Spring Break Where are you?

We are at that half way point!!! Half way through classes and just waiting for that amazing week called Spring Break! I have the unfortunate circumstance of signing myself up for two different academic calendars (don't get me wrong I love both programs but no full week off class stinks)!!

This week I am "technically" on spring break from my MBA classes, but that consists of 2 papers, a power point, and a take home midterm while still attending my law classes. This has been nothing short of a tease! I want to relax, but as many of you know or will find out law school involves a lot of prep work and keeping up on outlines so I am using my "time off" of MBA classes to do work on that and now it is Thursday I still  have all my MBA homework to do for classes next week and I have Barristers (aka Law Prom) this weekend which is WAY more exciting then 8 essays on managerial economics.

Barristers is a BLAST! and no date needed :-) which my team of 14 year old girls that I coach has determined I am lying about and that I just won't tell them who my date is (in reality I have to get up at 6am the morning after Barristers to coach them so I want to be able to go home at a reasonable time). Barristers is kind of like a sorority formal except it includes your whole school and professors come (also no one has to volunteer to be a sober monitor).  I am now able to go because someone messed up my teams tournament schedule (i was suppose to be in Cleveland all weekend) and I am so excited!! However, the little things like a midterm and paper are getting in my way - by the way my computer is currently getting fixed so I cant write papers from my comfy bed. 

So in anticipation of a real spring break, which I will give to myself by skipping MBA classes on my Law spring break today I am going to a tanning salon to feel warm and getting a fruit smoothie, thinking of the warm weather in Florida while I sit at a computer somewhere and get all my homework done that actually needs turned in. Then I am going to enjoy Barristers with my friends regardless of being responsible the morning after!

So here is an image to think of as February ends and March begins! Spring Break is up ahead and Barristers is here in the mean time! 
 

Barrister Ball

Excitement is beginning to brew as talk of Capital's annual Barrister Ball spread like wildfire throughout the hallways. Girls are already sharing makeup tips, and guys are trading insight on how to select the perfect tie. It is a nice change to hear students fret over what they will wear, rather than the meaning of statutes or a UCC provision. 

So in the spirit of the approaching ball, I encourage everyone who has the opportunity to attend a barrister ball in their law school career, to go and have a good time with their colleges. Oh, and to those that compare the ball to a high school prom, I would like to point out these key differences:

• In high school, there was undoubtedly that one mischievous student, determined to spike the punch bowl. (Hopefully it wasn't you. . .) Long gone are those days. We are adults now guys. There will most likely be something 'fancy' to drink. **Just remember to drink responsibly**
• In high school there was that awkward task of finding a date to accompany you to the prom. Not the barrister ball. . . You can go solo or with a group of friends and that is actually the norm. 
• In highschool you probably had to call home every five minutes to let your parents know that you were okay. (If your parents were anything like mine) At the barrister ball, the only thing that might be on your mind every five minutes is the next memo. . .

So once again, I encourage you to go out and socialize! Its an opportunity to relieve a little stress and to make a fun memory in law school.

This year the event will be held at the Westin. 

CapLaw's Valentine's Day Gift

As everyone knows today is 2/14 and that means it is Valentine's Day! Though many people do not like this day, I do! It is really a day to tell those in your life who you truly love that you do. Sure, it is a Hallmark Holiday, but what is so wrong with appreciating the people you care about? No need for a crazy gesture all you need is a text, hug, email, call, anything just to remind someone that you care about them. Personally, my mom and dad have been my valentine for 26 years and will be forever! (however, I do wish they would still make me pink heart shaped pancakes, but not living at home has put an end to that)

This year there was unique way Capital Law School showed each other that this really is a family and we are all there for one another. We have an on campus dining option for the Law School, "People's Court", and just so you know the food is AWESOME! Lots of home cooked comfort food that is just what you need in between law classes, and all the menu items are named as a spoof off our professor's names.  The food is great, but the service is even better. Lynne runs this and her mom is there to help. It is very family oriented and they give you the warmest smiles when you walk up, brightening students, staff, and faculty members days on a regular basis. Recently, some family issues came up and Lynne had to close People's Court temporarily. Though everyone missed having a lunch option at school we all understood family comes first. The staff at school knew this would be hard for her family not have People's Court operating so they decided to operate a fund raiser asking students and staff to give if they could to help out a member of the CapLaw community. Not only did people help, we were able to raise enough to help actually make a difference and lift some weight off Lynne's shoulders. We are here for one another no matter how busy and it is refreshing to see people give of themselves and show that they care just like everyone should in the spirit of Valentine's Day!

The school really came together to help someone out and show that we all truly care about one another. It didn't matter if you ate their daily or if you have eaten there once, everyone heard a member of our community was facing an issue and wanted to help in any and all ways possible. We are so grateful for the services that Lynne provides, but also for her kind words and warm smiles. It is hard to get a community of stressed out students and faculty and staff with crazy schedules to stop and appreciate the world around them; but CapLaw truly shined in their effort to help out a fellow member of this school community and share the love that this Hallmark holiday gets slammed for.  So thank you to everyone for sharing the spirit of Valentine's Day with this community.

In closing I hope you all realize that Valentine's Day is not about chocolate and flowers, but about love for one another. Take some time to think about who you care about and make a little effort to let them know you care, because sometimes a friend or family member may not realize how much they really mean to you.

Happy Valentines Day!

Networking, Networking, Networking!

Comb your hair, put on a nice button up or blouse, wear your brightest smile, and get out into the legal community here in Columbus,Ohio. Often times, as students we get so caught up in the academic aspect of school, that we neglect social opportunities which are also very important to our success. Capital University Law school is awesome at alerting students to various types of networking events, legal gatherings, and various other events which students should definitely take advantage of. The Columbus legal community is very tight knit, so it is worthwhile for a student to become familiar with the individuals that compose of the community as soon as possible. With that being said, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you attend legal social events and gatherings.


Appearance
In a professional context, looks ARE everything. Here are a few suggestions to help you look your best!

• DO comb your hair. I find that it is more appropriate for those with longer hair to pull it back into a ponytail or tight bun. These styles accentuates your face, look elegant, and minimize distractions that tend to come with wearing your hair down, such as playing with it, or constantly having to push it back behind your ears etc. (I personally love the bun look! I put a little gel in it for that extra "sleek" appearance and I'm ready to go.) 
• DON'T wear excessive jewelry. In this type of scenario, less is more. It is very distracting to wear gaudy chains, or long dangly earrings. Try smaller earrings such as studs for example. I have a pair of small diamond heart shaped earrings that I tend to wear for networking events. They are not distracting, but I still get the chance to show them off by wearing my hair pulled back.
• DO wear tights or pantyhose if you are wearing a skirt or dress. It is generally frowned upon to go to these functions with bare legs. 

Etiquette 

• DO try some of the food if there are things available to eat. Chances are, most of the food will go to waste if no one eats it. Besides, it looks bad. . . almost inconsiderate if no one indulges in these things that took time, money, and thought to prepare. I'm not saying you have to eat the whole ensemble, but it wouldn't hurt to nibble on some crackers and cheese. 
• DO NOT drink excessively. Almost every legal event or function will have alcoholic beverages. If you feel so inclined to consume it, I personally do not recommend to drink more than one alcoholic beverage. You do not want to make a bad impression, and even something as subtle as how many drinks you consume could have an adverse effect on your overall impression, if you do not handle the drinks appropriately.

I hope these tips help. Happy networking!