Interesting. There must be some underlying issue (drugs, gambling, etc.) driving his behavior, assuming he's personally responsible for the things he's accused of. Of course, there are a some people out there who may do things like this for no other reason than to add to the number of zeros in their bank account ("greed"), but I feel like more often people behaving in this way are feeding/supporting unhealthy habits/lifestyles.

Edit: Immediately after clicking submit, I though to myself that "greed" is also an underlying personality issue worth working out, I guess, but there must be fundamental differences between "greed" and something like a gambling addiction, right? In terms of culpability, it seems we hold the "greedy" individual (e.g., Bernie Madoff) to a different societal standard. I don't mean to suggest that we take it easy on drug addicts, but at least some portion of the community recognizes a drug addiction as a medical condition to some extent, which thus partially erodes the individual's level of culpability.

Hi legal folk,

I was wondering if anyone here was an IP specialist, or knew of one that wouldnt mind answering a few questions?

I am currently a post-doc in the US looking at alternative options. I am basically interested in hearing about some of the more mundane aspects of the day to day work, particularly if they adapted from a science background. Would also be interested in hearing tales from anyone who has adapted to the legal profession later in their career (as I go through the backlog of this thread).

Thanks in advance.

I was hoping someone could give me a response here since I'm not really sure if this is a good or bad thing...

In one of my 1l classes, we obv do Socratic method. It's suppose to be "random" , but i've been cold called 5 times out of 6 or 7 classes thus far. I'm not sure if it's because:

1. prof thinks I give good answers
2. prof thinks i'm a dumbass and just likes to embarrass me
3. It's pure coincidence

I know i'm probably being paranoid, just the whole Socratic method thing is still throwing me for a twist

edit: forgot to mention, only 2 or 3 ppl get called per class as well, so it's kinda obvious that i'm getting grilled.

It doesn't matter, just be prepared. All that matters is the final.

What's consensus on joining extracurriculars or clubs? I have a club fair type thing Saturday

4. prof likes u *wink* do u like prof? [ ] yes [ ] no

I would imagine that the majority of professors don't continually ask questions of people they know or think do not have the answer because it delays class and generally makes their job more difficult. They will certainly do it to prove a point that they are watching or whatever, and you occasionally have a dickhead I would imagine who feels it is his duty to cull the herd, but I think if they are calling on you this much they are using you as a bridge. They want someone in the class to say the right answer so they can move on, and they might not have a lot of faith in the rest of the class to do so at this point. Plus have gunners really established themselves this early on? Aren't they just hanging back with everyone else complaining about gunners?

Put 1 vote on the board for: Parlay this into sex with an over-stressed, highly sympathetic 1L who just doesn't know what she would do if she get called on that much.

Or maybe it is 4).

Depends on career aspirations.

Journals are seen favorably, especially law review.

Clinics are seen favorably as well, but not as prestigious. There's a trend in law school to teach more practical stuff, so those can be helpful and you can get credits.

Main thing is don't over-commit yourself. Join "useful" clubs/orgs, but within reason. Plan accordingly.

Everything is worthless except law review

Eh, I wasn't on law review but clinic experience was fairly useful. Law Review seems to lead to much better outcomes though.

Not really going to do much juvenile criminal defense, but hey I've already ****ed up as bad as I ever possibly could in court and there were like no repurcussions or anything due to Rule XV.

Also I know of several people who took their specific clinic experience (bankruptcy and immigration in particular) and turned it into jobs. Coincidentally a year later none are still in that job. So, yea, law review. The rest of the clubs are just for personal interest, a way to meet people, free food and resume filler.

Anyone know how the MEE is graded. Got my score report back and it looks like I did about average or so on the MBE and pretty good on the MPT. However, I passed by 1 pt, and I'm just trying to figure out if I bombed the **** out of the MEE or if passing does require an average score. The scores on my 6 essays ranged from 68 to 78, so is that out of a 100 or what?

Congratulations, counselor!

Don't sweat it - move on to bigger and better things

my firm's hiring partner tells resume reviewers not to look @ anything except GPA and school when it comes to first-round interviews...not worth doing an extra curricular that will cost you GPA points

Not quite there yet, though I have cleared the initial hurdle of passing the bar.

I know it sounds like I'm bitching about not having passed with a high score, but since my MBE qualifies I'm probably going to be expected to do Oklahoma in February (since it is the only time the score will transfer) and maybe Missouri in the summer and I just wanted to see where I stood since that would require taking the MEE twice more. Actually **** that. I'll do OK because I can transfer MBE, but partner can do Feb. in MO because he can transfer MBE there for like 7 more months.

Lawyer question:

If you need to serve a state's attorney with a copy of a client's petition for expungement (or I guess any other form/etc), do you just mail the copy to them and include nothing else? Or do you include a letter explaining that they are being served with the copy? If it's the latter, how exactly would you word it?

Thanks.

You should generally not send a document to anyone without including a cover letter stating what the document is, why it's being sent to the recipient, and who they should contact with questions.

"Dear X:

Enclosed please find this document, which is being served or filed or whatever in connection with this matter. Please contact me if you have any questions."

Cool. Thanks a lot for the help.

So something like,

"Dear Mr x:

Enclosed please find the Petition for Expungement for 'Commonwealth of PA v. John Doe', which is being served to the attorney for the commonwealth.

Sincerely,

John Doe"

Funky since I recall that you work in D.C., any opinions on WilmerHale v. A&P? Want lit or regulatory (int'l trade, antitrust, or environment).

I know you get your thumbs printed for the LSAT but do admins also check your pockets to make sure they're empty and/or check everyone's watch to make sure it's analog and not digital? I seriously think it's worth possibly getting my digital watch confiscated for the sake of using it to check my time throughout the exam. I can obv. read time on analog but it's not as precise and costs me a few seconds added-up. I also plan on bringing an analog in case it becomes an issue.

For those who don't know what I'm talking about: You are not permitted to bring any timers, phones, or digital watches into the LSAT room - only analog.

That's one of the weirdest posts I have read in this thread in quite a while. Luckily, you will fit right in with the rest of the aspies that infest law schools.

Why? I have a preference for a digital watch. LSAC says I can't wear one. I want to know how strict the admins are in enforcing their policy on the test day.

They haven't fingerprinted in a couple of years. You have to bring a photo now.

They will almost certainly notice a digital watch, though it depends on your proctor. Just buy the $17 LSAT watch online (I should probably get a commission from them given the number of my students who have bought one, but I only recommend it because my students have been universally happy). <1% chance they pat you down.

That being said, as TLS likes to say, YMMV. Prepare for the worst, be pleasantly surprised by better. Proctor variance is off the charts.

If you really are that anal about it, just buy one of those special watches that they make especially for the LSAT (google around).

This was such a perfect reply.