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.
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:
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 Action” by 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 College of Law
“I’m not a big reader anymore. A Few Good Menand My Cousin Vinnyare great films about the law.”
-Nick S. | University of Illinois Chicago School 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
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!
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!
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.
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 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:
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 1: 2023-2024 Pre-Law Advisory Council Applications Now Open| For 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 DAYto 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.
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 first post of the series, you will hear about all-time favorite first-year law school classes and why your fellow Illini chose them.
First-Year Courses
Although each law school will have unique features to their curriculum, all law schools have a required set of first-year courses in the foundational subjects for legal studies. In addition to courses in legal research and writing, these first-year subjects include Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property, and Torts. In addition, some schools offer first-year students the option to take an elective course(s) in addition to their required coursework. Keep reading to learn more!
Civil Procedure
“Civil Procedure! I loved getting deep into the weeds of rules and technicalities and learning how to use them strategically in litigation. And you’ll learn a lot of fun legal jargon like pro hac vice and certiorari!”
-Haydn L. | University of Michigan Law School
“Civil Procedure because it allowed me to learn about the process of civil cases and how cases eventually make it to court. My professor was also a great teacher.”
-Jillian W. | New England Law Boston
“Civil Procedure because it is a rule-based class.”
-Taylor H. | University of Illinois College of Law
“Civ Pro. Enthusiastic professor using basketball analogy for rules in FRCP. Felt like trying a new sport instead of learning a complicated matter in law school.”
-Randy X. | Chicago-Kent College of Law
Contracts
“It’s technical, but it also makes a lot of logical/reasonable sense to someone with no legal background. We’ve been making contracts with one another since we were 4 years old (“I’ll trade you my snack for yours”). All of that comes down to basic contract law.”
-Michael B. | University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
“I really enjoyed contracts. I was an accounting major and spent over 4 years in consulting, so I think it played to my business background and strengths.”
-Grant L. | UCLA
“Contracts – it teaches you how to ensure you don’t get taken advantage of.”
-Matthew M. | UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law
“My favorite doctrinal class was contract law. I enjoyed learning about a type of law that is different than criminal law that you might have seen on tv before law school.”
-Darius C. | Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
“I enjoyed contract law because I found it to be both interesting and practical. The rules governing contracts are clear and well-defined, which provides a level of certainty and predictability that is often lacking in other classes. I have also found that it has come up most frequently in my upper-level classes and internships compared to any other first-year class.”
-Ashley T. | George Washington University School of Law
“My favorite class was Contracts because it was a slow burn to come to a point of understanding in the class. The cold calls were the most terrifying, but I admire the way that legal and business interests come to a head in contracts.”
-Margaret B. |DePaul University College of Law
Criminal Law
“Criminal Law is a very interesting and engaging class.”
-Kayla C. | DePaul University College of Law
“I really enjoy Criminal Law. I have no interest in prosecution or criminal defense, but the material is very interesting.”
-Stella G. | IU Maurer School of Law
Property
“I loved property law because it was very straightforward and to the point. Although there were exceptions to the default rules, it seemed very rule-based and straightforward.”
-Cierra M. | University of Illinois College of Law
“So far, property. The class was taught by an extremely engaging professor and it truly makes you see the world in a different view.”
-Justin M. | Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
“Property. Lots of interesting historical and theoretical background.”
-Khalil R. | University of Chicago Law School
Torts
“Torts is sort of like a puzzle that you try to see if the facts can fit into the rule. It was challenging, but rewarding when you come to the correct answer.”
– Joseph A. | University of Illinois College of Law
“Torts has been my favorite class so far. My professor was really great and was able to simplify the most difficult topics. In addition, I really liked the textbook in the course because it gave only the information that we needed. I felt like the course gave me a great overview of Torts, and my internship this summer will be focused on civil litigation.”
-Mackenzie M. | University of Illinois College of Law
“I love torts because the reasoning is very straightforward and rule-based.”
– Clara T. | Southern Illinois University School of Law
First-Year Electives
Some law schools allow first-year law students to select an elective course. See below for some favorites!
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
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
STAY TUNED!
Stay tuned for the next edition of Law School Insider: Favorite Law Courses Part II where will hear from current law students about their favorite upper-level courses!
