Harvard Student(s) Answering Your Questions Forum

[Mack.Hambleton]

Oh sorry thought you were a 1L

[polareagle]

Oh sorry thought you were a 1L

And just to clarify, for 1Ls, reading groups are not assessed in any way, and you don't get credit for them.

[doctorjuris]

edited

[S.Lee2018]

Any insiders at Harvard Defenders could shed light on how selective the application is? What are the possible selection criteria? The project sounds challenging and interesting. Really want to get in. Thanks in advance!

[codyoneill]

Any insiders at Harvard Defenders could shed light on how selective the application is? What are the possible selection criteria? The project sounds challenging and interesting. Really want to get in. Thanks in advance!

The interview is a miniature version of the kind of interview a public defender office would give, so I would look up those. OPIA has a good guide.

The interview is largely a test to see how committed you will be to representing your client and putting your clients' best interests first.

[maroon175]

Are there any 2Ls or 3Ls on here who had Julie Suk for Civil Procedure?

[Searchparty]

Are there any 2Ls or 3Ls on here who had Julie Suk for Civil Procedure?

[Pneumonia]

Are there any 2Ls or 3Ls on here who had Julie Suk for Civil Procedure?

Autocorrect?

[maroon175]

Are there any 2Ls or 3Ls on here who had Julie Suk for Civil Procedure?

Autocorrect?

Nope. Not mistaking her for Jeannie Suk. Julie Suk was a visiting prof a year or two ago and she's at my school now.

[TripTrip]

Are there any 2Ls or 3Ls on here who had Julie Suk for Civil Procedure?

Autocorrect?

Nope. Not mistaking her for Jeannie Suk. Julie Suk was a visiting prof a year or two ago and she's at my school now.

She was a visiting professor for the 2012-2013 term. You'd be looking for 4Ls because current 3Ls started in fall of 2013.

[Orion311]

Any advice from upper years on how various extra-curriculars look on a resume?

At the moment I'm thinking of doing one artistic/fun group, the law and gender journal, and a non-SPO advocacy group.

But will I be at a disadvantage when job searching if I don't have an SPO going for me? Or perhaps more journalling?

Is there a certain number or amount of things one should take?

[Mack.Hambleton]

2nding above but for corporate/business stuff. Worth it to join business law review?

[politics89]

Any advice from upper years on how various extra-curriculars look on a resume?

At the moment I'm thinking of doing one artistic/fun group, the law and gender journal, and a non-SPO advocacy group.

But will I be at a disadvantage when job searching if I don't have an SPO going for me? Or perhaps more journalling?

Is there a certain number or amount of things one should take?

I think an SPO can be good if you don't have any work experience or want to do a job with direct client work. I would recommend a journal if you want to clerk. No one expects you to do more than one though. wouldn't overload bc then it looks like you're just resume padding.

[despina]

Are there any 2Ls or 3Ls on here who had Julie Suk for Civil Procedure?

Autocorrect?

Nope. Not mistaking her for Jeannie Suk. Julie Suk was a visiting prof a year or two ago and she's at my school now.

She was a visiting professor for the 2012-2013 term. You'd be looking for 4Ls because current 3Ls started in fall of 2013.

No coincidence -- they're sisters.

4L here. I didn't have her, so I don't have anything helpful to say, but hopefully someone from my year will chime in.

[maroon175]

Are there any 2Ls or 3Ls on here who had Julie Suk for Civil Procedure?

Autocorrect?

Nope. Not mistaking her for Jeannie Suk. Julie Suk was a visiting prof a year or two ago and she's at my school now.

She was a visiting professor for the 2012-2013 term. You'd be looking for 4Ls because current 3Ls started in fall of 2013.

No coincidence -- they're sisters.

4L here. I didn't have her, so I don't have anything helpful to say, but hopefully someone from my year will chime in.

Ah, that explains. Thanks!

[Pneumonia]

Any advice from upper years on how various extra-curriculars look on a resume?

At the moment I'm thinking of doing one artistic/fun group, the law and gender journal, and a non-SPO advocacy group.

But will I be at a disadvantage when job searching if I don't have an SPO going for me? Or perhaps more journalling?

Is there a certain number or amount of things one should take?

I think an SPO can be good if you don't have any work experience or want to do a job with direct client work. I would recommend a journal if you want to clerk. No one expects you to do more than one though. wouldn't overload bc then it looks like you're just resume padding.

Agree with this. You definitely don't "need" to do any of these things; in other words, no, you won't be at a disadvantage for not having done them. Firms don't care. They can be helpful bough if your resume is otherwise empty-ish. I didn't do anything 1L except for classes, and still got some pretty solid 1L job opportunities. Location/goals matter here though.

Also, as was said, if you want to clerk then do a journal.

[robotrick]

Any advice from upper years on how various extra-curriculars look on a resume?

At the moment I'm thinking of doing one artistic/fun group, the law and gender journal, and a non-SPO advocacy group.

But will I be at a disadvantage when job searching if I don't have an SPO going for me? Or perhaps more journalling?

Is there a certain number or amount of things one should take?

I think an SPO can be good if you don't have any work experience or want to do a job with direct client work. I would recommend a journal if you want to clerk. No one expects you to do more than one though. wouldn't overload bc then it looks like you're just resume padding.

Agree with this. You definitely don't "need" to do any of these things; in other words, no, you won't be at a disadvantage for not having done them. Firms don't care. They can be helpful bough if your resume is otherwise empty-ish. I didn't do anything 1L except for classes, and still got some pretty solid 1L job opportunities. Location/goals matter here though.

Also, as was said, if you want to clerk then do a journal.

As was said, none of it is required in order to get jobs, but I do think they help. IME, my SPOs were the things I talked about most in job interviews while my journal hardly ever came up. I think these kinds of things are especially helpful when you're trying to create a convincing story as to why you're interested in a particular area (e.g. if you're interested in a specific field/issue/etc).

2nding above but for corporate/business stuff. Worth it to join business law review?

If you like that sort of thing, or think you might, it's worth trying.

[S.Lee2018]

Any insiders at Harvard Defenders could shed light on how selective the application is? What are the possible selection criteria? The project sounds challenging and interesting. Really want to get in. Thanks in advance!

The interview is a miniature version of the kind of interview a public defender office would give, so I would look up those. OPIA has a good guide.

The interview is largely a test to see how committed you will be to representing your client and putting your clients' best interests first.

Thanks for the info!

[lawlorbust]

Going to chime in and offer my 2c that the best path for job success at EIP is, no activities -> highest possible grades.

That's not a recommendation by any means, but seriously 1Ls just optimize your ECs for your happiness/interest and getting you through what will probably at times be a brutal and isolating year.

[Indifference]

How much time on campus would journal work require? Trying to figure out if extra commuting will be needed, or if it can be done remotely. Guessing the answer, as with everything so far, will be "it depends"

[Veronica2015]

Which journals are generally considered to provide better member experiences/select interesting articles? Would love to hear some personal stories as well. Any input is appreciated!

[malleus discentium]

When do we get the grade for the 3-day intro to finance class?

[radio1nowhere]

Is journal editing experience helpful for the law review write-on?

[ScratchableItch]

General advice for 1Ls:

1) Journals, SPOs, and other Orgs
These are all are good experiences, in general. But don't overdo them. They are for your personal edification, and may help as extra trimming on your resume or when you interview. But they will not make or break you, so do what interests you.

2) The three most important things you should do as a 1L:
(a) attend class,
(b) do the readings, and
(c) try to figure out what the heck law school/law is about.

And don't worry too much about (c); you probably won't start to understand law school or anything about law until your second, third, or sixth semester of law school. And that's okay. This is a learning process, and you are on the first step.

3) Think about what you're interested in.
If you're interested in something, then do one thing in that area. If you're not interested in something, then do something in any area. You have time to figure out what you actually want to do. You're only in your fourth week of law school, and you have plenty of time to meet new people, learn new things, and discover what you want to do with your life. Don't expect to have all the answers right now.

4) Talk.
Talk to your classmates. Talk to the 2Ls and 3Ls you have met. Talk to at least one professor. Talk to an adviser. PLEASE talk to someone outside of law school. All of these people have something to offer you. They can each offer some advice, or a bit of perspective, or some new idea that you would not have gotten on your own. You are not an island! Don't do this on your own!

[TripTrip]

When do we get the grade for the 3-day intro to finance class?

Last year they sent an email on October 7 saying everyone passed, but actual grades weren't available until later.

How much time on campus would journal work require? Trying to figure out if extra commuting will be needed, or if it can be done remotely. Guessing the answer, as with everything so far, will be "it depends"

Usually subcites are in person. Law review and editing positions involve more remote work.