There are two reasons why a law student might choose to enroll in an independent study and research course: 1) as an opportunity to research and write about a topic of interest; and 2) to shore up a credit deficiency in the last semester of law school. On the first day of my last semester, I discovered that I was one credit short to maintain my full-time status. The most convenient option was to register for an independent study course. After lots of contemplation about possible topics, finding a member of the faculty to supervise my work, and a cursory glance at the literature to make sure it was a viable topic, I was ready to get to work. Almost immediately, I recognized the challenges associated with focus and being disciplined. Here are a few tips to help keep you on track.
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When applying for any position out of law school – a clerkship, a law firm, a government office – the name of the game is making your resume stand out in the pile. Everybody knows the drill, right? Good grades plus glowing recommendations equals strong candidate. But there are, of course, plenty of other ways to ensure your resume, and thus your candidacy, stands out among the crowd. At the top of this list is
A common piece of advice regarding law school is to attend a school in the city or state where you’d ultimately like to work. I don’t disagree, and doubt anyone would tell you that being in or near the location where you’re 
Your 1L summer should be a very exciting time! After all, you are taking your first step towards becoming a real lawyer. For many students, this will be their first introduction to a legal work environment –which will be an invaluable learning experience. However, finding that first summer job can be a challenging and stressful process that continues throughout the spring. Fortunately, there are still plenty of jobs available (even if they aren’t your dream job), and there are a number of things you can consider doing to improve your applications and expand your search. Remember, the important thing about your