Maybe Baby (cont.)

Thank you to everyone who came and participated in the Maybe Baby panel and made it such a success. A PALS alumna, Laura Arras, was able to poke her head in for a few minutes, but due to time constraints, we weren't able to hear from her. Laura has a very valuable perspective on the Maybe Baby issue and she very kindly gave me permission to post a portion of an email explaining her choices here:
(From Laura)
If I were paneling, I would say this [if there is a gap to fill, feel free to read it]:

Everyone's circumstances are different, obviously. The only judges of your "work-life balance" are yourself and the ones with whom you share the "life" part.

I had a baby at the end of my 1L, and juggled her through classes for my
2L year.

I wanted to work after school/ the Bar, but I don't want my daughter in day-care more than five-or-six hours a day until she starts kindergarten. That means I can work for 25 hours a week, unless I work in the evenings from home or for a few hours on the weekends-- which I frequently do. Call it 30 hours a week. This is not partner-track, obviously. But I drop her off at 8:50 and pick her up at 2:20, right after her nap. I have time to get some good work done in the meantime.

I am fortunate in being able to afford to work part-time and I am insured through my spouse. Again, everyone's situation is different. Money is not a driving factor for me. After I pay for daycare & my student loans, I probably make minimum wage. But I have been contracting for a little firm for the last six months, logging real-world professional experience as a litigator.

When my daughter starts school, I'll have experience and references that will help me land a full-time position. Alternatively, I can hang up a shingle without the stigma of being an inexperienced new grad.

I also work part-time for the Rigos Bar Prep company-- it isn't glamorous; it isn't a "law" job. But I'm using my school/bar experience to help people, and I'm helping to expand the program & materials to the rest of the US. Most days I work in my jammies—always a plus. I may start sitting at the table once in awhile-- maybe I'll bring Allegra for old time's sake.

Best wishes,
Laura

Maybe Baby Panel

PALS presents: The Maybe Baby Panel.
Wednesday, March 4th 12:30 in Room 117

Thinking about having a baby in law school or beyond? Please come to the Maybe Baby Panel and hear from people who have had a baby at different points in their legal careers. Panelists include law students, a professor, and partners in a mid-sized law firm. Pizza will be provided!
Questions? Contact Amanda acarmany@u.washington.edu or Christine porterc@u.washington.edu.

Does anyone have good questions for the panelists? If so, please leave them in the comments.

Bar Prep Courses

In her post about the February 2009 bar exam questions, Lisa mentioned her post from last summer about bar review courses, in which she compared her Barbri experience to what she'd heard about the Rigos experience. I found that post (and the comments) to be very helpful -- before reading it, I was set on taking Barbri, but now I'm not so sure. I need to decide soon. Does anyone have advice for me about bar prep courses, or for other 3Ls (and even 2Ls)? Any Barbri defenders out there?

Winter bar exam

Hi folks, just talked to a friend of mine who took the winter bar this week and he had some news that might be of interest to 3Ls taking the Washington bar this summer. Primarily, there was no Indian law question on the Winter bar. That means there will surely be one this summer. They only added Indian law a couple of years ago, and since then, there was a question on the 2007 summer bar, none on the 2008 winter bar, a question on the 08 summer bar, and none on the 09 winter bar. Notice a pattern? :-) As you'll find out in bar prep, Indian law usually is half a question, combined with Civ Pro.

My friend said there was no commercial paper question, but there were Sales and Secured Transactions. Last summer we had sec trans and comm paper, but no sales. Draw your own conclusions about that.

He said there were a lot of crim pro questions. I had heard this wasn't a heavily tested subject in the past, but last summer we had three (3!) crim pro questions. I would also note that crim pro with Hardisty was one of the more helpful classes I've taken in terms of bar prep.

He said there weren't that many property questions, a lot of torts and contracts, and a straightforward will question. Evidence was half a question. There was an odd question that was a combination of contracts and agency. The con law/admin law question sounds like it was confusing.

This may be more detail than you care about, but bookmark this for later, you'll want to know this summer! Good luck, cheers...
Lisa

p.s. you can click the little label "bar exam" under this post to see everything we've posted about the bar exam in the past. There a long post with a lot of comments about Barbri v. Rigos. It's the only place I've ever seen anyone make the comparison, which would have been nice to know when picking a bar prep program!

Donate a book for PILA

This year PALS will be donating a collection of children's books as our contribution to the PILA Auction. Please bring in a copy of your favorite children's book geared for ages 1-5. Vanessa Hernandez will be collecting the books in the remote learning room. A huge thank you to Vanessa for the fabulous idea and volunteering to organize the donations!

PALS General Membership Meeting Wed Feb 11

PALS will be having its general membership meeting Wednesday, February 11th at 12:30 in room 117. Lunch will be provided. Please contact Amanda Carmany-Rampey (acarmany@u.wash) or Christine Porter (porterc@u.wash) with questions.

Disco Baby

The quarter has barely started and I'm already looking for a good study break. That means it is time to disco, Baby Loves Disco that is. Baby Loves Disco is a monthly dance party for the diaper and juice box set. Check out the website at:
http://www.babylovesdisco.com/locations/seattle/
Nate and I went last year and had a blast. We'd have even more fun if we could make it a law school parent outing. The next disco date is February 21rst, their valentines party. Tickets are $12 (for each walking human) if you buy in advance and $15 at the door. If you would like to go, I'd suggest buying tickets soon, since they tend to sell out. Baby Loves Disco is held at club Heaven downtown, a real dance club, just like the kind you used to go to before kids. Aside from the disco floor, there is a "quiet" room with a nice assortment of toys for the kids to play with and comfy chairs and benches for the parents. There were also several vendors there handing out freebies, I remember that some sort of baby leg warmers seemed to be a huge hit.
Anyway, let me know if you are thinking of going. Nate and I would love to see you there.
Best,
Amanda