Professionalism Week

Spotlight on Professionalism Week:

When you entered law school, you probably assumed that with graduate school came professionalism.  However, you may be asking yourself “what exactly is professionalism in the legal community?”   Whether you are looking for information on how to dress to nail that upcoming interview, how to better handle your anxiety in law school and in the legal profession, or just want to hear great speakers discussing relevant topics in todays ever-changing legal community, look no further then professionalism week! 

This week (Week of April 2), the Capital University Office of Professional Development will be hosting a plethora of events including:   

THE DISTELHORST LECTURE ON PROFESSIONALISM & ETHICS Thursday, April 5, 2018 – 4:00 PM-6:00 PM, reception to follow Capital University Law School, Columbus, OH Depression and Anxiety in the Legal Profession Daniel Lukasik, Esq. In addition to the lecture, we will host a panel discussion featuring §  Scott R. Mote, Esq., Executive Director, Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program, Inc. §  Megan R. Snyder, MSW, LISW, Clinical Director, Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program, Inc. §  Douglas Althauser Esq., LICDC-CS, MAC, ICADC, ICCS, Moderator, Executive Director, Family & Youth Law Center at Capital University Law School This course has been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 2.00 total CLE hours of attorney professional conduct instruction. This event is free. Register to attend at http://law.capital.edu/distelhorstlecture/ PROFESSIONALISM RESPONSIBILITY SEMINAR Wednesday, April 4, 2018 – 12:00 PM-1:00 PM: Networking Lunch; 1:00 PM-4:00 PM: Seminar Capital University Law School, Columbus, OH Presented by Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter   Known Unknowns: Counseling Clients with Diminished Capacity §  Jason Beehler, Director, Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter §  The recent publication of a prequel to To Kill a Mockingbird raised uncomfortable questions about whether Harper Lee—a notorious recluse who refused to publish any of her work after Mockingbird—had the mental capacity to consent to the publication. Using Harper Lee and other recent high profile cases, Jason will discuss the ethical and practical considerations inherent in counseling clients with diminished capacity. Recent Ethics Opinions §  Jonathan Coughlan, Director, Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter  §  Jon will discuss several topics, including when lawyers have a duty to report misconduct, complex issues regarding conflicts of interest, and proper management of trust accounts, and standards for maintaining client confidentiality. Panel Discussion: Various topics including engagement letters, agreements, and more. §  Moderator: Jonathan Coughlan, Director, Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter §  Don Scheetz, Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, Office of Disciplinary Counsel for the Supreme Court of Ohio §  Jason Beehler, Director, Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter §  Alvin Mathews, Partner, James E. Arnold & Associates, LPA This course is pending before the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 3.00 total CLE hours of instruction. This event is free. Register to attend athttp://law.capital.edu/professionalresponsibilityseminar/   DRESS FOR SUCCESS Tuesday, April 3, 2018 – 5:30 PM-7:00 PM Capital University Law School, Columbus, OH Presented by the Office of Professional Development, Women’s Law Association, Phi Alpha Delta, Asian-Pacific American Law Student Association Looking your best at school, during interviews, and at the office is key to your professional reputation.  Building and maintaining a wardrobe ready for any occasion is your ticket to success. Entertaining and informative individual presentations for men and women will highlight: §  What to Wear (and When) §  How to Infuse Your Style §  How to Build a Professional Wardrobe §  Where and How to Shop Following the presentations, students and alumni will be able to network and shop! Bring along gently used professional attire and accessories to swap. All leftover clothing and accessories will be donated to local charities. Monetary donations are welcome, too. This event is free. Register to attend at http://law.capital.edu/dressforsuccess/

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Professional Development(OPD@law.capital.edu or 614-236-6888).

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Darren Little

Student Organization Spotlight! The Student Bar Association

Student Organization Spotlight: The Student Bar Association (SBA)

Want to be part of something everyone is involved in?  Look no further then the Student Bar Organization (SBA)!  All Law Students are members of the SBA, a student run government organization that works side-by-side with the school administration in matters such as school policies and school leadership.  In addition, the SBA fosters strong relationships between the student body and faculty, administration, and other facets of the legal community.  The SBA offers a plethora of leadership opportunities for both day and evening students.  Whether it’s a position on the executive board, or one of the various committees throughout the school, the SBA can offer opportunities for each and every student!

 

Want to be part of the organization that encompasses the entire student body? Elections are held in the spring for most executive positions, with appointments being made after elections conclude.

Further Questions? You can reach the SBA by emailing sba@law.capital.edu to learn more about executive board positions, the requirements to be an executive board member, as well as the opportunities available to sit on committees, including the admissions committee, helping to shape the future classes!

https://msulawsba.org/

Student Organization Spotlight: First Generation Law Students

Student Organization Spotlight-First Generation Law Students

For many students, going to Law School was a no-brainer.  Their parent is a lawyer, grandparent, and even extended family members.  They begin their legal education knowing at least a few lawyers, and may even have a job lined up at their family firm following graduation.  While this is true for many Law Students, some are the first in their family to go to Law School, let alone pursue higher education. 

 

Jeffrey Lewis, L’19 (Pictured), saw this and realized there needed to be a change, as those who are the first in their family to go to Law School did not have the same resources as their peers.  After bouncing the idea around with classmates and mentors, First Generation Law Students was born. 

The purpose of the group is to help motivate, inspire, teach and support/mentor those students who are the first in their family to pursue a legal education, and may even be the first in their families to seek secondary education.  More importantly, the group strives to motivate students that, “if they want to pursue something beyond high school, whatever they choose, they can be successful,” says Lewis, the founder and current President. 

“One of the first things they tell you in Law School is how tight-knit the legal community is and how the sooner you build those relationships, the better,” says Sarina Glick, L’19 (Pictured).  This group focuses on fostering a community among the student body, the future of the legal community, while bringing together established attorneys from the Columbus Legal Community, with whom these students will be practicing. 

Since their first meeting in October 2017, the group has hosted events such as a “How to Network” event with the Columbus Bar Association and Hannah Botkin-Doty, L’13, and a LinkedIn workshop with Bill Nolan, Managing Partner at Barnes & Thornburg. 

http://law.capital.edu/uploadedImages/Law_School/Template_Assets/Law_School_Home_Page_Slider_Content/First%20Generation%20Slider.jpg

Maintaining your “Best-Self” in Law School: The Importance of Well-Being and Self-Care

Maintaining your “Best-Self” in Law School: The Importance of Well-Being and Self-Care

Law School is a different creature then undergraduate or any other type of education you may have received; it takes time, tactic, and working smart to learn the vast amounts of material while keeping a level head and getting to the final exam.  You may be just getting your schedule, looking at first assignments, and saying to yourself “how am I going to ever make time for myself?” 

The truth is, it’s difficult to make time for yourself while in Law School, especially when you don’t know how to study or what is important (hint, it’s all important, but prioritization is key).   With all this reading, little understanding on what you’re reading, and a schedule that keeps you at the school for eight hours, you may think that living at the school and sustaining on pizza and fast food is the best idea…unfortunately, from experience, this lifestyle doesn’t work long-term and the exhaustion eventually catches up to you, turning into stress, then into anxiety causing your studying and general well-being to suffer.   While it seems impossible to make a balance, it’s key to survival and your overall success to law school. 

1.     Create a Schedule…and Stick to it.  I know, it’s difficult, especially when you’re starting 1L and have no clue what to expect, but scheduling your sleep, exercise, studying, and class preparation can help you to find some balance.  It’s also important to schedule some “me-time” and to find some time to do things you enjoy, if only just once a week.

2.     Pick a daily cut-off time for studying and homework.  You may have been able to pull an all-nighter in undergraduate (I never pulled them, but I remember many of my friends sitting in the commons from sun-down to sun-up), but in Law School, there’s nothing worse then being exhausted from studying, then getting cold-called on by a professor.  Set a daily cut-off time for studying.  For example, if your studying cut-off is 7:00 PM, stick to it.  After 7, you stop all studying, law-school related stuff, and take some time for you to rest, go to the gym, etc.  You’ll thank yourself ultimately for taking this time and giving yourself the ability to relax…if only just slightly. 

3.     Relax…its just Law School.  I know this is easier said then done, but freaking out will lead to nothing but difficulties and may ultimately harm you rather then help you.  I remember freaking out to a friend who was getting ready to graduate, and he told me a professor told him to “relax, its just Law School.”  I almost laughed when he told me this, but it’s true.  You’re taking on a mentally and intellectually challenging feat that many choose not to do because it’s so difficult, so try to relax, you’ll reach your goals ultimately…but only if you relax and do not overthink.

These things I have mentioned take time, but mastering Law School takes time, it’s about learning your method, and lots of trial and error to get to that ultimate goal of earning the coveted J.D. and passing the bar exam.  If you’re not taking the time for yourself and working on a schedule, this trial and error can prove much more difficult.  Keep pushing, asking questions, and when in doubt, remember “its just law school.” 

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