Once again, we have seen another Black life brutally taken by police violence. Once again, we demand justice, beginning with systemic change to stop the centuries of institutionalized, legal oppression of Black communities. And once again, we are forced to remind the world that Black Lives Matter. We four women of color— three Black women and a Brown woman— started FirstGenJD to uplift marginalized voices … Continue reading Black Lives Matter.
My mother instilled manners into me as a child. I was the little black girl who balanced books on her head for posture. I drank tea with my pinkie out, and sometimes I would eat pizza with a fork and knife. On top of that, my mother always made me wear these adorable frilly ruffle dresses with white stockings. She wanted me to look the … Continue reading Etiquette 101: Divisive Social Rules that Cause Anxiety, But Don’t Have To
I started law school a few months before I turned 28. I was independent. I was my own pillar, trying to hold up my world single-handedly. I always thought I was an “adult” but, truthfully, I wasn’t. In law school I was challenged in ways I never imagined. I didn’t know who or what my support group was. I want to go back to simpler … Continue reading When You Need an Adult But You Are an Adult
It is a truth universally acknowledged that for every question to which we find an answer, there’s another one waiting to confuse us yet again. There will always be unanswered questions. As a law student, perhaps we have more questions than most. Indeed, as a student you are supposed to ask for help. There is zero expectation for anyone to traverse the legal field alone. … Continue reading We Can’t Do It Alone: Finding Mentors and Sponsors
Picture this: you are asked to email your application for your dream summer job. You have your resume, cover letter, and references at the ready. You are ready to apply… but are you? Are you sure your materials are in the correct format? Do you know what to put in the email body? Is your signature correct? Do you have a signature? Is your email … Continue reading Writing Professional Emails 101
“Soft skills” are essential for young lawyers and law students to succeed. Soft skills are personal attributes that enable someone to interact harmoniously with others, such as communication, presentation skill, time management, and networking. Each of those skills add value to your career and distinguish you as a candidate. This article focuses on a particularly tricky but essential one: networking. “It’s not what you know, … Continue reading Networking: Yes, You Have to Do It, But Yes, You Can Do It.
You have probably seen your share of parties. You may have gone (or still go to) to happy hour with some friends, or even have a nightcap to help you sleep. In law school, alcohol is a staple. Many events hinge on the use of alcohol; and some lawyers and judges may even avoid events without alcohol. On top of that, there is pressure to drink– peer pressure from your friends and the larger social pressure that all lawyers drink. … Continue reading Alcoholism and the Law
Welcome to your new life– law school. Law school is, for lack of a better word, hard. It is an entirely new experience. You probably still can’t comprehend the journey you are embarking on. And while it will be incredible, and you will create strong bonds and learn amazing new things and grow as a person… it will also probably feel like an uphill battle. Chances are you will be over-worked, sleep-deprived, … Continue reading Anxiety: A Common Attorney Affliction
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