OFF THE RECORD - Seton Hall Law

Leadership Fellows Put Vision Into Action

Posted by Stephanie Beach on 4/7/18 8:46 AM

Lawyers are leaders, whether in the courtroom, the boardroom, or on the political stage. But being an effective lawyer requires more than a mastery of legal terminology and knowledge of the intricacies of our justice system. It requires keen leadership, expert acumen, and strength of judgment. It requires the ability to fashion a vision for the bigger picture and, more importantly, the ability to create a desire in others to adopt that vision. And yet studies show that lawyers lack the critical leadership skills that are necessary for success, including stepping out of established comfort zones, embracing collaboration, and cultivating empathy.

The Leadership Fellows Program seeks to change that by providing law students with a unique opportunity to develop effective leadership skills.

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Topics: Classes and Courses, Student Life, Experiential Learning, Newark

Keeping Law School Exams and Grades in Perspective

Posted by Paula Franzese on 12/1/17 10:36 AM

Law school exams present a unique set of stressors, inducing fear even in the most confident people. When the parade of horribles comes marching in - "I can't do this," "I'll never get all this done," "Everyone is so much more prepared than me," "I don't understand any of this" - stop that procession in its tracks and declare out loud: FEELINGS ARE NOT FACTS. 

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Topics: Advice and Tips, Classes and Courses

Law Students Develop Leadership Skills While Giving Back to Community

Posted by Paula Franzese on 11/9/17 8:09 AM


Photo: Leadership Fellows Max Mescall, Mary Bessemer, Joanita Gakami, Nick Carlson and Cornelia Szymanski

The Leadership Fellows Program at Seton Hall Law provides a unique opportunity for law students to cultivate essential leadership skills through a series of interactive activities, reflections, and ultimately, through the planning and execution of a leadership project. Here is how Leadership Fellows Mary Bessemer ('18) and Cornelia Szymanski ('18) described their experiences in the program: 

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Topics: Classes and Courses, Student Life, Experiential Learning

Maximize Your Success on the Uniform Bar Exam with Careful Course Selection

Posted by John Kip Cornwell on 9/25/17 10:25 AM

Bar passage is the gateway to practicing law; indeed, outside of Wisconsin, you cannot practice in the United States without it.  But the bar exam is being transformed, and prospective students should understand these changes and their implications.

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Topics: Advice and Tips, Classes and Courses

It's OK to Let Happy Accidents Guide Careers in Law

Posted by June Forrest on 4/3/17 9:45 AM

Ever heard of the concept of a “happy accident”? No? Because I like food so much, allow me to reduce it to the place I am most comfortable, the kitchen—where my best metaphors are concocted. Like Chocolate Chip cookies? Me, I love them. However, those delightful little mouthfuls of dough and chocolate were not the product of some great baker who painstakingly mixed dough with chocolate chips and baked them into a chewy, crunchy, brown-edged sweetness that melts in your mouth and which I, along with countless Americans cannot do without. You can take a lot away from me, but deprive me of my chocolate chip cookies and you will find one angry sweet-toothed Assistant Dean. But I digress.

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Topics: Internships/Jobs, Advice and Tips, Classes and Courses

Can You Really Earn a JD Degree Online?

Posted by Peter Eraca on 2/6/17 8:30 AM

Increasing numbers of students are gaining access to quality higher education through online learning. College and graduate education has been available for decades through both online divisions of traditional “brick and mortar” universities and through specialized online-only institutions where students can pursue everything from certificates to PhDs either partly or wholly online.

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Topics: Classes and Courses, Admissions

Talk to Me: An Intensive Introduction to Crisis Negotiation

Posted by Sheena Shah on 2/1/17 10:15 AM

Crisis Negotiation is one of my favorite courses at Seton Hall Law. I acquired a newfound appreciation for active listening and the virtue of patience, especially when dealing with persons whose normal coping skills have failed.

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Topics: Advice and Tips, Classes and Courses, Experiential Learning

Why I Study Alone (And the Exception to My Rule)

Posted by Sheena Shah on 11/23/16 10:33 AM

As a first year law student, the thought of one final exam determining 100% of my grade was daunting and I wanted to make sure I was prepared for what was to come. When I started law school, I asked many second and third year law students about their studying strategies. I noticed that study groups were pretty common, but decided that they were not for me and that was the best choice I ever made.

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Topics: Classes and Courses, Student Life

Law Students Need To Understand Basic Financial Concepts

Posted by Timothy Glynn on 11/2/16 1:00 PM

Historically, law schools focused almost exclusively on teaching students substantive legal concepts and developing corresponding analytical and writing skills. While this traditional core – “learning to think and write like a lawyer” -- remains at the center of the law school curriculum, it has become clear that law students need to develop other skills and knowledge to be successful once they graduate. Thus, we have seen a proliferation of course offerings focused on matters such as effective communication and leadership, adeptness with technology, and data analysis.

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Topics: Classes and Courses

How to Prepare for Law School While You Are Still in College

Posted by Claudette St. Romain on 9/27/16 7:49 AM

College students considering law school often ask which major will prepare them for success in law school. The answer is simple: choose a major that challenges you, requires you to think deeply, broadens your horizons, and sparks your passion. 

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Topics: Advice and Tips, Classes and Courses, Admissions

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OFF THE RECORD

Seton Hall Law professors, students, administrators and alumni share advice and experiences about law school and life beyond the bar exam.

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