Attending an evidence class will teach you the basic principles that you need to know, but actually applying these principles in a competition is priceless. Until you are able to apply the principles that you have been taught in class, you will not be able to grasp the full concepts of these principles and actually learn them.
Participating in these competitions helped me do just that. By participating in these competitions I was able to actually improve my grades because the concepts I was taught in class were no longer just concepts but tools that I had used in prosecuting a defendant in a criminal trial for a mock trial competition or in arguing a separation of church and state issue before a panel of judges in a moot court competition.
When it comes time to apply and interview for summer clerkships or your first job after law school, most employers will be looking for a well-rounded student. Employers do not simply want a student who did nothing but study for three years. They are looking for that student who not only studied and made good grades but also took time to participate in school competitions and write for a law journal. This signifies that the student is well rounded and able to multitask, which is a prime quality of a successful attorney. Most law firms these days actually require that the student have participated in a mock trial or moot court and have written for a law journal before he or she can even apply for a position with the law firm.
After I graduated from law school, the law firm I joined was impressed by the numerous law school competitions in which I had participated. I began my career as an insurance defense attorney, representing my clients' interests in administrative hearings and eventually in district court. As I began my career as an attorney, I already possessed trial and oral advocacy skills that I had gained through participating in the numerous law school competitions. This definitely gave me an advantage over other associates with whom I worked and against opposing counsel. These skills that I started developing in law school only become more sharply attuned as I continue my career.
It is never too early to begin networking. During law school, you should begin networking with your fellow students and your professors. While you can only casually get to know these individuals in the classroom, you will be able to connect with them on an entirely new level through extracurricular activities. If you choose to participate in competitions, you will most likely partner with another law student in your class. Together, you and your partner will develop oral and trial advocacy skills and also teach each other how to apply these skills.
Usually, professors take a keen interest in the extracurricular activities at their law schools. Whether they serve as faculty supervisors or as judges for competitions, these professors will become parts of your network. During law school, I served as the vice president for Phi Delta Phi. My former Torts professor was the faculty supervisor for Phi Delta Phi. Through my involvement with the organization, I was able to connect with this professor on a much deeper level. This professor ended up becoming one of my personal references and assisted me with finding my first job. This goes to show that networking with your professors outside of class does prove beneficial.
If you have not started participating in extracurricular activities at your law school, you should get your nose out of the book and start adding a little depth to that resume. It is never too late to start developing and furthering your skills and networking with your fellow peers and professors.
About the Author
Summer Lee is an associate attorney in the law firm of Hermes Sargent Bates, LLP, in Dallas, Texas. Her practice is devoted to defending personal injury lawsuits, including employer liability, workers' compensation, and automobile accident.
