In a previous post Debate and the Law: 3 Lessons from Competing in and Judging Debate, I introduced my knowledge of the debate world as a former high school debate student and current judge at debate tournaments.
I really enjoy debate and think it’s a great activity for young people and adults alike. Debate helps develop skills such as presenting clear arguments, supporting them with evidence, responding to rebuttals, demonstrating the stakes, and treating your opponents with respect.
Here are three additional lessons from debate that are useful in legal studies and practice: [Read more…] about Debate and the Law – Part 2: Lessons Learned from Competing in and Judging Debate
Many debaters go on to careers in law (and politics as well), and that makes a lot of sense to me. Having been a debater and judge, I have recognized that the skills you develop through practice and competition become quite handy in legal settings.
I started in speech quite young. I competed in the speech circuit in Hong Kong in events including prose, poetry, and original compositions. In high school, I competed in oral interpretation and the duo interpretation speech events. And now as a law student, I coach speech at a local high school. I volunteer to judge speech tournaments where I observe speeches from students hailing from around the country in a variety of events. Apart from speech extracurriculars, I’ve been active in activities I consider highly related, including choir, musical theater, and debate.
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam, or the MPRE, is a rite of passage for law students. This is a 2-hour, 60-question multiple choice exam testing knowledge on the subject of ethics in the legal profession. In other words, test takers demonstrate their facility with the rules that encourage and constrain lawyers’ behavior both within and outside of the legal profession. Are lawyers allowed to reveal information about their work? Can they accept gifts from or enter into contracts with their clients? Can they lie to the judge?
The other day, I was talking to a friend and law student, one year younger than me, who told me about an upcoming speed networking event at her school. Great I thought, initially. But then I remembered how overwhelming my first speed networking was. I then asked about the format, and learned that students would get ten minutes with each firm, for a grand total of two hours. Yes you read that right: 10 minutes and 12 firms. So understandably, she asked, how do I prepare? What questions do I ask? How do I make the most of it?
After your first year in law school, there is a wide range of classes from which you can