The graduation ceremony was good. Speakers were boring as hell but short. Got hooded by one of my favorite professors which was nice.
In the last semester I did a jury trial in federal court, won a very prestigious award from the school for all my work in advocacy, got to fly to a very nice vacation city to compete in a moot court competition, visited two different clients in two different prisons, appeared in the news paper, saw my mock trial team do very well in their competition, was honored at our class dinner and managed to keep my GPA up high enough to graduate with honors.
Even though I complained about law school constantly I actually enjoyed my last year. I haven't had to make too many difficult good byes yet since people are sticking around to study for the bar, but their are people I am actually going to miss.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
I'm done
Can't find a job to save my life. I even sold out and applied to firms. I was excited when I finally got a rejection letter, at least the firm took the time to read my name and address. Some of the best employment news I've had. PD office I worked at last summer laid off six people already this year. County below that just laid off 25% of their office. County below that is laying people off. My dream of being a PD straight out of law school is dead. Even if there were any openings anywhere, which there are not, I don't stand a chance against these lawyers who just got laid off and have years of experience over me.
Interviewed for a position with the law school for a year. A, we need to pad our employment statistics because the economy sucks so much, type of position. I was actually really excited about it. Found out the day before graduation that I didn't get that. Who does that? In what world is it a good idea to tell someone bad news the day before they graduate? In what possible universe is that a good idea? My level of anger over this is probably far beyond what it should be, but I needed this. And even if I didn't need it you don't ruin someones graduation.
Our graduation regalia which cost a ridiculous amount of money to rent is ugly as hell. The colors just don't look good on anyone. It was nice going to the table labeled "Doctor" to pick up my cap, gown and hood though. Please address me as Dr. Petition F. Review from now on thank you very much. Yeah I'm that pretentious.
This is turning into a rant so I'm just going to go with it. My ex-girlfriend is being a bitch. She told my friends something I told her in confidence. She then got mad when I had the gall to be upset with the fact that she told them. She's going to be a crappy lawyer. Another one of my exes went out of her way to show me her engagement ring. She came over just to do that. What am I supposed to do? Congratulate you for marrying a total douche? You two deserve each other, he's a douche obsessed with controlling women, you are a gold digging whore, match made in heaven.
This is the first time I've not been in school of some sort. It hasn't really sunk in yet.
Repaying my loans is going to be a nightmare and I can't use the loan repayment program at my law school for at least a year since the applications were due in April. Not a lot of apps this year I'm guessing since no one is employed and those who are employed sure as shit aren't employed in public interest work. THERE IS NO PUBLIC INTEREST WORK.
Ok I'm going to calm down and then maybe later I'll do a happy post where I brag about everything that has gone well this semester.
Interviewed for a position with the law school for a year. A, we need to pad our employment statistics because the economy sucks so much, type of position. I was actually really excited about it. Found out the day before graduation that I didn't get that. Who does that? In what world is it a good idea to tell someone bad news the day before they graduate? In what possible universe is that a good idea? My level of anger over this is probably far beyond what it should be, but I needed this. And even if I didn't need it you don't ruin someones graduation.
Our graduation regalia which cost a ridiculous amount of money to rent is ugly as hell. The colors just don't look good on anyone. It was nice going to the table labeled "Doctor" to pick up my cap, gown and hood though. Please address me as Dr. Petition F. Review from now on thank you very much. Yeah I'm that pretentious.
This is turning into a rant so I'm just going to go with it. My ex-girlfriend is being a bitch. She told my friends something I told her in confidence. She then got mad when I had the gall to be upset with the fact that she told them. She's going to be a crappy lawyer. Another one of my exes went out of her way to show me her engagement ring. She came over just to do that. What am I supposed to do? Congratulate you for marrying a total douche? You two deserve each other, he's a douche obsessed with controlling women, you are a gold digging whore, match made in heaven.
This is the first time I've not been in school of some sort. It hasn't really sunk in yet.
Repaying my loans is going to be a nightmare and I can't use the loan repayment program at my law school for at least a year since the applications were due in April. Not a lot of apps this year I'm guessing since no one is employed and those who are employed sure as shit aren't employed in public interest work. THERE IS NO PUBLIC INTEREST WORK.
Ok I'm going to calm down and then maybe later I'll do a happy post where I brag about everything that has gone well this semester.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wow that was an insane semester
Quick recap on what has happened in the last semester.
Coaching an Mock Trial team made up entirely of undergraduates has been the most rewarding experience in my 2.5 years of law school. I've learned a lot from teaching them and based on my teams performances they've learned a lot as well.
A close second for most rewarding law school experience is my clinic. So far I've done two depositions, have two more scheduled. I had 140 billed hours last semester working on clinic (only needed 90). Decided that wasn't enough and signed up for another client this semester. Only my original client will go to trial. This means I won't be able to intern at the local PD office, but I think this more than makes up for it since I would just be doing paperwork at the PD office.
Wrote an appellate brief for a case that was just garbage. In so doing I seem to have impressed the professor as he agreed to do an independent study class with me so I can get a good case next semester.
My flight home for the break got cancelled because of weather. Missed my own birthday party as a result. Spent Christmas on a plane. It wasn't my worst birthday ever (I was sick for my birthday once) but it wasn't awesome. It definitely was the worst Christmas ever. So many screaming children on the plane. Every person working on Christmas seems to be disgruntled (and I can't really blame them for that).
Grades haven't come out yet so I don't know how I did this semester. I think it will be a middle of the road semester, but I'm slightly worried it will be bad. My GPA is the last thing I'm worried about as far as the job hunt is concerned though. My biggest concern is finding somewhere that is actually hiring. So far my best news is: "PD office B might be hiring by the time you graduate and pass the bar."
Bought a new suit. It was the combination of my birthday and Christmas presents. I've driven in cars that cost less than this suit. It is currently being tailored, once that is done I will probably wear it daily for a week.
Coaching an Mock Trial team made up entirely of undergraduates has been the most rewarding experience in my 2.5 years of law school. I've learned a lot from teaching them and based on my teams performances they've learned a lot as well.
A close second for most rewarding law school experience is my clinic. So far I've done two depositions, have two more scheduled. I had 140 billed hours last semester working on clinic (only needed 90). Decided that wasn't enough and signed up for another client this semester. Only my original client will go to trial. This means I won't be able to intern at the local PD office, but I think this more than makes up for it since I would just be doing paperwork at the PD office.
Wrote an appellate brief for a case that was just garbage. In so doing I seem to have impressed the professor as he agreed to do an independent study class with me so I can get a good case next semester.
My flight home for the break got cancelled because of weather. Missed my own birthday party as a result. Spent Christmas on a plane. It wasn't my worst birthday ever (I was sick for my birthday once) but it wasn't awesome. It definitely was the worst Christmas ever. So many screaming children on the plane. Every person working on Christmas seems to be disgruntled (and I can't really blame them for that).
Grades haven't come out yet so I don't know how I did this semester. I think it will be a middle of the road semester, but I'm slightly worried it will be bad. My GPA is the last thing I'm worried about as far as the job hunt is concerned though. My biggest concern is finding somewhere that is actually hiring. So far my best news is: "PD office B might be hiring by the time you graduate and pass the bar."
Bought a new suit. It was the combination of my birthday and Christmas presents. I've driven in cars that cost less than this suit. It is currently being tailored, once that is done I will probably wear it daily for a week.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Clinic Rant
A series of letters:
Dear Opposing Counsel,
It's great you want to depose my client again. Really I have nothing better to do with my time than drive 2 hours to the prison, deal with security, and then sit there while you ask questions. Really nothing better to do. Also no worries that you scheduled it during my Thanksgiving Break. I didn't want to see my family anyway.
Petition
Dear Opposing Counsel,
Remember how my client is in prison? Yeah turns out if you want to depose someone in prison you HAVE TO TELL THE PRISON IN ADVANCE. You can thank me later for calling to confirm everything was good to go with YOUR deposition.
Petition
Dear Opposing Counsel,
That's great that you were able to reschedule the deposition. It's very convenient to try and get plane tickets less than a week before the break. Plane tickets don't get insanely expensive if you wait a long time to purchase them. You are lucky I found some otherwise I was going to join you and your family for Thanksgiving dinner. Also thank you for changing the date to the middle of finals. Nothing helps studying like long drives and intrusive prison security.
Sincerely,
Petition
Dear Opposing Counsel,
It's great you want to depose my client again. Really I have nothing better to do with my time than drive 2 hours to the prison, deal with security, and then sit there while you ask questions. Really nothing better to do. Also no worries that you scheduled it during my Thanksgiving Break. I didn't want to see my family anyway.
Petition
Dear Opposing Counsel,
Remember how my client is in prison? Yeah turns out if you want to depose someone in prison you HAVE TO TELL THE PRISON IN ADVANCE. You can thank me later for calling to confirm everything was good to go with YOUR deposition.
Petition
Dear Opposing Counsel,
That's great that you were able to reschedule the deposition. It's very convenient to try and get plane tickets less than a week before the break. Plane tickets don't get insanely expensive if you wait a long time to purchase them. You are lucky I found some otherwise I was going to join you and your family for Thanksgiving dinner. Also thank you for changing the date to the middle of finals. Nothing helps studying like long drives and intrusive prison security.
Sincerely,
Petition
Thursday, November 6, 2008
I'm still alive
Holy shit I overcommitted myself this semester. So insanely busy with clinic and moot court and being a TA that I don't have time to blog. I enjoy most of my clinic work, but I'm constantly busy. I don't have class Monday or Tuesday yet I'm in the law building everyday all day.
PD Office where I worked this summer is laying 3 to 4 attorneys off. The job market as a 3L right now is terrifying. Just pretending that I don't need a job and everything will be ok.
I went to 7 years of school so I could live with parents. sigh, beats digging ditches.
PD Office where I worked this summer is laying 3 to 4 attorneys off. The job market as a 3L right now is terrifying. Just pretending that I don't need a job and everything will be ok.
I went to 7 years of school so I could live with parents. sigh, beats digging ditches.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Jury Duty
This week I have had jury duty. Monday and Tuesday involved sitting in a room and reading for awhile then being sent home. Then on Wednesday I was actually sent to the courtroom. As we entered the courtroom my number was called and I was juror number 9 in the box. I don't like voir dire as an attorney and I don't like voir dire as a juror.
I have one piece of advice for the prosecutor who voir dired me: ask more questions. The following is a near transcript of the voir dire.
Prosecutor: I see you are a student, what are you studying?
Petition: Law
Prosecutor: What year are you?
Petition: 3rd
Prosecutor then sat down and accepted the panel. Defense attorney got up to do her part.
Defense attorney: Do you have an idea what you are going to do after law school?
Petition: I don't have a job offer yet, but I know what I want to do.
Defense: What is that?
Petition: Public Defense
The prosecutor visible reacted to that answer. Needless to say I made the jury.
I was very disappointed when we had a directed verdict. I really wanted to see deliberations. Mr. Prosecutor seemed to forget that drugs are required to prove a possession of drugs case. He couldn't find them. Moot point really since he also failed to prove possession. I did a quick poll of the jurors to find out how they were leaning. They were all leaning not guilty but for a different reason. They didn't find the possession issue that I concerned myself with interesting. They keyed in on the minor inconsistencies in the officers testimony.
I have one piece of advice for the prosecutor who voir dired me: ask more questions. The following is a near transcript of the voir dire.
Prosecutor: I see you are a student, what are you studying?
Petition: Law
Prosecutor: What year are you?
Petition: 3rd
Prosecutor then sat down and accepted the panel. Defense attorney got up to do her part.
Defense attorney: Do you have an idea what you are going to do after law school?
Petition: I don't have a job offer yet, but I know what I want to do.
Defense: What is that?
Petition: Public Defense
The prosecutor visible reacted to that answer. Needless to say I made the jury.
I was very disappointed when we had a directed verdict. I really wanted to see deliberations. Mr. Prosecutor seemed to forget that drugs are required to prove a possession of drugs case. He couldn't find them. Moot point really since he also failed to prove possession. I did a quick poll of the jurors to find out how they were leaning. They were all leaning not guilty but for a different reason. They didn't find the possession issue that I concerned myself with interesting. They keyed in on the minor inconsistencies in the officers testimony.
Monday, September 1, 2008
I thought 3L was supposed to be easy
Two clinics and trial ad at the same time may have been a bad idea. Oh and TAing an undergrad class doesn't help any either.
Lessons learned
1. Federal Prisons are not easy to work with. Getting a straight answer about when a client will be available is like pulling teeth.
2. When a judge appoints you to represent someone he doesn't think the case has merit. I am appointed to legitimize my clients loss. This way the client will be angry with me and not the court.
3. GTA 3: Vice City is an excellent to relieve stress.
4. Holy shit undergrads are young. To my undergrads, if you invite me out to the bar with you, that's cool I'd love to come. Don't tell me you are 19 though. I'd rather not know that I'm contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Lessons learned
1. Federal Prisons are not easy to work with. Getting a straight answer about when a client will be available is like pulling teeth.
2. When a judge appoints you to represent someone he doesn't think the case has merit. I am appointed to legitimize my clients loss. This way the client will be angry with me and not the court.
3. GTA 3: Vice City is an excellent to relieve stress.
4. Holy shit undergrads are young. To my undergrads, if you invite me out to the bar with you, that's cool I'd love to come. Don't tell me you are 19 though. I'd rather not know that I'm contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
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