Dao (of Law School)

For nearly a decade, I pursued a life in accordance with Tao. While in college, I woke up early every morning and performed Taoist energetic, calisthenic, meditative, and preservative exercises for at least two hours. In the afternoons and evenings, I would practice martial arts and fighting techniques for another couple hours. On every break from school, I traveled to the mountainous regions of southern California to train with my traditional Taoist and martial arts instructor. While I was there, I devoted 10 to 15 hours a day to such training. I loved this pursuit. I experienced changes to my mental, physical, and spiritual capacities that are beyond even my own belief. My physical movements became pre-cognitive, my mental state was like a pool of ancient undisturbed, unpolluted waters, and I entered spiritual realms and states that priorly never existed for me.

The pursuit of law, and especially the study of Law in law school is quite Taoist in nature. Tao reaches into eternity. Its principles are etched onto the very structure of the universe. Law has ancient roots as well. In the study of law, it sometimes seems that we must reach deep into the bowels of the earth itself, in order to extract a jewel of knowledge. Most days the answer is that there are no hard and fast answers. There is only the pursuit. The endless pursuit, to gain some understanding of what is law. But, if you follow a stream long enough, the primary source will soon reveal itself.

Similar to my pursuit of Tao, my pursuit of Law has caused immense changes in my being. I used to have difficulty putting certain things in order (hence my difficulty with multiple choice questions), which is evidenced by my getting lost every time I drive an auto. Lately, I have noticed I can analytically work my way through problems that I was unable to priorly. No more getting lost.

The key attribute being engrained on my spirit through the pursuit of law is EFFICIENCY. I never really understood the pressures of time until I entered law school. Efficiency is a philosophical principle. Bruce Lee revolutionized martial arts in the 1960s-70s, through stressing economy of motion. Flowery, fanciful movements were replaced with whatever got you from point A to B the quickest. That which has truth is often revealed in combat.

All disciples are vehicles to higher levels of existence. I did not come to law school for the almighty $, I came to reach a higher plane of understanding. If you reflect, perhaps you may see that you boat is riding down stream next to mine.

Balancing Law School with a Social Life

While we’re here classes must be our number one priority, however even the greatest student can’t study 24 hours per day. It is important, for your social, mental, and physical health, to learn how to balance work with play. Although I strongly encourage dedicating the proper amount of time to your classes, I also recommend finding healthy ways to unwind at the end of the day/week. Personally, I go to dinner with girlfriends every Friday night. This is a great way for me to relax, and enjoy my life outside of law school. Others enjoy watching TV, seeing a movie, going to the gym, or a myriad of other relaxing activities. However, I do have one disclaimer: because we live in Miami, there are many distractions and temptations present by way of nightlife. I strongly advise against finding solace from the stress of law school in nightclubs and alcohol. I know they’re fun, but it’s hard to recover from a night of partying while trying to read in the library. Sorry if I sound like a bore, but we have to keep our long-term goals in mind. I promise, it will pay off in the end!

Back to School

The first couple of weeks have gone from having nothing to do to having too much to do. Orientation was a blast. I find it entertaining watching the incoming class adjusting to life as a law student. It is exciting and nerve racking all at the same time wondering whether you will make it, but almost everyone passes so no worries. That being said, I recently told someone that I almost wish I was a 1L again, but then I realized what I meant. Being a 3L is not unlike the other 2 years: school is a job. The exception is of course that many 3Ls actually have real jobs. It is an intensive lesson in time management skills. As a 1L, you have complete focus on four core classes and legal writing, excluding obligations outside of school. As a 3L, class focus comes at the end of the day after all of your other obligations are fulfilled or perhaps before class like I am doing now....

First week as a 3L - Check!

Life as a 3L has began. As I walked down the breezeway Monday morning, I felt really excited! A new year means new books, new professors, new school supplies, and sometimes, even new clothes! It also means that I get to see all my old friends and get to look forward to meeting new ones. My schedule is pretty good and I don't have any really early morning classes. That is great because it gives me an opportunity to go to the gym and work out before I get to school (a great stress relief for the intense workload law school is all about). On Wednesday night I had Judge Levy for Criminal Procedure II and he said something that really touched me. "St. Thomas students are different!" At first, we all laughed. He explained the reason he drives 250 miles from Orlando every week to teach class here in St. Thomas is because of how well we all get along and help each other. That's when I got it. He is absolutely right, and that is one of the things I love the most about St. Thomas. I feel like we are always helping each other. I always have friends around me who I know will be my friends far beyond the three years it takes to graduate. There isn't a time when I have asked someone for help that they haven't come to my rescue; Whether it was with answers, outlines, supplements, or even to just listen to me complain about just how hard Civil Procedure or any other course I was having trouble with (that week!) was. Judge Levy told us law students in other schools hate each other and even hide hornbooks and supplements from each other during finals in the library. I don't know what I would have done if I was with people like that. All those nights when I couldn't figure out the elements of a particular tort, contract issue, or some obscure property principle and I ran around asking my fellow students for help. Even those in my section were always more than willing to help me. Even now, when I post on facebook that I think a certain class is hard I have friends who send me messages asking for my e-mail to send me an outline. If that is what it means to be different, than I honestly couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity I was given to attend this school and my good instincts in choosing St. Thomas over any other school. Here's to being different!

Till next time,
Aimee S.

Summer in Spain

This was one of the most amazing summers of my life. I went on the study abroad program for our school, "Summer in Spain." This was one of the most enriching experiences I will probably encounter as a law student. I got to learn about the laws of another country, which surprisingly made me value the laws of this country more. I also made lifelong friends and got to learn so much about the culture and traditions of Spain. The program was only a month long, but it will always remain in my heart as one of the most memorable things I did while in law school. Monsignor Anderson, the professor for our Comparative Law class, walked in the first day and said "the law is simple." I think we all laughed. After having all "survived" our first year of law school, there was nothing we could come up with at the time that was "simple." Having given this a lot more thought, however, I have come to realize that he may be right. I think the foundation of law as a whole is simple, but as lawyers, it is our job to take that knowledge and create something bigger. No client is going to walk in and tell us "Hello, my name is Joe and I have a tort." We need to be able to hear someone's story and in our heads say, that problem seems to be some sort of tort. As long as we have the foundation of the knowledge we have gained while in school, whether its from professors, case law, decisions that simply dumbfounded us, or even things our fellow colleagues have said, we will be able to come up with solutions to the problems presented to us. I honestly recommend everyone who has an opportunity to attend this program, to do so. I made lifelong friends, got good grades, learned more than I could imagine both in the classroom and outside, and had a great time!

Until next time,
Aimee S.

Reflection

In my internship this summer, I had the opportunity to work alongside 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls from law schools in the South Florida area and with students from other states as well. Two aspects of St. Thomas' unique 1L program bore through to the forefront of my mind. Our year long 1L courses and our Research & Writing program.

In terms of the former, the majority of law schools seem to have only a couple courses that span the entire first year. At St. Thomas, all 5 first year classes (Contracts, Civil Procedure, Torts, Property, and Research & Writing) are two full semesters. My internship was in the area of criminal law, and I thought to myself, "oh no, no Crim. Law classes, can I handle this?" What I soon found out was the year long classes provided me with such a foundational base that I was able to see strings and concepts extending from each of these classes into the area of criminal law. I also realized that my legal 'magnifying glass' allowed me to see a little deeper and looker a farther and clearer at the issues present in the cases I was assigned. As Professor Ronner told us, "in law school you take Property Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, etc. But in the end, you might find out there is not such a great divide between them." The year long classes also afforded me the opportunity to get to know my colleagues. I have made a couple really good friends at St. Thomas, who I know I can count on should I ever need anything. Friendship is a gift in and of itself.

In conjunction, St. Thomas' Research & Writing program provided me with a huge box of tools when I was dealing with cases during my internship. My professor, Anna Chan held us to the standard of a 'professional attorney.' In class we had drafted Memorandum, wrote a Motion for Summary Judgement, Interoffice Memos, Closed Memo, Open Memo, and more Plaintiff's and Defendant's documents. Although I had never written a 'Criminal Law' Motion or Memorandum, I had everything I needed to be able to do so.

I still have a great deal to learn, but I am confident that I am on my way with STU.

Welcome Class of 2012!

St. Thomas Students with

Professor Ruffin

Barristers Ball, 2009

            This year, I had the privilege of participating in Orientation from the other side of the table. As a 2L, I volunteered to be a mentor for the incoming 1Ls, and to help out with orientation. At 9am Wednesday morning, the first new students began to arrive. I could immediately sympathize with their looks of apprehension, mixed with excitement. Beginning law school is a terrifying experience, but I was extremely proud of the fantastic job the St. Thomas community did to make the new 1Ls feel as comfortable as possible.

            Professor Sullivan organized a group of about 40 upper-level students to serve as mentors for the incoming 1Ls, and I truly feel the mentors represented what I love best about St. Thomas. We are a welcoming, helpful, caring community of students, faculty, and staff. It was a pleasure to greet the new students with such a fantastic support system. Although beginning law school is intimidating, it is much less so when you are surrounded with so many friendly faces, who are all more than willing to help.

            I am proud to be a student at St. Thomas, and to have the opportunity to represent St. Thomas as a mentor. There are so many vehicles that the new 1Ls have at their disposal to help ease the tension of first year. I urge all current students to take advantage of the student mentors, the professor’s open-door policies, the academic support department, the active learning instructors, and the myriad of other opportunities St. Thomas provides to students. It is clear that everyone at the school wants their students to excel, and I appreciate the overwhelming support and caring that is outpoured daily. The 2009-2010 academic year begins Monday, and I am confident that it will be a great one!