It's back to classes here at NUSL. Even the new 1Ls had their first classes today. So far, I've had Balancing Liberty and Security in post 9/11 America, Criminal Trial Practice, and First Amendment Law. Later, I have Evidence and Appellate Advocacy. It's great to be back at school and starting classes, if even I wasn't completely ready to give up my summer.

All of my classes are in a newly renovated building, Dockser, directly behind the law school proper. Though, like many of the buildings at Northeastern, the two are all connected on the ground floor. You could, if one was so inclined, spend all day inside the law school complex without ever going outside. As it was much more likely for that to happen during first year, I'm going to make a point of my second year to see the sun and feel the wind.

New extracurricular things are starting up, too, but slowly. We had the Student Activities Fair last night, where student organizations recruited first years (mostly) to be a part of their groups. As half of the upper-level students are always gone, first years at Northeastern are really the life blood of student organizations. For the moment, I'm heading up two student groups, the International Law Society and recently created Criminal Law Society, but am excited for 1Ls to come in and take leadership positions. It will free up my schedule and, I hope, take both groups in great directions as we explore those areas of the law and student interests.

For now, I'm going to return to filling out my security clearance forms for the Dep't of Justice co-op I've taken for the Winter. As extensive and intrusive as the questions are, it is somewhat fun to try to recall exactly where I've lived and what I've done for the past decade.

Posted by Ira at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I made it back to Boston safely and soundly (well...mostly sound), and am gearing up for the start of classes.

Next Monday the new class of 1Ls begin their orientation and I'll be there bright and early to welcome, provide directions, and help myself to the breakfast the university is providing. Sounds like a pretty sweet gig. Even though I have to be there around 7.30am.

I mean...I'm usually awake at that time, but that doesn't translate to actually wanting to be somewhere other than puttering around with a cup of coffee.

I accepted an offer for the upcoming Winter internship with the Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division/Special Litigation Section. The Special Litigation Section investigates patterned violations of institutionalized persons' federal civil rights--whether those people are prisoners, elderly, juveniles, or mentally ill--and brings a federal suit against the state or local agency running the show if they don't clean up their act to federal standards. The stark bonuses to having an internship so early is getting a jump in my search for housing, being able to focus on classes and Fall Recruitment (interviews and such) without looking for a co-op added on top, and being in DC during the transition from the Bush Administration to whoever we next collectively elect to be president.

If any of you reading will be starting at NUSL next Monday, I look forward to seeing you there!

Posted by Ira at 2:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So far, I've made it safely through three-fourths of my journey back to Boston. Currently visiting my family in North Carolina, I arrived after a four day trip from Phoenix across the country. Before I left I went to a Diamondback/Braves baseball game. The Braves routed the D-backs 11-5. It was glorious. The Braves are extremely unlikely to make it to the playoffs this year, while the D-backs are almost a shoe-in, but that's a beauty of baseball. No matter the standings, every game is new. And for that game, the Braves played, for a short time, like a championship team.

Along the way I stopped and saw the Grand Canyon for the third time in my life (first as an adult), saw my sister in Oklahoma, had some fantastic Jamaican food and corn bread at a market in Nashville, and saw the tip of the Smoky Mountains and buzzed Mount Le Conte from a helicopter.

Soon, I'll be back in Boston and preparing for school, which starts a week and a half from now. Our class lists were finally posted, and the book lists are slowly coming to light. If professors have chosen to publish their book lists outside their offices, as opposed to making them available to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs, I, like many students returning from co-op, won't know anything until we get back to town. When I discovered the classes I will (most likely) take, I immediately ordered books. Despite my advice to you in a previous blog to always buy used, so far most of my books have been new editions. Unfortunate for the pocketbook. What was used was still pricey, especially as many cheaper copies were already bought by other law students who knew their schedules and required books earlier, and I paid more in shipping in hopes that the books will get to me before classes start.

Also, since my last blog, I applied for an internship for next Summer. Again, this competitive internship, if obtained, could lead to a job after graduation. If I get an interview (cross your fingers, folks), the organization's reps will be here on campus the first few weeks of classes. I am, admittedly, somewhat anxious.

Additionally, I had that interview for an internship this Winter. It was somewhat ironic to have the internship interview while still at my Summer co-op, in the middle of the work day. But, such seems to be the life of a NUSL student. No rest for the weary. The interview seemed to go really well, and yesterday, I received an offer. Again, I cannot divulge anything specific yet, but all will surface soon. Currently, I am waiting on word from other potential employers before I accept or reject.

For now, I am enjoying my last few days of vacation and, like much of the rest of the world, keeping one eye on the Olympics.

Posted by Ira at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Have you ever been part of a street race? Drivers or passengers welcome. Not that I am condoning or encouraging illegal or potentially deadly activity, although I readily push unhealthly levels of rebellious acts, but the metaphor is necessary for my story.

Try not to think about what you may have seen on movies; few films get the feeling behind racing cars right. When you speed down a flat road, heading into a curve, your compatriots and challengers vying for the outside, you pick up speed. A lot of speed. And just before you hit the apex you can almost--almost--feel yourself floating, as if the tires aren't really touching the road. Then, for a split second, the curve (if gentle enough) seems to hold you fixed before it slingshots you forward faster and faster.

In a way, that is what this last week in Arizona and at the Supreme Court has felt like. Albeit a lot less attractive than racing, it certainly leaves less of a carbon footprint and (presumably) endangers fewer lives.

I have all but finished the projects assigned to me, even recently completing a few they dug up because I'm the only intern here and they didn't anticipate me needing more work. Yet, I have a lot going on otherwise and the office seems satisfied if I keep myself busy as they try to meet their own deadlines. Specifically, I am finishing that article I'm writing for the ILSA Quarterly, and still working on applications for Fall Recruitment. I have almost completed one massive application, only lacking a final class list for the Fall. With approximately three weeks before classes start, our classes have yet to be finalized (or book lists published). So, when I know which classes I will actually be taking, I can send off that application. And hope for the best.

I do have an interview tomorrow for an internship this Winter. Different from Fall Recruitment, but if the interview goes well, I may get an offer in time to include the info. on my resume or a supplemental resume. It is pretty common to give a revised resume during an interview. In fact, after scheduling tomorrow's interview, I emailed the attorney one. Last week, I was chosen to be one of Professor Ramirez's research assistants this Fall, along with fellow blogger and all-around wonderful person, Sarah. So, I quickly updated my resume and was glad to provide it ahead of the interview. That way, we have more to talk about.

Lastly, I have yet to start packing and preparing my car for the drive back across the country. During which I don't plan on racing (since you were wondering). I'll be on the road for at least four days, so I may miss a blog.

If so, enjoy the trailing summer until then. And rebel where inappropriate.

Posted by Ira at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)