Hello! I’m Kelly, a 2L at Loyola! I wrote the 1L blog last year, and am excited to share my second year of law school with you.
This year is flying by, as school always seems to do. I have described my schedule as “just full enough” – I feel like I am (almost) constantly doing something, but I’m not overwhelmed… yet!
Backing up a bit – I spent my summer in Chicago, working at a small, general civil litigation firm in the loop. I learned a lot, but one of the highlights of the summer was being a part of the lively, young, fast-paced environment of the loop. It was so fun to see so many of my classmates at the Daley Center or walking around in between meetings. It was also just such a nice break from the strict academic setting of 1L.
A little secret… the four weeks before 2L have the potential to be some of the busiest weeks of the year. Citation checking and note-drafting for Loyola’s Law Journal are in full swing, On-Campus-Interviews are getting scheduled, you’re probably trying to wrap up your summer job and take that summer vacation you kept meaning to plan, AND don’t forget to order your books because school starts soon! Everyone survives, but I think the common theme of this past August amongst my friends was “oh my gosh I have no time!”
Starting classes was almost a relief – I had a normal schedule again and, this being my second year, I had a much better idea of what to expect. Class-wise this semester, I’m taking evidence with Professor Elward, advocacy with Professor Legner, and art law with Professor Rhodes. It sounds light, but I’m involved in a few other things for which I wanted to make sure I had time.
When I’m not in class, I can probably be found either at work or somewhere on the 5th floor of the library with my bluebook. I got a job as a law clerk for the school year because I really enjoyed finally being able to apply all of the things I’m learning in school. It’s a nice way to split my time – sometimes I have so much going on at school it’s nice to show up at work and focus on something entirely different for a while, and vis versa. As a staff member on the Law Journal, I spend a lot of time checking citations of articles we’re publishing, and also working on my own note. “Note” is just another word for an article that a law student writes… unfortunately, it’s not as short as its name implies!
My note is officially due on November 7th, which is great timing for me because my moot court competition is in D.C. in March. Some students have to balance both their note and moot competitions in the same semester (huge kudos to my fellow classmates!). I will be competing in the Seigenthaler-Sutherland Cup National First Amendment Moot Court Competition in the spring, alongside my partner Joe Van Dusen. We haven’t started practicing yet, but we’re meeting our coaches this week and I’m really excited to get started!
Joe and me for our moot team photo
One of the highlights of my week is getting to help my former legal writing professor, Professor Greenwald, with his current legal writing class. Legal writing was one of my favorite classes last year, and I really enjoy tutoring for it this year. Plus… what better way to master the bluebook than teach it?! We also have a great class, and it’s fun getting to know some of the 1L’s. I’ve also been able to meet a lot of the class of 2018 through the Health Law Society – we host a variety of events throughout the year and, as Director of Student Outreach, I get to interact and work one-on-one with a lot of other students interested in health law.
I think that about sums up everything I’m up to! 2L is a bit of a whirlwind, but it’s really fulfilling and also very cool to see how far we’ve all come and learned thus far. I’m consistently impressed with and proud of my friends who all seem to be doing such awesome things with their journals, jobs, tutoring, etc. It’s hard to believe we’re approaching the halfway point!
And… a little proof that 2L leaves time for fun, too 🙂
Had time to fly to Boston to watch my best friends get married!
Gail Jankowski (3L) and me at this year’s boat cruise.
Gail Jankowski (3L), me, Emily Houtsma (3L) and Kelly Cannon (3L) cheering on the Cubs at Wrigley during game 4 against the Cardinals!