Law School Insider: Favorite Law School Activities

Welcome to Law School Insider! In this multi-part blog series, you will hear directly from current law students about their favorite courses, law school myths, best pre-law tips, and more!

Law schools offer a myriad of both academic and extracurricular activities designed to help students grow personally and professionally. These are activities that fall outside of the typical seminars and lecture courses students will engage in each semester. Some activities may include credit earning opportunities, while others may simply provide invaluable opportunities to develop skills, community, and knowledge. Below are some favorite activities of our UIUC alumni currently attending law school!

Favorite Academic Activities

“Clinics! You can gain real-world client experience while still in law school. You can help people, it sets you apart, and it gets you out of the classroom.”

-Mallory M. | University of Illinois College of Law

“I think internships/externships are the best opportunities for students to get experience in a given area. They allow you to make connections in a professional field that will be invaluable in the near future.”

-Noah S. |William & Mary Law School

“I am involved in the Review of Intellectual Property Law – which is ranked in the top 5 intellectual property law journals in the world. I am on the board as a lead articles editor and I get to read and recommend articles to publish written by some of the brightest thinkers. I’ve read articles about the metaverse, crypto, etc., and find it very hard not to like them. Aside from that, the rest of the board is comprised of good friends—some that I’ve known from UIUC.

-Joseph A. | University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

“Last semester, I worked with a pro bono client to get his criminal record expunged. Out of dozens of charges, we were able to file for almost all of them to be removed from his record under North Carolina law. Some of the charges had affected his searches for employment and housing, and it was extremely rewarding and humbling to be able to alleviate this burden and help him turn over a new leaf.”

-Amanda W. | Duke University School of Law

“Negotiation Competitions. Opportunity to compete and develop real-world skills.”

-Austin M. | Marquette University Law School

“Mock Trial. I love learning and applying the federal rules of evidence. I also lean into the natural theatrics of building a case theory and presenting an argument in a trial.”

-Vanessa A. | Loyola University Chicago School of Law

“Studying, 1L law students don’t have time for much else lol.”

-Matthew M. | UNLV, William S. Boyd School of Law

“Law Review because it provides you with practical skills when it comes to legal writing.”

-Maciek C. | University of Wisconsin-Madison

“I am very interested in moot court, which is not an activity I would normally think I would be interested in but I am interested in competing in moot court in the future!”

-Dan S. | Loyola University Chicago School of Law

“My favorite law school extracurricular activity was journal. I enjoyed being able to write my Note on any topic that I found to be interesting and dedicate an entire school year to researching and perfecting it. Very rarely do we get the choice to choose what we want to write and research during law school, so it is fun to be creative and work on something you are interested in!”

-Ashley T. | George Washington University Law School

“I enjoyed participating in the Negotiations Team because I got to practice a form of settling disputes without litigation. I particularly appreciated that negotiating was a lawyering skill that focused on working with the other side to find mutually beneficial solutions.”

-Karen C. | University of California, Davis School of Law

Favorite Extracurricular Activities

“School softball league because it is the perfect blend of casual and competitive.”

-Sanjiv S. | University of Illinois College of Law

“Lunch talks. The school and various student orgs bring in speakers from all sorts of backgrounds and legal practice areas — I’ve learned so much from hearing practicing attorneys talk about what they do.”

-Haydn L. | University of Michigan Law School

“Anything active. If you don’t move around, you will lose your mind. Remember all work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy.”

-Nick S. | University of Illinois College of Law

“I love softball here at the College of Law, it is super fun and exciting. It’s also a great way to meet people and bond. It’s always a good time!”

-Cierra M. | University of Illinois College of Law

“The Justinian Society is an organization for Italian lawyers. It is a close-knit community and the attorneys are very involved in the careers of the law students.”

-Kayla C. | DePaul University College of Law

“Northwestern’s ACLU chapter! Although I enjoy being involved in other activities, such as law review and moot court, ACLU has been one of the few opportunities to make friends with my colleagues. Additionally, it’s rewarding to facilitate campus-wide activities to collect donations for abortion funds and set up educational lectures with top scholars in civil rights reform.”

-Tara S. | Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

“I am not as involved in extracurriculars because I work part-time with school. I am involved with our student government, and appreciate the monthly brunches and networking events.”

-Margaret B. |DePaul University College of Law

“This is a non-conventional answer, but I made a point to get more involved in the community outside of law school. I’m slightly older than the average 1L (I’m 27), so I have career experience. I’m more focused on succeeding in the classroom and making the most of my time in LA than filling the resume with extracurriculars. I got involved at my church and started playing guitar in the band there. These have been great activities that help me feel like a whole person and not just a law student.”

-Grant L. | University of California, Los Angeles School of Law

“Entertainment Law Society (ELS) and volunteering at a homeless shelter to cook breakfast. ELS – very fun to meet people who are equally as passionate about pursuing the entertainment industry. Volunteering – Feels good to give back and meet alumni in the process.”

-Justin M. | Loyola Marymount University Law School

“Black Law Students Association. It’s good to be a part of a group outside of your section you can relate to and see a lot to help you through 1L.”

-Khalil R. | University of Chicago Law School

I am on the steering committee of the Berkeley Journal of Employment and Labor Law, which has been my favorite law school extracurricular. The journal allows students as early as their first year to become acquainted with legal scholarship, introducing them to novel ideas that they wouldn’t see in their classes. Participation in the journal also helps students hone their citation skills, which is vital for anyone thinking about becoming a litigator after graduation. Perhaps most importantly, the
journal provides a community for like-minded individuals to meet each other and form friendships over common interests and beliefs. For instance, nearly everyone who participates in the Berkeley Journal of Employment and Labor Law is focused on promoting workers’ rights and supporting labor unions, so we routinely hold social and community events to foster those shared beliefs.”

-Ben T. | University of California – Berkeley, School of Law

“My favorite law school extracurricular activity in law school was BLSA. I enjoyed creating a community and establishing relationships with future attorneys that look like me.”

-Darius C. | Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

“I have enjoyed serving as a 1L representative with the Public Interest Law Group, as it’s a great community of like-minded folks. It’s nice to have connections with peers who want to go into a similar legal field! I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed representing my section in the Student Board Association (our student government). I’ve met great people there as well!”

-Skylar R. | Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

“Softball! Not legal at all, but it’s been such an organic way to form lasting friendships outside of class.”

-Sydney S. | Georgetown University Law Center

“I serve on the executive board for a pro bono organization, Outreach for Legal Literacy, where we visit local elementary schools and teach students about the law. It is exciting to share what we learn in the law school while getting involved with the local community.”

-Stella G. | Indiana University Maurer School of Law

“Hanging out with family and friends.”

-Jillian W. | New England Law Boston

“Outside of law school activities, my friends and I go bowling every Wednesday, which is a nice distraction from the day-to-day. The SBA activities are always really fun too, and 2 of my best friends are our 1L reps.”

-Clara T. | Southern Illinois University School of Law

“Law school softball.”

-Jason S. |University of Illinois College of Law

“We have something called Coffee Mess which is basically just free coffee on Wednesday mornings in the student lounge. I enjoy it because the professors make it a point to attend and interact with us students, which I’ve heard isn’t necessarily the case in other law schools.”

-Alberto V. | University of Chicago Law School

“I’m involved in Decalogue Society, the Jewish club at school. While we don’t have as many activities or meetups as other groups on campus, it is a group I feel supports one another tremendously.”

-Michael B. | University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

“My favorite law school extracurricular is softball. We typically play once a week when the weather permits, and it is great to be able to play with all of my friends and get a break from law school. In addition, it is always nice to get outside and get fresh air.”

-Mackenzie M. | University of Illinois College of Law

“[Attending] receptions. Although I have to find it myself more often than not, the ability to talk to a practicing lawyer can help shape my perspective in the future. Plus, the informational gathering is satisfying in its own nature, good for interviews too.”

-Randy X. | Chicago-Kent College of Law

“I serve as a Dean’s Fellow, which means I help teach a first-year legal writing class. At GW, Dean’s Fellows specifically focus on teaching Bluebook citations to their students, and we have a large mentorship role as well. Mentorship is a huge priority for me, so I have loved the opportunity to meet first-year students and to be a resource for them however I can.”

-Erica H. | George Washington University Law School

June Snapshot

Summer Break is finally here! Be sure to mark your calendar for upcoming deadlines and take advantage of the various pre-law events happening in June!

June 1: Seat Deposit Deadlines!  Starting law school in the fall?  Have you paid your 2nd Deposit? Many schools have second deposits due in the first few weeks of June – be sure you have completed this step by the deadline!

June 1: WashU Law OPEN HOUSE – Connect virtually with students, faculty, staff, and alumni |5:00 pm. For more information, click here.

June 3: Duke Law School’s D.C. Summer Institute on Law and Policy (in July). Registration Open Now.

June 4: DEADLINE! Yale Law School Launchpad Scholars Program! | For more information and to apply, click here

June 5: The University of Chicago, The Law School Bridge Across the Midway: Law School and the Law School Admission Process |5:30 – 7:00 pm ONLINE. To learn more and register, click here.

June 6: Save the Date! The 2023 Law School Fair will take place on Thursday, October 5! The law fair will be held at the Illini Union (401 W Green St, Urbana, IL) from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. For additional information about this opportunity, click here.

June 9-10: June 2023 LSAT Administration. Good luck to all of the UIUC test-takers!

June 10 – June 11: CLEO 1L Prep – Attitude Is Essential (AIE) Seminar for Fall ’23 first-year law students.  Click here to register. Can’t make the June dates? AIE will also be offered on July 15 & 16 and August 12 & 13.

June 13: PLAS Workshop – Application Roadmap | 12:00 pm. To learn more and register, click here.

June 19: Juneteenth Observation | University closed.

June 20: WashU Law Career Talk | 4:00 pm. For more information, click here.

June 25: Legal Specialties Series on Canvas: Have you looked at the Legal Specialties series on the PLAS Canvas page? Explore 20+ legal specialties by clicking here.

June 26: The Harvard Junior Deferral Program Application Deadline is July 1! To learn more and apply, click here.

June 29: LSAT Registration Deadline! Last day to register for the August 2023 LSAT. Visit LSAC to register. Prices have increased! The LSAT is now $222 (up from $215).

Scholarship Deadlines

June 1: Yeboah Law Group Annual Make a Difference Academic Scholarship. To learn more, click here.

June 1: Arash Law Scholarship. To learn more, click here.

June 1: Annual Civil Justice Scholarship. To learn more, click here.

June 1: Cunningham & Mears Academic Scholarship. To learn more, click here.

June 1: Gainsberg Law Annual Scholarship. To learn more, click here.

June 13: The Behan Law Group Military Veteran Scholarship. To learn more, click here.

June 15: Changing the Law Scholarship. To learn more, click here.

June 15: Fight for Survivors Scholarship. To learn more, click here.

June 15: Medical Malpractice Help Community Service Scholarship. To learn more, click here.

June 15: First-Generation College Student Scholarship. To learn more, click here.

Explore more scholarships by visiting the AccessLex Scholarship Databank!

Alumni Attorney Talk

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series that aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

Joshua Esses

ASSOCIATE IN THE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, GOVERNANCE, RESTRUCTURING, AND BANKRUPTCY GROUP AT PROSKAUER ROSE

QUICK FACTS ABOUT MR. ESSES

  • Law School: Harvard Law School
  • UIUC Undergraduate Major: Finance
  • Mr. Esses’ Three Words to Describe the Legal Profession:

Detail-Oriented | Conscientious|Commercial

CHECK OUT THIS INSIGHTFUL INTERVIEW HERE!

Law School Insider: Law Students’ Suggested Read + Watch List

Welcome to Law School Insider! In this multi-part blog series, you will hear directly from current law students about their favorite courses, law school myths, best pre-law tips, and more!

The summer is a great time to relax and engage in some entertainment. What better way to be entertained than with some law-related material! In this post, you will hear about all-time favorite legal-related books, movies, and TV shows from current law students – just in time for summer!

Must Read/Watch

A Civil Actionby Jonathan Harr

-Sanjiv S. | University of Illinois College of Law

Locked In: The True Causes of Mass Incarceration-and How to Achieve Real Reform by John Pfaff

-Haydn L. | University of Michigan Law School

On Trial: Lessons from a Lifetime in the Courtoom” by Henry G. Miller, Esq.

-Joseph A. | University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

“I’m not a big reader anymore. A Few Good Men and My Cousin Vinny are great films about the law.”

-Nick S. | University of Illinois College of Law

Credible: Why We Doubt Accusers and Protect Abusers” by Deborah Tuerkheimer

-Tara S. | Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America” by Richard Rothstein

-Margaret B. | DePaul University College of Law

“For something timely, I recommend When Abortion Was A Crime: Women, Medicine, and Law in the United States, 1867-1973 by Leslie J. Reagan (a UIUC professor).”

-Amanda W. | Duke University School of Law

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

-Matthew M. |UNLV William S. Boyd College of Law

Becoming by Michelle Obama

-Ashley T. | George Washington University Law School

Better Call Saul (Television series)

-Khalil R. | University of Chicago Law School

“I don’t tend to read many law-related books in my free time because I like having a clear separation between school and relaxation, but I am currently reading Martha Minow’s When Should Law Forgive? It’s an interesting take on what the focus of our legal system should be, and is easily accessible to folks who don’t yet have a background in law.”

-Ben T. | University of California, Berkley, School of Law

“Michelle Obama’s Becoming! She discusses interesting feelings about law school and the profession in general. If you’re on the fence about law school, I’d read it to get another perspective.”

-Skylar R. | Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

Black Edge: Inside Information, Dirty Money, and the Quest to Bring Down the Most Wanted Man on Wall Street” by Sheelah Kolhatkar

-Sydney S. | Georgetown University Law Center

The Rooster Bar by John Grisham

-Maciek C. | University of Wisconsin Law School

Barbarian at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco” by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar

-Alberto V. | University of Chicago Law School

Lady Justice: Women, The Law and the Battle to Save America” by Dahlia Lithwick

-Erica H. | George Washington University Law School

Looking for additional suggestions?

Thieves of Book Row, by Travis McDade

Torn from their Bindings, by Travis McDade

The Book Thief, all by Travis McDade 

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

In Cold Blood, Truman Capote

The Trial, by Franz Kafka

An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones

She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story that Helped Ignite a Movement, by Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey

Know My Name, by Chanel Miller

I’ll Be Gone In the Dark, by Michelle McNamara

Radium Girls, by Kate Moore

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot

Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky

My Cousin Vinny – movie

Find Me Guilty – movie

Sleepers – movie

A Civil Action – movie

Amistad – movie

On the Basis of Sex – movie

Marshall – movie

Loving – movie

Bridge of Spies – movie

Partner Track – Netflix series

Erin Brokovich – movie

Legally Blonde – movie

Check out this list of 25 Greatest Legal Movies according to the American Bar Association!

Check out this list of suggested law-related TV shows!

And here is a list of the 25 Greatest Law Novels Ever from Goodreads!

2022 – 2023 Year In Review

The 2022 – 2023 academic year was busy and filled with many successes! To our UIUC pre-law students and alumni, congratulations on a successful academic year and application cycle! Our thanks to our UIUC pre-law student & alumni leaders, law expert volunteers, and all those who helped support our over 1500 prelaw Illini this academic year!

Read below for some highlights from this year!

Advising Appointments

PLAS held over 800 advising appointments (and counting) this year! Individual advising appointments are a great way to explore your individual goals and plans including determining if a legal education and career is the right choice for you! Advising sessions afford the opportunity to receive expert guidance on the pre-law undergraduate experience, ways to prepare for law school, internship & post-graduation opportunities, and the law admissions process. We welcome the opportunity to support you in a successful journey to law school. We loved meeting with all of you!

Workshops & Events

This academic year, PLAS hosted over 50 student workshops and events, including Pre-Law 101, Pre-Law for Parents, Drafting Your Application, Application Roadmap, Selecting a Law School, Strategies for Spring Application Success, and more! Workshops & events are a perfect way to gain invaluable expert insights and specialized topics in a very efficient way. For those contemplating applying during the 2023-2024 admission cycle – be sure to check the events calendar for the summer editions of Application Roadmap & Drafting Your Application! Note – PLAS programming is open to all UIUC current students and alumni!

New Programs

This year, PLAS created four new initiatives: the Pre-Law Advisory Council, APPtitude Certificate Program, and LSAT Jumpstart workshop series, and the I Am Ready: Law Admission Readiness Program co-hosted with the University of Illinois College of Law! Each of these initiatives expanding on existing PLAS resources and services, creating more unique support and opportunities for our UIUC pre-law students and alumni! Thanks to all who participated in the inaugural year for these programs!

Law School Fair & Law Dean Panel

This past Fall, admissions representatives from 85 law schools from across the country visited campus to engage with nearly 400 students in central Illinois. The 2023 Law School Fair was held in-person, on campus for the first time since 2019 and was hosted as part of the annual Midwest Association of Pre-Law Advisors (MAPLA) Caravan. We also featured a law school panel the night before at the Law Building!

Save the Date for the 2023 Law School Fair on October 5!

Pre-Law Pop-Ups

This April, PLAS hosted 4 separate pop-ups to engage with students around campus. We met with students at Grainger Engineering, Gies Success Lab, Ikenberry, and at IUB to answer questions about the pre-law path and share information about our office resources! We look forward to seeing you around campus again next year!

Blog Posts

We uploaded over 40 articles to our blog this year that covered insights from attorneys, helpful tips & resources regarding the pre-law path, monthly events, and more! We will continue to create content for the blog this summer so be sure to stay tuned and check back for updates!

Legal Expert Volunteers

A huge thank you to the attorneys, law professors, and other law experts who volunteered their time to engage with students through programming and 1:1 meetings this year, including our featured panelists and the 10+ alumni featured on the Alumni Attorney Talks blog series!

Thank you to all our pre-law students, alumni, and law expert volunteers for making it a great year!

May Snapshot

The end of the school year is finally here! As you wrap up your end-of-semester obligations and begin looking to the summer, be sure to check the blog regularly for updates and new information – including summer programs, updates, and tips!  

We hope you have a successful end to the semester and a wonderful start to your summer!  Be sure to stay in touch with any questions you may have!


May Highlight Post-Graduate Opportunity with JusticeCorps

Illinois JusticeCorps is a program dedicated to making courthouses more accessible for self-represented litigants who can’t afford legal representation. As an Illinois JusticeCorps fellow you get hands-on experience working in a courthouse and providing important assistance to people who need it. It’s an incredible learning opportunity for those who want to experience law in a practical way. Illinois JusticeCorps is looking for full-time fellows across several courthouses in Illinois. To learn more and apply, click here.

Looking for a summer opportunity? JusticeCorps in Champaign is looking for summer volunteers. If you are interested in learning more, please email prelaw@illinois.edu.


May 1: Happy National Law Day! Click here to learn more!

May 1: Reminder! Second (perhaps first) seat deposits will be coming up in the next several weeks – be sure to check the dates now!

May 1: Register for Launchpad Scholars with Yale Law School! | Applications are open and due June 4th. For more information, click here.

May 1: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 6 pm in the Architecture Building. For more information, click here.

May 2: AccessLex Webinar – The Road to Zero: A Strategic Approach to Student Loan Repayment | 11 am ONLINE. For more information, click here.

May 2: On Tuesdays We Wear Pink: The Coping With Burnout Book | 7 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.

May 3: Last Day of Instruction Spring 2023 — good luck with finals!

May 3: April LSAT scores released.

May 3: Virtual Tours with the University of Miami Law | 12:30 – 1:30 pm every Wednesday. For more information and to register, click here.

May 4: Reading Day

May 4: Where Can Research Take You Next? | 11:00 am – 11:30 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.

May 4: UK and Ireland Scholarship Information Session for Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, and Gates Writing Workshop | 2:00 pm in 514 IUB. For more information, click here.

May 4: De-Stress Fest | 12:00 – 9:00 pm in Main Library 106 and Orange Room. For more information, click here.

May 5: Fulbright Scholarship Research Grant Workshop | 3:30 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.

May 9: UK and Ireland Scholarship Information Session for Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, and Gates Writing Workshop | 2:00 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.

May 12: Semester End – Last Day of Finals!  Congratulations on successful completion of the 2023-2024 Academic Year!

May 13: 2023 Commencement Ceremony! Congratulations to all of our 2023 graduates and best of luck with your future endeavors!

May 16: Admissions 101 with University of Miami School of Law | 7 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.

May 18 – 20: 6th Annual Chicago Health, Medical, and Law Careers Citywide Student Conference | Free to attend. For more information and to register, click here.

May 24: AccessLex Webinar – Your Law School Investment | 11:00 am ONLINE. For more information, click here.

May 24: Access Lex Webinar – Your Public Service Loan Forgiveness Action Plan | 11:00 am ONLINE. For more information, click here.

May 30: AccessLex Webinar – An Introduction to Personal Finance for First-Generation Students | 11:00 am ONLINE. For more information, click here.

Scholarship Deadlines

May 1: DEADLINE! Ashoori Law Good Deeds Scholarship | For more information, click here.

May 1: DEADLINE! Earl Warren Scholarship | For more information, click here.

May 1: DEADLINE! Byron Hanke Fellowship | For more information, click here.

May 1: DEADLINE! Rice, Murtha & Psora Scholarship | For more information, click here.

May 1: DEADLINE! KF&B Scholarship | For more information, click here.

May 1: DEADLINE! U.S. Graduate Scholarship | For more information, click here.

May 18: DEADLINE! Alford & Clark Injury Attorneys Students in Need Scholarship | For more information, click here.

May 26: DEADLINE! Make-the-World-Better Scholarship | For more information, click here.

May 30: DEADLINE! Trey Porter Law Scholarship | For more information, click here.

May 31: DEADLINE! Attorney Ken Nugent Legal Scholarship | For more information, click here.

May 31: DEADLINE! #TextFreeforTita Distracted Driving Scholarship | For more information, click here.

Making the Most of Your Summer Internships

As a pre-law student, one of the most important steps you can take to prepare for a career in law is to gain practical experience through internships. Summer internships, legal or not, are a great way to get your foot in the door and learn more about an industry, while also building valuable skills and connections. However, simply participating in an internship is not enough; it’s important to make the most of your experience to ensure that you gain the maximum benefit. Here are some tips for making the most of your summer legal internships:

1. Set Goals
Before you start your internship, it’s important to set specific goals for what you hope to achieve. This could include gaining experience in a specific industry, or in a particular area of law, developing a specific skill set, or building connections with professionals. By setting clear goals, you’ll be better equipped to stay focused and make the most of your time.

2. Be Proactive
Don’t wait for your supervisor to tell you what to do; take the initiative and look for opportunities to get involved. Ask your supervisor if you can assist with a particular project or task, or offer to take on additional responsibilities. By being proactive, you’ll demonstrate your commitment and eagerness to learn, which can help you stand out and make a positive impression.

3. Network
Summer internships are a great opportunity to build your professional network. Take advantage of this by attending events, such as networking receptions or industry conferences, and introducing yourself to other professionals. Ask for their advice, share your own experiences, and exchange contact information. You never know when these connections may come in handy in the future.

4. Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure about something. Your supervisor and colleagues are there to help you learn and grow, and they’ll likely appreciate your willingness to seek guidance. Asking thoughtful questions can also help you gain a deeper understanding of the profession and the work you’re doing.

5. Take Notes
Throughout your internship, be sure to take detailed notes on your experiences, projects, and assignments. This can be a helpful reference for future job interviews or when writing your resume. Additionally, taking notes can help you reflect on what you’ve learned and identify areas where you may need further development.

6. Seek Feedback
Ask your supervisor for regular feedback on your performance, and be open to constructive criticism. Use this feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow, and apply it to your work moving forward. Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from colleagues or other professionals you work with. Their insights can be invaluable in helping you improve your skills and knowledge.

7. Stay Professional
Remember that your internship is a professional experience, and treat it as such. Be punctual, dress appropriately, and always conduct yourself in a professional manner. This includes being respectful of your colleagues, taking ownership of your work, and communicating clearly and effectively.

By following these tips, you can make the most of your summer internships and gain valuable experience and connections that can help you in your future career. Good luck!

Alumni Attorney Talks

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series that aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

Thomas Yu

CITY ATTORNEY, CITY OF CHampaign
quick facts about MR. YU
  • Law School: Northern Illinois University College of Law
  • UIUC Undergraduate Major: Philosophy
  • Mr. Yu’s Three Words to Describe the Legal Profession:

Advocate | Confidante |Counselor

CHECK OUT THIS INSIGHTFUL INTERVIEW HERE!

Law School Insider: Favorite Specialized Law School Courses

Welcome to Law School Insider! In this multi-part blog series, you will hear directly from current law students about their favorite courses, law school myths, best tips, and more!

In this second post of the series, you will hear about all-time favorite specialized and upper-level (2L – 3L year) law school classes and why your fellow Illini chose them.

Antitrust

“Antitrust law was my favorite law school class. I was an economics major in undergrad, and antitrust allowed me to apply what I learned in undergrad to a legal setting. Antitrust law is one of the most quantitative and policy-focused areas of the law in my opinion, which is a welcome break from most law school classes.”

-Ben T. | University of California Berkley School of Law

Aviation Law

“I loved my Aviation Law class because I am interested in all things aerospace and defense, and it was a unique class that covered a lot of different topic areas in aviation. It was co-taught by two professors who both have extensive experience practicing law in this field (one is even a pilot) and they were both fascinating — it was an honor to learn from them.”

-Erica H. | George Washington University School of Law

Corporate Compliance

“Corporate Compliance. It is funny to see how businesses try and manipulate legal terms.”

-Nick S. | University of Illinois College of Law

Criminal Procedure

“Criminal (Procedure) Adjudications because it tracks a logical timeline from arrest to sentence.”

-Sanjiv S. | University of Illinois College of Law

“Criminal Procedure I (Investigation). Great Professor and interesting constitutional issues that align with my personal interests. It’s a great course for applying very arguable legal principles to diverse facts.”

-Noah S. | William & Mary Law School

“Constitutional Criminal Procedure. I went into law school interested in criminal justice reform, and so learning more about the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments in-depth has been intellectually fulfilling and applicable to my future practice.”

-Tara S. | Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

“Criminal procedure, because there are so many nuances about criminal procedure that everyday citizens may not know about, so knowing some of those things, is not only applicable to representing clients but your personal conduct with police.”

-Maciek C. | University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School

Critical Race Theory

“My favorite law school class is Critical Race Theory. Learning how the law is deeply invested in and reinforces inequitable power structures is essential to my understanding of what kind of advocate I want to be and how I intend to approach the legal field to uplift marginalized communities.”

-Karen C. | UC Davis School of Law

Deposition Advocacy

“Deposition Advocacy. It was a very practical class. I learned a lot and the workload was very reasonable.”

-Vanessa A. | Loyola University Chicago School of Law

First Amendment Law

“First Amendment Law is my favorite! My professor is engaging, knowledgeable, and does a great job facilitating class discussion. It’s really important to try taking classes with good professors if you can help it. The material of the class is really interesting, and I have developed a much deeper understanding of the theory and practicality of the First Amendment from this course!”

-Skylar R. | Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

Information Privacy

“Information Privacy because it incorporates a lot of legal disciplines and is very timely.”

-Alberto V. | University of Chicago Law School

International Law

“I’m taking international law as my 1L elective, which is by far my favorite class. I’m interested in international environmental law, and it’s been wonderful to have an opportunity to study that subject while still in my first year. I definitely recommend taking an elective 1L year, being able to study something you’re passionate about can be a nice break from the required 1L doctrinal courses that you may not feel as personally invested in.”

-Amanda W. | Duke University School of Law

Professional Sports Law

“Professional Sports Law, it is ultimately what I came to school for and gives me real-world insight into the intersection of sports and law.”

-Austin M. | Marquette University Law School

Sovereign Debt & Financial Stability

“Sovereign Debt & Financial Stability. It has been a practical and timely look into lawyers’ roles in preventing and resolving financial crises.”

-Sydney S. | Georgetown University Law Center

Trial Advocacy

“Trial advocacy. It teaches you how to operate in the courtroom and is the first experiential class you can take in law school.”

-Mallory M. | University of Illinois College of Law

DID YOU MISS PART ONE?

Click here to read what current law students are saying are their favorite first-year courses!

April Snapshot

April 1: 2023-2024 Pre-Law Advisory Council Applications Now OpenFor more information and to apply, click here.

April 3: Apply for CLEO’s ASAP (Achieving Success in the Application Process)Applications are now open! Select from multiple dates. For more information and to apply, click here.

April 1: DEADLINE! Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 1: DEADLINE! Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 1: DEADLINE! John S. Manos, Esq., Memorial Graduate Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 1: 2023 Illinois Latino Law Student Association Forum | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm25 E Jackson Blvd Chicago, IL 60604. For more information, click here.

April 3: Apply for “Explore Law” FREE with Penn State Law! | June 12-15 on Zoom. Registration closes April 30. For more information and to apply, click here.

April 4: DEADLINE! First Generation College Student Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 4: University Library Academic Success Series: Imposter Syndrome | 1:00 pm Main Library 106. For more information, click here.

April 4: FREE Killer Games Workshop presented by TestMasters | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. For more information and to register, click here.

April 4: Diving into Neurodiversity: A Guide for Staying Well in a Neurotypical World | 7:00 pm in Education Building 323. For more information, click here.

April 5: Fulbright Scholarship Information Session | 8:30 am ONLINE. For more information, click here.

April 5: Washington & Lee Law Group General Information Session | 12:00 pm on Zoom. For more information and to attend, click here.

April 5: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 12:00 pm in Education Building 242. For more information, click here.

April 5: Pre-Law Pop-Up! | 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm at Grainger Engineering. For more information, click here.

April 5: AccessLex Webinar – Law Student Panel: The Inside Scoop | 7:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.

April 6: Pre-Law Advisory Council Information Session | 12:30 pm Via Zoom. To learn more, click here.

April 6: DEADLINE! Law School Opportunity Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 6: AccessLex Webinar — Choosing a Law School | 3:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.

April 6: Counseling Center’s Perfectionism Series | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm in Lincoln Hall 2043. For more information and to register, click here.

April 6: Application Roadmap | 4:00 pm on Zoom. For more information and to register, click here. Registration closes on April 5 at 11:59 pm.

April 10: DEADLINE! Last day to apply to be an I-STAR for Undergraduate Admissions! | For information and to apply, click here.

April 10: Sign-up for CLEO’s Pre-Law Summer Institute! | Applications close May 1st. For more information and to register, click here.

April 10: Join MAFA and Apply to be on the Executive Board! | Member registration closes June 1 and Executive Board applications close April 21st. To register, click here. To apply for executive board, click here.

April 10: Pre-Law Advisory Council Information Session | 4:00 pm Via Zoom. To learn more, click here.

April 10: Liberals, Conservatives, and the Climate of Fear: How Campus Free Speech is Failing and How it Can be Saved | 12:00 pm in Room C at UIUC College of Law. For more information, click here.

April 11: Pre-Law 101 Session One | 4:00 pm at TBD. For more information and to register, click here. Registration closes on April 10 at 11:59 pm.

April 11: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 5:30 pm in Everitt Lab 1302. For more information, click here.

April 11: AccessLex Webinar — Applying to Law School | 7:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.

April 11: It’s Not You, It’s Us: Supporting a Friend in Distress | 7:00 pm in Education Building 4G. For more information, click here.

April 12: Washington & Lee Law Virtual Admissions Wednesdays| 9:30 am – 2:30 pm. Take the opportunity to speak with an admission representative, a current student, or join a thematic group session every Wednesday. For more information, click here.

April 12: Pre-Law Pop-Up! | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Ikenberry. For more information, click here.

April 12: Fulbright Scholarship Information Session | 12:00 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.

April 12: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 12:00 pm in Education Building 242. For more information, click here.

April 12: Virtual Tours with the University of Miami Law | 12:30 – 1:30 pm every Wednesday. For more information and to register, click here.

April 13: AccessLex Webinar — Applying to Law School: A Strategic Approach to Underrepresented Students | 11:00 am ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.

April 13: Counseling Center’s Perfectionism Series | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm in Lincoln Hall 2043. For more information and to register, click here.

April 13: Fulbright Scholarship Information Session | 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm in Lincoln Hall 1002. For more information, click here.

April 13: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 6:00 pm in ISR Seminar Room A. For more information, click here.

April 13: AccessLex Webinar – Law Student Panel: The Inside Scoop | 7:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.

April 14-15: April LSAT – Good luck to everyone taking the LSAT this weekend!

April 15: DEADLINE! Federal Circuit Bar Association Board Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 15: DEADLINE! Federal Circuit Bar Association Need-Based Scholarships | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 15: DEADLINE! Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 15: DEADLINE! Helen W. Nies Memorial Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 15: DEADLINE! Howard T. Markey Memorial Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 15: Diverse Lawyer Pipeline Initiative Bridging the Gap: Making the Dream of Law School a Reality | 10:00 am – 2:30 pm on Zoom. For more information and registration, click here.

April 17: LAST DAY to Apply for the 2023-2024 Pre-Law Advisory Council | For more information, click here.

April 18: Fulbright Personal Statement Workshop | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.

April 18: Pre-Law 101 Session Two | 4:00 pm at TBD. For more information and to register, click here. Registration closes April 17 at 11:59 pm.

April 18: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 5:30 pm in Everitt Lab 1302. For more information, click here.

April 18: AccessLex Webinar — Paying for Law School | 1:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.

April 18: Counseling Center’s Test Anxiety Program | 4:00 pm in Lincoln Hall 2043. For more information, click here.

April 18: #BeReal: Navigating Authenticity and Social Media | 7:00 pm Huff Hall 114. For more information, click here.

April 19: Pre-Law Pop-Up! | 4:00 pm at Gies for Gies students. For more information, click here.

April 19: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 5:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.

April 19: Roosevelt University Paralegal Studies Program Information Session | 6:30 pm ONLINE. For more information and to register, click here.

April 20: Counseling Center’s Perfectionism Series | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm in Lincoln Hall 2043. For more information and to register, click here.

April 20: Fulbright Personal Statement Workshop | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm in IUB 514. For more information, click here.

April 20: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 6:00 pm in ISR Seminar Room A. For more information, click here.

April 21: DEADLINE! Last day to apply for MAFA Executive Board! | To apply, click here.

April 24: Application Roadmap| 4:00 pm on Zoom. For more information and to register, click here. Registration closes April 23 at 11:59 pm.

April 25: DEADLINE! Last day to register for the June LSAT! | To sign-up, click here.

April 25: Fulbright Scholarship ETA Workshop | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.

April 25: There Is Always Light if You’re Brave Enough to See it: Building Hope and Resilience | 7:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.

April 26: Pre-Law Pop-Up! | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm in 514 IUB. For more information, click here.

April 26: AccessLex Webinar – Building Your Law School Budget | 5:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.

April 26: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 5:00 pm on Zoom. For more information and to attend, click here.

April 27: Access Lex Webinar – Your Law School Investment | 7:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.

April 28: DEADLINE! National Council on International Trade Development (NCITD) Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 28: Yellow Peril Redux speech series – “The Yellow Peril and the Law” | 2:30 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.

April 28: Fulbright Scholarship ETA Workshop | 3:00 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.

April 30: DEADLINE! Living with a Sense of Purpose Scholarship | For more information and to apply, click here.

April 30: DEADLINE! Last day to apply for “Explore Law” FREE with Penn State Law! | June 12-15 on Zoom. For more information and to apply, click here.