Let’s Take a Break

1. Recreating a scene from Rock ‘N’ Roll High School or perhaps State v. Wiggins, 272 N.C. 147 154, 158 S.E.2d 37, 42 (1967) the kids of UNC Law came running out of class on Wednesday. It’s Fall Break for us and based on the looks of desperation on the faces I saw people are in serious need of some R&R.

2. Riley smiled at me for the first time this week. It was really gratifying to see her recognize me, and on some level be amused enough to give me a little grin. Maybe, she just finds the bags under my eyes, and vein throbbing on my forehead from lack of sleep funny. Either way, I’ll take it.

3. Yesterday I spent four hours reading and taking notes for Property. There was only 13 pages of reading! To cut myself a little slack I will admit that the first case in that reading was by the professor’s own admission one of the toughest of the year. Still, I wish I could work faster while still retaining all the material. My current setup is to read the case, highlight it, and take notes in the margins. Next I hammer out case briefs into my note taking software. The initial step gives me a detailed view of the material (facts, procedural history), and the second step is where I really make sure I understand everything that’s going on a higher level (issue, rule, analysis).

4. Having been immersed into the educational system again after a reprieve of about five years it has been interesting to look objectively at just how it all works. The law school classroom is sort of two-faced. On the one hand the professors ask for opinions on the cases we study and the concepts we cover. You’re given time to make your case, but then the professor swoops in with:

a. more questions;

b. outright disagreement; or

c. a blank stare that tells you nothing before moving on.

So while you’re given the chance to participate the professor is still left holding all of the cards. It is very rare that in a purely Socratic classroom you will ever be told that you’re “right.” There’s a strong case to be made that this is in fact a good thing. In a courtroom you’re very seldom 100% “right.” There’s a spectrum and I suppose this experience prepares you for that. I think I’ll be rereading The Glass Bead Game again soon, and thinking more about just what role law school should hold in the academic and “real” world.

5. There’s impending doom on the horizon. My mother in-law has been living with us since Riley was born, and assisting us with the late nights, early mornings, and all the chores around the house. She’s a saint. However, she’s heading home to Long Island at the start of next month. I can’t say that she hasn’t earned it.

The problem is that I’m a full time law student, and my wife is starting her full-time job again soon. On a positive note she works from home. I just don’t see how she can do both without someone to be here in the house helping her out with the baby, and cleaning. Sara is adamantly against hiring a nanny or a cleaning lady. She’d prefer it if I kicked in, and picked up the slack. The problem is that I’m 45 minutes away from campus, and I typically am out of the house from 6:00 am – 7:30 pm. Then I have more reading to do when I get home. That doesn’t leave much time. We’ll figure it out, but it’s going to be tough.

Somewhere in this image is Dean Boger...

Hell Week

I learned more about myself this week than in any other time period so far in law school. It was filled with highs and lows. Here are five things I want to share with you.

1. The reading assignments got much more voluminous this week. It wasn’t unusual to get 20 + pages per class. For most of the classes this was about double what we normally have. This meant that from Monday-Wednesday I was up until 1:30 am on average studying. By Thursday night I had thrown in the towel and book briefed my reading for that night. I imagine that now that many of our professors have fallen behind on the syllabus we’ll be picking up the pace moving ahead.

2. On Wednesday I had an interview for the position of 1L Coordinator for the Pro Bono Board. It was an odd setup with the meeting lasting only 15 minutes, and each member of the board asking me one question. It was without a doubt my worst performance in an interview. My answers weren’t to the point, and I didn’t articulate the overall themes I had hoped to touch on. Sloppy. The highlight was at the end of the meeting when I attempted to exit the room by walking through a closet. Nothing screams leadership material like the inability to identify a proper exit.

3. The worst apart about spending so much time at the library is that it detracts from my time at home with my ladies. I worry that Riley isn’t seeing me enough. Finding a balance is challenging, but I’m going through this to give her the kind of life she deserves. I hope she understands.

4. I forgot to mention this before, but our class elected a president. He looks like someone else in the executive branch, but at a higher level. You be the judge. Judson is a great guy, and I’m pleased that he’ll be representing our class.

5. The main source of anxiety this week for my fellow 1Ls at UNC was our practice exams. They count for exactly zilch. It’s just a dry run for our finals later in the year. Going through the process of making rough outlines, and reviewing some of what we’ve covered already was fairly helpful. I feel good about my answers, and regardless of the results I’m glad it kicked my butt into gear with regard to pulling together outlines. The best question was created by my property professor and it centered around Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz and Prince. The fact pattern included painting a house purple, installing purple rugs, and beauty salon chairs on the premises. Of course the title of this case was “Purple Pain.” Amazing.

Freak Out via bunchofpants on Flickr CC

Riding the Whirlwind

I’ve been very, very busy since the start of school, but what’s the point of a blog that never updates? Here are five things I’ve learned since last we spoke.

1. Law school is a lot of fun. I’ve been out in the work world for the past five years, and returning to an academic setting has been refreshing. The stimulating work has pushed me to grow intellectually, and that really appeals to me. I’ve really begun to see what an intricate blend of philosophy, economics, policy and compassion the study of law is.

2. There are great restaurants in Chapel Hill. Two of my favorites are the Spotted Dog and Butternut Squash.

3. The Socratic method is a blessing and a curse. It really does hone your thinking and force you to stand and deliver. The analogy to being in a courtroom with a judge is an apt one. The professor and judge each have a profound understanding of the law and want you to clarify your positions in a coherent fashion. I enjoy the process of active learning that it presents. Being taught via the Socratic method is a curse when you have unprepared classmates, particularly obtuse material, a condescending professor, or a tendency to run off on unrelated tangents. It can be easy to zero in on inconsequential details and miss the big picture.

4. Being a father is amazing. I operate on almost no sleep most days but holding my little girl is worth it. She’s going to change the world, just wait.

5. UNC Law is full of special people. When my wife went into labor, numerous people offered to help me by supplying notes. My civil procedure professor gave me a UNC onesie as a gift. I’ve already forged friendships with a collection of superb folks. Everyday I’m inspired by how hard everyone works here and the extent they’re willing to go to help each other.

My wife Sara and our daughter Riley Quinn Miller.