I feel like I’ve just been hazed…and survived. Aside from finals last semester, this has been the toughest week in law school. Maybe even tougher because at least there were a few days off between finals.
On Monday, I had Civ Pro and Crim. Tuesday was my oral argument. Wednesday was a double Crim session, and today I spent all evening doing oral negotiations. Thankfully we are all rewarded with no classes on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday. Woo to the hoo. In addition to that, H and JM are on tour and we’re moving offices. NONSTOP.
Surprisingly, I fucking rocked my oral argument. No joke. Thankfully I have an AWESOME memory, so it’s not about the facts or theory, it’s mostly my fear that inhibits me in class. I knew the material cold walking in. Still nervous, but I felt confident in my knowledge. Basically, a classmate and I had to stand in front of three judges and argue our side in hopes for an appeal. Since I represent the defendant, I had to go first. I started off well, casually looking at my notes, then went into my theory of the case and into the argument. During the argument, the judges throw oddball questions at you to test your knowledge but also to allow you to further explain why your side should prevail. I answered all of the inquiries confidently without hesitation and threw in relevant cases for kicks. Unfortunately the questioning didn’t allow me to get to my second point out of a two prong argument, but I was able to add it in during my concluding statement.
My opponent did fairly well so our arguments seemed equally balanced and entertaining. During my rebuttal I did misname a case…I had the facts correct, but my application was a bit off. On the other hand, I used my rebuttal wisely to counter a question he received and couldn’t answer regarding that same case. Overall, it was pretty exciting and a bit fun.
Afterwards, we both let out a massive sigh of relief as this was the last large project for this class, which is fairly rigorous. We both received very positive feedback. After hearing fellow classmates be disappointed in their performance, it was nice to hear “terrific” and “spectacular” thrown around. I was praised on my congeniality and respect towards the tribunal as well as my confidence and correct assessment and reiteration of facts and cases. They also commended my introduction and delivery. I’ll take it! One of the judges told me that I should try out for moot court and found me afterwards to give me information about it.
Seriously. Blown away.
And tonight’s hour long oral negotiation went fairly well. I feel as though my partner and I were on the less powerful side, but apparently we negotiated a higher deal for our client compared to our other classmates going at the same time. Though I did feel as though our opponents were unnecessarily abrasive and a bit callous at times, my partner and I were poised, straightforward, and didn’t concede much. Overall, I think we all got a lot of the exercise by needing to recall facts, strive towards our client’s ultimate goal, act profession, and also keep to the agenda.
But now it’s done, hooray!! I can’t believe my first year is almost over. Up next, a small written assignment…finals…two weeks off…(a marathon)…then summer classes. Woo.
School aside, nothing else major is going on aside from the usual dickering. I think I’m going to add this line into my email signature, “Before you send me an email, please search your email to ensure that I have not answered your question. Also, please check the iCal.”
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