Here Comes Santa's Clause

So third year of law school is finished and I'm waiting (and waiting) on my grades. I decided to take a class over the three-month break since I drove my wife crazy last winter always looking for something to keep my attention for more than an hour.

I'm slowly becoming more and more comfortable in the legal world, reluctantly embracing the concept that every case is different hence every case a new puzzle to put together. I'm used to an order of things: A then B then C. While there is a relative degree of order in a case, each case has different facts which requires both a different approach and way of thinking. I've realized this is my legal "apprenticeship" and I've made myself available as a sponge to every valuable shred of knowledge I can collect.

Now that graduation and the bar exam are a year away, I've begun to focus on my exit strategy: What will I do in the "real world"? There are preliminary plans and ideas falling into place and hopefully over the next several months a wise plan will fall into place.

What intrigues me the most is the transition from student to advisor. In a short time, there won't be any more finals with huge fact patterns or voluminous essays, but a client placing their trust in my understanding of the law. This thought both humbles and challenges me to make the best use of my time in school and my job.

Here's to a winter break (sort of) and one more year...

Third Year Sunset

Tonight was the last night of classes for my third year. In a few short weeks finals will be over and the books closed on another adventurous year of law school. For those wondering, I now have one year left.

The beginning of third year started in a tumultuous time in my life. I wasn't sure how I'd handle the stress of finding a new job with new upper level law classes. This year of school was filled with juggling 3 finals in one week, a few hilarious professors, applying legal knowledge in moot court, and learning to swallow my pride and carry from a professor who flat-out graded my final exam wrong. 

It was, in summary, a valuable life experience. I can't help but look back on all that I went through in 2011 so far as I prepare for finals. To include each and every memorable event of 2011 would consume months worth of blog posts.

I'm blessed to say that the end of my third year has a seemingly much brighter outlook than it's beginning. I have a wonderful job in a wonderful legal environment (a rarity). But before this, I struggled with hopelessness for six months while I was unemployed. I owe much to my wife, mother, and father, who all shared the emotional struggles I underwent and encouraged me to rise above my situation and press forward.

So it's with gratitude and much thankfulness that I sit here, with one year of law school left. Now I'm waiting for the "Holy crap I might actually graduate law school!" moment to arrive. Thanks for reading, 

Jesse

People skills, unlike the law, can't be memorized

I've spent my 3 years of law school primarily concerned with my academic performance. Grades, to a point, do reflect you ability to grasp and explain the subject-matter of a law course. Along with that, however, is the subjective interpretation of your understanding by oftentimes over-demanding law professors.

With my recent transition into the legal world, my focus has shifted somewhat from my grades into developing the type of lawyer I want to be. I'm not talking about an area of law I'd like to specialize in, but rather how I will conduct myself in dealing with clients.

As many attorneys and my father can attest to, rarely, if ever, does a prospective client walk into a law office and ask a lawyer about the grades he/she received in law school. A client is more concerned with the lawyer's track record: Can the lawyer effectively handle their case? Does the lawyer portray confidence in the handling of their cases? What do current and/or former clients have to say about the attorney?

In my position, I speak with a lot of prospective clients. I hear how ______ law firm doesn't treat a client with respect or _______ law firm never calls their clients back. It's my personal belief that some lawyers don't grasp how fast negative opinions about them spread once their client has had a bad experience with them.

The firm I work for prides itself on being available to its clients. Our lawyers speak with as many of their clients as they can, while allotting proper time to prepare and develop their caseload. This is a refreshing approach to practicing law, and one that I'm fortunate enough to witness firsthand. When I started interviewing for a legal career, I saw several firms that seemed to drop the ball with several clients, and all within the 30-45 minutes that I was present for an interview.

My academic performance is still tantamount, but as my career as an attorney seems to quickly approach, it's appropriate to start thinking about how I want to treat my clients and the reputation I want to develop.

The law can be memorized, but applying it to a client's unique situation mixed with the client's own personality traits can create an unmanageable mess for a naive attorney. Good people skills can help avoid a young lawyer from entering this mess.

Changing Tides

With the passing of last week's gauntlet of exams, I feel that the tide has changed. I feel I did at least a passable job on each exam. This has been a major scaling of an obstacle that makes the end seem closer in sight. Yes, I have one more year after this year is over, but psychologically it feels closer.

I took a hard class this year, Conflict of Laws, which is one of two beasts (the other being Constitutional Law) that makes all upper law students cringe. I felt that I did well on the exam. Because of this, I now feel that graduation and passing the bar is actually an achievable goal.

The rest of this year, which is really only 3 months, is a nice downhill glide from the boulder-pushing uphill battle that the past 6 months have been.

What also helps is that I'm finally feeling comfortable in my new job, like I actually know what I'm doing. It's a time of calmness and of settling-down. And I'm not complaining one bit after how much Heather and I have been through since the beginning of this year.

From Dust to Dreams

When I began searching for a new job back in January, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't "settle": I wouldn't take a job simply because it provided a paycheck. That's not to say I was putting myself above certain tasks. I already had 3 part-time jobs.

I viewed this as an opportunity to transition into a legal career, into something where I could apply the knowledge I had thus far. But I could be selective about what I wanted to take on.

I remember one morning running with my dad in the park. I told him my dream job would be in a position where I could see the litigation process first-hand. Law students get a crash course in the litigation process in Civil Procedure and Moot Court. But there's something about seeing real-world applications of the process that causes you to learn more and soak it in.

To make a long story short, I'm now a litigation paralegal. I work for a well-respected litigation attorney who focuses on personal injury and auto accidents. We're not ambulance chasers. We are very selective about clients we take on. The attorney I work for has excellent ethics and is a wonderful example to learn from.

In short, I got the job I wanted 6 months ago. How this job materialized is a miracle in and of itself. I had dark days during those 6 months of looking and waiting. My parents, family, and close friends can attest to the personal difficulties I faced. The idea of finding a decent job almost became this illusive goal that I would never achieve. In 2 days I went from having no prospects to landing my dream full-time job!

Is the job market difficult?Yes. An emphatic yes. But the most important thing I learned is that God is bigger than the job market and can make a dream opportunity materialize out of nothing. And for that, I boast in Him.

Feeling the Heat

Ever had a period of time where the pressure is on? What I appreciate the most about those periods of time is how much they draw out of us. We find out more about ourselves and our capacity to overcome adversity.

I am in such a place. The next three weeks are pretty action-packed. I start a new full-time job. Then I have not one, not two, not three, but FOUR finals in one week!

It's safe to say I'm crawling in my studying hole and not coming out anytime soon. This is a critical period for me to do well. The fire's burning, but I've felt this kind of heat before. Let's just hope it brings out my best!

Open Letter From Your Server

I've worked several serving jobs throughout college and law school. If you're good at it, it's good and easy money. What I present here is the culmination of those years, including the past 6 months when I worked as a server full-time.

Dear Patron,

I have no clue as to the type of person you are as you walk in. But in the next 30-60 minutes, I'll have you pegged as a "such and such" type of person. I may be merely bringing you your food, but I've become an expert at reading people.

Business people, you are the worst. You ignore me when I approach the table. You complain about every aspect of your job. You gossip with your co-worker(s) with you about everyone in your office. You complain that too much is being expected of your from your boss. I don't mind if you bring your laptop, or even spread your papers all over the place, but please acknowledge me when I ask you a question. You are not my only table. I have 3-5 other tables that are just as demanding. If you're not ready to order, I understand. But don't snap your fingers or wave at me hurriedly when you told me 60 seconds ago you weren't ready and then expect me to drop everything I'm doing to take your order. And then there's the tip. It's understood that good service commands typically 20%. Perhaps your father or mother didn't instruct you in this ancient understood principle. Some of you are shocked to learn that 20% is standard for good service. I urge you to spend a few months working in a restaurant and you, too will come to learn of this ancient understanding.

Parents with children, most of you are some of the best tables I have. Your children are polite, they say "please" and "thank you". But there is a strong minority of you that causes every server in the restaurant to cringe and run away when you walk in the door. The minority of you have kids that scream the entire time as you shove your iPhone or iPad in their face with their favorite movie to shut them up. Some of your minority even allow their children to yell or make demands at me. Seriously? How do you not understand that your children's conduct is a direct reflection on your abilities as a parent?

Then there's the regulars. Those of you who come in at least twice a week and a maximum of once a day. We know your name, we don't even have to give you a menu. What you may not realize is that the moment you walk in the door, servers either fight to have your table, or fight for someone else to take it. Oh sure, we're nice and don't let on that we didn't want to take your table, but inside we know that once again, you will only tip 10%, and only that if it's a good day! Servers in a restaurant know when a regular walks in whether the tip will be good or bad. And maybe that's prejudicial, because we're only concerned with the tip, but when we're making $2.13/hour, our tips are pretty important.

In conclusion, I realize that not all servers are the same. Some of us are better than others. But I issue this challenge: think of us as humans with the same problems that you have instead of a robot that brings you your food. 

The vast majority of you patrons are a pleasure and delight to deal with. I thank you for your financial support and brief daily company over the past 6 months.

Getting the green light.....so far

I had an interview with a reputable law firm today regarding a paralegal position. I went in with a positive attitude, but my expectations for gaining employment there were low. This is the result of being told "No" so many times that I assume I'll just be told "No" again.

A few hours after the interview I received another call from the law firm. They wanted a second interview. They wanted me to come in tomorrow. Wow! I've never had a job opportunity move this fast.

I'm trying not to get over-excited, but all signs seem to be pointing in the direction that they're very interested in hiring me.

If so, this would be a great end to an exhausting 6 months. No matter what the outcome is, God is good.

Casey Anthony: Fair isn't fair

I'm reading comments on Facebook in reaction to the Casey Anthony verdict. A lot of you are upset, and reasonably so. "It was obvious she was guilty!" is the chanting cry I hear.

Regardless of your personal beliefs and/or opinions, there was a high burden of proof (in fact the highest) to meet in order for the jury to find Casey Anthony guilty of first-degree murder. That burden of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt". Think about that phrase for a minute and what it means.

I can hear you shouting back, "But what about the evidence they had against her?!". Evidence is just evidence. It means nothing unless you can tie it to the alleged wrongdoer. That involves the expert testimony of DNA evidence and other experts in related fields. The expert will be examined for their credentials and will then be questioned on the processes used in obtaining and preserving the evidence. A lot of discrediting can come into play against the prosecution if the evidence hasn't been handled correctly or even if the expert witness doesn't come across as credible.

As much as I, and many of you, would like for many people who "appear" to be guilty to be found guilty, it just doesn't work that way. The prosecution has the deck stacked against them in every case. Because they have what's known as the "burden of proof" to meet. If they can't meet it, then the alleged wrongdoer walks, in a sense.

This is the downside of having a legal system that presumes innocence until guilt is proven. It's not perfect. It does create an opportunity for the defense to simply poke holes in the prosecution's argument. All the defense really has to do is argue the burden of proof hasn't been met, and maybe throw in an alternate theory. Maybe the defense can, as in this case, create doubt in the jury.

That's how the game is played. You and I can't say with 100% conviction that she's guilty, because we weren't there. We didn't listen to the 90+ witnesses, or see every piece of evidence presented. All we can assume and hope is that the jury made a fair decision. And let's not forget fair isn't really fair in the first place, but that's a quasi-legal argument best left alone in this blog entry.

Void for Vagueness

I was succumbing to my daily habit of perusing through Google News and this article caught my attention: http://www.dnj.com/article/20110628/NEWS01/110628014/ACLU-Tennessee-prepared-challenge-new-offensive-images-law.

Essentially, if you post an image online, that anyone claims causes them "emotional distress", your image is deemed to be offensive.

For personal reasons that won't be addressed here, I find the ACLU to be that barking dog that never shuts up most of the time, but here the ACLU has a point.

While I agree with the author that "emotional distress" in and of itself it vague, what bothers me even more is that images are only at most half of the problem. What about online bullying? Remember the MySpace suicide? There have even been a few stories of people that have posted near-suicidal updates on Facebook with resulting comments from their "friends" spurring the person on to commit suicide.

Why not also include language into the law that addresses words or text that is deemed to have cause "emotional distress"?

Is Public Chapter 362 an answer to a question that wasn't asked?

If we're going to write new laws, can we please make them less vague?

The farcity of fairness

Law school, like life, isn't fair. Professors sometime ask questions on tests that weren't covered in class. Or the moot court professor overrules your valid objection in order to enable the other side to make their point.

Law school isn't about being fair. Because the law isn't always fair. There's no way to obtain perfect justice in a system that was and continues to be developed by fallible human beings. Law school prepares you for the real world, not some perfect utopian legal world that doesn't exist.

Case in point: last year Civil Procedure was an excruciating class. I left every class confused and nervous about the final and midterm. The midterm was brutal. There were questions that weren't addressed in any form or substance in lectures. I got a C on the midterm. In essence, it was unfair. I don't study to make C's. I study to make A's. I felt cheated.

But what was I supposed to do? Complain to the professor that the test was unfair?

 No. 

I took my frustration from that midterm and made sure I understood the material to where I wouldn't make the same mistake on the final.

I busted my ass for the Civil Procedure final. Tens of hours, maybe even a hundred were spent fine tuning my understanding.

I ended up making an A in the class.

My point is this: when an injustice happens, rise to the occasion. Tackle it. Overcome it. Don't mope on the ground and argue why it shouldn't have happened. Get up and just go!

Law school is designed to be incredibly difficult, that's why everyone isn't a lawyer. 

Righting Write

If often surprises me how many of my fellow law students loathe essays on midterms and finals. Many of them would rather have short answer or multi-state (multiple choice) questions. It's my personal belief that many law students loathe essays because they simply don't know how to write a good essay response.

I've done fairly well on my essay writing, as in straight A's, so I feel I have some position to advise law students on how to frame their essay responses.

The first mistake a law student can make is simply read the essay fact pattern once and then begin writing. You HAVE to read through the facts at least twice, if not three times. Law school essays are purposefully designed to have multiple issues and the professor expects you to address each one in order to get a high score.

After I've read through the fact pattern enough to accurately identify each issues, I then write out each issue to the side. This allows me to create a "bare-bones" framework for my essay. I'll also refer back to this list when writing my essay to keep on track.

When I begin writing an essay, I begin by giving a brief preview of the issues that I plan to address. This creates a legal "roadmap" that makes the essay more organized and easy to follow.

I then state the applicable law (AKA "Issue Spotting"), because before you explain why the result should be what it is, you MUST provide a legal basis that provides the underpinning for your reasoning. And that legal basis MUST be relevant. It amazes me how law students go on for an entire paragraph about a legal principle that wasn't even asked to be addressed within the facts given in the fact pattern.

Next, keep your points concise. State enough of the law to show you know what you're talking about, but don't over-do it. Then tie in the applicable law to the facts. This is known as your reasoning, this is how you transform the applicable legal principle to the outcome of the case.

Most professors want an end result, for you to tell "who should win". It's my personal belief that any essay could be successfully argued for the plaintiff or the defendant. In these types of essays, professors are looking more at how effectively you frame your argument and how strong you use those arguments and the applicable law to advocate for your client. As long as you apply the correct law and your reasoning is sound, you can persuade the professor in your answer.

In deciding which side "should win", I create virtual stacks with the given facts. I argue for the side that I believe has the "highest stack", AKA "strongest case", after comparing the pros and cons of every available claim for the plaintiff, and defense for the defendant.

Which brings me to my next point. You MUST acknowledge the weaknesses in your argument. You simply cannot act like they don't exist. This tactic won't work in the real world, so professors won't let you get away with it in law school. If there's a defense that might bar the plaintiff's claim, and you're arguing for the plaintiff, address the defense. But address it in a way that disarms the defense. State how your position can overcome the defense. The same strategy works vice versa, if you're arguing for the defendant.

As I draw my essays to a close for a midterm or final, I also do a brief summary of the issues and the probable outcomes after applying the applicable law. It serves as organized closure when perhaps I've written several pages for an essay.

I personally prefer essays over any other type of question because it allows me to "stretch my legs" and fully explain the reasoning behind my answer, rather than simply being wrong because I marked the wrong alphabetical answer.

Cold Water

My Conflict of Laws book is open. I have my case briefing template minimized on my MacBook right now. It's been that way for 2 hours. I simply can't find the will to brief another case right now. I am. Burned. Out.

Don't get me wrong, I love law school. But there's two weeks left until we get a brief 2 week break. It can't come fast enough.

I find myself looking for distractions from having to study today. But with a midterm and a small quiz next week, in addition to the "normal" caseload, I've reached my maximum mental saturation. And it's only 1:32pm!

It doesn't help that my wife and daughter are napping either. That allows me to internet surf/watch movies undistracted, while serving as a distraction...

Excuse me while I find a glass of cold water to throw on my face.

Open & Close

"When a door closes, a new one opens". Oh, how that adage has proved true this week. I waited three months to hear back on a job opportunity only to find out last friday that the company decided not to open the position. I dreamed about having this job, it was exactly what I wanted to do.

But, an opportunity almost identical to that one opened up this week, too. The company wants to fill the position fast, so if they find that I'm a good fit, hopefully I'll have good news soon.

I've learned so much over these past 5 months that I have months of blog material floating in my head right now.

I continue to love this year of law school. The classes are much more interesting and shorter. I find more and more that I'm drawn to drafting wills and estate planning. While I don't think I want to do that exclusively, I can see it making up a sizable portion of my law practice.

I'm doing more work for my father, which has given me invaluable insight and experience. I'm grateful that I have the unique opportunity to learn the hands-on application of the law. 

For now, I look ahead, with the constant reminder that I'm simply in a legal incubator. I'm soaking in the training and learning all I can. Because one day soon, I'll be making difficult legal decisions, and it better be the right ones. 

Owl City

A music blog!

I was a mid-comer to Owl City. 'Fireflies' had just been released on Adult Alt stations. From first hearing Fireflies on XM's Alt Nation, I was hooked. I instantly got "Ocean Eyes", the second album, and "Maybe I'm Deaming", the first album. A few months later, 'Fireflies' broke onto the pop charts.

Owl City is Adam Young. He developed his craft in pop-electronic during sleepless nights in his parents basement. His first album, "Maybe I'm Dreaming" was solely his creation. There was no record label backing. But the fan base grew. The album has a rawness to it throughout. It's not perfect, but you don't want it to be. My favorite tracks include "Technicolor Phase", "I'll Meet You There", "Early Birdie", and the laughter-evoking "Super Honeymoon".

Owl City is innocent, witty, and at times, completely random. You feel like you're traveling through random thoughts in Adam Young's head. In the day where impropriety is the norm, Owl City is a refreshing wave of modesty and a child-like inquisition. It doesn't hurt that Adam Young can write hooky synth parts and lyrics for days.

"Maybe I'm Dreaming" caught the attention of labels, and Adam Young was signed for his second release, "Ocean Eyes". Adam Young teamed up with Matt from Relient K to hone in the tongue-in-cheek lyrics. "Ocean Eyes" shows a maturity and step in the right direction, with cleaner production, more streamlined musical ideas, and adds a "commerciality" to the music. By far, the highlight of the album, in my opinion, is the remix of "Hello Seattle".

Today I had the chance to preview Owl City's newest album, "All Things Bright and Beautiful". The production is taken up a notch. The song writing has matured, but Adam Young maintains his innocence. Some tracks completely floor me. Must listens include "Deer in the Headlights", "Galaxies", "Dreams Don't Turn to Dust", and "Kamikaze". The single, "Alligator Sky" has obviously been tailored for commercial release, but I feel that it's definitely not the strongest. "How I Became the Sea" is a beautiful bonus track that must not be missed.

On "All Things Bright and Beautiful", Young has done a great job of that balancing test all artists struggle with: retaining their sound while offering something new.

Life Update

I've strayed away from talking about my personal life in recent months. Intentionally.

Words cannot describe what's being going on emotionally, mentally, and psychologically. I've lost count how many jobs I've applied for, maybe 50-60. I'm emotionally exhausted at this point.

I was looking forward to this week. I was excited about a possible position with a law firm that was opening up. The interview was not what I expected. The job that was opening was not what I expected. If there's anything I've learned this week, it's to go in with literally no expectations. I tend to set high expectations, which sets me up for some pretty hard falls in the form of reality checks.

I'm still waiting on a job I interviewed for almost 3 months ago. 3 months! 90 days! It seems like it's been an eternity. This is the job you could say I'm believing for. It's a dream job. I'm simply waiting for it to materialize. And waiting.

Another good prospect opened up this week. It will be a while before I hear back on it, though.

I'm past the 4 month mark in my search of a new full-time job.

But that doesn't mean I haven't been busy.

I wait tables with as many shifts I can pick up a week. I still ship guitars for Mark's Guitar Stuff, thanks Joel!

My dad has also been giving me a TON of legal work to do. These three jobs combined practically make up a full-time job.

I've completely forgotten my BMI days where I worked my 40 hours and enjoyed the weekend. I have no set schedule, everything is beautifully chaotic.

My bills are getting paid, my fridge is full, my family is safe. Not much more I can ask for at this point, except for that job!

I hope the words of a close friend ring true when they told me they felt that this transition period I've been going through will end soon.

Immigration and Pork

I had the privilege of spending the last 48 hours with the nation's top Immigration lawyers and judges. Coming into this experience with pretty much no knowledge on Immigration Law, the first day was a barrage of lingo and an extremely dense primer on the subject. The second day was much easier, having become at least a little familiar with the subject.

If there's anything I took away, it's an appreciation for the depth of Immigration Law and the amount of legal acumen that's required to effectively navigate a client through various Immigration issues.

Suddenly convenient political talking points became obsolete and to be honest, pretty ignorant.

In the midst of this literal pouring of legal knowledge into my brain, my dad and I got to sample some of the best BBQ Memphis had to offer. We had the unique experience of attending the Barbecue Festival, which the mayor adequately described as mardi gras with barbecue.

It was truly an eye-opening experience on an area of law that's sure to undergo substantial changes within the next few years and a great food experience!

Sunday Thoughts

I've been working on Part 2 of my lawsuit abuse theme, but I prefer writing personal posts. Multiple things are moving multiple ways, and I've come to a place where I've stopped trying to control where they go. I have no clue what my schedule will look like in the next coming months. And I love it.

Lawsuit Abuse, Part 1: The Enigma

It's a theme that's oftentimes chanted, but not fully understood: lawsuit abuse (AKA "tort reform"). Primarily, advocates of tort reform are concerned with civil wrongs. But tort reform is such a broad and expansive subject that it's not enough to simply state, "We need to stop lawsuit abuse!", or, "We need tort reform!".

Over the next several posts, I'll address the main talking points of advocates of tort reform, but in piecemeal. By breaking it down into palatable parts, I aim to be informative while avoiding a bogging down in meaningless details.

To begin, I believe there are two main areas of tort reform:
1. Procedural law: The process of filing a lawsuit and the trial
2. Substantive law: The law that governs the lawsuit

Tort reform advocates often criticize procedural law on the grounds that it's too easy to file a lawsuit, or that there are not enough safeguards in place to protect innocent defendants.

Substantive law is criticized for its legal reasoning. It's what allows the judge or jury to justify the award.

Since I'm located in Tennessee, I'll use my knowledge of TN law. It's important to know that almost every state is different when it comes to tort law. While there's a tendency for states to group together into separate "legal thoughts", there are several different tests and theories used by different states for different tort concepts. The result is a vast ocean of legal theories, and it's easy to drown in it.

If advocates of tort reform want to be successful, it must be on a state-by-state basis, and not through a national, collective broad-swipe at tort reform.

Before I dive any further, it's critical to understand that there is no such thing as a perfect legal system. The legal system was designed and is updated by brilliant humans, but they remain just that: humans. There are inherent flaws that are the result of man's inability to obtain perfection on his own.

But we are capable of fine-tuning the legal system, abolishing laws where need be, or fixing procedural processes. I believe the war of tort reform lies in the fine-tuning.

One more thought: Every lawsuit is different. There are no same set of facts. It's critical not to make generalized statements when it comes to the law.

I'll provide my personal opinion on different legal criticisms when I feel it's warranted.

For Part 2, I'll discuss the pesky concept of punitive damages and why it needs to remain untouched.

The Big Picture

Since January, I've struggled with what my next move should be. I tested the waters, threw my hat in the ring, only to have it instantly tossed back. At first I was defensive, associating the rejection with an assessment of my self worth. Then self-pity began to set in. Poor me. Then I decided early on that was not how my situation would be overcome. I would soldier on with my head held high.

It's been 2 1/2 months and I finally understand it. The people that I've been connected to were the answer. I don't believe in disposable relationships. Even if a professional relationship seems to end, I don't end the personal relationship.

Unexpected things are happening. Great things. I know I'm being vague but I promise as the next few weeks progress I'll reveal as much as I can. God is bringing things together in a better way that I ever could.

I have spent hundreds of hours over the past few months trying to figure out how the mortgage would be paid next month, or how I would be able to feed my family. All the while, no bills were behind and plenty of money was in the bank.

We made a decision not to use credit cards anymore 3 years ago, and we haven't had to borrow a cent during the past few months. While we were previously frugal with our money, we haven't had to make any additional sacrifices. I can't explain this other than God's provision.

As hard as it is to explain, I'm glad we went through the experience. While I had the head knowledge that God was our provider, it somehow didn't connect with my heart. It does now.

In the years to come, in the big picture, this will be but a speed bump.

Giving Wisely

Allow me a brief departure from the normal "legal" posts. I travel on Old Hickory Blvd to I-65 everyday. Without fail there are homeless people asking for money on the median of the bridge that goes over I-65. These derelicts are appreciative and convey a seemingly heartfelt thanks for the generosity of those who choose to give.

A week ago, two homeless men who I've seen asking for money came into our restaurant. They sat outside on the patio and ordered appetizers. They then each ordered a margarita. Then another margarita. Then another. Another, and perhaps 1 more. These wondering wayfarers were fully blitzed.

They paid their bill, left a good tip for the server (not me), and were on their way. I wrote it off in my mind. I try not to pass judgment too swiftly. Perhaps they were tired/exhausted after a day of begging (insert sarcasm font).

The next day, the drunken duo returned. Again they ordered appetizers and several margaritas. At this point my compassion dwindled and frustration set in. Frustration at these two men, and frustration at those who naively gave to them, hoping they would use the funds to "make a better life for themselves".

A few nights later, the pair returned. It was the usual progression away from sobriety, but they created such a scene that other customers began to complain. The manager informed the server to cut the two men "off". They paid their bill and left.

After the restaurant had closed, the men returned with double digit quantity of beers and broke the bottles on the patio, leaving a mess for the employees to clean in the morning.

The restaurant owner was furious after hearing what happened. He instructed the manager to call the police if the men were found on the property again. The next day one of the men returned. A server, not me, went outside and kindly informed the man that he was no longer welcome. And should he return, police would be called.

The homeless man apologized for the previous night's actions and left the restaurant without causing a scene.

Two days later, the same man returned. Again the same server told him he was no longer welcome. The homeless man began a verbally explicit tirade and kicking/hitting chairs on the patio. The manager confronted him outside, when the homeless man began a verbal assault complete lacking any sense of human decency. After a few minutes of a nonsensical combination of expletives, the homeless man stormed off back to the bridge over I-65.

I chose to convey this story because we need to be wise when we give. I'm not saying don't give to homeless people. I'm just advising against blind giving.

Questions Frequently Asked

As any of my law school 'mates can attest to, we get asked a lot about what kind of law we want to enter into when we graduate. I've been asked so many times, that each time it comes up, I spout out my canned response that I've crafted over the past 2 1/2 years. Here are a few of the most popular questions I've been asked and my honest answer:

1. What kind of law do you want to practice?
That's a tough question. There are areas I'm interested in, but that's purely based on what I've learned so far. And even so, a lot of times the day-to-day practice of an area may be completely different than what I envisioned it to be when I studied it in law school. But to answer the question, I'd love to practice Entertainment Law, specifically negotiating key contracts on behalf of emerging artists and songwriters.

2. Are you going to work for/with your dad?
My dad and I have thoroughly discussed working together. Yes, I plan to work for/with him to help grow his practice even more.

3. Jesse, why do you hate criminal law so much? All you do is poo-poo it all the time.
Blame is shared on this one. Half goes to my professor, half goes to the fact that I'd rather eat a gun than practice criminal law. It's just not for me.

4. I got injured a while back, do I have a case?
Call Bart Durham. Wait...No, call my dad

5. What's law school like?
It's like a prison full of people who appear smart. Until they open their mouths. There are smart people there, but usually they don't promote themselves like the stupid ones do.

6. When do you graduate?
December 2012, unless the Mayans were right and it's like the horribly made movie (2012) where you can fly a Bentley onto an iceberg from a cargo plane.

Interviews and Green Things

Phone interviews, in person interviews, follow up calls and emails. These things have pretty much consumed what little free time I do have. As of today, I have a very good prospective job opportunity with a well-known book publisher in their legal department.

On a much more opposite end of the spectrum was an interview with a personal injury firm for a paralegal position. I left the interview with no clue as to how I did. LOL. I'll let you know if they call me back for a second interview.

Yesterday I was at Fulin's when Mr. Wing (an immortal part of Fulin's and arguably the funniest server I ever met) shows me an article regarding the decline in law school applications. One of many reasons for the decline, they hypothesized, was that law students don't see as many large firm jobs with $150,000+ starting salaries any more.

I'm not naive. I went into law school knowing that lawyers, specifically very good lawyers, are paid handsomely for their services. But in that moment I kinda had a "zoom out" moment where I considered the rest of my life. Here I am, 27 years young, graduating in December of 2012 into a career that I know I'm called to.

Yes, there will be a good amount of money to make. I actually thought about it a lot my first year. But as I've developed my knowledge of the law over the past three years, my focus has shifted from money.

Sadly, there are people who simply "pass" law school with nothing but dollar signs in their eyes. That's where I appreciate having a true life example such as my father, who though his work has shown me time and time again that it's about serving your clients.

Spinning Plates

Perhaps the image of a circus performer spinning plates best illustrates my life right now.

Plate 1: Job hunting. It's going well with a few solid leads that have a great chance of turning into a job opportunity very soon. Hopefully this will solidify into a new job in the next few weeks.

Plate 2: Law school. Holy, holy, holy %$#. If second year was boring and hard, third year is busy, busy and more busy. Endless cases every week, but I can't complain. The material is relevant and interesting. I'm liking third year so far.

Plate 3: Current job. Serving people food 30 hours a week isn't hard. It's just humbling. I keep having to fight the feeling than I'm better than this job. I'm not above any job, but I know I have skills that far exceed what I'm currently doing. Overall, I feel blessed to have some stream of income coming in right now.

Plate 4: Husband. Heather and I joined a marriage small group at church. It amazes and embarrasses me at how many couples we've seen in church for years yet never talked to. That is changing and we're meeting new people and loving it.

Plate 5: Father. Violet is amazing, smart, and beautiful. The standards that gentlemen callers will be held to will be high. Very high.

No more plates please, except for that new job, I'll take that one any day.

Talking Down

Besides filing frivolous lawsuits, attorneys are also notorious for their arrogance; they consistently talk down to people because "they went to law school".

I've seen it firsthand through guest speakers at my school. The arrogance, the know-it-all persona, the cocky way they hold themselves. It's ugly, unattractive, and quite honestly, very stupid.

My father recently invited me to a business breakfast where business men and women gathered to refer business to one another. Towards the end of the meeting, an accountant stood up and began talking about my father in front of the 20 people that were present.

She praised my father for his cordial attitude and kindness that he consistently carries everywhere he goes. She told horror stories of attorneys that she deals with on a daily basis and how negatively they treat her.

She then stated that she looks forward to speaking with my father because she knows it will be a pleasant conversation.

I have the privilege of knowing my dad first hand, so I've always had a close-up view of his calm demeanor. But it was fascinating to see someone notice the difference in how my father chooses to conduct his business and contrast it with the "norm" of the legal world.

My hope is that I can carry on his tradition of treating clients and colleagues with the proper respect.

Big Boy Pants

By the time a law student reaches their third year, they're expected to know a few things. Being called on to brief a case the first night of class shouldn't come as a surprise, as it did for one of my close friends last night.

The professors know that you know the drill, and they're more than happy to jump in feet first and blast off within the first 10 minutes of the first class

Third year looks like it will be pretty action packed. I've got mountains of work to do, and I'll admit I thrive on the challenge of getting it all done every week.

I don't think it will be as much of a mental challenge as it will be a time management challenge this year. That's not to say the coursework is easy, which in law school it never is. It's just that now we're learning mostly niche areas of law, a kind of fine-tuning for lawyering if you will.

It feels good to be back in the groove and sweating it out again. I got my big boy pants on again...

Landing a legal career: low and slow

The good news: I'm finding plenty of available relevant jobs to apply for.
The bad news: The legal world seems to move at a snails pace when it comes to hiring.

There are a few awesome job opportunities that are developing right now. But they are taking time to develop. So I'm waiting. And waiting.

Third year begins next week, so technically this is my last weekend of freedom for a while. I'm sure this blog will start to shift focus to my third year studies.

Short and sweet today!

Prospects and Pencil-Breaking

I'm officially done with craigslist job postings. It seems that almost everytime I apply for a "legit" job, I get a spam email within the next 24 hours. Aside from that, there is a potential good opportunity in the works.

I'm constantly reminding myself that this job search will take some time. I keep wanting to press the accelerator, while it seems everything around me is pressing the brake pedal. I think I've pretty much conquered this situation mentally. It took about 2 weeks to settle into reality and comes to grips and peace with what happened.

There's a still small voice that reminds me that in the grand scheme that is my life, this is simply a small plateau.

In things more relevant to the origins of this blog, I have a mock bar exam on Saturday. It covers all the material I've learned thus far during my first 2 years. All we're required to do is simply take it. They reveal the names of those who pass it. Classes past have only had a small handful of people pass, so I'm not really going all out for it.

I'm not excited that 7 hours of my Saturday will be spent head-scratching and pencil-breaking.

For now, I'm patiently waiting to see how God pans out a very positive prospective job. I'll keep you updated as things progress.

-Jesse

Landing a J-O-B

This is temporarily going to become my blog about becoming employed in a full-time job. It seems that some days there are three or four jobs that cry out "That's me!", while other days there's absolutely nothing that fits my skill set.

As of today, I've applied for 11 jobs, spanning various fields. My primary focus is getting a legal assistant/paralegal position. It makes the most sense since I now have only 2 years of law school left.

So far, I've had one phone interview and one other response which I have a gut feeling was a scam. Who in the world scams for a law firm job?

Yesterday was by far the most emotionally exhausting day in this hunt for a new job. Today is much better.   The past few days have been much for fruitful, with more relevant job openings appearing. In the last 2 days alone, I've applied for 6 jobs, all of them I could see myself working in.

I'll try to do daily posts or semi-daily posts. I think it will be fascinating to look back on these posts once I'm working full-time again.

In the meantime, I'm working as many hours as I can at Fulin's (sigh, but a thankful sigh)

-Jesse

Patience

This post is difficult. The past several days have been spent trying to make things happen, with the outcome of nothing happening. I suppose I could use this to vent. But, people who complain online irritate me. The last thing I want to come across as is irritating.

Almost two weeks ago I lost my job. Thank God my secondary job has allowed me to pick up more hours. Perhaps I was overly optimistic when I reasoned that I would work as many hours as I could until I was able to land another full-time job.

Interesting emotions have begun to set in. Some good, most bad. I'm discovering how much I depended on my job title/position as my place of importance in this world. I could easily label myself as just a server now, but that would exclude every single achievement and accomplishment I've done. It would also forget that I'm about to begin my third year of law school with the previous two years displaying the amazing favor of God.

Interesting thoughts have entered my mind. "You're not hirable". "Your resume won't stand out". "You'll have to settle for less". "This job can't pay the bills, you'll lose your house".

I imagine if I was single and simply floating through life that this experience may not be as traumatic. Add a wife, a baby, a mortgage, and everything else and suddenly your problems seem to be exponentially magnified.

The strongest emotion I've had to face is feeling sorry for myself. Why is it tempting to simply sit in a corner and suck my thumb waiting for someone to throw me some sympathy? I try to catch this early on, and remind myself of who I am, who my Father is, and why I refuse to identify myself in this way.

As for right now, I'm learning patience. I'm learning that it doesn't come easy, quick, or conveniently.

A New Direction

I had it planned out. The next two years of my life, all charted out and organized. To my surprise, that plan has been turned on its head. In respect to certain people close to me, I'll reserve specific details from this post. But I'm now facing a new direction in my career and couldn't be more excited to see where God takes me.

Now that I'm beginning my third year, it seems both fitting and appropriate to begin building a firm foundation in the nuts and bolts of the legal world. Where this takes me, I'm not sure. Yes, it's scary not knowing what lies ahead. But there's a calming peace that God is opening a fantastic opportunity in the coming weeks. I'll keep you posted as things develop.

For now, we're (Heather, Violet, and I) fine and surrounded by loved ones with much encouragement and support. Thanks for reading!

Jesse

Winter Waiting

I'm now at the point where I'm anxious to start school again. I'm sick of having too much free time, it makes me feel unproductive. It sounds ridiculous to say something like that, but I have to constantly be doing something.

But the three months off have allowed me to see some great developmental moments in my daughter, Violet's life. For example, she can mimic alot of simple verbal phrases, which makes for some hilarious moments. She can now walk periodically, although she's best motivated by walking to a stuffed animal or a place in the house where she knows she can cause trouble.

This break has also been great because it broke down my routine. At the end of last year I was the epitome of a cog in a machine. Eat. Work. Study. School. Sleep. It's been a nice vacation from Study and School.

When I was gearing up for my second year at this time last year I was nervous and worried. Would I be able to hash through these classes? Could I repeat the success I had somehow stumbled upon during my first year?

This year is different. I feel ready. It's not arrogance, but confidence. I have a game plan. I know how to best prepare in a way that suits my style of studying. I spent last year honing my studying abilities I had discovered as a first year student.

Thinking about third year, my mindset is "another year to put in the books". This is far from the "Holy crap I hope I make it!" desperation I felt last year.

I'm excited to take more specialized classes and not so much of the core essentials that law students have grown to despise. My father spends a great deal of his practice on wills and estate planning, and I'm excited I finally get to learn the nuts and bolts of this area of law.

I'm a little nervous about moot court, mostly because I'm unfamimiar with how it will work. To be honest, I'm a little intimidated at the thought of presenting a make-believe case to a real-life judge. I'm sure that experience will produce a nice blog post or three.

One month to go until classes start. I have to remind myself to enjoy this time off. But that's hard to do when you just want to be done with school and start doing this thing in real life.

Bye for now!