October 17th, 2012 – 10:41 am

I cannot believe how quickly the time is passing! We are now in our 9th week of school; there are some serious pros and cons to this.

Pro, that much closer to winter break! Last, time we chatted I told you that I still found time to sleep. I am sad to report that sleep has been escaping me lately.

Con, so much to do! My course load this semester is quite different from 1L year. I am in a trial practice class and evidence workshop. In trial practice, each week we performed a different portion of a trial. We started with opening arguments which I was not so good at– too argumentative, I was told. Who knew you couldn’t be argumentative in law school! We went on to do direct examinations and learn how to admit exhibits. My favorite part was cross examination and impeaching witnesses because you can actually be argumentative. (I promise I am actually a nice person even though my dad may or may not have promised to have bail money ready if I am ever held in contempt.)

Then last week we did closing arguments for the case that we’d been working on for the entire semester. It was bittersweet. We were done arguing about the same car accident that we worked with for a full 8 weeks but we were also paired with our co-counsel for our final trial. In groups of 4 (2 counsel per side) we will put on a final trial. Each team has a class period to put on their trial, with classmates rotating as witnesses. So now, we get to the real meat of the class. And I must say: our professor is legit. We had to file a motion to produce to even receive our facts and case file.

Con, I got another car accident! And as grueling as this all seems right now, my partner and I are going to be awesome!

The other class, I mentioned, evidence workshop also involves oral arguments. We argue pre-trial motions to admit or exclude certain evidence. Picture Law & Order with Jack McCoy yelling at the judge to admit evidence that the police obtained without a warrant. The fact patterns for this class are all over the place and it makes you think. The judge, our professor, regularly interrupts us to ask questions. Some of them crazier than others; I have had to learn how to keep character which is often hard when you advocate on behalf of a cartoon character.

All in all, both classes are great. They present new and different challenges from 1L year– lots of oral advocacy. While I am crazy busy, I am so glad to have had the opportunity to take these classes during my 2L year. Not only will it help me in competitions for the remainder of law school but I will have a strong foundation when I step out of into the real world.