http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/ en Copyright 2008 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:36:25 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Hi all, Last week, I was conned/begged/bribed to be a witness in a class called civil trial practice. I say that in all good fun because it seemed like it. And I joke about conned/bribed. Every quarter, there is a class called civil trial practice. Because Northeastern doesn't have mock trial, this class is its closest semblance. I was the witness Mary Dixon who lost her husband to suicide/shooting accident. I was suing the big insurance company to try to get what I felt was owed. There were 4 witnesses/volunteer victims and we all had scripts that we had to learn when we were giving testimony. The students in the class were the attorneys and each "trial" had 4 attorneys (two for each side). It was really interesting to do and I got to exercise my intro to acting skills! Still, its hard to finagle people to do so because well ... it's finals time. http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/11/civil_trial_practice.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/11/civil_trial_practice.html Academics Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:36:25 -0500 Hi all, When I was younger (probably 7 or 8) I used to learn mandarin at a local Boston school on Saturdays. Back then (and it is sad that at my age I use that phrase), learning mandarin wasn't as popular as it is now and there weren't as many teachers or schools. Now people hire Chinese nannies so that their babies grow up speaking another language. Going to school on Saturday was horrible and I cried every time my parents would drive my sister and I there. Eventually, the commute (and probably the complaining) led to my sister and I attending for only a year. Now as I look back, I really regret that I didn't become literate in Chinese. (warning for next bit: plug for NUSL/Northeastern in general) Northeastern offers NUCALLS which is this undergrad club where students teach others languages! I signed up for the Mandarin 1 and Cantonese 1 classes. Although I already speak both, I signed up for the basic classes because I never learned the basics. Sometimes it is a little slow but I still learn new things. Maybe next quarter I will try a harder class. http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/11/nucalls.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/11/nucalls.html Student Life Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:10:08 -0500 We do have a journal. A very new journal. In fact, it turns 1 (or so) this year. Now we are just like other law schools that have journals, only we still do it differently. Since Northeastern emphasizes the co-operative aspect of legal education, the Journal does too. Unlike other law schools, you don't have to compete to get onto journal. All you have to do is be an Upper Level and promise to commit yourself to the journal. Just because there isn't a competition, however, does not mean that Journal is easy. There is a lot of work involved. Last year there were articles submitted and a symposium, all about Guantanamo. As a staff member, I've been helping edit the articles and I do have that spark of pride that they are almost ready for publishing (If only for the fact that soon I can stop editing them, Just kidding). This year the subject is foreclosure and the subprime market. This is yet another difference from other journals. We aren't locked into a subject/category. Still should be interesting (at least hopefully)! http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/10/did_you_know_that_nusl_has_a_l.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/10/did_you_know_that_nusl_has_a_l.html Student Life Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:28:28 -0500 40th anniversary celebrations at NUSL. 40 years ago, Northeastern Law re-opened after being closed for about ten years. So today the celebrations begin! Here is a schedule of the events if anyone wants to attend: Thursday, October 16, 2008 Law, Culture and Difference/Legal Skills in Social Context 10-Year Reunion Reception Celebrating a decade of social justice projects and program development. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Dockser Hall Commons/Lower Level Friday, October 17, 2008 The NU Law Forum presents: 40 Years of Activism at NUSL Moderator: Professor Margaret Woo (I had her for Civ Pro) 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., Dockser Hall, Room 240 Video Premiere: Celebrating Our 40th 4:00 - 4:10 p.m., Room 240 No charge Address by Dean Emily Spieler: The State of the Law School 4:10 - 5:15 p.m., Dockser Hall, Room 240 Saturday, October 18, 2008 Panel Discussion: US Agenda for the Next Four Years 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., Dockser Hall, Room 160 No charge, some space still available And Saturday night! (The part which I am actually going to go to) Capstone Reception at the John J. Moakley US Courthouse Keynote Speaker: Anthony Lewis, Two-time Pulitzer Prize Winner (anyone read Gideon's Trumpet?) 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Typically the price for tickets for the reception would be $85! But there was a special for the first fifty students, special meaning free. It's a dress-up reception and I may actually know almost all / am friends with the 50 students who are going so it will be a lot of fun. I am really excited and tell you all about it next week! ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/10/nusl_40th_anniversary.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/10/nusl_40th_anniversary.html Outside Law School Student Life Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:41:45 -0500 The library doesn't really have as many printers as one would expect with a school that spends half it's time applying to co-ops and jobs. And since most students apply for co-ops the day of the deadline or the day before, when all of the four public printers (at least by my count) are occupied, frustration and impatience rises. But that is all to change! With practically all classes being held in Dockser, the second floor of Cargill is pretty much unused. The library (and I got this straight from the horse's mouth) will be expanding downstairs and creating printer and computer labs. One room with all printers! Sadly I won't be able to experience the wonders of no print job queues, but I am certain it is a sight to behold. http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/10/law_school_library_renovations.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/10/law_school_library_renovations.html Student Life Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:38:24 -0500 A quarter is a really short amount of time. This week our final exam schedule was posted. Although it's only the beginning of October, it is important to start thinking about final exams and outlining. That's why while it is a school holiday, I am already at school. Today I will force myself to learn everything about Bankruptcy that I haven't understood so far. I've already, sort of, done that for Tax because we had a "midterm" quiz on Tuesday that covered the first fifteen classes. I can't believe that we've already had 15 classes! Although, I must admit studying is not the only reason that I am the only student in the building today. One of the things about co-op is that you are constantly applying. Usually with co-op mailing season, the first mailing is the big one. You get a list of over 200 employers and all 2Ls and 3Ls on summer/winter rotation choose ten. One may be surprised to learn that even with those numbers, often people apply to the same ten. When that happens, there are supplemental mailings. With these you can apply to as many places on that list. But whether you do the big mailing or the supplemental, when a student gets an interview it would be best to prepare. That's the other reason why I am at school. I have an interview tomorrow that I need to prep for. This usually involves looking up the interviewers, the company, and just pondering what may happen. Tomorrow is not only busy because of the interview (which will take more than 2 hours!) but I suddenly appear to have a social life. . . shocking, I know. I am going out with some college friends that I haven't seen in oh about 2 months, then right after there is an inter-APALSA mixer at Lucky Strike, and then right after that my law school friend is hosting a wine party. Does anyone know of any good under$15 Shirazes? http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/10/classes_coops_and_clubs.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/10/classes_coops_and_clubs.html Academics Co-op Diversity Outside Law School Student Life Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:02:14 -0500 As previous readers know, last spring I went on a tour of the yet to be complete Dockser. It was completed in August and ready for business. The building is certainly lovelier with ceilings and walls and Brady Bunch decor. The new building is completely outfitted with a snazzy moot courtroom, flat screen TVs that actually display TV shows rather than WeBoard announcement, a kitchenette (no stove) and lounges everywhere. Still there is a lack of outlets. Honestly! If you are designing a building for law students, it's a smart idea to put outlets in every possible available space. Especially, since by the third year it appears that my lap top is preparing to die on me. Otherwise, I think it's interesting to note that with the new building, none of the lower levels (and a good chunk of the ULs) study in the Cargill (read old) Commons. This is a migration best seen during lunch time. In the past, the old Commons would be practically raucous with everyone eating there. But now everyone has relocated to the new commons. I'm still a hold out though. I prefer the library and the study rooms in the old building even though they smell a bit moldy. The library just needs to let go of its silly no eating policy. http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/09/musings_on_the_new_law_school.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/09/musings_on_the_new_law_school.html Student Life Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:56:29 -0500 MPRE before taking the bar exam. After taking the exam, like most curious law students, they asked me how it was. Unlike certain commentators on Above the Law, I didn't think the exam was a complete cakewalk as suggested. People fail all the time. The exam is both easy and hard. It isn't like the LSATs or the bar exam where you spend months in advance preparing. I took a week and read the study guide BarBri gives you, took a few practice exams, and went to the 4 hour Sunday lecture. The subject matter itself isn't difficult. Basically, ethics may be summed up from lessons learned in kindergarten: Don't Lie, Don't Steal, and Don't Cheat. Still like any good law exam, there are twists and turns and 2 multiple choice answers that seem to be right. For those reading who are getting ready for law school, you don't have to worry about the exam right now. It's just good to know that there is an exam called the MPRE and some states require you to have a passing score before taking the bar exam. Which means you have 3 years to worry about it and there are more immediate things to worry about. ]]> http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/09/mpre.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/09/mpre.html Outside Law School Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:13:40 -0500 This has been a very indecisive quarter for me, at least in terms of selecting a class schedule. A lot of that had to do with the uncertainty of my placement in limited enrollment class, but no more! I have a final schedule now. I did make it to the very top of the waitlist for Advanced Legal Writing, but I ultimately decided that I would take Intellectual Property. I decided to take IP because it's a very interesting subject and I had Professor Dyal-Chand for Property as a 1L. Still, with such a short quarter it is easy to fall behind as I have already done since I only decided to take IP right before the class. Still since it is so early in the quarter, it will also be very easy to catch up because I just need to devote a day and read what I missed and look over someone's notes for the classes I missed. That is one of the advantages of Northeastern. While law students are notoriously ultra-competitive, Northeastern students very willingly share notes and study aids. Now that I know what my schedule will look like (Bankruptcy, Tax, IP, and Animal Law), I can start going to the gym. Another great thing about Northeastern is the gym. The Marino Center is gorgeous and free for student use. No need to get a gym membership! Since that is where I am off to now, have a great weekend! http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/09/classes_are_finally_finalized.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/09/classes_are_finally_finalized.html Academics Student Life Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:31:19 -0500 For me, restaurant week is my favorite time of year. It ranks high up there with Christmas and birthdays. Much like Christmas and birthdays, I get to dress up, be with friends and family for a prolonged meal, and lots of money gets spent. This summer restaurant week I made a futile attempt to get reservations at L'Espalier. They were apparently booked the first day that the dates of restaurant week were announced. I have learned my lesson and that is what I also will do the next time. Otherwise, my summer was not deprived of restauranty goodness. I went to Ruth Chris again. The menu never changes, but it's so good that it makes sense not to disturb a good thing. I also went to Aquitaine and Haru. The menus weren't bad. In both cases, I had the chilean sea bass. While Aquitaine and Haru were okay, I wouldn't really consider them good choices for Restaurant Week since the quality wasn't amazing and the menu itself wasn't inspiring or overly expensive. Otherwise, Haru has Haru Hour where certain sushi rolls are cheaper than regular. It may become my new Shino's since Shino has increased their prices. In more restaurant news, I also went to Masa in the South End for their Tapas. During Masa happy hour, you can order the combo platter of ten tapas for $5! This is an amazing steal! In addition, the day that my friends and I went to Masa, Chronicle was filming and filmed us! http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/09/restaurant_reviews.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/09/restaurant_reviews.html Outside Law School Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:59:30 -0500 I keep forgetting that I am a 3L. When people ask, I always respond Oh, I'm a 2L! But that's mostly habit, a lot like how people forget how old they are. Classes started Tuesday. Now, I like skipping Mondays as much as the next person. However, when you are 3rd on the waitlist, trying like mad to get into a limited enrollment class that ONLY meets on Mondays, then you may see my problem. If you don't, let me explain. Many of the rising 2Ls don't understand the limited enrollment process. You register for the limited enrollment class and it will show up on your online schedule, however, that does not mean you are in the class. It only means that your space is saved. About a month before classes start, the limited enrollment list will show up on the WeBoard. For Advanced Legal Writing, there are only 16 spaces and these names are picked at random from the registered students. The rest on the waitlist . . . Where I am. Because people are constantly adding and dropping, even if you are on the waitlist, one should still go to the first class because the professor will let you in if someone who got in did not show up. At times, a professor will expand the class if there are only a few people on the waitlist. Beware though! This is not guaranteed and should always be done through the administration first. Back to my dilemma, because Advanced Legal Writing is on Monday and class started Tuesday and September 1 is Labor Day, I haven't had a chance to see who else has dropped and if I've moved up on the list. This is especially problematic because September 2 is the end of the add/drop period. Cross your fingers and wish me luck! http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/08/reflection_on_my_first_week_as.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/08/reflection_on_my_first_week_as.html Academics Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:18:58 -0500 This weekend was filled with things to do! On Saturday, my friends and I caught a Dark Knight matinee at AMC Boston Common. Even though the movie has been out for a week, the theatre was packed. I hope everyone goes to see it because Heath Ledger was definitely the best Joker ever seen. As one of my friends best put it, "Ledger was a Clockwork Orange Joker." It's sad that Ledger died, but as a viewer it's tragic that we won't get to see his acting ability evolve because Joker was amazing. After Dark Knight, I met with another friend to study for the MPRE. We went over one of the outline packets. It was hard to study in such a nice Saturday afternoon. Especially since it was so hot and she didn't have air conditioning. She did, however, have Wii Fit. I really want a Wii now. We only took a short break in between studying, but in that time Wii was able to determine that my center of gravity is slightly to the left and that I am unbalanced. After studying, we met up with my other friends to watch Shakespeare on the Common. If you aren't from Boston, one of the perks is free Shakespeare! This summer they are doing As You Like It. Orlando is played by Marshall (real name Frederick Weller) from the USA TV show In Plain Sight!!! It was an excellent show. I must admit: I've read As You Like It before for fun and didn't fully understand it. But seeing it acted out just made it click. Today was a 4 hour MPRE class, but enough said on that. Have a great week everyone! http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/07/dark_knight_was_better_than_th.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/07/dark_knight_was_better_than_th.html Academics Outside Law School Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:09:56 -0500 There is so much to do! On my to-do list, is setting up my materials to apply for judicial clerkships and job fairs and studying for the MPRE. I can't believe that the summer is half way done and that I am a 3L. Just this morning I registered for fall classes. I really want to get into one of the seminar classes, so my schedule will completely depend on whether I can get into one of the three limited enrollment classes I signed up for. Those three are 1. Advanced legal writing 2. Constitutional litigation and 3. Balancing Security and Liberty. All my other classes will depend on which, or any, of the limited enrollment classes I will be able to get into because the seminars conflict with other classes I want to take. I definitely will be able to Animal Law because that class does not conflict with anything I want/need to take: Intellectual Property conflicts with ALW, Basic Income Tax conflicts with Constitutional litigation, and I don't even remember what First Amendment conflicts with. Selecting a schedule is always difficult, but for some it can work out perfectly. I have a friend where none of her classes conflict! Otherwise, I just read the unauthorized biography of Martha Stewart by Chris Bryan. I thought it was very well-written and an interesting view of how Martha created an multimedia empire based on the (allegedly) suppressed domestic impulses that working women have. http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/07/the_summer_is_certainly_flying.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/07/the_summer_is_certainly_flying.html Academics Outside Law School Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:12:33 -0500 Happy 4th of July everyone! This week has been a slow week at the office, but I am excited to say that I finished another memo. All law schools have a writing requirement. Starting next year for the incoming class, people can fulfill the writing requirement with a portfolio of pieces, from co-op or classes. This would have worked so well for me on this co-op since I've already written three memos, each more than ten pages. Sadly, this requirement does not apply to me. Also it is incredibly difficult to get a memo approved to be released from the SEC. In other news, my work friends and I have started going across the street to Elephant and Castle on Tuesday nights to play trivia. Sadly, we didn't make it into the championship to win Red Sox tickets. We did place, not thanks to a team that cheated! I know, so terrible. You may wonder how I knew they cheated. The announcer said "We've already had a complaint, don't do it again or your team will be disqualified." I understand why they don't get the automatic DQ because the pub is a business and want those people to come back and not feel embarrassed. But I'm bitter.Why would you cheat at bar trivia! The point of bar trivia is to show that you have a whole bunch of useless knowledge in your brain like knowing that the ancient Romans called Scotland Caldonia or that owls have asymmetrical ears. (Both questions no one in my team knew). Obviously it's easy to know those facts if you google it on your PDA/Blackberry. I'm slightly bitter because of the injustice that cheaters do prosper. They won the $50 that comes with first place and a chance to participate in the trivia championship with Red Sox tickets as a prize. I like competitions and I like to win. But really, if one team cheats that's just not fair. Now if all of us had a chance to cheat, that would be a test of who has the fastest fingers on a blackberry and would be more fair. But that's just not the point. In other news, I plan on seeing Wall-E sometime soon. The NYT gave it the best review! Maybe tomorrow. Otherwise, I hope everyone enjoys this slightly chilly 4th! http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/07/happy_4th.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/07/happy_4th.html Co-op Outside Law School Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:07:04 -0500 I am really enjoying my summer co-op with the SEC. There are a total of four legal interns (three from Northeastern) and an indeterminate number of college interns. I've been busy since my first day! The work is mostly securities regulation (no surprise there). Since everything we work on is top secret, I can't talk about what I am doing. I can say that I've done tons of research and writing, doc review, and some other prep stuff. But what is nice about working and not being at school is having weekends free. So far I've been going to the movies every week (matinees because I am still a poor law student). Last week when I went to see the Happening (which is NOT a recommend) I saw Chris Rock at the Loews Theatre in Boston. He was originally going to see the Incredible Hulk but missed the previews and was going to see the Happening. He was with two others. I thought he looked and talked a lot like Chris Rock but then I thought, why would he be here in Boston and without entourage. It was only after the movie when my friend told me that the ushers were saying how it was Chris Rock! Since I didn't (clearly) get an autograph for myself, no one else gets them either ... Still there is my celebrity sighting for the week. Let's hope that this becomes a tradition and that Hollywood has come to Boston. http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/06/celebrity_sighting.html http://blogs.targetx.com/neuslaw/Laurinda/2008/06/celebrity_sighting.html Co-op Outside Law School Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:48:56 -0500