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Hello,

I am a rising third year law student currently doing an internship in criminal defense. I want to become a public defender. Last semester, I had an exam that required us to draft motions as well as answer a second law review style analytical questions about a case. I devoted a lot of time to writing the motion and making sure my arguments and motions were strong. I was confident my professor would be pleased with the motions I drafted. Unfortunately, I didn't spend a lot of time devoted to answering the second analytical question but I did answer it. My professor ended up giving me a "C", and stated that there was a huge disparity between the quality of arguments I used in the motions and the answers to the analytical questions. She stated my motions were very proficient and professional whereas my answer to her second question was very shallow, unprofessional, replete with typos and sloppy.

I re-read my answer to the second question and she is absolutely right in her assessment. The problem I had was that I was just so focused on making sure my Motions were perfect and I didn't devote as much time to her other question. By the time I was writing my motions, I was exhausted and was rushing through the other answer. I know what I did wrong and what I can do to improve.

Nonetheless, I am having a hard time coping with the "C" I received and I worry about it for my future job prospects. I've done several criminal defense internships with positive evaluations from my supervisors. I have drafted several motions, argued before the court on motions, and done bail hearings. When I apply for public defender positions, do you think they will prioritize this over my bad grade?

I graduated into a perfectly fine job with a C+ on my transcript. It's not the end of the world.

How do you deal with it? By not getting another one. You're going to have many setbacks as an attorney. Nows the perfect time to develop the coping skills required for handling those setbacks in a healthy, resilient way.

I've never heard of a PD office that even glances at your transcript. You're going to be fine.

cavalier1138 wrote:I've never heard of a PD office that even glances at your transcript. You're going to be fine.

Yeah, everyone I know who went PD said they didn't look at grades. Experience and recommendations from people who've seen your work will be much more important.

nixy wrote:

cavalier1138 wrote:I've never heard of a PD office that even glances at your transcript. You're going to be fine.

Yeah, everyone I know who went PD said they didn't look at grades. Experience and recommendations from people who've seen your work will be much more important.

That and Spanish language skills.

Try proofreading. Good habit to develop.

thetruthandlight wrote: By the time I was writing my motions, I was exhausted and was rushing through the other answer. I know what I did wrong and what I can do to improve.

@thetruthandlight It's been almost a month since you posted. I'd like to hear how're the things now?

thetruthandlight wrote:Hello,

I am a rising third year law student currently doing an internship in criminal defense. I want to become a public defender. Last semester, I had an exam that required us to draft motions as well as answer a second law review style analytical questions about a case. I devoted a lot of time to writing the motion and making sure my arguments and motions were strong. I was confident my professor would be pleased with the motions I drafted. Unfortunately, I didn't spend a lot of time devoted to answering the second analytical question but I did answer it. My professor ended up giving me a "C", and stated that there was a huge disparity between the quality of arguments I used in the motions and the answers to the analytical questions. She stated my motions were very proficient and professional whereas my answer to her second question was very shallow, unprofessional, replete with typos and sloppy.

I re-read my answer to the second question and she is absolutely right in her assessment. The problem I had was that I was just so focused on making sure my Motions were perfect and I didn't devote as much time to her other question. By the time I was writing my motions, I was exhausted and was rushing through the other answer. I know what I did wrong and what I can do to improve.

Nonetheless, I am having a hard time coping with the "C" I received and I worry about it for my future job prospects. I've done several criminal defense internships with positive evaluations from my supervisors. I have drafted several motions, argued before the court on motions, and done bail hearings. When I apply for public defender positions, do you think they will prioritize this over my bad grade?

Bad grades suck, there's no question about it, especially when you're used to better ones. I think it's good that you've accepted it and understood why you received it, sometimes it's harder to get over it when you feel like you feel like you've been screwed by the professor. Ultimately as others have said, I don't think you should worry too much, the PD office is much less crazy about the "perfect" transcript as some private employers are and you should be fine as long as you have good references and interview well. I got a bad grade in my 2L year due to a silly mistake on my part and it's not fun (probably ruined the next day or two for me), but it's really not that bad, especially considering your goals. Just keep your head down, maybe find one or two classes next year to bump up your GPA a bit, and keep chugging along. No use stressing about it now, focus on the things you can control and you'll be much better off.

Also, I would advise having a good explanation about why you got the grade that will reflect well on you, in case anybody ever asks. Practice in front of the mirror a couple times so you can be ready for the question.

Don't spend the summer worrying about a single bad grade, life's too short for that. Good luck!