Grab the popcorn...It's MOVIE TIME!

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Everyone needs a break; law students especially.  Here are some law-related movies so you can veg out and watch someone else go through what you are!  

In no particular order:

The Paper Chase - 1973
A first-year law student at Harvard Law School struggles with balancing his coursework and his relationship with the daughter of his sternest professor. 
Amazon Columbus Metro Library

My Cousin Vinny - 1992
Two New Yorkers are accused of murder in rural Alabama while on their way back to college, and one of their cousins--an inexperienced, loudmouth lawyer not accustomed to Southern rules and manners--comes in to defend them. 
Amazon Columbus Metro Library

Rounders - 1998
A young man is a reformed gambler who must return to playing big stakes poker to help a friend pay off loan sharks.
Amazon Columbus Metro Library

Legally Blonde - 2001 and  Legally Blonde 2 - 2003 and Legally Blondes - 2009
When a blonde sorority queen is dumped by her boyfriend, she decides to follow him to law school to get him back and, once there, learns she has more legal savvy than she ever imagined.
Amazon Columbus Metro Library


Then Elle Woods heads to Washington D.C. to join the staff of a congresswoman in order to pass a bill to ban animal testing.
Amazon Columbus Metro Library

Finally, moving from England to California, the youngest cousins of Elle Woods must defend themselves when their schools reigning forces turn on the girls and try to frame them for a crime.
Amazon Columbus Metro Library

The Verdict - 1982
A lawyer sees the chance to salvage his career and self-respect by taking a medical malpractice case to trial rather than settling.
Amazon Columbus Metro Library

To Kill a Mockingbird - 1962
Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his children against prejudice.
Amazon Columbus Metro Library

A Few Good Men - 1992
Neo military lawyer Kaffee defends Marines accused of murder; they contend they were acting under orders. Amazon Columbus Metro Library

Note: Movie summaries taken from imdb.com

Join Phi Alpha Delta!

As the end of the semester is winding down, many of you may be thinking "I should totally get involved around Cap!" Well, I am here to feature another student organization that you should definitely check out. Did you know all of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices are Phi Alpha Delta alumni? Phi Alpha Delta is a co-ed professional fraternity that "encourage[s] professionalism by supporting [and] rewarding camaraderie" that will help its members be successful in the legal profession. Phi Alpha Delta has a lot to offer. They provide continuing legal education, scholarships, and networking opportunities for law students and undergraduate students who join their pre-law chapter.

Phi Alpha Delta is an international organization and therefore has a strong alumni network. Mia Naseer says this organization is important for many reasons. Mia says P.A.D. has "genuine, professional, and loyal members." Plus, there are a lot of perks to joining! Mia has been presented with many professional and employment opportunities through their substantial network. Further, the organization is known for its compassion and showing true "brotherhood/sisterhood" and has won several chapter merit awards here at Capital!

If you missed their awesome interactive Halloween table, don't worry! Check out some of the exciting things Phi Alpha Delta is doing this year:

• They are hosting Bar Review at Bar Louie on Friday November 11th starting at 4:30. This is an event open to 1Ls and members only! Don't forget to RSVP. 
• The group is collecting toiletry donations for the Faith Mission. Faith Mission is a men's shelter located a few blocks from the school, and they could greatly benefit from any small donation. 
• Watch out for Rush week where they will display P.A.D. pride and hand out t-shirts and highlighters. 
• If you are interested in Moot Court, Phi Alpha Delta has a team!

Mia's advice for 1Ls and incoming students is to always be yourself, you get out of something what you put into something, and to join organizations you feel passionate about and have time to dedicate to! Mia says remember no one will hand you things so work hard, have compassion for others, and work to better yourself and your community. These qualities will take you far!

If you are interested in joining P.A.D. or you would like more information about the group, don't hesitate to ask questions. Contact Mia at mnaseer@law.capital.edu today! 

It's BAR EXAM / CANDIDATE APPLICATION Season!

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO PASSED THE JULY BAR!

EXAM APPLICATIONS:

For those graduating in January 2017, Summer 2016, and those that need to retake a previous exam, today, November 1st,  is the deadline to take the February 2017 Bar Exam. Details can be found here. The late registration date is December 12 (with $100 late fee).

The Feb exam will take place February 21 - 23.  The actual location has yet to be officially released, but sounds like it will be at the Columbus Convention Center.

CANDIDATE APPLICATIONS:

For those Second Year Law Students, November 15, is the deadline to register as a Candidate for Admission.  You've probably already had Professor Twiss visit one of your second year classes to give you all the details.  Details can be found here.  If you miss this deadline during your second year of law school, you can still apply at anytime with a late fee.

The process from application to conditional approval to take the exam is a long one.  The application itself is long, complicated and requires names, addresses and information about things most of us have long forgotten.  Don't wait until the last minute, it will take more time that you think it will.  After some time, you will be interviewed by a pair of attorneys regarding your character and fitness.  If all goes well, sometime in the spring, you'll get that letter in the mail that you've been conditionally approved...what a day that is going to be.

Good Luck!

Some Important Dates

http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/AttySvcs/admissions/calendar.asphttp://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/AttySvcs/admissions/calendar.asp

(Disclaimer: Information believed to be accurate, please check http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ for the latest and most up to date information.)

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!

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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!