Studying Torts? Confused about Res Ipsa Loquitor?

Legal Blog Watch has a great video of deputies deciding to play a person’s Wii after executing a drug warrant on the house.  I personnally can’t stand playing Wii bowling for half an hour, let alone nine hours.

Mock Trial

Our first Mock Trial competition is this week and I’m nervous.   So nervous that I may pee my pants during my opening statement.

For all of you out there that don’t know what a mock trial is I’ll try my best to explain.  It is a simulated trial where plaintiffs and defendants examine witnesses, cross-examine witnesses, and use the Federal Rules of Evidence to properly object.  We have a four person team: two play the plaintiffs while the other two play witnesses–and then we switch roles.  So I not only play “lawyer,” I also play a witness. We are judged somehow and advance depending on our score.

I decided over the summer to sign up for a Mock Trial team because I didn’t know anything about it, knew it would be a great learning experience, knew that employers might find it interesting, and knew that it would take me out of my comfort zone.  In many ways I’ve decided that law school is all about being uncomfortable and therefore if I’m comfortable I think there is something wrong.  So, now I’m on a Mock Trial team.  We compete twice: once this weekend and once in November on a different issue.  So far I RECOMMEND MOCK TRIAL TO EVERYONE!  I’ve learned so many skills from my teammates and feel that even though this is a time suck it was a great decision to make. I’m interested in hearing from others out there who have done mock trial too.  Any tips?

Now let’s hope I don’t pee my pants.

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iPhone junkie and law student?

Have an iPhone?  Thinking of getting one?  Need justification?

Feminist Law Professors have a great post on top iPhone apps for law students and lawyers alike.

I currently have the constitution, federal rules of civil procedure, evidence flashcards, and a dictionary on mine.  And yes, I’m a nerd!

You don’t have to know everything

I think we too often forget that we don’t have know everything and that law school IS THAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

Here are some examples:

• If you know everything there is to two about mock trial because you did one in high school then please sign up.  Don’t look at me as if “you’ve already done that and are therefore an expert.”  And please don’t try to tell me that there is no difference between your mock trial in high school and the one I’m representing the law school on!  UGH!
• Don’t ask for Westlaw help, have me volunteer my time to you 1L, and then tell me none of that was helpful.  I just spent a half hour showing you search methods that I used as a first year because I was trying to be helpful.  Also, don’t look down your nose at me.  I’ll remember it far longer than you think.
• Don’t look at me as if I’m dumb when I’m asking questions in class.  Class is the reason we are all there—to learn.  If you already know the law then I suggest you move to Louisiana or Washington where you don’t need to graduate from law school to take the bar.

There are several times where I wish I could just walk around with a shirt on stating “you don’t have to know everything” so that everyone around me would stop pretending how hot shit they are.  Come on.  Do you not realize that I can see right through it?

Sunday dinner: Chicken Salad Piccata

Before law school we always cooked a feast on Sundays.  Now I’d be happy just cooking one meal a week.   I usually find my inspiration in my Everyday with Rachael Ray magazines.  For twenty dollars a year I get a huge variety of recipes, party ideas, pet recipes, and wine pairings.  It is well worth the cost.  Tonight’s meal was well worth the value of the magazine.  I love finding scrumptious recipes!

Tonight we made Chicken Salad Piccata

Not only was it an inexpensive dinner it was also simple to make with two people.  We doubled the recipe for leftovers.  The jar of capers still has enough for two or three other meals and other than the green beans and red potatoes the other ingredients are ones I usually have on hand.   It was also nice to have lemon chicken piccata without pasta for a change.

TRY IT!

Busy and Lazy

Yes, I have been MIA.

Mostly busy with a sprinkle of laziness.

I have been procrastinating almost everything.

And now I have two Mock Trials to prep for and I have to start on a brief for Moot Court.  Great…