Law School Discussion

Quote from: TraciRai on May 07, 2008, 02:49:09 PM

Quote from: urMom on May 07, 2008, 02:40:54 PM

I was planning on making a thread like this too. Except I'd also like to know what "briefing" is? Just short reading notes on the cases you read for class? Seems like it'd be really useful to do, but I've heard people say its a waste of time. Would these be incorporated into your outline?

Also, another stupid question: in general, you get to use your outlines on exams, right?

Again, I am too lazy to explain anything, but man do I love google: http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/research/brief.html

As to the second question.  Yes you can use your outlines for the most part.  Most exams are open book, meaning you can bring the course book, your notes, outlines, whatever.  Some of my profs would specify that you could only bring stuff you had written, some would say only stuff "you had a part in making", some would say "use anything you want, your own notes, commercial outlines and hornbooks, bring anything".  That's just something you have to confirm with the prof.  Also, some exams are closed book, meaning you get nothing.  So far I only know of one section (out of 5) at my school that had one closed book exam... it's not that common.

I think it depends on the school how common closed note exams are ... I had 2 last semester (my first semester - contracts and torts). And I have two this semester - con law and property.

For closed note exams, you probably want a really short outline.  My Contracts was 2 pages (B+ in the class) and I had a rule chart for torts and a 20 page outline.  A in torts.  I have an 11 page outline for con law, and our property professor made us outlines that I will study for our exam next week.

My outlines are generally short ... my longest ones are for civ pro (open note) - around 30 pages.  I'm not sure what the hell everyone else is putting in their outlines, b/c I include everything o.0  Oh well.

This semester I had no open note exams (Evidence, Admin, Sales, Wills and Trusts, Methods III), and same thing last semester (Fed Tax, Con law II, International law, Pro Rep, Biz Orgs).  Just something to keep in mind for OL and 1L's.  There WILL be times when you need to get all that info in your head.  IMO the best thing to do in those situations is to start your outlining 1 month prior to exams as stated by others.  Keep it short and succinct so you can recall key points. 

Also, as a general tip, Sum and Substance is your friend if you can get the recordings.  Playing them in the car while you drive helps.

This is a tough issue. In general, small firms have much less hours.  Medium firms usually stick to the 1600-2000+ range and you won't generally find a big firm under 1800.  There are exceptions to the rule, but that seems to be about right from my experience.  Pay is pretty much commensurate with your expected billable hours so small firms pay the least, etc.  "a hat for a cat, a cat for a hat, but nothing for nothing..."

I have my admin test in about 10 hours or so, and I'm wrapping up my studying.  Any last minute suggestions on what to watch out for? Bear in mind my teacher is a butt ditch.

I use the program.  What you have to realize is that legal tech moves a little slower than the rest of the world.  With that in mind, this program is good for what you need to do.  It's MUCH better than the previous versions which wouldn't let you print out any of the study aids you download.  If you take your laptop to class and your laptop is your main computer, it's great for briefing.  It has a field for each section and it lets you sort your cases by issue (note, it's up to you to input the issue).  The only downside is that I like to have my study aids in print form and for some reason I study better out of the E & E books instead of print outs.  If I had to rate it, 8/10

It's winding down to the final day of class and I've come to the conclusion that I'm very uncomfortable with this class.  Does admin law seem low on substance to anyone else?