Pro Bono Honors

In honor of National Pro Bono Celebration week, let's take a moment to discuss what the Pro Bono Honors Legal Program at Capital University is all about.

Students completing at least 50 hours of Pro Bono work, will be recognized at graduation. Students participating in the pro bono program gain valuable practical experience in the legal field and network with judges and attorneys while starting on the path to a career-long commitment to giving back. 

Check out the Pro Bono Website for details! http://law.capital.edu/Pro_Bono_Recognition_Program/

During this week, veterans are being honored. There are several ways to get involved.

Still Left this week:

  Wednesday, October 26 (Day):

     Where: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM, Room A121

           

     What: Pack your lunch and join us for an informative and important panel discussion made up of Capital Law Alumni.

   Wednesday, October 26 (Evening):

     Where: Room A122, 4:00 PM-5:00 PM Mandatory Training

              Huntington Commons, 5:30 PM- 7:30 PM Wills Clinic  

     What: Join us for a Low Income Wills Clinic for Veterans. There will be limited spots available, so please sign up soon. You will be matched with an attorney to help veterans complete essential estate planning documents.

      NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY- 1Ls MAY  PARTICIPATE!  

   Friday October 28 (Day):

     Where: Room A121/A122, LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.

     What: Join us for a Military focused CLE!

     “Representing Service members: Understanding Their Service is Essential to Understanding Their Case”

     Speaker: Michael D. McCarthy Executive Director, Operation Legal Help Ohio

How to Register: Email amessick@law.capital.edu

Don't Forget...

ALL THIS WEEK! (10/23-10/29), we will be holding a food drive to benefit M.A.S.H. pantry. The Military and Service Heroes Pantry is a Non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable food pantry serving Veterans, Armed Forces, their families and survivors of the Columbus Metropolitan area. Place your donations in the blue bins located in the Commons and in the back lobby.

Tired of Studying? Join the Criminal Law Association!

The October fog is (hopefully) lifting soon and it is the perfect time to check out the Criminal Law Association! The Criminal Law Association is another organization at Cap Law that wants to engage students in an exciting subject matter. Their mission is to "provide [students] with a forum for education, exploration, and interaction with criminal law" according to their President, 2L Sam Scherger.
The Criminal Law Association has a lot of exciting opportunities for students. I'm sure many of you attended when they hosted Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien. If not, don't worry. There are many other opportunities for people who are interested (or just testing the waters) in criminal law! This year they are excited to host different speakers and engage members by sharing interesting articles or experiences related to criminal law. The group will focus on diversion programs through these events. Keep an eye out:

• on November 2nd, the Criminal Law Association will partner with the Children and Family Law Advocates in hosting Ohio State Bar Association liaison and former state representative, Todd Book. Todd Book will discuss legislation, both past and pending, that relates to children, family law, and criminal law. This is going to be a really interesting lecture, so don't miss it! Check your e-mail for more details.

The Criminal Law Association would like to increase contact with an array of professionals in the field. Sam Scherger has compiled a list http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/

of professional criminal law organizations and associations so students know when and where they have monthly meetings. This is an amazing networking opportunity for anyone interested in meeting practicing attorneys or learning more about the practice of criminal law. Sam understands how intimidating it can be for students to attend these meetings alone. That is why the Criminal Law Association tries to send at least one executive board to each of these meetings. Having a friend to help you network makes it that much less stressful and now you have NO excuse not to get out there!

Sam also has some words of wisdom to share with 1Ls and prospective students. She suggests joining a student organization, volunteering pro bono, or just getting involved. She found class to me more interesting and more useful when she had real world experience to reflect on. She especially enjoyed meeting practitioners and getting to know more about their day to day, what drives them, and how to be successful. She says for example "I worked [at] a pro bono clinic with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus two days before a contracts exam. During that clinic, an attorney from Nationwide explained to a client how contracts are interpreted. . . . [W]hen that came up on the midterm, it was solid in my memory." 

If you are interested in attending a meeting, going to a professional organization meeting, or just getting to know more about the Criminal Law Association you can reach out to Sam at sscherger@law.capital.edu!

Halloween Around Columbus!

photo credit

A Sampling of Halloween Related Fun around central Ohio!

BOO AT THE ZOO

  10/21/16 - 10/30/16
  5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  $14 adults, $8 children 3-9, seniors 60+
  Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
     4850 W. Powell Rd.
     P.O. Box 400
     Powell, OH 43065
  Get Details

HIGHBALL HALLOWEEN

   10/21/16 - 10/22/16
   Recurring weekly on Friday, Saturday
   Friday-Saturday 6 p.m.-1 .m.
   $10
   Short North Arts District
      North High Street from Nationwide Blvd to 7th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201
   614-299-8050
   Get Details

ALL HALLOW'S EVE

   10/22/16

   Saturday 5:30-9:30 p.m.

   Ohio History Center & Ohio Village

      800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211

      614-297-2300

   Get Details

ScareAtorium

   Through 10/29

   $20

   Thursday - Sunday 7:30 - 9:30 (or later)

   2605 Northland Plaza Drive; Columbus, OH 43231

      614-761-FEAR (3327)

   Get Details

Haunted Hoochie

   Through 10/29

   $25

   Thursday - Saturday 7:30 - 9:30 (or later)

   Get Details

Hitchcocktober

   Through 10/29

   $Varies

   Daily 7PM; Encores Sat/Sun

   Gateway Film Center

      1550 N High St; Columbus, OH 43201

   Get Details

Have You Heard About the Women's Law Association?

The Women's Law Association is yet another amazing student organization at the Capital University Law School and they provide excellent opportunities for all students, including men! Did you know, in 2013 women represented only 20.2% of law firm partners nationwide? This number is only 3.4% higher than it was in 2003! The mission of the Women's Law Association (WLA) is to improve the status of women in the legal profession by identifying barriers that women face. They design projects and programs to engage the student body and enhance understanding about the issues legal professionals face on a daily basis.


WLA is very important to its members, especially their president, Holly Torres. She states "[a]s a female entering a predominately male profession, I think it is exceptionally important to provide women with as many educational and professional opportunities as possible in order to improve their status. . . . Even with women entering, and graduating, law school in higher numbers than in the past, women are still fairly underrepresented in [the] profession, especially in top-level positions such as [] partner." She feels an organization like WLA is not only essential, but it is the perfect platform for women to have an open dialogue and encourage each other to make real change. WLA has allowed its members to develop leadership, organizational, and networking skills that can't be beat!

WLA is doing a lot of awesome stuff this year, and everyone should check them out.

• WLA will participate in Capital's 2nd annual Diversity Week. On October 19th at 5:00 PM in room 208 they will host Former Supreme Court Associate Justice, Yvette McGee Brown, Ohio Attorney General Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Jennifer Adair (a Capital alumna!), and General Counsel and Executive Sponsor for the Professional Women's Network Group, Pam Vest Boratyn (another Capital alumna). Come check it out!
• WLA will begin hosting a monthly Brown Bag Conversation series, similar to Barrister's Club. They will be hosing local judges, attorneys, and deans to talk about the legal field and professional life. These brown bags will be limited to only 6-8 members so be sure to watch your e-mail for more information! 
• WLA and the Office of Professional Development will host Capital's annual Women Leadership Forum with the Esther Brocker Scholarship Reception on November 3rd at Ice Miller. 
• In November, WLA will host a fundraiser. They will be selling raffle tickets for final exam "crash" baskets that will include all of your exam time goodies/must haves! Be sure to enter to win a basket full of sugar, energy drinks, school supplies, and gift cards. 
• In the spring, WLA will host a "Galentines Day" bake sale.
• Watch out for a wine and paint social - my favorite! 
• Also, stay tuned for the highlight of the spring, the Constitutional Law Debate where you can watch your professors battle out current issues before the Supreme Court!
• Finally, WLA will work with the Women Lawyers of Franklin County on a joint community service project, and provide WLA members the opportunity to attend Women Lawyers of Franklin County's Soiree celebration.  
• As always, feel free to attend regular meetings to get more information on how to get involved!

This year, WLA would like to grow its membership and make all their events successful. Success to them means their attendees walk away from the conversations, panels, and events with a new perspective. Holly believes "it is imperative that women be equipped, educated, and inspired to break the ever present glass ceiling that lingers over women in the legal field[,] and it is not enough for only women to speak on these issues!" If you are interested in attending a meeting, participating in an event, or just getting to know more about this incredible student org, contact Holly Torres at htorres@law.capital.edu for more information!

Social Media Dos and Don’ts for Law Students

Pretty much everyone uses at least one, if not more, forms of social media. It's easy to use, fun to look at and can pass time even on the slowest days.  But, watch what you say, once you hit the post, send, or tweet button, someone out there is going to see it.  Even though posting on social media is usually protected speech, that doesn't mean you should always say what you feel.

1. Don't vent about your professors.

You may feel the need once in awhile to vent about a particular professor or class.  But don't do it on social media.  Professors and administrators are on social networks and you wouldn't want to give the wrong impression to anyone that you can't keep your opinions to yourself.  If you really feel the need to vent, do so with a trusted classmate, without other ears around, so it stays between a limited number of people.

2. Don't vent about your classmates.

Same as your professors, don't vent publicly about classmates.  You wouldn't want someone out there trashing your name, so you really shouldn't do it to someone else.  Your classmates will become your colleagues in the near future, would you want to go up against opposing counsel who remembers what you said about him/her on social media years ago?  Memories can be long when it comes to things of this nature,

3. Expand your professional network.

By all means, friend your classmates, professors, administrators and those you network with, as you come across them in your lives. The law profession is all about networking, use social media to create a solid professional network, and use it!

4. Avoid the time suck.

Set aside some time each day to look at, post, and comment on social media.  Don't just randomly hop on and off during class and other times of the day, that time can surely add up.  Also, watch when you post things.  Employers and professors can see social media, and if you constantly posting during work or class hours, someone may notice. Stick to times are you waiting for class to start, or after you get home, so you don't get the reputation as someone that is distracted all the time by social media.

5. Don't trash the school.

This should go without saying, but don't trash the school you go to, even in jest.  It looks bad on everyone when students say nasty things about their school.  If you can't say something positive, then don't say anything at all.

6. Only post messages and information that you would say publicly.

A good rule of thumb...if you wouldn't say it in front of your mother (or grandmother), then chances are you shouldn't say it on social media.

7. NEVER post when you are angry or upset...once it's out there, someone has seen it.

Even if you think better of something later and delete, chances are more than one person has already seen it.  Cool off, take some time to think about what you were going to say.

8. DO have fun with it.

Social media is out there for a reason...it's fun.  How else can you see endless pictures of cute baby animals, or that video of the baby panda sneezing that scares his mother?

These are always good pointers for your professional life after law school...be mindful of what you say..

Check Out the Christian Legal Society!

Happy October, Cap Law community! As we are gearing up for fall, I want to introduce you to the Christian Legal Society! The Christian Legal Society (CLS) is  yet another one of our amazing and dedicated student groups. Their mission is "to provide an avenue for students to either explore their faith, or to continue to grow an existing relationship with Jesus Christ" according to President, Paul Strobel.

The Christian Legal Society is very important to Paul because it helped him keep perspective when faced with the challenges and stresses of 1L year. Doing well in school was extremely important to him. However, CLS showed him there is more to life, and to law school, than getting good grades. Not only is it important to give back to your community both inside and outside the law school, but it is important to stay in touch with what is important to you.

                                                   http://meditationonlongisland.org/volunteering-at-the-center/

The Christian Legal Society has a lot of awesome activities planned this year.

• One event they are particularly excited about is hosting a mock trial of a story from the Old Testament. They are going to incorporate practicing attorneys in Columbus. Not only is this an amazing way to hone your advocacy skills, but it will allow you to network with local attorneys. 
• There are also several volunteer opportunities to look forward to and get involved with such as:
• Volunteering with the Faith Mission. The Faith Mission is the largest shelter system in Columbus. They have two men's shelters and one women's shelter where they provide beds, food, clothing, and support services such as free legal clinics.  
• Volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House Charities provide assistance for families who have sick children in the hospital. Their mission is to support programs that improve the health and well-being of children by making sure their families are close by.
• Look for e-mails from the Christian Legal Society about these really amazing events and volunteer opportunities! 

This year, CLS would like to have more of a presence in the Capital Law School Community. They want to make sure people know what CLS is, and how to get involved in this awesome organization. If you have any questions, or would like to find out more about CLS, contact Paul Strobel at pstrobel@law.capital.edu!

And now for something completely different...

Photo Credit

Now that midterms after over for 1Ls, and the semester is nearing the half-way point, it is time to have a few laughs (or roll your eyes at the bad jokes, whatever makes you happy! :) )

What's the difference between a good lawyer and a bad lawyer?       

     A bad lawyer can let a case drag out for several years. A good lawyer can make it last even longer.

A lawyer dies and goes to Heaven. "There must be some mistake," the lawyer argues. "I'm too young to die. I'm only 31." "31?" says Saint Peter. "No, according to out calculations, you're 110." "How'd you get that?" the lawyer asks. Answers St. Peter, "We added up your billable hours."

As the lawyer awoke from surgery, he asked, "Why are all the blinds drawn?" The nurse answered, "There's a fire across the street, and we didn't want you to think you had died."

A man and his young son were visiting the grave of the son's grandmother. On their way through the cemetery back to the car, the son asked, "Daddy, do they ever bury two people in the same grave?"       

      "Of course not, son," replied the father, "Why would you think that?"

      "The tombstone back there said... 'Here lies a lawyer and an honest man.'"

What's the one thing that never works when it's fixed?

    A jury.

Why won't sharks attack lawyers?

    Professional courtesy.

What do you get when you cross the Godfather with a lawyer?

    An offer you can't understand.

And finally...

A lawyer boarded an airplane in New Orleans with a box of frozen crabs and asked a blonde stewardess to take care of them for him. She took the box and promised to put it in the crew's refrigerator. He advised her that he was holding her personally responsible for them staying frozen, mentioning in a very haughty manner that he was a lawyer, and proceeded to rant at her about what would happen if she let them thaw out. Needless to say, she was annoyed by his behavior. Shortly before landing in New York, she used the intercom to announce to the entire cabin, "Would the lawyer who gave me the crabs in New Orleans, please raise your hand."

     Not one hand went up . . . . so she took them home and ate them.

SMILE!