I finally finished my ADA paper.  Curious enough, it still lingered in my mind even after I handed it in.  Why?  I had worked hard on it.  I had revised and then revised again.  And most importantly, I cannot change it now.  Why is it then that we continue to second guess ourselves even after we can do nothing about it?

Human nature I guess.  But I have found that my life is much better when I just concentrate on other things and forget that which I cannot change.  Law students are taught to think, to analyze, and then to think and analyze again.  But there must come a time when it is finished.  That time for a law student is when the final paper is handed in (if appeals are not an option).

So, after you have worked hard and done your part, forget about it.  Move on and concentrate on the many other things that you have to do.  It will make your life a lot easier.  In short, don’t worry about what you cannot change.  God bless and have a great day.

For any of you law students out there that are taking an advanced writing course . . . bless you.  I am writing about the ADA, and I am currently on my seventh or eighth revision (losing count).  As for the reference to scanners, well, you will have to watch the movie or ask someone who has.  I feel like my head is going to explode.

But, such is life (the life of a law student that is).  My paper is due in two days.  After that it will all be over, whew!  Anyway, God bless and continue to have a great day.

Wow!  It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in my law school orientation class.  Now I have only three terms left to go.  It will often seem like the drudgery will never end, and the work is just too much.  But one day you will wake up and be on your way to the law office for a meeting with a client.  Time really does go by fast, especially the older we get.  Keep things in perspective and enjoy each day as it happens.  Before you know it you will be telling your grandkids about the “good ole’ days”.  God bless and have a great day.

Don’t forget to thank a veteran today for your freedom.  As law students we are studying to become lawyers some day.  As lawyers we will be part of shaping the future direction of our nation.  But let us never forget the men and women that put their lives on the line every day to preserve the freedoms that our laws have afforded us.

As lawyers we will get the ball rolling by fighting in the courtroom to preserve the freedoms given to us by our Founding Fathers in the Great Document, the Constitution.  As soldiers our troops will finish the fight by preserving our freedoms on the battlefield.  God says in the Holy Scriptures that greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friends.  Our veterans and our service men and women deserve our respect and gratitude.  God bless and have a great day.

Anyone out there remember this song from Grease?  This is one of my favorite songs of the movie.  But enough about movies.  The title is actually in reference to the character and fitness review you will eventually face if you want to practice law.  All law school applications require you to make certain disclosures when you apply.  My advice, DON’T LIE OR MISLEAD!  It will be much easier to explain why you did something than why you lied about it.

After all, you are in law school now.  You have matured.  You have learned from the mistakes you have made.  Well, at least I hope you have.  But if you lie on your application all you have proven is that you haven’t matured.  You haven’t learned from you mistakes.  And you are currently in error.  We all make mistakes.  Just admit them and move on.  Granted, some are worse than others, but generally they can be worked through.

One big piece of advice: before you were in law school you were probably immature and ignorant of what high standards of conduct lawyers must adhere to.  Now you are in law school and presumably know these things.  Don’t screw up in law school!  Keep you nose clean and strive to be of “good moral character.”  The last thing you want is to pass the bar and fail character and fitness.

If you have misrepresented yourself on your application change it now.  Disclose all you can now if it is pertinent.  When you apply to the bar the examiners WILL find out about it.  Better to explain how you have grown and matured over the years than why you are currently a liar.  Just ask yourself if you would want an honest lawyer or one who tried to deceive you to get what he wanted.

Be honest and forthright.  Endure the shame now, not later.  God bless and have a great day.

If you have been in law school long enough you know by now that there are some professors you like more than others.  You have probably heard from some of your upper-class peers that you should take this professor and avoid that one.  Many law students think that if they do poorly in a class it is because they had a “bad” professor.  My advise, get over it.

Sorry to be so blunt, but the simple fact of the matter is law professors are people just like you and I.  Everyone has a different personality and a different way of approaching things.  Some law professors teach visually via props.  Some teach by lecture while others utilize the Socratic method.  Some law professors have a jovial demeanor and others a more subdued, “all business” demeanor.  But just as law professors differ in their styles of teaching, law school students differ in their styles of learning.

Some students like the jovial, fun-loving style of teaching.  Other students just want to hear it the way it is and would prefer to forgo the rest.  The fact of the matter is that in reality these professors are presumably teaching you the law and it is up to you - the student - to learn it.  It is your responsibility to study the cases and learn the law.

If we receive poor grades it is most likely our fault, not the professors.  If you have a professor that teaches in the style you really like you will learn well and quickly.  But if you have a professor that teaches in a style you do not prefer that does not mean you will not learn well.  But it may mean that you will not learn as quickly.  You may just need to study harder and longer, but you will learn the material if you are committed to doing so.

If you have never had a law professor that you did not like, you will.  Do not go into the class with the wrong attitude, you will be defeated before you even begin.  Look at the experience as an opportunity and a challenge.  Think to yourself, if I can get an ‘A’ in this professor’s class I can get an ‘A’ in any professor’s class.  Let the challenge strengthen your resolve to do well.  Remember, in practice you will encounter many clients and bosses that are “difficult” to work with.  But they will still expect the same results from you as would a client or boss that you “like”.

God bless and have a great day.

Ah, the age old question, to buy new or used books. With new books you get those crisp, clean pages without all the markings of others. With used books you get the markings of others that may feel something is important that you do not. Generally speaking, used books are not that much cheaper than new either. You may save $100 or so depending on your classes.

But that savings could be well worth it if you are able to read around all the markings and highlightings of others. If you are one that turns in your books for credit at the end of the term used may be the way to go as well. I myself keep all my books and try to buy new when I can. Here are some questions to ask yourself when considering whether to buy new or used:

• Will I keep my books or return them for credit at the end of the term? If you plan to keep all your books for reference you may want to go with new.
• Will the markings of other students be too distracting to my studies? If you can overcome the mass underlining and highlighting of other law students then go with used.
• Do I plan to book brief? You never know what grade the student got in the class when you buy his/her used book. If you want to book brief, go with new.
• How are my finances? If you can afford it you may want to go new.
• Am I a perfectionist? Go with new.

All in all the information is the same in every book. But for some the difference in new or used can be a big one. God bless and have a great day.

I am currently on the 4 year track at law school. I am now trying to expedite that track by taking 12 hours during my next three terms. This will allow me to graduate in the normal three years. I will be a lot of extra work, but I think I can do it.

If you have a law school that allows you to attend nontraditional hours of class time I would recommend taking it slow to begin with. Once you have a “feel” for the way things work you can gradually increase your load. Besides that the first two years are usually your core courses. In the last year you can concentrate on your electives and what interests you most. God bless and have a great day.

This morning I took my two eldest children for their drivers tests.  My daughter was never very interested in driving until her brother was old enough to take the course.  After that I think it was mere sibling rivalry.  So I ended up taking them both on the same day - back to back tests.  They both did very well and passes.

I now have two children behind the wheel at the same time!  As if I don’t have enough to worry about with work and law school.  But on the other hand I was also very proud.  It is very rewarding to see your children grow up and really begin to mature.  This is just another milestone in their lives and I was glad to share it with them.  Law school is great, but family is better.  Enjoy every minute with your children.  They really do grow up fast.  God bless and have a great day.

Many times we law students seem to sit through class without uttering a peep.  If you are in a class that utilizes the Socratic method heavily you probably sit in fear that the professor may call on you next to recite a case.  Why is that?

If you know the case (which you should) it should be a privilege to carry on a legal banter with the law professor.  Show the professor what you know and that you have studied the case.  You may just learn something in the process that might have not occurred to you before.

But it seems invariable that many times we will just sit there and hope the “other guy” is called on.  Even if we have a question we may be hesitant to ask it for fear of sounding like an idiot.  We patiently wait for the “other guy” to ask the question we are thinking of, as if he is reading our mind.  This is probably more true of nontraditional law students who are generally older and may feel like they should be smarter and wiser than some of their younger colleagues.

Your law professors are there to teach and you are there to learn.  Don’t be afraid to ask a question that you feel is pertinent.  Come exam time you may wish you had.  God bless and have a great day.