September 2012

Cover Story

Occupy Law Street: Lawyers and Students Band Together to Tackle Complex Issues By Janan Hanna

Since it began in September 2011, the Occupy Wall Street movement has at times drawn large protests, real or perceived incidents of civil disobedience, a no-nonsense response from municipal leaders including a tightening of assembly and parade ordinances, and the interest of lawyers and law students looking to lend their skills to the movement.

"Flight Simulators" for Future Litigators

By Ed Finkel

During the 2011–12 school year, more than 1,500 students from 170 of the 201 ABA-approved law schools participated in at least one of the four client skills and moot court competitions sponsored by the ABA’s Law Student Division. These encompass arbitration, negotiation, client counseling, and appellate advocacy.

JOBS

By Erin Binns

The necessity and benefits of networking are espoused by career planning professionals from sea to shining sea. Likely to student annoyance at times, I weave the wonders of networking into nearly every student communication and meeting. Because I promote networking so ferociously, I took advantage of a personal trip to North Carolina to test the principles I preach. To my delight (and professional validation) the trip confirmed that the fundamental principles of networking remain as effective as ever.

ADVICE FROM THE INSIDE

By Amy L. Jarmon

Legal education differs greatly from prior educational experiences. Law students need to adapt their learning methods to achieve success. They can choose new strategies more wisely if they understand the differences they will encounter.

LEGAL RESEARCH

By Shawn G. Nevers

“A subpoena what?” I thought to myself. The senior partner had just asked me to draft a subpoena duces tecum. That phrase didn’t ring a bell, despite all the Latin I’d heard as a 1L. So, naturally I did what any law student would—I accepted the assignment and scurried off to figure out what I was supposed to do.

In Session

A Master in the Making

By Eileen M. Laux

ALISA MELEKHINA knows what it means to multitask. She’s a published author, a law student, a dancer, and a competitive chess player. And she’s only 21. Although currently enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania Law School, she still makes time to compete in chess competitions across the country.