Laurinda, 3L

Hi everyone,

This winter I am working with Judge Young and his clerks at the Moakley Courthouse in Boston. I've already been put on a legal research project and told that I will be writing bench memoranda at least once every two weeks. In addition, I will get to sit in on trials, motions, etc. However, some of my friends on the other rotation warned me that the excitement of sitting through a trial wears away fairly quickly. Note: Pinching oneself does not work and leaves bruises.

Still I am taking this experience as a chance to see litigation in process. I'm fairly sure I want to do transactional work in the future, but I think a lot of that is that I haven't seen what litigation has to offer. I've never done debate and NUSL does not have Moot Court or Mock trial except for those competitions offered by the affinity groups and different organizations (APALSA made it to the Vegas Nationals).

I do think that the opportunity to do a judicial internship is one of NUSL's advantages. Of course, students from other schools do judicial internships, but the other schools don't have a long list of judges as co-op employers.

Misc. note about my alma mater - Heroic Computer Dies to Save World from Master's Thesis

The article is hysterical.

So as all my dedicated readers know (it's okay if you aren't), APALSA sent two teams to the Thomas Tang Moot Court competition. One of the teams (including a fellow blogger) made it to Nationals.

This academic year was the first year that APALSA had two teams that wanted to participate. The school, however, can only provide funding for one. This issue was resolved with both teams splitting the school funding equally. This was not the best solution as the school ideally wants to fund just one team.

To solve this possible conundrum, we had to create a selection process policy. This can be very difficult as this involves details about the hows, whos, and whats. It actually wasn't that difficult of a process once everyone decided on an overarching goal.

Today we decided that although the school can fund only one team, APALSA will support everyone who wants to participate. Well, at least in terms of moral support since the APALSA budget isn't that large. The selection process is only to select the team that will receive school funding.

After making that decision, writing the Moot Court appendix to the APALSA constitution was much easier because encouraging people to participate is much easier than winnowing them out.

For people making decisions now, let it be known that APALSA will not limit the amount moot court teams. In addition, Thomas Tang is open to all students (i.e. not limited by ethnicity). But a warning, I think it's against academic policy to have 1Ls participate in competitions.

Happy start of the work week.

Hi everyone,

For those who have toured NUSL or read the brochure, you will know that the University has decided to improve the law school (this means that the university is paying and not the law school). We have annexed the building next door aka Dockser. Last week, the school was offering tours of the still under construction building.

Another blogger and I decided to go Wednesday afternoon. We would get to wear hardhats and get a tour --so of course we were very excited. Even though it may not look it from the outside, the inside seems to be nearing completion. There will be four floors total. The ground floor will have a large commons and meeting rooms. This is a major improvement because most organizations do not have a set office. All student organizations share the one student activities room that has bins.

The second (considered the real first) floor will have the moot courtroom. This is my favorite because our current moot courtroom is nowhere near a showpiece. The tour guide also said they would even consider leasing it to a judge.

The new building will also have (I think) 6 more classrooms. This is amazing because class size has increased and this year especially it was difficult to find classrooms for the ULs. My professional responsibility class is located in two different buildings and my admin class is in the moot courtroom (hence my excitement).

Otherwise more bonus points for the new building is that it uses mostly green materials and will have a green roof!

I am incredibly excited about the new building, especially that I will be able to use it next year. Hopefully my classes will be scheduled there.

Was the title of the first, and hopefully annual, Northeastern University Law Journal symposium. It was last Friday from 10AM - 5PM. It went really well!

The keynote speaker was Tom Wilner, a managing partner at Sharman and Sterling. He spoke about how he got into representing Guantanamo detainees when the opportunity arose.

The first panel was "Representing at Your Own Risk - Challenges to Finding and Taking Guantanamo Clients." Professor Coyne of University of Oklahoma Law, Nicole Moen of Frederickson & Byron, and Stewart Eisenberg of Weinberg & Garber spoke of flying down and meeting with their clients, many of whom are in solitary. One of the most poignant things that the speakers said was that even though it seemed hopeless at times, the lawyers were providing an important service. Not the attempt to get a hearing on the detainees status (which is important) but just flying down and interacting with the detainee and assuring them that they too were human. I know that's corny. But it really struck me because you think the most important thing is that the detainees actually have lawyers who will fight their cause and it turns out that the most important service they provide to the detainee is a human connection.

The second panel was "No News is Bad News - Cutting Through the Secrecy of Evidence." Sabin Willet of Bingham McCutchem, David Remes of Covington and Burling, and Marcellene Hearn of Richards, Kibbe, & Orbe spoke of how the comuniques from their meetings with clients had to go through DC before they would get back to them. This, however, is only if they need to discuss to the public about the situation with the detainees. Otherwise, you are breaking the law.

The final panel was "What does Winning Mean? - Representation After a Favorable Judgment" hosted. Bernard Docket who flew from Germany!, Professor Baher Azmy of Seton Hall law, and Jason Pinney of Bingham McCutchen spoke on this topic. I wasn't present for this panel but I heard that it was also very good.

Overall, the turnout, speakers and panels were great! I really hope this continues. In addition, if you do come to NUSL, unlike other law schools you don't have to test / write into Journal. All 2Ls and 3Ls are welcome as long as you do your end of things.

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!

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.

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?

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.

Hey everyone,

This is going to be a bit info-mercial-ly, so please bear with me.

Today is the beginning of the 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!

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)!

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.

The economy is terrible and the news isn't good. I've completely stopped reading Above the Law because of the constant stream of news about law firms lay offs. Still I have hope or more like the fact that even if I didn't have hope, I need to find a job somehow. I think the key for a job search now is persistence. I mentioned it in my New Year's blog, and I say it again now.

I've gotten several rejections but I don't even let that get me down, because honestly in these times, it's almost what you expect. Still even though interviews have been sparse, they have not been non-existent. A few weeks ago I had an interview for the CT superior court. I thought it went well. I'll find out about it at the end of March.

This advice is most likely advice you've heard before, but prepare for the interview. I spent hours prepping for the interview in Connecticut. I did practice questions and answers. I created 10 questions to ask. I read the cases a million times so in the off chance they wouldn't allow it, I had the facts and holdings practically memorized. (CT Superior Court has a written portion to the interview)

For those who are in my plight, good luck! For those who think a job search in this economy is nuts . . . there is still always law school to consider.

Now would be a great time to go to school - You have a few weeks to apply to NUSL!

The Northeastern University Law Journal lives! Our first issue (remember - Guantanamo) has been published online. Further, requests for articles for the next issue have been solicited. I think it's been a great showing for a new journal such as ours.

We just hosted our second symposium last month "Shelter from the Storm: Advocacy in the Subprime Fallout. Journal members (such as myself) attended as well as volunteered to give directions, watch coats, and food.

All kidding aside, the Symposium went really well. The panels and panellists were interesting and responded very well to questions. Because the panellists were so familiar with the work and law, it was more of a dialogue than just a lecture.

The symposium is free (free food and free attendance) and the public (meaning you) is invited. The Journal is currently in the planning stages on what the next topic will be, and if you have any suggestions . . .

The Journal symposium wasn't the only event. There are usually a lot of things going on (last night LEAF hosted a showing of WALL-E .

Just this morning a prospective student was getting directions to sit in on a crim class. A visit could combine classes and even checking in on a meeting or getting free food and mingling.

It's the second to last week! I almost can't believe how fast this final quarter has passed.

I plan on taking the bar exam in New York and Massachusetts. For those reading, this application process probably seems far into the future. But I would recommend for anyone who does plan on taking the bar, sign up to be a BarBri or Kaplan PMBR representative. The reps get to take the bar class for free. Looking back, I wish I had done that because I would have saved myself more than $2700. That's how much it cost to sign up for the New York barbri class. That's not including the amount that I have to pay for books for Massachusetts.

It may seem self-evident, (but I remember when I was a ignorant 1L who knew nothing), BarBri is separate from the bar exam.

The Bar exam is administered by the board of examiners. You take the exam in the state where you plan on practicing. Many people choose to take two exams. This is possible for MA, NY, CT, and RI. I don't know about the other states, but I imagine it's difficult with a state like California.

Otherwise, even before you can take the bar exam you have to apply to take the bar exam. For NY, it's fifteen minutes online. For MA, it's a bit more of an ordeal with requirements for recommendations and employment history from when you were 18. I've heard RI is even more difficult, requiring even your traffic violations.

Still, for incoming 1Ls applying for the bar is very far off. But it's a good idea to keep in mind what you'll need.