2013-2014 Archive: LSAT Workshops with Blueprint and Stratus

Poster Design: Lilia Cherchari

2013-2014 Archive: Announcement of 2013-2014 Board

The Columbia Pre-Law Society is pleased to announce the members of its 2013-2104 Board:

Executive Board

• President: Ryan Bae '15
• Vice-President: Genevieve Antono '17
• Vice-President: Jane Wang '15
• Secretary: Kate Lee '15
• Treasurer: Alice Cho '15

Senior Advisors

• Treasury: Christine Byun '14
• Pre-Professional: Jaclyn Willner '14
• Public Relations: Naomi Senbet '14
• Academic Affairs: Valerie Ortiz '14

Public Relations Committee

• Coordinator: Lilia Cherchari '15
• Coordinator: Angela Batuure '17

Pre-Professional Affairs Committee

• Coordinator: Sahng-Ah Yoo '15
• Coordinator: Antonia Miller '16

Academic Affairs Committee

• Coordinator: Rebekka Troychanskiy '16
• Coordinator: Korey Petgrave '17

Events Committee

• Coordinator: Emma Thompson '15

2013 Archive: General Body Meeting

General Body Meeting & Board Election Info Session

Come meet the 2013 Executive Board members of Columbia Pre-Law Society and find out about upcoming events. Information about the upcoming board election and application materials will also be shared. 

Location: Lerner 477
Time: 6pm-6:30pm

2013-2014 Archive: Snapshot: 10/9 General Body Meeting

Thanks for coming out to the General Body meeting - we had a full house!

2013-2014 Archive: General Body Meeting & Board Election Info Session

Come meet the 2013 Executive Board members of Columbia Pre-Law Society and find out about upcoming events. 

Information about the upcoming board election and application materials will also be shared.

2013-2014 Archive: Previous Posts

For our archive of Columbia Pre-Law Society events from between 2010 and 2013, please visit: 

http://columbiaprelaw-archives.blogspot.com/

2013 Archive: Activities Day Fair

Activities Day Fair

Come find us at the Activities Fair to meet some of the board, ask any questions you might have about who we are as a club and what we do, and sign up for our listserv!

Keep posted for future events, including our kick off meeting, law school auditing, diverse law panels, and LSAT prep!

Location: Low Plaza
Time: 12:00pm-5:00pm

2013 Archive: Job Shadow Day

Davis & Gilbert LLP is a strategically focused, full-service law firm of more than 110 lawyers. Founded over a century ago, the firm represents a wide array of clients - ranging from small, independent start-ups to some of the world’s largest public companies - throughout the United States and internationally. Davis & Gilbert is widely regarded as the #1 law firm for the marketing communications industry and also has specialty practices focusing on middle market M&A, intellectual property, litigation, labor & employment, office & retail leasing and private client services.

Location: Meet at Columbia Gates
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm

2013 Archive: Lecture with Professor Tonya Putnam

Professor Putnam will discuss her upcoming book: Courts Without Borders: The Politics and Law of U.S. Extraterritoriality! She is currently teaching undergraduate International Law course.  

Tonya Putnam is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and a Member of the Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies at Columbia University.  Putnam investigates issues at the intersection of international relations and international law.  Her primary research interests involve extraterritoriality, transnational regulatory disputes, and exploring how international legal processes shape and are shaped by international politics.  Other areas of interest include human rights, post-conflict transitional justice, international weapons prohibition regimes, and security in the post-Soviet region.

Pizza and desserts will be provided.

Location: Lerner 502
Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm

*Co-hosted with Columbia Political Science Students Association*

2013 Archive: Job Shadow Day

Dechert LLP is one of the top law firms in America. Originally based in Philadelphia, it is renowned for its white collar crime practice.

Location: Meet at Columbia Gates
Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm

2013 Archive: Panel with Columbia and HLS Graduate

J. Y. Ping (Columbia, BA, 2007), (Harvard Law School, JD, 2010), founder of 7Sage will discuss his experience going from CC to HLS, advice for anyone considering a similar path.  Please find his bio here: http://7sage.com/about-us/

Location: Lerner 503
Time: 5:30-6:30pm

2013 Archive: Court Visit

We will observe a trial and arraignments, and hear the jury duty process be explained.

Location: Meet at Columbia Gates
Time: 9:00am-12:30pm

2013 Archive: CLS Mentorship Event

Join us for a a mentorship event with current Columbia law school students who study diverse areas of law. Coffee and donuts will be provided!

Location: Wallach Lounge
Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm

2013 Archive: General Body Meeting

Don't miss this opportunity to get involved in the Pre-Law Society and learn about all our upcoming events/ opportunities, including panels, job shadow days, and law school auditing. 

Location: Lerner 569
Time: 6:00 - 7:00pm

2012 Archive: Job Shadow Day

We've got an awesome opportunity coming up to shadow attorneys at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.  

Check out the website to learn more about the firm:  http://www.fkks.com/

This Job Shadow Day will take place on Friday, April 27th from 3:00-5:00pm.  Spots are limited, so if you're interested in attending please send your resume to our Coordinator, Joshua Fattal, at jrf2126@fcolumbia.edu by 5pm on Sunday.  
Location: Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz
Time: Friday, April 27th from 3:00-5:00p 

Apply Today!! 

2012 Archive: Personal Statement Workshop

Below is a blurb about a great upcoming event Columbia Pre-Law Society is hosting with Mock Trial and PSSA. If you're anxious about law school applications, you definitely do not want to miss this!

Law School Personal Statement Workshop
When: Monday April 2, 8pm
Where: Hamilton 602

FREE FOOD!!!!!!

Learn how to develop and perfect your law school essays from US News' Law School Expert Shawn O'Connor. Shawn is the author of the US News column Law Admissions Lowdown, and also founder/CEO of Stratus Prep, the nation's leading boutique LSAT prep and law school admissions counseling firm. All attendees are also eligible for a free half hour consultation with Shawn, and a 10% discount off all Stratus Prep services.

Food will be served!

2012 Archive: Dinner with Law Students

You've asked for it, and we've delivered! On Tuesday, February 28th from 7:30 to 9:00 pm in Lerner 569, Columbia Pre-Law Society will be hosting an intimate dinner with law students. 

In this invaluable networking and informational opportunity, four to six undergraduate students will be grouped with one law student to talk over a free Italian dinner about life at one of the nation's top law schools.  The law students have diversified interests, including Corporate Law, Art and Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property and Patent Law, Human Rights and Gender Law, and Environmental Law. Additionally, one student is a SEAS alum!

Shy? Don't worry. Columbia Pre-Law Society will put you in a group with similar interests and provide a list of suggested topics to make sure the night goes smoothly. 

The event is capped at 30 people, so fill out this form as soon as possible to reserve your spot. If you have any questions or concerns, email prelaw@columbia.edu and check out our website and Facebook page.

2012 Archive: Columbia Law School -- Class Audit

We are pleased to announce that the following 6 classes will be available for you to audit at Columbia Law School during the last week in February. The details are listed below. Please contact our Law School Auditing Coordinator, Simone Henry at snh2117@columbia.edu if you are interested in sitting in on one of these 6 classes at Columbia Law School. A limited number of students may attend each class and the students will be selected on a first come first serve basis. Please be sure to check your schedule and make sure that you can commit to arriving 10 minutes early for the class you wish to observe so that we can get seated and be sure not to disrupt the professor or students. Please note that any student who commits to attending a class and does not show up will not be eligible to attend future Pre-Law Society events.
Thank you so much for your interest!

"Law & Political Process" with Professor Nathaniel Persily: 
Date & Time: Monday, February 27th from 9:10am-10:30am
Location: Jerome Green (Law) 105
Map: http://www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/greene.html
Pre-Law Representative: Caroline Lisankie Contact Information: cel2132@columbia.edu  

"Criminal Law" with Professor Gerald Lynch: 
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 28th from 4:40pm-6:10pm
Location: Jerome Green (Law) 101
Map: http://www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/greene.html
Pre-Law Representative: Simone Henry
Contact Information: snh2117@columbia.edu, (516)353-7886

"Copyright Law" with Professor Jane Ginsburg: 
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 29th from 10:40am-12:00pm
Location: Jerome Green (Law) 101
Map: http://www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/greene.html
Pre-Law Representative: Simone Henry
Contact Information: snh2117@columbia.edu, (516)353-7886

"Corporations" with Professor Robert Jackson: 
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 29th from 1:20pm-2:40pm
Location: Jerome Green (Law) 106
Map: http://www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/greene.html
Pre-Law Representative: Simone Henry
Contact Information: snh2117@columbia.edu, (516)353-7886

"International Finance: Law, Money and Banking in the Global Economy" with Professor Tamara Lothian
Date & Time: Thursday, March 1st from 4:20pm-6:10pm
Location: William and June Warren Hall (Law) L107- basement level
Map: http://www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/wj_warren.html
Pre-Law Representative: Simone Henry
Contact Information: snh2117@columbia.edu, (516)353-7886

"International Environmental Law" with Professor Evan Van Hook: 
Date & Time: Thursday, March 1st from 6:20pm-8:10pm
Location: William and June Warren Hall (Law) 103
Map: http://www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/wj_warren.html
Pre-Law Representative: TBA
Contact Information: 

2012 Archive: Events Liaison Application

Just a reminder that today at 5 pm is the application deadline for anyone interested in becoming an Events Liaison. If you are thinking about applying for an Executive Board position in the future, this is an excellent way to get experience that will help you stand out.   

Find the application here.

2012 Archive: General Body Meeting

What? First General Body of the Semester
Where? Lerner 569
When? Tuesday February 7th, 2012 at 8 pm

Come to the Columbia Pre-Law Society's first General Body Meeting of the semester! Learn how you can get involved and about all our upcoming events and opportunities, including panels, job shadow days, and law school auditing. Also, we will be having a special presentation on internships available for the pre-law minded student. 

We will be providing free hot chocolate!

Find the event on Facebook here.

2011 Archive: Newly Elected 2012 Board Members

The Columbia Pre-Law Society is pleased to announce the 2012 Pre-Law Society Executive Board:

President: Caroline Lisankie 
Vice President: Natasha Bhatia
Treasurer: Christine Byun
Secretary: Sarah Perez
Events Coordinator: Ryan Bae
PR Coordinator: Aliza Hassine
JSD Coordinator: Joshua Fattal
LSA Coordinator: Simone Henry
Pre-Professional Coordinator: Andrew Glicklich

For more information check us out on Facebook.

2011 Archive: Board Elections

As you may know, the Pre-Law Society Board runs on a calendar year, meaning that we will be determining the new board over the course of the next few weeks.  The application for board positions is attached and while you can apply for as many as you would like, you are strongly encouraged to apply for no more than two positions.  Interviews will take place on the evenings of Sunday, Dec. 4 and potentially Dec. 11, depending on the number of applicants.  We will contact you with details after you submit the applications.  If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to email me.  

Please email your applications to ayl2119@columbia.edu by 5 PM on December 3, 2010.  Do not email your application to the Pre-Law Society board address.

2011 Blog Archive: Panel Discussion

Panelists:

Assistant District Attorney Erin LaFarge of the New York County District Attorney's Office.  She works in Trial Bureau 80 and is a 2007 Columbia Law School graduate. working there 5 years. Does all kinds of cases.

Seann Riley: Deputy Director of Bronx Defenders- small case load. different from most PD offices practices holistic advocacy. Immigration court, family court etc. 

Sharon Brodt: Supervisor in the Appeals Bureau of the Queens  County District Attorney’s Office.  She has worked in the Office of the QDA since 1993.   In addition to he rappellate work, Ms. Brodt was the second seat on two homicide trials, including the multiple homicide in the Wendy’s in Flushing, New York, in which the jury voted to impose the death penalty on the defendant.

Miriam Goodman: Women’s specialist at Midtown Community Court (MCC). Miriam oversees and facilitates the Women’s Independence Safety and Empowerment (WISE) program, a comprehensive psycho-educational and therapeutic program for women arrested for prostitution.  Miriam is also a therapist at the Safe Horizon’s Counseling Center, where she provides trauma-focused therapy for crime victims. She received her BA in Sociology from Dickinson College and her MSW from the Silver School of Social Work at New York University. Not an attorney; a social worker. Oversees the whole entire clinic.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

Did you always want to work in the Public Sector? Tell us about your experiences
Erin LaFarge: The only thing she wanted to do was public service. Working in South Africa and all her coworkers had a law degree. While in Law school, interned at district attorney’s office and it sparked her interest in the field. She only does felonies right now. There are many cases that are unique, never a dull moment in her job. Ex of a case: 4 people with a gun in a car. Interestingly, social media is large platform that divulges information about convicted individuals. 

Seann Riley: Went to law school knowing he wanted to be a public defender, was interested in poverty law. “Liberty is one of the greatest goods...people that can’t afford fancy lawyers should still have the resources everyone else does.” Believes that working on behalf of the poor is the highest good in the law. What people are in jail for in NY deal with crimes of poverty and quality of life crimes. Most of the crimes are not huge violent crimes...we are packing our jails with people that commit quality of life crimes. For him, being a public defender is about changing the system and changing the ways people see courts of power. 

Sharon Brodt: Thinks both sides are the highest level of service. Not a publicly appreciated job...pay isn’t that well. With that said, appeals working grants one great satisfaction. Lawyers work in courts (working right away with 70 case caseloads). Within a year was in the NY State court of appeals. Your lawyering skills are used to the utmost very quickly. Worked on the latest NY death penalty case- extremely exhausting but very interesting. Case finally struck down NY’s death penalty law. 

Miriam Goodman: Midtown Community court mission: to deal with quality of life crimes [low level offenses], offers punishment dealing with community service while also giving support. Top charge that you see is shoplifting, borough-wide control over prostitution cases. People get mandates that actually address their needs [shoplifting with substance abuse etc.]. The broad range of people that commit crimes [homeless people, rich people, tourist that accidentally got arrested for shoplifting]. Staff looks at people as reacting to their environment, doesn’t label people. Has heard many stories about abuse which were very shocking. Also dealt with inspirational stories, one being about a 18-time convicted prostitute who ended up leaving her pimp, getting a high school degree and going to college

-- -- -- -- -- -- 

Can you talk about eyewitness identification cases?

Seann Riley: NJ is the biggest reformer of eyewitness identification cases. ID cases aren’t like what television shows depict. Everything is covered except for faces. He’s working on an ID case right now where the eyewitness off by 8 inches [height] and 40 lbs [weight] but the court still thinks the case is viable.

-- -- -- -- -- -- 

What’s next in your career plans? 

Erin LaFarge: I have no desire to leave the DA’s office. When people leave it’s often for the private sector to make more money in order to pay off debts.. etc. 

Seann Riley: Many people go on to academia and teach at law schools. The job is mentally and physically taxing so after about 10 years many people go on to become federal defenders because it’s slower paced and more 9-5.

Sharon Brodt: There are those who leave for financial reasons and sometimes there are other public sector jobs (serving the public in a different way) ie. working in government offices for politicians

Miriam Goodman: Some people go on to become judges. 

-- -- -- -- -- -- 

What about ID cases dealing with minorities? Is there anything being done to reduce racial profiling?

Seann Riley: Nothing. the poor are over-policed. it’s not that the poor do more crimes but they are watched more... Young, black, and hispanic men are stopped far more often for marijuana crimes than white individuals. 

Sharon Brodt:  has seen defendants of every stripe/color in Queens. You also have to be careful of using the term ‘racial profiling’ if one states that they were robbed by a white/black man and police look for people of this description, then this isn’t racial profiling. But if no crime is reported and certain groups are stopped, then this is racial profiling. Usually people victimize people in their own neighborhood and not others. If you want to police crime, you have to look at where the crime actually is. 

-- -- -- -- -- -- 

Have you dealt with stereotypes in your job? How do you deal with that?

Erin LaFarge: Law & Order is filmed outside her building so she is submerged within the stereotype. Has to explain to clients why everything isn’t forensically overanalyzed. It’s hard to explain to jury’s why these extra measures are’t being taken, especially because they were so expensive. 

Seann Riley: The stereotype that often comes up is when clients ask him when he will be a “paid lawyer”. There’s a stereotype that public defenders aren’t “good lawyers”. 

Miriam Goodman: In my field you don’t have the respect right away. “social worker” brings up this frumpy, bleeding liberal image but many of them do great work. No matter what walk of life, one always needs a supportive law staff. If you’re doing the job well it should impact you. 

2011 Archive: Panel Discussion

When? Tuesday, November 15th, 8 pm
Where? Lerner 569

"Law isn't like what you see on TV." You've heard it a million times, but people do deal with crimes involving drugs, prostitution, and murder every day. Come hear these people speak about their experiences as well as network with representatives from one of the biggest internship providers for college students, the public sector. Our event will include a Public Defender from Bronx Defenders, a clerk from the Midtown Community Court, and an Assistant DA. 

For more information, contact us and check us out on Facebook. 

2011 Archive: Job Shadow Day

We are pleased to announce that we will be having Job Shadow Day this year with Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP (http://www.stroock.com/sitecontent.cfm?contentID=2), an acclaimed national law firm with headquarters in NYC, on November 11, 2011 from 2-4 p.m. at their offices downtown.  Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with attorneys, meet the recruiter and learn more about life at a law firm.  Everyone is open to apply.To apply, please email your resume and a brief paragraph stating why you would like to attend Job Shadow Day to prelaw@columbia.eduby 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 4.  We will then notify shortly after if you have been chosen to attend.

2011 Blog Archive: Panel Discussion

Christelle Dorcil from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
Sagar Patel from Seward & Kissel
Courtney Browne from Skadden
Katie Fernandez from Mayer Brown

When did you realize you were interested in the law?

CB: I didn’t want to go into law. Instead, I went to business school at Vanderbilt, worked for 3 years as a financial analyst. I thought about getting a Ph.D. in economics but found myself more interested in law.

KF: I liked to argue. I graduated from CC in 2006, doing Political Science, which inspired me.

SP: I didn’t think about it until my last year of college. I had an internship at a legal publishing place. I really didn’t like the publishing aspect, but the law aspect interested me a lot. I tried different internships, got a job as a paralegal, and then decided to go to law school. 

CD: It was always in the back of my head. I studied PR but when it was time to make post-grad decisions I decide to go to law school because a JD could open up new career doors. I really enjoyed the legal side of business transactions, especially finance. As far as rewarding experience, there’s a lot to be said for pro-bono work and the great resources that are put towards a good cause. I have done immigration work for Haitians in NYC, which meant a lot to me.

What is the most gratifying part[s] of your career?

CB: The whole process, the life of a deal, the cycle of a deal. The opportunities to do pro-bono work. You can do the big firm work but also something beneficial on top of just your day job.

KF: When you’re actually helping people every day in public interest, you feel great. Also the pro-bono aspects of corporate law are really rewarding. The feeling of working with the smartest people in the field, the intellectual gratification, make going to work a great experience. It’s definitely different from those in non-corporate jobs but great nonetheless.

SP: The intellectual stimulation – people have many diverse interests. In this profession, even in the corporate world, they encourage the merging of corporate and pro-bono work. (The money is also good too!)

How did you spend your summers/ how would you reccommend undergraduates spend their summers? 

CB: There’s no real key or anything specifically law related you should do. Just make sure you’re doing something that’s work your time. You should be pretty productive. I worked in different banking environments in the summer. In law school I spent my first and second summers working in different firms. In the first summer at I was at a smaller based firm and the second summer Skadden.

KF: What you do doesn’t have to be law related, but do something that is interesting and worthwhile. Set yourself apart from other candidates. Since I wasn’t sure about my career path, I worked for an attorney to get a good idea of how the law worked.

SP: Don’t focus on trying to do legal work. Instead, look for things that are interesting to you. A good way to know that law school is right for you is by exploring different fields through internships That said it doesn’t hurt to do legal work to introduce yourself to the field because it’s very different from the way it [law work] is publicized on TV. 

CD: I worked all of my summers on campus in various higher admin positions and community service work separately. While at law school I worked at a smaller firm.

What about taking a year or two off?

CB: I took three years off. I really enjoyed going. Take a couple of years off to critically think about your decisions!

KF: I didn’t take a year off but other people I knew did, and they were much more “mentally ready for it”

SP: Took two years off which helped me realize what working as a lawyer was like. However, I don’t think a legal job is the only way to go. Explore your own interests and follow your heart for a few years instead of going straight to law school/focusing on law school straight away.

CD: I went straight through but saw that people who did take time off. Those people were better at articulating why they decided to do law/what field of law they were interested in. 

How is law school different?

CB: The assignments were different. You must be disciplined in a different way. 

FK: Finals were 100% of your grade. Most classes are taught by the Socratic Method. It’s a completely different academic experience. There’s really not much liberty in the classes you’re taking.

Sp: Undergraduate is a fun exploration. In law school, they give you your courses. The Socratic Method is everywhere, and everyone is hitting the books at the library. Everyone is actually working. Pressure is there because everything is based on one exam. 

CD: Everyone is taking the same classes, applying for the same jobs. You feel like you have to do things because everyone else is doing them. So you have to find the balance of what is thrown at you. You just need to keep perspective. 

Given the current state of the economy- what about jobs?

CB: It’s definitely harder to get a job. The market changes things but a lot of the bigger firms are pretty creative with their hiring, and there are other opportunities. 

KF: Companies are watching what they are spending. Parties are coming together more than usual. That being said things are being differently and different parts of law are busier than ever. Because the market has changed, the better law school you get into, the better changes you have at getting those jobs. Take the LSAT extremely seriously!!! 

SP: Being able to get a job in the law is much harder than before. That’s definitely something to consider. The work you do depends on the practice you do. The state of the economy might change the type of clients you have and what kind of law you practice. 

CD: Deals are cut faster, clients are looking at your work product and that you are providing value. The changes that are occurring deal with the type of work. 

How many hours did you work a week/ What about dual degree programs? 

CB: Work hours vary depending on practice. As far as dual degree programs, they’re not a requirement but they are nice. 

CD: In terms of two degrees, be prepared to ask questions about which degree you are leaning towards. 

What about your next step will do public interest or... ? 

CB: I’m thinking about it but it’s hard to leave the corporate sector when you have worked in it for so long.

KF: It’s hard to leave a job that I really enjoy and get paid well..but I don’t think I’ll stay in it forever.

SP: The work is relatively satisfying. Many people consider leaving, but many attorneys get used to the lifestyle and it’s hard to leave.

CD: If a public interest opportunity came up I would do it. However public interest law takes a different toll on you. 

Are you HAPPY? 

CB: I’m happy but you need to decide if it is right for you, obviously

KF: On average, I’m very happy going to work and doing the work I do.

SP: Same as CB and KF. I work at a smaller law firm, so my hours are more reasonable. 

CD: I’m overall very happy with my work and what I’m doing and the direction of my career.