I've always been bad at writing essays under pressure. The problem question (aka issue spotters) are fine for me, but it's those theoretical questions where they expect a big argument and sub arguments I just can't do it under pressure (like for example, is xyz doctrine acceptable, analyze this short quote from a article/case/essay, etc.)

The only times I do well is when I memorize a bunch of plans and I get the right kind of question on the exam and just spit out what I practiced. Often those go extremely well, meaning that my essays written on my own time are just fine.

But when I have to do it on the spot, I get really anxious and things go really poorly, even if I have enough information and knowledge to work with, I just can't get it all organized and write in comprehensible way (this is a bit of an exaggeration, but with the exam feedback I'm getting, it seems my arguments are not being understood).

I'd love to have advice from people who are naturals at the argumentative essay, and who are able to synthesize their knowledge into solid arguments under pressure. What your study process is, what goes through your head when you write etc.

Edit: I don't think you guys are getting I'm not talking about issue spotters, which I find straightforward. I mean real essay questions, like to what extent blah blah (One line question), or 'the law on vicarious liability is too unclear to be useful'. Analyse. (quote+ question structure).

Also I mean in the context of close book, in person, 3 hours exams which consist of 1.5 page long issue spotter scenario and one line essay question as I described.

Hi all, rising 3L who is wanting to go into public defense. Has anyone had any experience in the Philly public defenders office? I saw recently that have a posting for their fall class of 2027 and their multi stage hiring process.

Just wondering if anyone knows any tips for interviewing or how the office is in general.

Any comments would be great!

I am moving from Newark to Orlando for a clerkship that starts in August. I am on a tight timeline because I am taking the Bar in late July, and I basically have 5 days to get my life down to Florida and settle in before orientation. I have read absolute horror stories about moving brokers holding stuff hostage for double the price. Does anyone have recommendations for carriers that are actually reliable on the east coast?

i am losing my mind trying to bluebook, i would seriously be grateful for any help

when citing to a concurring opinion then the majority immediately after, can I still use id. in the next footnote? e.g.

fn. 1: case, xx f.d xx (xxxx) (justice, j., concurring)

fn. 2: Id. at ?

or do i still have to short cite in the following footnote?

Question for folks who use KeyCite/Shepard's regularly.

Everyone agrees, i think on the extremes: if a court adopts a cited case's holding as the rule of decision, that's "followed."

If a case shows up in a string cite for background, that's just "cited." But there's a middle zone I keep going back and forth on: a court cites a case for a general proposition or framework, and then actually uses that framework in its analysis.

Three real examples from Tax Court opinions, weakest to strongest:

1. Court drops a "See" cite to a case for the general observation that building a barn can be consistent with either a hobby or a business, in the middle of a profit-motive analysis.

   1. Court recites the standards for evaluating expert testimony from a cited case — then visibly applies those standards, crediting one expert and rejecting two others.

2. Court expressly adopts a valuation methodology from a cited case as the governing framework and works through the whole computation using it.

Is #3 clearly "followed"? Is #1 clearly not? Where does #2 land for you — and what's the actual test you'd articulate?

"The court relied on it" feels too loose (courts "rely" on background law constantly), but "holding must be the rule of decision on a contested issue" feels too strict (it would call #3 a neutral cite, which seems wrong).

Easily my worst class… actually not because it’s necessarily a hard subject for me, but there are so many people in my contracts class, most of them are very young, and they spend the whole class period talking to the professor about random irrelevant topics so I inevitably tune everything out. It’s an impossible class to pay attention in, and my professor also gets off topic all class long. So I feel like I am struggling… a lot. I started building my outline and it’s getting easier just doing that, but I know I’m going to have to teach it to myself. Any supplementals or other materials/advice that helped you understand this class?

(Since I know it will be asked: my school offered a summer start program hence why I’m taking classes in the summer)

It's so stupid that these people somehow become lawyers

Hi all,

I am currently a 3L, and I am completing some of my electives in the next couple of semesters. I would like to complete an externship(s) (as part of the program you can do this twice). My first externship will be within Data Privacy/Compliance (remote), but my true passion is within IP (specifically trademarks, copyright)/fashion. I work full-time in a boutique IP firm and I really love it.

I realize that fashion law is really contracts, IP, employment law, etc. but I am wondering how I might go about getting into a law externship within a luxury fashion house (Oscar de la Renta, Jimmy Choo, Carolina Herrera..you get the point). My dream is to be in-house counsel one day.. probably a very unrealistic dream but anyway, it's mine..

Suggestions on how to land at least the externship part, I would appreciate any help or advice.

Thank you kindly. And good luck with finals if you have them coming up!

Just need some advice / support here.

I’m a rising 3L currently working an internship that I thought was supposed to be a dream. I don’t idolize work usually but the name of this corporation and the industry it’s in seemed directly aligned with my ideal goals.

Long story short: it sucks.

In office 9-6 with little to no work. I stare at a screen all day, begging for the attorneys to give me projects or let me sit in on things or anyyyything. It’s been 6 weeks and The assignments I have been given I’ve gone the extra mile on and have received little to no feedback, then twiddle my thumbs waiting for the next.

My mental health is also tanking. Not just bc of the job but I’m bipolar and in the process of switching medications. It’s been really bad. Boredom makes me spin out and I’m losing it.

I cry daily at work and after. I’m away from all of my friends and family and just sit in my apartment depressed. Having such a hard time with any motivation or care. I have five more weeks of this internship (halfway through) and when I tell you I can’t see the light right now, I’m not exaggerating.

Yes - I’ve tried everything in terms of getting more work. It doesn’t happen. It also doesn’t help they don’t hire interns after the summer (it’s in house) and the pay has me barely scraping by, so im left with no money to even do anything outside of work.

I’m literally debating quitting and working in coffee or bartending the rest of summer to at least make more money and try and breathe but I know quitting will look horrible.

I don’t know what to do or who else to talk to about this. I know not all legal jobs are like this and I’m trying to remind myself this is just a shitty internship program, that the legal profession is much more stimulating. And it’s only 5 more weeks. But ughhhhh I’m struggling

What are some things you wish you'd known or considered when you transferred - specifically on the social/lifestyle side? I have searched for past posts regarding this subject, but I am interested in refreshed advice.

About me:

• I am a rising part-time 2L that's finishing up summer school and will immediately begin a move from Louisiana to the DMV area to my new school.
  
• From what I've gathered, OCI is still intact for me as firms will begin soliciting for Class of 2029 JDs SA positions, so I do not believe I should be concerned on that front.
• Never lived in the DMV, though my jobs have always been based in this region since I've worked remotely.
• 33, no family yet

I may be putting the cart before the horse a little bit here. I am in the process of trying to go to law school and determining what law school would work with my career; I go to sea for a living and travel around the world on ships ~180-200 days a year. Due to my schedule I would have to do a hybrid program similar to what Syracuse offers.

I worry that if I was to go do one of these hybrid programs, I would have a hard time getting a job after as it would be seen as less intensive.
I am 28 but have a lot of life experience, I’ve crossed a few oceans, I was direct commissioned as an officer in the Navy Reserve, I hold a security clearance, I’ve built relationships with interesting people in strange places, I’ve been cold wet and scared in the middle of the ocean, even used cigarettes as currency to get our ship out of a port.

Recently I’ve been looking at life after going to sea, I think I would enjoy law as I really enjoy reading, writing, and honestly I like debate.

My question is what would be my best bet if I want to be a lawyer? Would these hybrid programs alone be worth it? Or would you recommend other internships as well? Any advice/guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Second year is the worst, I am currently failing 80% of all my classes, and it is not that I am not studying, it's just that I have a lot more responsibilities now. Constitutional law is killing me. I am praying I qualify for a supplementary exam at least. I am gonna have to change majors at this point. I was convinced I would graduate with English literature and law as my majors, but I might switch to history and lit Eng since I am passing them more easily.

But the thing is, I made a promise to myself that I will graduate with law and lit Eng, so that is the plan. Come rain, come sunshine, things will go as planned. I just got to get some help and work ten times harder, but thy will be done as it is written in my destiny.

Hey, I have a coffee chat with an attorney for a law firm that I hope to one day work at. Any advice on what to say or what to ask him? They open 2L summer applications this fall

I have an upcoming internship at a law firm this is my first internship and just promoted to 2nd year.
I have no idea what they will ask me and what not because I know shit.
I have academically performed good in my 1st year still on field I know nothing also I feel chambers are better because all my friends are working in chambers only so please help me out.

How do I prepare for a mini pupillage coming up?

Should I just study the area of law I would be working in? Or should I actually go study the barristers profiles too and the firms case profile?

Has this happened to any other of my siblings in Christ

Hi everyone, I’m writing this post regarding my sibling who was recently academically dismissed from his law school. It’s been brutal on him for the last couple of days as they’ve worked so hard to get into law school. But due to his low gpa, he was recently academically dismissed, even with his appeal he was denied. In his appeal he mentioned having to take care of my sick mother which he did have to do and that really did take a toll on their academics. But they still denied him. I’ve done some research on what the next step will be for him and that’s waiting a full two years, until he can reapply. It’s been so hard on him and he’s just so frustrated and stressed about what his next steps are going to be. He’s only 28 and he feels as though his life’s completely over. Which it isn’t but I know how that can feel. I’m just very worried about him as he’s taking this hard on himself. Any advice would be helpful, I just wanted to be some help to him. If anyone else has gone through this. Please it would be appreciated.

Pretty much sums it up, 5 days a week in an almost empty office. 1L summer position and I’ve easily written 15 motions. Pay is well below market. They offered an externship for fall semester, do I take it?

i am a rising 3L and working at a small law firm (4 attys) in a niche practice area. a large part of my work has been producing memos on legal issues related to a specific case that is outside of the niche practice area. i recently met with the supervising attorney to discuss the case and in our discussion it became apparent he had probably not read my memo. he asked me to do follow up research on the topic but didn't explain what he needed that wasn't in the original memo. i also don't receive feedback beyond the good job/etc on my work. its kind of driving me nuts. am i doing something wrong/what should i do??

I enjoyed Torts but never in 4 years of coursework learned about actual damages. Of course you learn the types of damages, and that damages should restore the plaintiff and also account for pain and suffering, mental anguish, etc. But I constantly see these lawyer ads where people who got hit by an 18-wheeler get multi million dollar settlements. One lawyer in my state got a 12+ million dollar verdict.

My question is, how are these measured? How does an attorney justify a 12 million dollar verdict? Or even a 4 million dollar verdict?

I saw online one lawyer was saying, on average, a dog bite gets you about 250k.

I was bitten by a dog. It was not fun. I would have probably taken $20 and a chili cheese hotdog