Just yesterday, I completed my final major assignment for my Legal Research and Writing course for my first year of law school. This course is one of the most pivotal subjects, arguably the most important, that you learn in law school. Learning how to research and write like a lawyer is key to your entire future career. It sets you up for success in your law school classes, in your internships and jobs throughout your career, and in every future position you will hold. Without these key skills, you simply could not be a good attorney.
My professor always says, “There is no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting,” and that has never rung more true than in my legal writing experience. Being a good legal writer is not about sitting down and already having a handle on the subject. It is about learning as you go, taking everything in, and tackling difficult issues head-on. It is also about being willing to accept feedback and criticism, and learning to grow from it in a positive way. Also, a lot of practice with Lexis and Westlaw. Legal writing pushes you to think critically, analyze deeply, and refine your arguments again and again until they are as strong as possible. It is challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
I have spent this whole year writing memoranda, trial court briefs, and appellate briefs, researching cases that support my position, and refining my arguments. All of this work culminated in my final assignment. I had to deliver an oral argument where I stood in front of a panel of judges and represented my client on appeal. It was a thrilling yet terrifying experience, one that truly felt like stepping into the role of a lawyer for the first time.
In recent years of my life, I have maintained a strong handle on public speaking and have learned how to best present myself. This, however, was a different beast. This was a form of public speaking and advocacy that I had never experienced before. It required quick thinking, deep knowledge of the record, and the ability to respond to challenging questions in real time. Learning how to present in this way and being able to practice it was an incredible learning experience, and I am so glad to have completed it.
Through this experience, I learned so much about myself. I was reaffirmed in my belief that I should be a lawyer and that I am exactly where I am meant to be. Hearing feedback from judges who listen to lawyers deliver arguments multiple times a day was intimidating. But knowing that they thought I did well, while still recognizing that everyone always has room for improvement, felt amazing. It was one of those moments where all the hard work truly felt worth it.
I can now go into finals for this semester knowing that I faced and conquered one of the biggest challenges a law school 1L faces: Legal Research and Writing. It was difficult, demanding, and at times overwhelming, but it was also one of the most rewarding experiences of my first year. Now, with this milestone behind me, I feel even more confident stepping forward into the rest of my law school journey and my future career as an attorney.