JD Law Students Blog

The first week has been one of paradoxes. It has been an immensely difficult schedule of reading and preparing for class, yet it becomes more manageable and accessible once one realizes what’s expected. It is also an intensely personal period of reading and understanding, but it’s also an experience that’s being shared by the 199 other first-year students undertaking the same course. Civil Procedure and Torts are not necessarily more difficult subjects than many of our undergraduate and graduate degrees, per se, but learning them through such a unique method — studying cases in which relevant law is developed — requires an approach that many of us simply haven’t used before. As the famous catchphrase goes, ‘And now for something completely different…’

For those of us coming to central Vermont from elsewhere, of course, acclimating to law school is only half of the question. Life in South Royalton operates with a pace, friendliness and community focus that might seem a bit alien to some. At first glance, to be sure, there just isn’t much to do. A little research combined with the desire to explore, however, can reveal opportunities that might otherwise pass by without much notice at all.

This past weekend, for example, a friend and I were able to find the Killington Film Festival. Held inside a hotel conference room in nearby Killington, the festival wasn’t exactly on the same scale as some of the better-known global events. The upside of this, of course, is that viewers aren’t expected to pay the hefty fees that might be associated with better-known exhibitions. In the end, we were able to take in an interesting film set in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom and neighboring Québec, dealing with a subject matter that we wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise. This isn’t exactly the place to venture into a full-on movie review (feel free to grab me on campus if you’re interested in hearing about Jay Craven’s Disappearances), but it certainly was a unique experience to say the least.

The choice to move to central Vermont is one that surrenders some of the conveniences (and distractions) of living in a more populous area of the country, but it’s not without its rewards. Having given up my Acme for South Royalton Market and my Dunkin Donuts for Green Mountain Coffee, I’m ready to explore all this new lifestyle has to offer. Bring it on.

By reading this blog, you are hoping to learn something.  In writing it, I’m hoping to share some of myself as a 1L, a new first year student, here at Vermont Law School.

This post will become part of the VLS JD blog, destined for the eyes of all you hungry information seekers, wondering what law school is really like, especially at Vermont Law.  I suppose that I’ll begin as many law school students do, and say, “let me tell you one thing…”  Or rather, let me tell you about some of my experiences…

 Vermont Law is, in case you hadn’t realized, #1 ranked by the US News and World Report for their environmental law program.  By now, you might have come to realize that the rankings are… not considered exactly scientific.  There are books criticizing them, alternative ranking systems, and most schools will tell you at some point to not put stock in the rankings.  Ironically, most schools will be the first to notify you when the rankings report something good about their school, VLS not excepted.

My point is that Vermont Law has a really good reputation for the study of environmental law.  Since US News has begun the ranking of environmental programs, I don’t think that VLS has fallen below #3 in that ranking system.  So… logically, it is a popular place for folks with environmental interests.

I am from Alaska, aka The Great Land.  The land of the famous ANWR… perhaps you’ve heard of it.  There has been an incredible debate about whether to allow drilling for oil in the refuge that raged in the newspapers and news of what Alaskans refer to as ‘the lower 48′ (insiders note: it’s a huge pet peeve of Alaskans when you don’t realize where Alaska truly resides on a map or the true scope of its size).  Back in Alaska, there’s debate on ANWR as well… although, in general it’s more along the lines of “once we get the OK from Congress, where do we drill first in ANWR?”  How can I put it in a better light?  Alaska’s fiscal reality is that it is almost exclusively dependant on industry - big business (oil, seafood, tourism) - for the tax base to pay its bills.  More oil drilling means more money for the state which means more services to be provided for Alaska and Alaskans (~760,000 people spread over a huge land mass that totals over 1/3 the square miles of the entire USA).

In any case, I (ex-military, conservative-leaning [though not always, thank God]) expected to come to VLS and see a lot of hippies.  I mean, how else can I put it?  I mean, I really expected half of the students to be sporting dreadlocks, flower power shirts, and bell bottoms.  After arriving a week before class and driving the hour and a half to Burlington to the only Costco in the state (my town in Alaska had two!), I was shocked to see signs in French, distances in kilometers, and I hadn’t met anyone from the school yet, but I began to firmly believe that not only would half of them be hippies, but that they ALL would be!  I mean, signs in FRENCH?  My God!  It was almost as if I weren’t even in America anymore!  To top off the assaults to my senses and dignity, my very conservative friend in Alaska, who I called to complain to, laughed at me!

Why do I tell you this?  Well, I hope you’ll get a laugh from it - whatever the reason you happen to be laughing.  I also hope that you’ll be reassured that Vermont Law School is the place for you - for whatever reason that might be.  For me, it was a choice between a city and a rural school; a choice between the best law school in one of the things I thought I might be interested in, and one that wasn’t ranked at all in anything special.  For me, I wanted a school where the things I’d learn would apply to issues in my state once I graduated.  I didn’t worry about if I’d make friends or if I’d be the lone conservative.  I chose based on the issues that seemed tangible to me at the time. 

So is VLS a school that is a good fit only for one political viewpoint or only for environmentalists?  I’d have to say not.  I’ve been having a great time getting to know my classmates – other ex-military veterans, former missionaries, and others who enjoy many of the same things I do that might not be the best for the environment… (I’m just trying to mention some things I didn’t think I’d encounter here).  Actually, I’m amazed at how diverse the student body is here at Vermont Law.  VLS: It’s not just for hippies!

Really though, if I can mention one thing that has disappointed me  at VLS so far, it would have to be that I have only spotted one student sporting dreadlocks…  I really, truly expected more than that!

 -EL 

Halfway through the first week of classes, I am feeling slightly overwhelmed. Law school is going to be a challenge—I knew that when I signed up. But I did not expect to feel exhausted after a mere seventy-six hours as a 1L. I’m reminded of how parents will sometimes throw infant children into the water to “teach” the infant to swim. Sure, it might be a viable method, but there’s a terrifying moment for the infant when he or she realizes that there’s no air to breathe under the water.

Don’t get me wrong—I love law school. Ever since I was a little boy I’ve wanted to be a lawyer. There is a great deal to be said for knowing the rules and how to apply them. However, sometimes (or should I say a great deal of the time) the law can seem removed from common sensibilities. I was a pre-law major in college, and if that wasn’t enough to dissuade me from pursuing a Juris Doctorate, then I must be pretty determined to do this thing we’re all doing. Maybe I’m a little crazy, but then again, I think everyone here must be a little neurotic.

I mean think about it: Who in their right mind spends a huge amount of money to frustrate and confuse oneself? Are we not all just a little masochistic? I hope this doesn’t sound too pessimistic; it really is not meant to be. This school is great. The professors are bright, engaging, and accessible; the students are a diverse and talented group; everyone has been doing their best to make the transition to law school life painless—I really can’t complain.

I suppose it’s the transition itself that has thrown me. College was easy—comparatively. I remember thinking—when I saw my schedule on the first day of Orientation—that I had a light course load, but when you spend several hours preparing for each class, that “light” course load starts feeling pretty heavy. Reading thirty pages of a casebook feels akin to reading one hundred-fifty of a college text. I know I’ll adjust, but I’d be willing to wager many of you are feeling the sensory overload I am right now. The really sick and twisted part of it all is I (and I’m sure many of you as well) actually enjoy it. I suppose that’s why we’re here . . . .

Well, enough rambling for now—I’ve got a lot of reading to do for tomorrow. . . .

The law school admissions process, like so many other facets of American life, seems to have taken on an unfortunate quality of glamour and a distinctly non-academic market-based philosophy.  With various degrees of candor and honesty, law schools engage in a necessary recruitment effort that attempts to balance institutional integrity with the undeniable need to generate a sufficient income.  Knowing the barrage of information prospective students are then confronted with, I would strongly encourage each one to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the qualities of a law school that they themselves are interested in; pundits and the people who tabulate rankings may be able to provide some assistance in that undertaking, but they should never amount to a replacement for independent thought.

I don’t mean to belabor this point, and I only bring it up because I almost missed this great opportunity in South Royalton — a small town in Vermont wasn’t exactly the first thing I considered when I thought about heading to law school.  I can only echo Brian’s remarks below about what has made this week so exciting and has encouraged ‘big thinking’ in such a small and community-focused place.  He is among the people I’ve had the privilege to meet, and I’m looking forward to meeting many more — from Tacoma to Trento, and from California to Cergy.  We’ve been made to feel very welcome, and now it’s up to us to foster that good-natured spirit of openness and friendship for three years and beyond.

 My own path to South Royalton routes through the Philadelphia area, Washington DC and southern England.  Every step along the way has forced me to confront new situations and modify old assumptions or beliefs that I had carried with me.  After a week of meeting people from all corners of the country and many who have traveled from abroad, I think it’s time to throw out many of those assumptions about small towns in Vermont.   

After a week of orientation, I’m most impressed by the depth and diversity of experience represented by the entering class.  Besides the wide range of academic studies and geographic areas represented, there are students who are starting second careers, students who have families, and students who have travelled extensively.  I’ve met a student who wrote for a newspaper in the Virgin Islands, people who have volunteered through programs like World Organic Farming and the Peace Corps, someone who went to university in England, and an ex-travel agent.  This wide range of experience is so different from my undergrad experience, where almost everyone was coming right out of high school.  Besides being a group with a diverse past, the vast majority of people I’ve met (including the second and third year students who were helping with orientation) have been friendly, helpful, and passionate about their choice of school.  I get the sense that Vermont Law School is the place that the majority of these students want to be.  There is none of the cold competitiveness that typically stereotypes law students .  .  . at least, not yet.

Most of the orientation programming was useful in getting a better sense about what law school will be like, and what I can do after I graduate.  I was pleased with the absence of touchy-feely ice-breakers and boring, long-winded speakers.  Sure, there were a few speeches that dragged on a little too long and there was a lot of waiting in line to complete paperwork, but for the most part the sessions were pertinent and engaging.

The highlight of my week (besides meeting all my great fellow students) was the reception at the Vermont State House, where I was able to sit down with Senator Bill Doyle.  Senator Doyle represents Washington County, where I live, and with about 40 years under his belt he is the longest serving member of the Vermont Congress.   I was able to talk to him at length about the presidential race, Vermont politics, and minor league baseball.  He thought that the reception was the most action the statehouse had seen in some time.  After the rest of the students started boarding the buses to go back to South Royalton, Senator Doyle asked if I could give him a ride home.  Since he lives just down the road from me, it was no problem.  I also got a signed copy of his book out of the deal.

Where but Vermont would a veteran senator of 40 years bum a ride from a first year law student?

Now orientation is over and I’m anxious to get started.  I already have homework for almost every class, so I anticipate a challenging semester, but I’m optimistic that law school–especially this law school—was the right decision for me.

B/c I am tired and don’t have a lot of time, I figured the e-mail I sent to all my friends and family after my 1st day of orientation would be a good place to start:

First off, I really am sorry for this impersonal mass e-mail but I plead exhaustion as my temporary excuse.  Today was my first day of orientation which started at 5:30am when I woke up and it was 42 degrees in my apartment and I realized I had forgotten to turn on the heat the night before!  Luckily, the shower gets HOT so that was a nice treat.  Once I was warmed up I made some tea and sat down to read the case I had to prepare for one of my orientation classes, and then I had to unload some of my car which was still filled to the gills as I was too tired on Sun. night to do it.  I was planning on taking my scooter this morning but since the temp. only rose 5 degrees by 7:45 I nixed that idea and took my car which still had my plants as front-seat passengers and 90% of my clothes all piled in the back seat so high I could not see.

Anywho, none of that is terribly important.  What IS important is that I arrived to school and upon meeting my first classmate I proceeded to wear a perma-grin on my face the entire day as everything was just so fabulous.  Our first session was outside on the grass under a giant swaying oak tree as the birds were waking up (though the sun wasn’t full yet so it was quite chilly and most of us were woefully unprepared - not a realy coat in site, and many in flip-flops!).  We had the luxury of listening to one of the Vermont Supreme Court justices expound on the sad reality of the inadequacey of our justice system when it comes to the poor/indigent, and even the not-so-poor middle class, but it was also inspiring and hopeful that change is possible, if slow.  After that we had the basics of registering for classes, getting student IDs and parking passes, etc. and then we a fabulous lunch outside again and some time w/some upper class ’student ambassadors.’  The day ended w/2 ‘real’ classes - one on the basic skills of summarizing a case and writing a brief and one on the ethics of the legal profession.  After that was a school wide BBQ where I got to sit and talk w/my soon-to-be Tort’s professor for about 30 min. and I’m happy b/c now at least he knows my name.  I just got home about 10 min. ago and I’m so tired I don’t even know if I can brush my teeth, but I can’t wait for day 2!!  And even though I’m looking out my window at a gorgeous blushing setting sun over the mountains, I do miss you all as well and hope everyone is doing well!  If you get a moment, please write and know that even if I don’t write back right away, it’s not b/c I don’t want to!  More soon, and hopefully more personal next time.

-banana
P.S. - Did I mention that some of the toilets in the main building are compost toilets that don’t use water or chemicals?!  Fabulous!  Also, all the food served was extremely vegetarian friendly and most of it was local

I was a little wound up the last time I wrote.  I am much better now.  In fact, I am stupendous!  After I was all upset about the cancellation of Women and the Law seminar, (the first time it has been cancelled in its history btw), I got great news that I had made it onto the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law (VJEL).  We have two journals at VLS, Law Review and VJEL.  Due to my travel plans after the end of the spring semester, (I went to Alaska for 15 days!) I was unable to complete my Law Review application/write on competition in the 4 or so days I had before I left.  I had completed about 2/3 of it, but there was no possible way I would have been able to complete the research portion in time.  (So, to those of you contemplating law review, they hold the write on competition from May – June, so don’t schedule any vacations! I wish someone had told me.) 

In any event, I had a wonderful time in Alaska.  I toured the interior starting in Fairbanks ( I saw the infamous pipeline and also it really doesn’t get dark even at 2am when our flight landed!) and then we traveled southward to Denali National Park (we flew in a small plan and landed on a 32 mile glacier in the park).  Danali was just amazing!  Then we went onto Anchorage.  From there we flew to Juneau and took a small ship cruise starting in Juneau for a week (in port we did another flight seeing trip this time in a helicopter and I also got to drive a dog sled up on a glacier there).  We ended up in the southeast in Ketchikan, where we did some sea kayaking.  What a trip!  If you ever have the chance to go to Alaska, go!  It is soooo worth it!

Anyway, back to law school events.  As I said above, I made VJEL!  I am very excited to work on a journal.  I understand that Joshua who blogs here works on both VJEL and Law review (a very rare occurrence – and one that I think I would pass on personally unless I never wanted to eat or sleep again!  I don’t know how he does it)  I have my orientation for VJEL this week and I am excited to get started.  I have to come up with a topic for my student note which is ultimately due in March, but there are many milestones leading up to that deadline.  I am thinking about wind power since up in the northeast corner of VT (where I really live) they just approved a small wind farm up in Sheffield, VT.  I am anxious to follow its progress and learn if this form of energy really is effective and efficient.  It took 3 years for the state to approve this wind farm.  Talk about bureaucracy, but I am not sure what to think.  There are good arguments on both sides, and I would like to find out the pros and cons of this alternative energy technology and whether or not it really can make a difference.  In addition, the journal does basically the same activities as Law review, in that we have to cite check and edit scholarly articles before they are published.  Check out the VJEL website for the articles!

Well, one week and counting until the start of it all.  1Ls are on campus this week for orientation and soon we will all be in the swing of things.  I went to campus on Friday to buy my books and show my mom around (she had yet to see the campus until then).  I bought less books this year compared to last year (a plus!).  There were 2 books each to buy for the 3 classes I knew about so far (Evidence, Criminal procedure and Administrative Law).  Appellate is TBD since they assign the sections next week sometime.  So I will have more books to buy then.  The summer flew by!  I can’t say I am upset though.  I am ready to begin again.  It is time.  Well, I should start my Evidence reading!  The Evidence TWEN (The West education Network) site is up and running for my section and the professor has about 100 pages of materials out there and reading assignments galore!  TWEN is the network where most profs post their reading and other materials for their courses.  As the new 1Ls will discover, professors expect that you have your reading done even on the first day of classes!  So, as soon as they are posted, you better get cracking!  Good luck to all incoming 1Ls, MSELs and LLMs!  Welcome!