One thing I try to instill in my children is the idea that you must form your own opinions and beliefs based on what you know, not what others tell you.  Of course, I want them to believe in the things I believe in and hold the same values I hold.  But rather than merely telling them to believe that way, I explain to them why I believe the way I do.

The same is true in law school.  You will be told by countless other students “this is the way it is.”  You will be told by professors that “this is the law.”  This very well may be true, but why is it true?  Is it true because your fellow classmates said so?  Is it true because your professor said so?  If you take for truth what someone else says merely because they said it, you may want to choose a profession other than law.

There are of course many people I trust and whose opinions I value.  But I still question those things I have not researched for myself.  Think about it.  When we are lawyers someday, will we tell our clients they have no case because opposing counsel told us what the law was?  NO!  We will do our own research on the issues.  We will decide for ourselves what the law is and how it can best serve the needs of our clients.

Why wait until we are lawyers?  Do your research now while you are in law school.  Question every decision.  Form your own opinions based on what you have learned.  Only then will you be able to be a true advocate.  The law is not static because good lawyers have firm beliefs and argue those beliefs persuasively.  And those same lawyers started out where we are right now, in law school.

Who do you want to be when you get out of law school?  The guy that sat next to you?  Your professor?  I hope not.  You want to be You.  To truly be yourself in law school and as a lawyer, you must do your research or don’t believe it.  At the very least, question it until you are able to form a basis for the belief yourself.  God bless and have a great day.