Itunes U Podcast on State and Federal Courts

Emory University has a series of podcasts on Itunes U entitled "Mini Law School," which I have been thoroughly enjoying. Each podcast topic ranges from first amendment and religion rights, torts, constitutional law, and my favorite: State and Federal Courts. All of the podcasts are FREE and are a great intro to law school (though I found them useful as an undergraduate). Click the subject title of this blog post to be directed to the Emory University State and Federal Court podcast.

Sandra Day O'Connor on the Daily Show

Often we come to know the justices of the United States Supreme Court after they have stepped down from the bench. My undergraduate poli sci professor who taught a class on SCOTUS lectured about the many reasons justices attempt to remain very private, so as not to reveal any insight into how they may rule on a particular issue. I recently came across an older clip from 2009 when Sandra Day O'Connor was on the Daily Show and I think it exhibits Justice O'Connor's personality as a person, rather than as a justice for the United States Supreme Court. (To view the clip, click on the title of this blog post).

Since Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement she has been busy working on educational websites and tools for middle-school aged children to better understand the judiciary; her website ourcourts.org is actually very entertaining, there is an interactive (and addicting) online game where the student (read: me) can play an attorney, and clients enter the law firm explaining their issues and its up to the "lawyer" to determine whether the client's constitutional rights have been infringed upon.

Additionally, former justice O'Connor has been busily speaking in support of merit selection of judges not just at the federal level, but at the state level from the supreme appellate courts down to the trial courts. I agree with this position and am in fact working on an extensive research paper on judicial selection and working with a local county judge. I plan to submit my paper to my undergraduate's research journal in hopes of having it published. . . . all the while studying for the June LSAT which I registered for two days ago.

Countdown to the June, 2010 LSAT

Its on! I have decided that the June 7, 2010 LSAT is the right time for me to take this dreadful test. Thus, I thought it would be appropriate to start the countdown now! I have already begun the Powerscore Logic Game Bibles and will try to keep my blog updated with my progress. Fortunately, my initial diagnostic was so "sad" that I can only go up! (I hope).

Gen Y and Professional Appearances (For the Ladies)

When I think of professional attire – my mind automatically directs itself to images of the “Hilary” pantsuit or a “Jackie O” inspired skirt suit. Both of which are beyond my years and I would look ridiculous sporting either looks. Often, when I go suit shopping I feel like a little girl playing dress-up with her mother’s work clothing.

So I beg the question: how does a 20’s something professional look respectable, business-like without looking boring or “dress-up” like?

The first mistake a lot of freshy lawyers make is investing in a suit that is too trendy. If you’re going to shell out some serious cash for a killer suit – it better be one that will not only last (in quality) but will also be timeless and stay with the trends for many years to come. Hair should always look profession regardless of the length of your hair or the way you chose to style it. I think a low pony with a sidepart is acceptable as long as it is neat and tidy – same with long flowing hair or a short bob, both can fit the bill if they appear to be well kept.

I think there are two approaches to ladies suit attire. The first is to play up the slightly masculine ultra serious New Yorker look. I will call this the “New Yorker.” The New Yorker starts with a dark – usually black pant suit. This suit should boast a neatly tailored 1-3 button jacket with full-length sleeves and a straight leg pant, cuff and uncuffed pant legs are both acceptable. Now you may be thinking what I’m describing is a men’s suit – here’s where we get feminine. Heels are a must – preferably a 2 to 3 inch thin heel with a pointy toe. Accessories will playup the feminine quality in this look though accessories should be either black, silver, pearl or sparkly (but not too “bling!”) Hair should be neatly styled – not wild. My preference would be a low pony-tail or bun with a side part; the general idea is no lose hairs.

The second approach is more feminine, a little flirty, and allows for more color and accessories. The idea is to stick with a dark toned suit, but stay in the blacks, greys, maroons, navy blue color groups. Pants or skirts are acceptable, though skirts may not be shorter than two inches above the knee. Accessories can be pretty much any color so long as they fit into the color of the suit.


One could also brighten a dark suit by adding a flash of color underneath – I would recommend accessorizing the undershirt with jewelry, shoes, bag, etc.

When choosing accessories, be careful to not let the accessories overpower your attire – or yourself for that matter. Remember that the purpose of accessorizing is to compliment the entire look – think of it as a teamwork effort.

Makeup is also a big deal. Office makeup can be a little tricky. I have yet to meet anyone who looks fabulous in florescent lighting. Usually more blush is needed and pastels can help counteract the green hues glaring from the ceilings. All the while not looking like a drag queen.

Beautiful for the club, but way too much for the office.

LawSchoolDreamer Makes Duplicate Blog on Wordpress

For my readers who prefer to use wordpress, A Paralegal’s Journey to Lawyerhood is now available on wordpress at:
http://mylawschooldreams.wordpress.com/

It will contain the exact same information and posts as the blogger.com blog (http://mylawschooldreams.blogspot.com/)

Thanks for your continued support!

Professional Appearances are of Paramount Importance

The attorney profession is unique in that a client or patron of an attorney does not necessarily receive a good or item in exchange for their payment, or leave the office with something physical to hold in their hands. What a client does leave with, however, is the sound legal advice of a competent attorney, certified by that state’s bar association that they are capable of handling legal issues. The legal profession is a service industry. What the client is paying for is the attorney’s knowledge. Rather, the attorney’s main selling point is knowledge. How does one sell knowledge? Or how does one advertise that they have knowledge? In today’s discriminatory world, knowledge is often conveyed by one’s professional appearance. Like it or not, all of us, regardless of age, race, sex, or geographical placement are judged by one thing in about 2 seconds: our appearance. One may not be able to change one’s DNA or genetics, but one can certainly make sure that one does everything they can to ensure a professional image.
One of the easiest things to change with regard to one’s appearance is their hairstyle. Men have it easy. There isn’t much to do to style a man’s hair. 10 minutes tops is all is needed. But the foundation of the style is the haircut. Long hair has never been accepted in any professional setting, nor is a short buzz cut considered business-like. There must be a happy medium. Below are two examples. Clearly one has a professional (yet edgy, trendy) hairstyle, and the other . . . well I’m not sure what to call it.

Which would you trust with your legal matters?

Birthdays: A Time to Set Goals and Reevaluate

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a monumental one - a turning point where I realized there is no turning back (not that I have the option). Two years ago before I decided to attend college, I felt that I had accomplished everything I cared to accomplish. In fact, I felt ahead of the pack, I enjoyed bragging and impressing others with all I had accomplished at such a young age. I felt secure with the things I had conquered and where I stood in society.

Sadly, I no longer feel that way. While my employment status has not changed (in fact I now hold a higher position than I did prior to enrolling in college classes), my ownership of essential property hasn’t changed, and my marital status hasn’t changed, my GOALS have changed. Its not that I am any less of a person than I was two years ago, in fact I would say I am a better person now. At the time I felt as though I conquered everything I wish to conquer I really did not have any goals (after all, I had conquered everything!) But now I have both short term goals and long term goals and I couldn’t help but feel that I was behind on accomplishing my goals. Most people at my age had already accomplished the goals I had set for myself.

I spent most of the day thinking about how I had gotten so behind, and how everyone my age seemed so far ahead. I thought about the new associate my firm is interviewing and realize it is very likely that he is younger than me. Now that my goal is to not only finish my bachelor’s degree but to complete a 3-year J.D. program, I feel I have a long way to go.

Today, the day after my birthday, I decided that I must swipe this negative thinking from my mindset. Instead, I focused on the things that I have accomplished and the reasons why for me, accomplishing my collegiate goals later in life is more ideal. I find that I am much more responsible than traditional undergraduate students, I take it very seriously. I also find that I have mastered the skill of time management (between working full time and school full time this is necessary for success). I also realized that I APPRECIATE college and higher education so much more than a lot of traditional students.


My doggie bag that I would like others to take from this post is that instead of being down on ourselves about not having accomplished our goals, we should first look at the things we have accomplished, and then list the reasons why it is actually BETTER that we are accomplishing our goals perhaps slightly later in life than others. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. And who are we to scorn ourselves for not being on a particular track or checklist. If we get behind, big deal. What matters is that we DO accomplish our goals, whatever those goals might be, and that it is okay if those goals change overtime.