helping the least of these

LA County has decided to increase the amount of aid earmarked for the homeless. The LA Times article can be found here.

I've always thought of the homeless as being among the least of these, and yet at the same time, a poignant reminder that all of us are a step away from being "the least of these." We are all not so different. There are homeless people who have J.D.s, or who have been lawyers, professionals, graduate students. And of course, there are many many homeless people who are also followers of Christ.

I'm glad that L.A. is deciding to do something more to help the homeless. It probably won't be enough to solve the problem at once, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

you learn something new everyday

What do you call someone from Utah?

A "Utahn." Campbell v. State Farm, 65 P.3d 1134, at 1151.

I never knew (apologies to all gentle readers from Utah - it's a beautiful State, but I'm just ignorant).

under-rated summer job of the year

Being a summer research assistant must be the most under-rated 1L summer employment opportunity of all. It seems that the minute I learnt that I was expected to work in the legal field my first summer in law school, all the talk revolved around externships or firm jobs. If not for the fact that I had several 2L friends who had been research assistants, I might never have learnt of this opportunity until the e-mail call for applications came out. A summer RA position just seems to go under most people's radars undetected. I can't figure out why.

The benefits:

• flexible work-hours: I can work whenever I want and from almost wherever I want, provided I put in no more than 40 hours a week and get the work done.
• 24/7 access to the library: And in contrast with Law Review, I don't even need to share a key with anyone else. And I now have access to the staff areas of the library, and don't have to worry about getting out without setting off the alarm.
  
• The best legal research training this side of LA: I learned more about legal research from the Law Library staff over the 4 days of RA training, than I ever did in Lawyering Skills and all the Westlaw and Lexis training combined.
• Superb research and writing experience: When you start out as a lawyer, most of your work will probably revolve around doing research and writing lots of memos. Being a summer RA largely revolves around doing lots of research and writing lots of memos. Plus you get to work on some fascinating areas of law, frequently on the cutting-edge of legal academia.
• Getting to know some faculty: This can be invaluable when it comes time to ask for recommendations and references.
  
• Getting paid: Most 1Ls are essentially free labor. Unless you get a rare firm job (I would generously estimate that the rate of 1Ls getting firm jobs is around 10%, probably less), you're likely to end up working for a judge or the government or a non-profit, for nothing more than job satisfaction and the gratitude of your colleagues. Being a research assistant is, therefore, a more lucrative option.

The drawbacks:

• If you hate doing research, this job is probably not for you. Then again, the practice of law may not really be for you either.
• If you loathe the campus with a passion, and the sight of the Hugh & Hazel Darling Library makes you nauseous, this is probably not the job for you.
• You don't get any first-hand exposure to the CA or federal court system, or experience dealing with clients.

Despite those drawbacks, I still think it's a great deal, and the pros outweigh the cons in my mind. So to any 0Ls out there, I suggest thinking about being an RA your first summer in law school.

even cite-checking has its moments

So the article I'm cite-checking references the debates surrounding the adoption of the U.S. Constitution quite frequently. The debates are sometimes interesting and informative, but largely repetitive and filled with rhetoric. Politics then and now are fundamentally similar in some respects. Flipping through the Virginia debates, however, I came across what might perhaps be the best part of the debates yet. It reads:

[A desultory conversation ensued.]

Sometimes cite-checking can bring a smile to your face. =)

new pet peeve

People who submit articles to law journals really ought to check their own cites before submission. I think it's a sign of courtesy, respect, and professionalism. If shoddy work-product would be sufficient cause for a reprimand (or worse) from a partner or a judge, I don't see why it should be acceptable when it comes to journal submissions. While substantive flaws in the work-product certainly are more egregious, that does not mean that formatting flaws are either excusable or acceptable. They demonstrate carelessness and a lack of pride in one's work, as well as a lack of respect and care for law students who actually have to painstakingly check each cite. And don't we all owe each other a duty of care?

disclaimer: Yes, I am writing this at almost 2 a.m. from the Law Review office. And yes, I am cite-checking. My opinion is therefore definitely not an objective one in the least. I do not, however, believe that the circumstances make it any less correct.