Saturday, November 14, 2009
Finals, Negotiations, and Projects, oh my!
BEST OF LUCK ON FINALS! Till next time,
Aimee S.
Opportunities!
Being the president of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) is something I decided to undertake because I felt I could do a lot to help our school. Our past president didn’t make the chapter a very active one and I wanted to do something about it. Therefore, on top of my 5 classes (yes, I know, I am crazy), I undertook a very heavy social calendar for my FAWL. I am proud to say that through blood, sweat, and tears, I have had an amazing semester with regards to FAWL. We had a supplement sale to raise money for our organization (which went super well!). Then we had a Breast Cancer Awareness sale and participated in the Race for The Cure breast cancer 5k walk/run and raised over $760 for breast cancer! We also had the opportunity to work with the Miami-Dade FAWL and had a “Speed-Networking” mentor/mentee event where we went around the room ranking possible mentors and networking with both Judges and Attorneys (from very prestigious firms, may I add!). This event was very successful and I was very happy to see several of my male members attend this wonderful opportunity! All the attendees then ranked the mentors in preference of whom they liked most and were later paired up according to both our rankings and compatibility. I was luckily paired with my first choice, Judge Glick, a Criminal Court judge for Miami-Dade County. As part of my mentee experience, I have been invited by the Judge to attend court for a day and see what she does on a daily basis. I believe this is an amazing opportunity that has been presented to me and I couldn’t be happier with my mentor. I also got to network at this event and got a couple of contact information from various other mentors, whom I plan to stay in touch with. Networking is very important because who you know will always facilitate the job search after or even during law school (obviously, after your first year – I don’t recommend anyone work during their first year, unless its completely necessary and administratively approved – since law school is the equivalent of what you feel when you are cultured shocked!). Lastly, this Halloween we held a costume drive and donated over 112 costumes to the children in the Women in Distress shelter of Broward County (a very special thanks to Silvia and her family, who own a costume store, for that!). I am really looking forward to all the things we will have going on next semester and all the wonderful opportunities being part of an organization can provide! So join an organization! It can be a source of endless opportunities you may not get as just a student!
Till next time,
Aimee S.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
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.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Balancing Law School with a Social Life
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Back to School
Thursday, August 20, 2009
First week as a 3L - Check!
Till next time,
Aimee S.
Summer in Spain
Until next time,
Aimee S.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Reflection
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!
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!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Coping
1. Exercise. Many go to gyms to hit the weights, take some classes, or use a machine. I prefer a more direct approach. Hitting something is always helpful! Not a human of course. Martial arts training has always been something I keep in my back pocket to keep me sane. I also enjoy finding a park that is secluded from the "machinery" of the world and jog or walk to reset myself.
2. Pets. A recent Forbes publication (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7065794/ns/health-forbescom/) boasts that pets increase longevity. My first pet was a stray cat I adopted when I was up North doing a semester of Grad work. I now share my apartment with the sweetest little dog in the world. It is nice to know she will be there with tail-a-waggin' when I get home. She is a great companion on my journeys to the parks as well.
3. Spirituality. When the woes of this world get you down, prayer, meditation, or what have you is a way to realize that most things really are not worth getting too worked up over.
4. Friendship. I am not talking about partying the night away at a noisy club (although some might find this helps). I am talking about spending quality time with individuals you know, trust, and can confide in. For me, it helps reassess the fact that the world is not as messed up as I tend to lead myself to believe.
5. Optimism. A wise Doctor once gave me a good prescription for staying positive (not prozac). He said, "at the end of everyday, write down three good things that have happened that day." "That way, all day, you will be searching and looking for good things to write down." A little self-fulfilling perhaps, but it works for me.
6. Know Thyself. Professor Ronner preaches this one. For me it means being able to look myself in the mirror when I get home, and say I did the best I could and I did not sacrifice my beliefs.
You tend to hear a lot about how people cope when you are in law school. A couple of ALI's (or active learning instructors) suggest a good round of video games in the evening.
All in all, I try to think of life as an ocean. Some days there are huge powerful waves that come crashing down, which seem to halt any attempt to make head way. All one can do those days is keep his head above water. Other days there are hurricanes, where complete reassessment is necessary. But, some days the water is smooth and calm, and we seem to float along so peacefully and effortlessly. There is an ebb and flow to the cycles of this world that everyone must accept.
Friday, June 19, 2009
One Year Down...
Unlike many, my ultimate goal has not always been to go to law school. I know that some have dreamt of becoming a lawyer for as long as they can remember. Not me. When I was young, I wanted to be a chef. I dreamed of wearing a starched white coat, and a tall hat (and… a hairnet), however that dream was quickly put to rest when I realized that the cooking gene definitely does not run in my family- I literally cannot even scramble eggs. It’s pathetic. So, I decided it was time to move on to another passion… but it certainly was not easy for me to decide what that passion was. Other than my failed culinary ambitions, I never had a definite idea of exactly what I was meant to do. So, like many others, I went through four years of undergrad and, having graduated with a degree I didn’t know what to do with, I decided to try my hand at law school. It can’t be that hard… right? Wrong!
Law school is most certainly not the piece of cake I had expected. I knew it would be “hard,” but I was an A student all my life, so I was sure that I would just sail through like I always had. Well, guess what? Everyone in law school had been an A student all their lives. For the first time, I wasn’t the “smartest kid in the class.” My peers and I were neck-and-neck, all striving to prove something to each other, and to ourselves. And suddenly it became very clear to me that the drive and push that I was experiencing, forcing me to learn, to thrive, to succeed—that was the passion I had been looking for all along.
I’m not sure if anyone can truly appreciate this until you’ve experienced it first-hand, but law school changes you. And, despite the grueling hours of reading, the endless cases, and even the paralyzing anxiety of the Socratic method, I can honestly say that it has changed me for the better. I am a completely different person that I was 9 months ago- I am disciplined, thoughtful, thought provoking, and most importantly, proud. It amazes me to think of the amount of work I put in this past year, and the amazing rewards of having learned so much. I view everything- everything- from the eyes of a law student! I can look out my window right now and spot 15 potential torts; I absolutely refuse to sign anything without first reading every single word and making sure there isn’t a hidden unconscionable clause; and I pay particular attention to zoning regulations, with every intention of waging my own war against an unreasonable decree that I happen across.
In any event, law school changes the way you view the world, and the way you view yourself. And so, here I am! One year down, two to go… Bring it on, law school! I’m ready!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Summer Opener: Reality Check 101
Picture this a small court room with four rows of bench seating. Such seating is vastly inadequate for accommodating the accused, witnesses, other parties, etc. Thus, waves of individuals overflow into the already overcrowed hallway outside the door. A baliff, who seems to have never taken elementary geometry insists that everyone must be seated.
Running perpendicular to the abysmal mass of seated (and not so seated) clients is a row of attorneys. The courtroom is also inadequate to accommodate the attorneys that are waiting to announce mostly whether their clients want to take a plea offered by the State or exercise their right to trial. I cannot help myself in being amused by the fact that these attorneys must wait so long to utter a few sentences before the judge. But, anyway, the row of attorneys spill into and out of the vast amount of individuals entering and exiting the courtroom.
In the midst of all of this, I realize I really love this mess. It is a chaotic orchestral symphony of past actions coming together with present pressures, legal concepts reaching into reality, competition mixed with cooperation, emotion with control. I have not experienced any environment quite like this, and I am grateful for the opportunity to do so.