As a non traditional law student, managing work, family, and bar study can be quite the challenge.  But starting early has been a real big help.  If you are like me and getting ready to take the bar exam, start early!  Setup a manageable schedule and stick to it no matter what.  When you think that one day skipped won’t matter, that will lead to two, then three, then four…you get the picture.

Hang in there and it can be done.

One of the hardest pills for me to swallow in law school is the simple fact that my grades sometimes suffered simply because I did not have enough time to prepare.  This is not to say that my grades are bad (honor roll, deans list), just that I believe I could do better if I had more time.  But then I think, what is really important in my life?

Sure, it would be great to go through law school making the deans list every single term and pulling all As.  But the reality is that I just simply do not have the time to devote to getting all As in law school if I want to maintain some semblance of a happy family life.

When we decide as non traditional law students that we want that law degree, we must consider the demands on our time that we are willing to keep and to give up.  For me, my family time is something that I treasure and value.  Getting all As is just not worth my family or sanity.  Although it was a hard pill to swallow, and perhaps a somewhat humbling experience, I am still a very blessed and happy man.  Law school is for 3 years, family is forever.

God bless and have a great day.

It is often tempting to spout off in the heat of debate.  Be wary lest ye look like a fool.  It is great to have an opinion.  Just remember, everyone has an opinion.  To be truly intelligent and make your case you must have a reason for your opinion and be able to articulate it in a persuasive manner.  This is what good lawyers do, and this is what good law students should be learning to do.

God bless and have a great day.

I have known many law students that get so excited about finally graduating that they forget to put forth their best efforts during the last term.  Generally speaking, non traditional law students do not have this problem to the extent traditional law students do.  Perhaps that is because we tend to have many more responsibilities that continue regardless of where we are in our law school studies.  Still, it can and does happen.

Remember that our GPA does not differentiate between the first term and the last.  Remember that a bad grade in the last term is still a bad grade.  In fact, a downward slide in performance during the last term or last few classes could actually work against us.  Future employers do not want to see that we start strong and finish weak.  If anything, we should always finish strong.  Moreover, the last few classes are usually electives.  If we cannot do well in classes we actually chose to take, what does that say about us?

Senioritis is a real phenomenon.  Just don’t let it get the best of you.  God bless and have a great day.

If you ever have the opportunity to participate in an internship, do it.  If at all possible, find the time.  The experience is phenominal.  I don’t think there is any other class that I have enjoyed so much.  I am given great responsibility and challenged every day with exploring the law in depth and thinking outside of the box to effectuate the best outcomes for my clients.  The human interaction really puts things into perspective.  In an internship you have the opportunity to take your abstract legal knowledge and apply it to real life situations.  You have the opportunity to really affect peoples lives.

It is a great responsibility, but it has great rewards.  I hope you can have as great a time as I am having now.

God bless and have a great night.

Probably everyone is familiar with Facebook, but you may not be as familiar with Twitter.  Twitter is a micro-blogging platform that allows you to share short (140 chars or less) thoughts about anything.  You choose people to follow, and people follow you who are interested in your “tweets”.  Below you will find some of my favorite Twitter links.  Click on them.  Use them.  Build your social network now so you will be more prepared for that great day when we will be addressed as “Counselor”!

145 Lawyers (and legal professionals) to follow on Twitter.

30 Twitter apps we actually use and 140 after that.

The Twitter Law Directory.

Follow me on Twitter.

Facebook (my profile).

These are only scratching the surface of what is out there, but it will get you off to a great start.  Just remember one thing; social networks are only as good as how you use them.  Do not get involved with everything out there.  Get involved and networked in a few really good networks and stick with them.  I am actively involved in only 2 or 3 networks.  But I have met some really great lawyers and learned immensly from them.  As non traditional law students we are extremely busy.  Social networking is a fabulous tool, but it does take time.  Don’t spread yourself too thin.

God bless and have a great night.

P.S.  Sorry my posts have been few and far between lately.  Things have been especially hectic with my schedule these past few weeks.  Hopefully they will settle down soon.  Until then, have faith, study hard, and keep pushing toward that cap and gown!

Life is beginning to slow down after the holidays, thankfully.  But, law school is still law school.  Just remember to take each day one at a time.  Keep your focus and try to get back into the “groove” of things as quickly as possible.  This last break for me was 3 weeks; a very welcomed one indeed.

Best wishes to all you other law students out there in the same boat as me.  The ride can be tough at times, but just think of the rewards to come.  I cannot wait until this time next year when I will have that diploma hanging on my wall.  Keep your mind on the prize and the time will go much faster.  Be strong and never forget to keep your life balanced.  Law is great, but it is not everything.  God bless and have a great day.

I start back to law school on the 9th of January, 2009! If you did not graduate this last term then you will be starting back around the same time I’m sure.  Christmas is over, the holiday season will soon be wrapped up with the celebration of bringing in the new year.  Before you go back to studying case law, tax codes, and outlining your notes, make sure you take the time to really relax and get re-energized for the upcoming term (and year).

Enjoy your family.  Get involved with your church.  Catch up on your (non law related) reading.  Whatever you can do between now and the first day of law classes, do it.  You and I both need the time to slow down and get re-energized for what lies ahead.  God bless and have a great day.

After my exams I never crack a casebook or look through an outline.  Once my answer has been submitted I have recorded my knowledge of the particular question.  The time for second guessing and analyzing is over.  Don’t stress out about things you cannot change.  My best advice to every law student who has just taken an exam is this: forget about it.  You have earned the right to relax for a while.

Remember, if you cannot change it, forget it and move on.  If you perhaps feel that an essay answer is appealable, then you can review your notes.  Until then you should give your mind and body a well deserved break.  God bless and have a great day.