Skills taught through online learning will allow law students to excel in new legal landscape

Photo by Ashley Golledge

In his Mediations, Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, had the following wisdom to share regarding human beings often fraught relationship with our own future:

“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.”

Marcus Aurelius

In this time of great uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, I find comfort in these words.

You, however, might be a bit more skeptical. “Jake,” I hear you saying, “those are the words of totalitarian ruler who has been dead for thousands of years. And what’s more, they are a meaningless platitude, especially given that our futures look fairly bleak right now. Why the heck shouldn’t that disturb us?”

Fair enough. I can’t argue that current state of affairs isn’t rife with uncertainty. For all the 0Ls considering entering law school in the fall semester, there is a chance you may be forced to take the unprecedented step of beginning your legal education remotely. No one knows for sure what that will look like. And for those of us already in law school or in the legal field, we face the prospect of an evaporating job market. No one knows for sure when it will get better.

But I am here to tell you that we need not let these uncertainties disturb us. We need not be disturbed because we are currently arming ourselves with the “weapons of reason” that will see us through these hard times and make us more capable lawyers in the long run.

In the recent KU Law In-House Moot Court Competition, Professor Pamela Keller made sure to remind us that though our competition had been turned on its head, it was a great opportunity to build skills for the future. Oral arguments over Zoom may very well may become more common, even after the pandemic is over, and thus our online competition prepared us to excel when that happens. So too in my Trial Advocacy class, as online court hearings and proceedings are bound to become more common as technology continues to advance. And for all of the future law students starting at KU Law in the fall, if classes are online for some or all of the semester, you are currently preparing for that contingency by mastering online learning and communication.

So don’t let the future disturb you. The COVID-19 pandemic and its many consequences are out of our control. But those things that are within our control, those weapons of reason that we are sharpening day by day, will see us through to the other side and will allow us to excel in the new legal landscape. 

— By Jake Schmidt, a 2L from Atchison and a KU Law Student Ambassador

Exchange student from University of Aberdeen gains international perspective at KU Law while earning LL.B. degree

University of Aberdeen School of Law student Ioanna Tsingi is pursuing a LL.B. degree at KU Law this semester through an exchange program between the law schools. Photo by Ashley Golledge.

Ioanna Tsingi is calling Lawrence, Kansas home this semester as she pursues a LL.B. degree. Tsingi is a third-year law student at the University of Aberdeen School of Law in Aberdeen, Scotland, who is participating in an exchange program with the University of Kansas School of Law.

KU Law has hosted an exchange program with the University of Aberdeen for five years. The University of Aberdeen is a historic and prestigious Scottish university, which is ranked fifth in the United Kingdom for law.

Tsingi studies law in the United Kingdom, but she is originally from Famagusta, Cyrpus. She enjoys the opportunity to observe different cultures and perspectives through her studies in both Scotland and the United States.

“Studying in the U.S. gave me the opportunity to be more open and see the different perspectives that the law can give and be in reality,” Tsingi said. “I can see generally the differences between the Scottish, the Cypriot and the U.S.’s legal systems.

At KU Law, Tsingi is taking courses on Media Law and the First Amendment; Copyright in the Digital Age; Public International Law; and a Careers and Professional Skills course through KU’s School of Business.

“My favorite subject is Media Law and the First Amendment because it is interesting to perceive the American approach of the Freedom of Expression and compare it with the European standpoint,” Tsingi said.

Tsingi noticed differences in the curriculum at KU Law and Aberdeen. She views her exchange program experience as an opportunity to have a well-rounded legal education.

“In Scotland, we discuss more about the logistics of the law, but here it’s more about what we think the law  should have been,” she said. “Studying here gave me the opportunity to think more critically and express my opinion. Before, I was a bit afraid to say what I think. But here, I understand that you can develop your opinion based on the law.”

Tsingi hopes to use the knowledge and critical thinking skills she gained from her legal studies in Scotland and the U.S. to pursue a career in public international law.

“Ideally, I think I will stay in the U.K. and become a lawyer there. Eventually, I would like to work at the legal service of the European Commission, consulting the legislative texts of the proposed legal instruments,” Tsingi said.

— By Ashley Golledge

Editor’s Note: In light of the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Tsingi is en route to return to her home country of Cyprus. She will continue her studies with KU Law this semester in an online format.

Why I chose the K – J.D. route

Photo by Ashley Golledge

I remember hearing the phrase, “K through J.D.” during law school orientation. It took me a couple of minutes before realizing it meant “Kindergarten through J.D.” and applied to my path to law school. I never took time off from school other than summer and winter breaks. I couldn’t imagine taking a lot of time off before coming to law school. I remember briefly considering whether I wanted to work for a year before law school, but I knew it would be hard to find a job I enjoyed with a political science degree. So, straight to law school it was. This decision came with advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

School mindset

One of the main reasons I went straight from undergrad to law school was because I was afraid of not being able to get back in “school mode.” School was such a routine in my life that I was afraid of becoming an ineffective learner by spending too much time off. I think that attending law school within months of graduation worked well for me, and it made the transition much easier because I was used to reading, doing research and writing. Further, I was easily able to connect with professors for advice on the law school application process because I was still in college.

Photo courtesy of Sim Johal

Youth

My age serves as an advantage and a disadvantage in law school. Although I’ll be able to graduate and look for a job by the age of 25, most of my classmates are older than me and have more life experiences than I do. I knew that going into law school that most of my classmates would be older than me, but it wasn’t much of a concern. I see pros and cons of attending law school at 22, but at the end of the day, I don’t think age really matters much because everyone’s end goal is to get their J.D.

First-year law students Sim Johal, Heidi Wolff-Stanton and Minha Jutt participate in a Women in Law & Leadership event. Photo courtesy of Sim Johal.

Disadvantages

Resume building

One of the main disadvantages for me was my lack of professional career experience. I did not have a professional job, was not used to doing job interviews, and did not have money saved up from working before law school. This made certain things like job interviews and establishing professional credibility a little more difficult. However, my lack of professional experience did not have a substantial effect on any internship opportunities. If anything, it just led to some internal doubts.

Take time to decide if law school is right for you

I knew I wanted to go to law school from a young age, but I think it is valuable to take time before rushing into it. Going straight to law school as a K-J.D. is probably not the best idea unless you are sure that it is for you. I would suggest exploring career opportunities, meeting with attorneys, and enjoying your life before investing a significant amount of time and money into law school.

Overall, I am happy with my choice to attend law school as a K-J.D. It is not for everyone nor is the opportunity accessible for everyone. I am thankful that I was able to begin law school at 22, even with all the ups and downs that came with it.

— By Sim Johal, a 1L from Springfield, Missouri and a KU Law Student Ambassador

Practice makes perfect

Photo by Ashley Golledge

I elected to start my law school career in the Summer Start program, where I completed 8 hours of coursework by taking Contracts and Criminal Law during the summer. Like many beginner law students, I did not know what to expect from law school and the “fear of the unknown” seemed to be doing its best to make things as challenging as possible. Although I did not know it at the time, the 18 other students who joined me would become some of my closest friends. We all still laugh at how crazy those summer months were as we questioned whether learning contracts was like learning another language. Thankfully, we had incredible professors who dedicated their summer to helping us begin our law school career.

It was during the summer where I had the honor of being a student in Professor John Peck’s last Contracts class before retirement. After completing the course, the Summer Starters all agreed we were fortunate to have him as our professor. His teaching style and passion for the material made it easier for us to digest and learn the dense nature of contracts.

Members of the 2019 cohort of Summer Starters participate in an in-house moot court competition at KU Law. Photo courtesy of Luke Viestenz.


(Front row from left) Betsy Donahue, Jameson O’Connor, Luke Viestenz, Riley Cooney and Eric Kerschen. (Back row) Cathryn Lind, Professor Emeritus John Peck, Ashley Niedzwiecki, Kalie Belt and Evan Rose.

Also during this time, I had the opportunity to compete in an in-house moot court competition where I represented the plaintiff in the famous contracts case: Fiege v. Boehm. Joined by two of my classmates, we competed against three other classmates who represented the defendant. It was exciting getting to act like real attorneys as we conducted research and formulated arguments in preparation of our competition. As we entered KU Law’s courtroom we were greeted by a panel of judges also consisting of my classmates who were led by Chief Justice Professor Peck. While I thought I knew how things would go, I found myself mostly fielding tough questions by Chief Justice Professor Peck. I learned quickly the value in knowing your client’s case like the back of your hand and being able to think on your feet. It was great practice in developing skills I will use the rest of my life.

Prior to entering the competition, I had doubts whether I wanted to put myself out there at such an early stage in my law school career. After it was over, however, I could not have been more thankful I did. I have found this to be a common theme in law school. Not being afraid to put yourself out there pays off immensely. Everyone is new to law school, and we are all trying to figure it out together. Understanding that everyone will make mistakes and that these mistakes are beneficial to the learning process will launch you towards success in law school and beyond.

— By Luke Viestenz, a 1L from Overland Park and a KU Law Student Ambassador

Tips for successful remote learning and stress management

The past week has brought an abrupt shift to online instruction at law schools across the country. To help students at the University of Kansas School of Law navigate the transition to remote learning and manage stress in uncertain times, Professor Betsy Six and Assistant Dean Leah Terranova have compiled a list of tips, tools and strategies.

Tips for online learning from Professor Six

Setting up new routines can help ease the transition to online learning. Betsy Six, clinical associate professor and director of academic resources at KU Law, recommends setting a schedule, staying focused and keeping engaged.

  • Stay focused and engaged during class lectures. Think of this as good preparation for studying for the bar exam, when you’ll also be watching hours of video lectures.
  • Treat it like an in-person class.
    • Schedule class time. Even when class is a recorded lecture that you can listen to on your own schedule, have a planned time for when you are going to “go to class.” Do the reading before that scheduled time.
    • Minimize distractions. Set your phone to “do not disturb” mode. Close all other applications and windows on your computer.
    • “Go” to class. Sit down prepared and ready to pay attention and take notes. Take class notes just as you would if you were sitting in a classroom. Even if the class is a recorded lecture that you can rewind, don’t plan to rewind. Doing so takes more time and encourages you to pay less than your full attention.
  • Engage with your professor and classmates to ask questions.
    • Take advantage of every opportunity to engage with your professors, such as Zoom office hours and synchronous Q&A sessions.
    • Stay engaged with your fellow classmates. Consider a virtual study group using Zoom or Skype. Start and share a Google Doc where you ask questions and share ideas or a group outline. 
  • Make sure you’ve properly tested the technology and are comfortable using it. Students need to be able to regularly access and use Blackboard, KU email and online meeting platforms such as Zoom. Make sure you have access to these services:

Additional university resources are available in the “students” section of remote.ku.edu. If you have technology access issues, please reach out to the IT Customer Service Center, 785-864-8080 or itcsc@ku.edu.

Tools for shutting off distractions

When working and learning online, it can be difficult to avoid the distractions the online universe provides. Several software applications can help you avoid distractions and have a concentrated period of time to focus and learn. 

They vary in cost, compatibility and features, but all allow the user to customize the amount of time they block access to the outside world.  Some block all access while others let the user specify what is blocked. Here are a few to consider:

  • Freedom – a simple productivity application that blocks all internet access for set periods of time. Mac or Windows. Free, but not open source.
  • Focus – blocks sites, allows sites, launches and quits apps, and more. You can schedule breaks when sites are not blocked. Mac only. Free to try, then there’s a fee. Not open source.
  • RescueTime – scheduler, time tracker, etc. Free plan, but full features have a monthly fee. Not open source. Will block distractions and remind the user of their commitment to undistracted time. Mac or Windows.
  • SelfControl – a free open-source application that allows you to block access to websites, mail servers or anything else on the internet for a period of time. Mac only. 

Tips for managing stress from Dean Terranova

It’s hard to fend off anxiety when facing an unfamiliar landscape. Leah Terranova, assistant dean for academic and student affairs, recommends focusing on the process, not the outcome.

  • Focus on what you can control – your thoughts and actions. Set your sights on taking small steps each day to normalize this new experience and meet your daily goals.
  • Know that you are capable. Moving online does not mean you will lose the progress you have made or the momentum you were building. Many of the same habits that served you well for traditional classroom learning will also serve you well with online learning. This is an opportunity to reset and resolve to thrive in this new environment.
  • Allow yourself, and each other, some grace. After all, this new landscape is universal; we are all in it together. If you’re in need of some guided grace, please reach out to Blake Wilson, assistant director of instructional and faculty services, at wilsonwb@ku.edu. He has offered to hold meditation sessions over Zoom. Or, check out Insight Timer, a free app that has plenty of guided meditations focused on specific areas of interest.

Resources for student support

There are several campus and community resources that provide support for wellness, mental health and financial assistance. Find a comprehensive list of campus resources at coronavirus.ku.edu.

  • Wellness and mental health:
    • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): caps.ku.edu or 785-864-2277. CAPS is offering teletherapy to existing clients. Updates on services will be posted to the CAPS website.
    • Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center: bertnash.org or 785-843-9192
  • Financial assistance:
    • KU Law Student Emergency Fund: The law school’s Student Emergency Fund provides one-time grants of up to $500 to students in need of emergency financial assistance. Students can apply for assistance by contacting Leah Terranova at leaht@ku.edu or sending her a completed application form. Gift cards to Dillons or other grocery stores are also available for students struggling with food insecurity. Please contact Leah Terranova to obtain a card.

Stay healthy and connected, and know that everyone in Green Hall continues to support you.

— Compiled by Margaret Hair

Summer start or summer camp?

Photo by Ashley Golledge

Daily, things in the world and at the University of Kansas School of Law are changing. With frequently updating and changing news and innovative ways of learning being cultivated by our professors in this time of uncertainty, there is one consistency, the friendship and bond among my section of classmates.

Wanting to continue momentum from my undergraduate program, I elected to begin my first year of law school early — in the summer. Five days after I graduated from an undergraduate degree program at KU, I started my law school orientation. As first-year law school students, the 19 of us have navigated many trials together. Some of the things we navigated were simple, like learning where the best study spots are in the library or what lunch hour meetings are providing food. But, we have also navigated very serious ordeals together. The way that our section has bonded reminds me of friendships I created in my youth at summer sleepaway camp.

I went to sleepaway camp out of state for eight weeks most summers of my youth. Spending a large amount of time together daily, away from our parents always made people become fast friends. As young campers we learned how to accomplish basic tasks together. This has been profoundly replicated in the relationship among my summer start section at KU Law.

The 2019 cohort of Summer Starters participate in KU Law’s annual Bluebook Relays competition on October 25, 2019. Photo by Meg Kumin/KU Marketing Communications.

When we entered Green Hall for our first day in May 2019, a majority of us were strangers. Within minutes of mingling with one another, I could tell that I would be deeply impacted by the rest of the summer starters. Many of them would become good friends and trusted confidants. It was a good thing that we seemed to regard and respect one another so highly, because we were about to spend a large amount of our time together essentially learning to speak a language that was foreign to us. In our first week of classes, our group message operated as a way to remind one another our daily assignments but also serve more seriously to help keep out-of-towners in the loop as to dangerous weather headed our way. In following weeks, any question a student had about class was always answered timely and completely.

As a non-traditional student with a different prior life experience than most of my cohort, I have found that experience to be valued and appreciated in the classroom with my small section. So many of us do come from differing places prior to law school. There are parents; college athletes; people with legal experience; students from other colleges in Kansas and out of state schools; students that were in the work force prior to law school; and students that have differing interests and opinions. Much like summer camp, this previous life experience helps in the classroom, it helps us to see differing perspectives, and helps us to learn and view things in a way that can alter a person’s world view. Adapting and understanding another person’s life experience will help us to be impeccable legal practitioners.

Like summer camp, we were required to traverse tests prior to our peers. This helped us to gauge vital law school skills, like, how each of us best creates an outline or prepares for exams. We also learned about each other’s strengths and limitations in a nearly empty building over the summer and learned how to use that knowledge to positively impact the entirety of our section.  We have rallied around one another as members of our cohort became dog parents, or accepted summer internship positions, and have comforted one another in times of grieving. The genuine bond we have still continues to grow ten months after our first introductions, and our group chat is always a place for clarity and assistance. Much like summer camp experiences continue to impact me many years later, I am certain that my experience as a summer starter will be a time I fondly revere throughout adulthood. 

— By Heddy Pierce, a 1L from El Dorado and a KU Law Student Ambassador