What's Going On?
I'll tell you.
I really did not get any break between semesters. The Intensive Trial Advacacy Program (ITAP, more on that in a second) started Jan. 2. A draft of my journal note was due during ITAP, so I had to get it finished before ITAP started. I finished finals on Dec 19. So, I took a day here and there, but mostly spent the time working on the note.
ITAP was an intense experience. 3 credit class taught in 11 days by hundreds of trial lawyers and judges from around the country. You learn by doing. All aspects of a trial. At the end of week one you have a bench trial (no jury, judge is trier of fact) and at the end of week two, you have a jury trial with a full 12 jurors. It's one of those things that is murder while doing it, but after it's over, you are SO happy you did. Definitely the most rewarding academic experience I've had in law school.
As a result of my performance in ITAP, I was selected as one of 7 people (out of 125 who did the program) to join Cardozo's Trial Team. I'll be competing in the Association of Trial Lawyers of America's (ATLA)Mock Trial Competition in the beginning of March.
Most exciting is the ACTUAL REAL TRIAL I have Feb. 1. The DA's office filed their certificate of readiness, so my client is going to trial. I will be doing the trial. My professors will be at the table with me, but I'll be doing the lawyering.
Classes started this week. Two more semesters and I'm done.
I really did not get any break between semesters. The Intensive Trial Advacacy Program (ITAP, more on that in a second) started Jan. 2. A draft of my journal note was due during ITAP, so I had to get it finished before ITAP started. I finished finals on Dec 19. So, I took a day here and there, but mostly spent the time working on the note.
ITAP was an intense experience. 3 credit class taught in 11 days by hundreds of trial lawyers and judges from around the country. You learn by doing. All aspects of a trial. At the end of week one you have a bench trial (no jury, judge is trier of fact) and at the end of week two, you have a jury trial with a full 12 jurors. It's one of those things that is murder while doing it, but after it's over, you are SO happy you did. Definitely the most rewarding academic experience I've had in law school.
As a result of my performance in ITAP, I was selected as one of 7 people (out of 125 who did the program) to join Cardozo's Trial Team. I'll be competing in the Association of Trial Lawyers of America's (ATLA)Mock Trial Competition in the beginning of March.
Most exciting is the ACTUAL REAL TRIAL I have Feb. 1. The DA's office filed their certificate of readiness, so my client is going to trial. I will be doing the trial. My professors will be at the table with me, but I'll be doing the lawyering.
Classes started this week. Two more semesters and I'm done.