to spend a butt-load of time studying, talking yourself into studying, and reviewing the notes you made while studying. Truly, it’s a crazy amount of studying. There will be many breaks (usually sponsored by the law school) where free food is provided. Law school is expensive, which means we pinch pennies and fall prey to the free food…so we can afford happy hour drinks.😅 With that in mind, make sure to maintain a workout plan. Adding alcohol to the free food will result in an increased waistline. [You’ve been warned.]

 

Outline!Outline!Outline! 

Everyone will stress this to you, and you won’t listen. But the fact is – outlining as you go, SAVES TIME! Studying for finals with your own outline is comforting, particularly since you’ll have put the time in reading and briefing. In the same vein as prepping for class, hold off on study groups. You might find that you mesh with people in conversation, but not in study groups  It may sound harsh, but no one will take it personally [if you’re not a jerk about it]. I have some great friends that are perfect brunch-buddies, but we don’t learn the same way at all! Therefore, we don’t study together. We’d drive each other crazy!

Pro-tip: You can always share study materials with your peers, but I’d recommend only sharing with those you trust. It’s a small number of those who get the materials I work on, and a small number of those who share their materials with me. Don’t be upset if someone doesn’t offer their study materials – you need to earn that privilege. 

 

Take care of yourself. 

 

Trust me when I say, it’s easier said than done. Be sure to take days off, maintain relationships, work out, and keep doing the things that bring you joy. These are essential to surviving and thriving in law school. You can definitely make it to spin class, or go rock climbing, without needing to worry about slacking.Those books will still be there after an hour yoga class. They kind of apparate to wherever you are. Studying follows you everywhere. But, it’s of utmost importance to remember the reason you decided to attend law school. It’s a consuming process, and it will attempt to define how spectacular you are based on numbers, clubs, and awards. It’s stressful. Make the freak out a bit easier on yourself by knowing the best ways to unwind. 

 

Avoid Taking Summer Classes.

One of my favorite professors said that it’s important to take breaks, and that any 1L would be stupid to take summer classes. Several of my peers ignored her. They regret it. Trying to intern and attend a full load of classes is madness. Avoid adding unnecessary stress to your life, and don’t bite off more than you can chew. There’s plenty of time in your legal career to experience burn-out, no need to encourage the feeling in law school.

Your 1L year is important. Take it seriously, but not so serious that you’re the Boo Radley of the 1L class. You need friends to make it through, and there’s not a long, novel-length of time for them to develop a deep love for your presence. First impressions count!
Work Hard + Be Kind. You’ve got three years ahead of you – make the best of it, friends.