The Final Obstacle

It begins tomorrow for many graduates of this school; the taking of the Indiana Bar Exam. Several other states are starting their bar exams tomorrow as well. You have persevered through three to five years of reading, outlining, note writing, obtuse final exams, pro bono hours, sleep deprivation, caffeine overdosing, relationship stress, maxing out financial aid, internships, part time jobs, graduation, and bar review classes to reach this penultimate moment.

The bar exam is the final obstacle to your goal of being a lawyer. I have had the pleasure of getting to know some of you these past few years. I have no doubt you will overcome this last obstacle and pass the bar exam to become a lawyer. Sleep well tonight and enjoy this last day. Good luck.

Law Review Decisions
 
I discovered today the deadline for accepting a law review invitation is Friday. For those with offers from more than one law review who are still wrestling with the decision, here are few factors to consider:

• Objective - What exactly do you want or expect to get out of your law review experience? Ask yourself why you want to join a law review. Then try to figure out which one might best help you achieve your goals.  
• Timing/Workload - Last year, IICLR's note had a completion deadline in the fall. IHLR and ILR had completion deadlines in the Spring. Consider your fall and projected spring schedules and responsibilities  and plan accordingly. As a procrastinator with several things going on in the fall last year (OCI, Moot Court, work) I knew I needed the spring deadline. Others I knew who finished in the fall were ecstatic to have that project out of the way so early in the year. (I'm not sure if these deadlines are the same this year, but a representative from each law review could tell you if they haven't already).  
• Topic - What legal issues interest you? What topic might you like top spend several months researching? In general, ILR is open to any topic, with the understanding that they would like to stay away from too much overlap with our other 2 reviews if possible. IHLR, of course, is focused in the health law area. IICLR is a bit broader in scope, with a focus on international/comparative notes.  Regardless of your choice, it is not too early to begin thinking of a topic for your note. If you have a specific interest, that may dictate which law review would be the best fit for you.
• People -  Who is on the board of each law review? Do you know these people? Do you want to get to know these people. If you, regrettably, have a person at the school with whom you absolutely do not get along then it may be a good idea not to join a law review with them. That said, most of your work is independent so this shouldn't be an overriding factor. Do, however, realize that the current board will pick next year's board. When qualifications and performance are equal, personality and personal relationships play a part in the decision-making process. That is something to keep in mind if you would like to be on a law review board your last year. 
• Professors - Which professors serve as advisors to the law reviews? Which professor might be a potential advisor for you individual note? Again, this is a minor factor - but one you might consider if your decision is close. All the law reviews are student run. Most student contributors will have very little contact with the profs who serve as advisors to the reviews themselves. But it's nice to know that someone you like/respect is there if necessary (and will be there should you make exec board in the future). As for your note, the topic you choose will likely dictate who your prof advisor is (you simply ask if they have time to help you out with your note). So, for example, if it's between an international topic and a health topic, consider which profs would be the best source of constructive criticism and with whom you might rather work.

This is not an exhaustive list but will hopefully help those who received more than one offer and are still trying to make up their minds. Congratulations to all law review candidates and enjoy the rest of the summer!

Think "The Founders" Would be OK With This One?

Michael Jackson wants "a celebrity exception to the First Amendment" which will keep much of his child molestation case secret, a media lawyer argued in a motion filed Tuesday. 
 
Theodore Boutrous Jr., answering a defense motion defending secrecy and deriding press coverage, accused Jackson's lawyers of engaging in a "misguided tirade" against the press while displaying "insensitivity to basic First Amendment values."

Last Friday the International Court of Justice (ICJ) held, by a 14-1 vote, that Israel's security fence was in violation of international law because it sits on "occupied territory." The Court assumed that the armistice lines of 1949 were Israel's final borders.

The statute of the ICJ provides that the Court may only decide disputes submitted by states and then only with the consent of the states that are parties to the dispute. Palestine is not a state, and Israel did not consent. Unhindered by their own resolutions, the UN General Assembly asked the Court to provide an "advisory opinion" on the fence. This permitted them to skirt both the letter and the spirit of the law, as well as the express decree of the Security Council which stipulated all disputes should be settled between the Palestinians and the Israelis in direct negotiations.

The U.S., Russia, the European Union and a majority of EU member states all urged the Court to stay out of the conflict. These were the same sponsors of the "road map," and wanted to help the Palestinians and Israelis come to their own conclusion through direct negotiation. In spite of this, all five judges of EU states went along with the majority. Only the American judge, Thomas Buergenthal, argued against the condemnation.

Many supporters of a related court - the International Criminal Court - argue that it is harmless because we would first need to consent to jurisdiction in disputes, and besides, the European members would moderate the decisions. Perhaps those same folks should take a look at the ICJ.

Sex Discrimination Suit Settles

Though securities firm Morgan Stanley denies any discrimination against female employees, the firm entered into an agreement yesterday under which it will pay $54 million to settle a sex-bias suit brought by a former bond saleswoman, Allison Schieffelin.

Schieffelin claimed she was denied a managing director's post and that she was fired after filing a complaint with the EEOC. She will get $12 million of the settlement.

Just one example to serve as a reminder that though our country has made great strides, equality for all has not yet been realized.

Things I Wish My LawFairy Would've Told Me

I stated a while ago, that before I get booted off this blog, I would try to convey some wisdom that I wish I had known earlier in my law school career. Here's the newest installment:

TAKE TAX!

Everyone is so up in the air about taking tax class with Jegan. I put it off until second semester of my third year, and finally took the bull by the horns and did it. Don't get me wrong, it was torture, but I'm so happy I did. Yes, Jegan is scary. Yes, I prayed every day he didn't call on me. Yes, his exam was awful. But even after all that, I still say grow some gonads and go for it.

You may asking yourselves why? If JUST income tax was on the Indiana bar, I'd say, "forget it." You can learn JUST income tax during bar review. But it's not that easy. You may not know this, but you will be required to know for the bar exam: federal income tax, Indiana income tax, Indiana estate and gift, Indiana state and local, Indiana property tax, Indiana sales tax, and Indiana corporate tax. It will help you out TREMENDOUSLY if you at least know the terminology. There were so many people ar bar review with confused looks on their faces during those sections, and I at least knew the terms and the base level knowledge of how to deal with those issues.

I know people disagree with me. I know people have passed the bar without taking many bar classes. But, my philosophy is this--you're already going to be stressed out. Why not reduce it as much as you can?

Great!
If only we could take law school exams this way.

Deadline? What Deadline?

For those who, like me, forgot that the deadline to taking the August Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam, MPRE, was this Tuesday it is not too late. For a mere doubling of the normal fee you can still register to take the August version. However, do not plan on taking it in Indy or Valpo as those sites are full. Luckily the drives to Bloomington and South Bend are pleasant. Just be sure to have had Professional Responsibility first.

This Is Getting Old

I just gave up a FREE Jimmy Buffet ticket to study for the bar exam. Ugh.

Happy Birthday
If you get a chance hop over to Prof. Cooper's place and wish him a happy 40th birthday.

Vanity Tax

People who have unnecessary cosmetic surgery in the state of New Jersey will soon have to start paying a 6 percent tax for their procedure if Gov. James McGreevey signs a budget that was passed last week by the state Legislature.

It will be the first time a tax has ever been placed on a surgical procedure in America.