Spring Break in Lawrence!

How to enjoy Lawrence over break

Melanie Almendarez, 1L

I’ve called Lawrence home for five years now, but this will be the first spring break I will spend in town. While much of my time will be dedicated to preparing my outlines, I’m also looking to add some fun to the mix. So, I stumbled upon the Explore Lawrence website and was not disappointed. I did not realize how many events the city and local businesses hold for the community! From food to shopping, to art events, to music and theatre… Lawrence has so much to offer, especially over spring break! Here are a few events and locations that caught my eye.

Massachusetts Street

Mass Street

If you didn’t know already, Mass Street is the hot spot for places to eat and shop. There are so many different boutiques and retail stores, including KB & Co, which incorporates 14 different boutiques. I personally enjoy walking through the Antique Mall because there is always something interesting to find. There are numerous coffee shops and places to do work as well, like Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop. You can also grab an amazing burger at The Burger Stand for lunch, a quick boba drink at Yolo Boba, or delicious pasta at The Basil Leaf Café for dinner. No matter what you have in mind for your day, Mass Street likely offers the perfect spot for you to enjoy!

The Bottleneck

The Bottleneck, located just off Mass Street, is a live music venue that hosts a diverse lineup with reasonable ticket prices. They are holding four different events during spring break week, including Hockey Dad, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, and Hail the Sun and Intervals. If you love discovering new music and supporting local talent like me, this is where it’s at!

Outdoor and Recreation

Clinton Lake

Many people (myself included) enjoy spending time outdoors and, fortunately, the weather is supposed to be great over break! Lawrence has a long list of trails and parks that are great spots to visit. The famous Clinton Park is always a great destination. They have many trails to choose from, as well as great picnic spots. There is also DeVictor Park and Conrad & Viola McGrew Nature Park, plus many more! Lawrence has such a large selection of parks to choose from, big or small.

These events and locations are just a glimpse of what Lawrence has in store for you over break. You can find more information on the Explore Lawrence webpage, which is very easy to navigate. Don’t forget to treat yourself to some well-deserved study breaks and go do something fun in Lawrence!

– Melanie Almendarez is a 1L KU Law Student Ambassador from Wichita, Kansas

Seven Hundred Generations

Legal Advocacy and Growth in Law School

Alex Nelson, 1L

Law school is such a short time of your life – three brief years. For those of us in law school, those three years seem like a long time. But to help get context on how fast time moves, and how transitory we all are in life, sometimes it can be helpful to take a long-term view of things. For instance, three years is nothing when compared to the time of an entire generation. Sometimes it can be very helpful to think of things in terms of generations, rather than years.

Alex Nelson, 1L; Justin Shock, 3L; Jade Kearney, 3L; Emily DePew, L’23; Skylee James, 2L; Lauren Bretz, 2L; Cody White, 1L

I had an opportunity to really think about things in terms of generations during the weekend of February 23, where I was fortunate enough to travel to Missoula, Montana, as a part of KU’s Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) moot court team. Moot court is a speaking competition modeled after oral arguments in front of the Supreme Court. You and a partner write a persuasive brief arguing why the judges should side with your (fictitious) client in a dispute. Then you travel to a tournament and appear before a panel of judges, arguing why the law supports your client’s position. The NALSA moot court problem focuses on issues in tribal law and federal law affecting native peoples. This year’s problem was focused on issues of water rights and tribal sovereignty, based on a real dispute between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Indian Tribes and Montana farmers.

The tournament began with an opening ceremony, where the chairman for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes shared a story that stayed with me for the entire weekend. The story involved a conversation between a tribal leader and a farmer, where the leader met to talk about disputed water rights, and who would likely prevail in court on a water rights claim. Those who use a water source first often get the primary rights to use that water, and consequently, the question of which generation was the first to use a water source can often be of central importance. In the story, the farmer says to the tribal leader, “I think we will win this dispute. We have all the history here – my family has been farming here for four generations!” The tribal leader nods, and then says “You’re right, four generations is a lot. My family and my people have lived here for seven hundred generations.” Seven hundred generations – that is a long time. And the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are still there, seven hundred generations and counting.

Missoula, Montana

Learning about the idea of the long view, of seven hundred generations, was one of several incredible things about being a part of the NALSA moot court team. I loved traveling to Missoula – the mountains were beautiful, and I never got used to waking up and walking out of my hotel room to a view of what looked like the Misty Mountains from Tolkien’s Middle Earth. I loved hanging out with my teammates. I got to know them all in a different way than I would normally have done at school (there is something about being with other people in an airport at an ungodly early hour of the morning that just bonds you together). Being enmeshed in tribal law and learning from some of the foremost tribal law scholars in the nation was also amazing. I did not know very much about tribal law before being a part of NALSA, and it was an incredible experience to learn about it in a very real, tangible, and hands-on way. Lastly, it was super cool to see my teammates do well. KU ended up winning the competition for the fourth year in a row! And we had another team rank in the top 8, with a second place brief (the written part of the competition)! The tournament was a success on all fronts.            

Alex Nelson, 1L; and Cody White, 1L

But above the successes and experiences, the most critical thing I learned from the weekend was the importance of advocacy. Native peoples have inhabited their lands for seven hundred generations and longer, and yet continue to be ignored and harmed by the system. There is often a negative or pessimistic outlook for native peoples in the United States justice system. The feeling is that tribes rarely win legal rights or legal disputes. And yet, the NALSA moot court competition was a group of around a hundred students and many more legal professionals, all dedicated to advocating for tribal nations and making a positive impact with their advocacy.  It struck me that if something seems like an uphill battle or a hard legal problem, a group of committed passionate advocates can make a world of difference. Whether your client is a tribal nation, a struggling single parent, a Fortune 500 company or anyone else – advocacy matters. NALSA moot court helped me understand that as law students and future attorneys, we need to advocate for our clients and causes we care about in the best manner we can so that in seven hundred generations from now, the world will be a better place.

– Alex Nelson is a 1L KU Law Student Ambassador from Stillwater, Minnesota

Beyond the Books

Navigating Law School as a Person of Color

Christy Harris, 2L

Congratulations! You did great in undergrad, scored well on the LSAT and made it into law school. Despite all of your achievements, being a person of color in a predominantly white institution (and field) can have you questioning your place in the midst of it. From the micro aggressions, feeling unseen, unheard and is some cases, blatant racism, law school can be difficult to navigate. As a person of color, here are nine tips to help maintain a strong mental and emotional dynamic, while earning your JD:

1. Diverse Desks, Diverse Minds:

Law school can be a bit like a courtroom drama from the ’90s – traditional and lacking diversity. But guess what? Your unique background is an asset. Embrace it. Share your experiences and challenge perspectives. Your view is of value!

2. Participate in Affinity Groups:

Build your tribe. Join affinity groups, connect with students who share your background, and create a supportive community. Having a crew that understands your journey is priceless.

3. Be Your Own Advocate:

It’s not just about defending cases; it’s about defending your space. If you encounter bias or stereotyping, speak up. Be your own advocate, and let your voice be heard. Your perspective matters, and it deserves respect.

4. Mentorship Matters:

Seek out mentors who’ve walked a similar path. Their guidance can be a beacon of wisdom in the sometimes-murky waters of law school. Learn from their experiences and let them be your legal compass.

5. Network, Network, Network:

Networking will be the MOST IMPORTANT thing you do, while in law school and beyond. Attend events, connect with alumni, and build a network that extends beyond the walls of your law school. Your connections can open doors and create opportunities.

6. Balance is the Verdict:

Yes, law school is demanding, but don’t forget to balance the scales. Take breaks, indulge in hobbies and STAY CONNECTED TO WHO YOU ARE. It’s not just about doing well on exams; it’s about maintaining a healthy and holistic approach to your legal journey.

7. Rise Above Stereotypes:

Stereotypes may try to shadow your brilliance, but it’s YOUR excellence that got you into law school…REMEMBER THAT! YOU BELONG! Let your accomplishments be the counter-narrative. Show the world that brilliance knows no color, and the legal arena is richer for it.

8. Celebrate Your Wins:

From acing that tough exam to surviving your first moot court, celebrate your wins. Every triumph, big or small, is a step toward breaking down barriers and paving the way for future trailblazers. Even if your grades aren’t where you desire them to be, focus on being KNOWLEDGABLE, COMPETENT and EFFICIENT. That is what your clients will appreciate. They will not care about your rank.

9. Inspire Others:

Remember, you’re not just navigating law school for yourself; you’re setting a precedent. Your journey inspires others to follow their dreams, regardless of background. Be the change you want to see in the legal world.

Navigating law school as a person of color is a journey worth taking, but not an easy one. Embrace your uniqueness, build your support system, and let your voice echo through the hallowed halls of justice. Be BOLD. Be BRAVE. Be BRILLIANT. You got this!

– Christy Harris is a 2L KU Law Student Ambassador from Dallas, Texas

Is Your Refrigerator Running?

The benefits of laughing while in law school

Wren Browne, 1L

There are a lot of jokes and stereotypes that revolve around exhausted, neurotic grad students. Law students fall into this trope very nicely, what with all the reading, writing, interviewing, cold calling, working and once in a while sleeping necessary to staying afloat. It’s a stressful three years – but there is a Superman-themed BandAid. Laughter is the best medicine.

No, seriously. There are studies on studies on studies that show the benefits of laughing in both the long and short term. Laughter can make you feel better both physically and mentally.

The stress relief from a good laugh is quick, it’s easy, and best of all: it’s free. Laughing relieves stress by activating and releasing your stress response. What that means on a very basic level is that your heart rate and blood pressure both rise and then fall, allowing you to feel relaxed. This is especially noticeable if you’re already pretty stressed, and maybe haven’t allowed yourself a study break in a few hours or have consumed more Red Bull than water in the last week, when the rise and fall might be a little more dramatic. Laughter forces you to take deeper breaths and your muscles to relax. Also, laughter gives your pain tolerance a boost – very useful for those Con Law readings.

Laughter has also been shown to be a mood booster. Even fake laughter can leave a person feeling not just relieved, but happy. Long term, this can mean combating extreme bouts of depression. Also, many – if not the majority of – law students start their first semester not knowing a single person. Good news: laughter can help with that, too! Laughter helps build bonds between people. You find the same things funny, which is a simple but effective way to link and even create a friendship. Laughter indicates to others that you aren’t stressed, which can signal that you aren’t a threat or that your environment lacks threats. This not only gives you the joy of connection, but also creates long-term bonds that have long-lasting stress relieving effects.

There’s a lot to be stressed about, sure. Midterms, finals, assignments, the construction this summer (as long as they don’t touch those third-floor ceilings; Green doesn’t have the best ceilings I’ve ever seen, but they’re up there). But there’s also the 1L Pub Night skit, being silly with your friends, and this picture of my friend’s dog.  No one said law school would be easy, but it doesn’t have to be miserable either.

– Wren Browne is a 1L KU Law Student Ambassador from Midland, Michigan

Maintaining Motivation, Intellectual Curiosity and a Love for Law

How to manage burnout as a law student

Tanya Singh, 1L

As I’m sure everyone knows, law school involves a LOT of reading, which can quickly lead to burnout. This semester, more so than the past two, I’ve found it to be challenging to keep up with reading assignments. Sifting through decisions and articles chock full of legalese can be difficult (and that’s to be expected), but it doesn’t change the fact that they can be terribly boring and aggravating.

I’ve probably sworn to myself a thousand times that I will never read another legal decision or read for fun (I never follow through). Recently, I found that setting goals for myself and refreshing my brain has alleviated a lot of my burnout, keeping me motivated and reminding me of why I like the field of law to begin with.

Setting goals seems like an obvious way to remain motivated, but I find it difficult to remain motivated when I set big-picture goals – such as passing the bar exam or needing these credentials for a prospective career. Mantras like “I am going to be a lawyer” or “I will get this J.D.” do nothing for me because they are difficult for me to visualize now – I feel like I am still so far away from having either of those in my reach.

And if those large goals help you stay motivated, that’s great! Goal setting looks and works differently for everyone, so there is no one right way to do it. Personally, I need to focus on the short-term and the “now” when I set goals.

Creating a series of goals that I can readily accomplish within the upcoming week has been invaluable in keeping me motivated because these are goals that I am certain I can accomplish. Not only do I feel more productive when I achieve these goals, but I feel more incentivized to keep setting goals and accomplishing them for the future.

Engaging in activities to refresh or reset my brain has allowed me to remain curious about the field of law while learning more about other subjects I’m interested in. Obviously, brain refreshers can include a lot of the more typical self-care activities, such as napping, going to the gym, and hanging out with friends and family. However, I find it difficult to completely turn my brain off, so I usually turn to reading or studying something else.

This is probably where I should disclaim that I’m a major biology nerd, as my brain refreshers are overwhelmingly biology-related. Sometimes I’ll switch between reading my casebooks and articles from the Journal of Herpetology; I’m very partial towards snakes, especially pit vipers. Recently, I’ve been reading more about parasitology and astrobiology (I do have a favorite parasite and believe in extraterrestrials). Other times my brain refresher may be studying for the MCAT. 

The contrast between biology as a discrete, hard science, and law as a fast-paced, unpredictable field has allowed me to remain curious and appreciative of the legal field.

– Tanya Singh is a 1L KU Law Student Ambassador from Manhattan, Kansas

Litigation to Leading

KU Law student juggles academics and cheerleading for the Super Bowl Champions

Noell Hinsley, 1L
Photo courtesy of Noell Hinsley

Dads, Brads and Chads aren’t the only people in America whose eyes were glued to the TV this past Sunday for the Super Bowl where the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime. One person had a much more up close and personal look at the recent Super Bowl. Noell Hinsley, 1L, finished her first season as a Chiefs Cheerleader at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Noell and her family have always been diehard Chiefs fans and, after her graduation from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, she decided it was time to put that passion to use.

“I always knew that if I was going to dance for a team, I wanted it to be the Chiefs,” Noell said. “I didn’t want to stop my dance journey after I graduated from undergrad, so I tried out after I got accepted into KU Law.”

Noell at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Photo courtesy of Noell Hinsley

The audition process for the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders is just as intensive as applying for law school with several prep classes and rounds of auditions. Noell began her application process in March 2023 and progressed to the finals the next month. By May, she was on the team.

“I fell in love with the team from the first moment I went to a clinic or an audition prep class,” said Noell.

Prepping for each game and staying in shape for the coming season is just one of many things Noell manages in her day-to-day life. The team met at least twice a week to practice, but that changed based on the schedule of the football games or other attributing factors. Performing at the Super Bowl required extra time before their flight to join the team in Las Vegas.

On top of her duties as a Chiefs Cheerleader, Noell works hard to stay on top of her law school classes and remain involved in the KU Law community.

“It was definitely an adjustment at first,” said Noell. “It has taught me so much about time management and organization.”

Coming up on her official anniversary on the team, Noell looks back on her first year with the Chiefs fondly. Not only did she get to perform at her first Super Bowl, but she was able to travel the world with the team when they flew to Germany for the Chiefs vs Miami game in Frankfurt.

Photo courtesy of Noell Hinsley

“We all got to travel together, and it was a really good bonding experience,” said Noell.

Amidst the whirlwind of law school and cheerleading, Noell remains grounded, offering advice to fellow students also juggling multiple responsibilities.

“You can do it all,” she said. “It might feel overwhelming at times, but it’s all worth it in the end.”.

Currently in her 1L year, Noell isn’t quite sure where she wants her career to take her, but she doesn’t plan on slowing down and she hopes to keep dancing along the way. “I feel very grateful that KU has welcomed me with open arms and supported me as a cheerleader,” she said. “I hope to be dancing for as long as I can.”

By Emma Herrman