Author: cdtalaw

During Law School: Self-Care is Vital to Your Success

law school

Just those two little words, law school, may invoke terror in students about to embark on four undeniably challenging years; in fact, many individuals may just be terrified by school in general, depending on the level of difficulty. In law school, however, and hopefully this includes you—many students worked extremely hard to get to that point and enthusiastically preparing not only to take the California State Bar, but also branch out into a fulfilling career that could span many decades. You may hear varying reports and tidbits of advice, from warning you to be afraid, to reminding you to enjoy every...

Continue reading

Legal Copy: Legalese v. Plain Writing

legal copy

If you are in your first year of law school or beyond, chances are you are a competent writer. The term legal writing may fill you with dread, however, as you imagine all the long tomes of legalese surely now you are expected to emulate spectacularly. The truth is though, people should be able to read what you write—and yes, even enjoy it at times. Writing to your reader, your audience, can be much easier than you think, and especially if you envision them in your mind while you are typing. Chances are they are not all that much different...

Continue reading

Law Internships: A Win-Win for Everyone

law internships

Law school is a journey that begins for many students years before they even begin studying for the LSAT or the state bar; in fact, you may have realized your calling as well before attaining your undergraduate degree at college, hooked on TV shows and movies that featured hotshot lawyers saving their clients—and of course, by default, the world too—in one trial after another. And while most of your time in law school is spent in class or reading or studying, or attending a study group, you may also be worrying about where to do your law internship. These days, many...

Continue reading

How Do I Find the Best Law School Internship?

law school

Law school can, in many ways, be very confined to campus. If you are in a traditional setting, these means within classrooms and perhaps dorms or apartments—and if you are involved in a distance-learning school like California Desert Trial Academy College of Law, then you may be spending more time at home than you ever have. This all begins to change, however, as you branch out into study groups and start meeting other students, attending school events, and begin getting to know many other people who are interested in the same things you are—most of which will probably pertain to...

Continue reading

Higher Education: How to Enjoy the Law School Journey

higher education

Law school can be an intimidating endeavor for most new students, at first. It is also a great privilege, and will be one of the most challenging, fulfilling, and exciting times of your life. Meant to prepare you for taking the state bar and then enjoying a career in the law afterward, law school is a rigorous workout for the mind. Your intellectuality, stamina, and patience will be tested for four years. For many students, though, wonderful memories are made during this time. The one thing you will hear over and over is that you should prepare. If you begin doing...

Continue reading

Cut Down on the Midnight Oil: Study Smarter, Not Longer

midnight oil

Most of us begin hearing about the virtues of ‘good studying skills’ at an early age, along with learning about exercises like burning midnight oil. And like anything else you hear positive things about for years, there is probably some truth to it. Studying is important throughout our middle school and high school years because it helps reinforce classroom learning; along with that, it also helps student to contribute more during class discussions—and activity that can be enjoyable, empowering, and really build confidence. Aside from being older, more experienced, and more educated, most of this is true about why studying...

Continue reading

Why Networking is So Important in Law School

Networking is often an unsavory word, especially when it pertains to pyramid schemes and marketing themes most of us are extremely wary of—and most of us have been sucked into at one time or another; however, as a law student, networking is an invaluable way to begin securing your position in the community as a professional. To begin, you may want to participate in an internship. Many of the larger firms doling out the more attractive internships may not take on law students until after the first year when they have gained enough knowledge to be useful to them, but in...

Continue reading

Trial Lawyers: Who Do They Represent?

trial lawyers

Fictional trial lawyers certainly get their time on the big and small screens—and the characters they play are often extremely inspiring. Of course, watching TV is a lot easier than scoring the grades to get into law school, passing the state bar, and then stepping out into a high-powered career. In the most basic of definitions, a trial lawyer is a licensed professional who is usually hired by clients to represent them in court, whether in civil or criminal cases. They must research the details of the case fully, and often there may be a jury present also. A trial attorney...

Continue reading

Outlining: Start Earlier Rather Than Later

While there are so many responsibilities in life most of us know we must tackle head on and we do so, out of basic obligation, there is just something about studying that brings out the procrastinator in everybody. Getting educated and learning about the inner workings of history and our world, getting to more about the type of law practice you seek, becoming adept at problem solving, preparing for major exams, and more, can all be extremely exciting, but there may be many a night when you would rather just get into your pajamas, watch TV, and sack out early....

Continue reading

The Most Important Soft Skills an Attorney Should Master

soft skills

There is so much to consider in attaining a well-rounded education as an attorney, but most rising students are not thinking about soft skills, but are instead consumed by the nuts and bolt of law school, such as learning how to be strong in the areas of analytical and critical thinking, and ultimately, attaining powerful courtroom skills. Students must spend as much time going to class and studying as they would on a full-time job, along with learning everything possible about the law and legal procedures. Law school training is critical, but beyond that, real-life experience will put that education...

Continue reading
Font Resize