--- title: Off the Record - Seton Hall Law's Official Blog (7) description: Seton Hall Law professors, students, administrators and alumni share advice and experiences about law school and life beyond the bar exam. (7) --- Off The Record ![Seton Hall Law Logo](https://law.shu.edu/_resources/images/logos/logo.png) # [How to Prepare for Law School While You Are Still in College](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/how-to-prepare-for-law-school-while-you-are-still-in-college) Posted by [Claudette St. Romain](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/claudette-st-romain) on 9/27/16, 7:49 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/photo-back-to-school-unsplash-600x255-edited.jpg)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/how-to-prepare-for-law-school-while-you-are-still-in-college) 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.  [READ MORE](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/how-to-prepare-for-law-school-while-you-are-still-in-college) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/how-to-prepare-for-law-school-while-you-are-still-in-college#comments-listing) Topics: [Advice and Tips](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/advice-and-tips), [Classes and Courses](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/classes-and-courses), [Admissions](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/admissions) ![Claudette St. Romain](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/st-romain_claudette_square-edited.jpg) Written by [Claudette St. Romain](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/claudette-st-romain) Professor St. Romain earned her J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School, and a B.A. with highest honors from the University of California, Davis. She is an Associate Professor teaching in the Introduction to Lawyering program. She also teaches Family Law, Marriage, and Divorce. # [Navigating a Juvenile Detention Hearing Toward a Positive Outcome](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/navigating-a-juvenile-detention-hearing-toward-a-positive-outcome) Posted by [Valisha Desir](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/valisha-desir) on 9/2/16, 8:30 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/bright-future-clinic-clog-post.jpg)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/navigating-a-juvenile-detention-hearing-toward-a-positive-outcome) When I walked into the Juvenile Justice Clinic at the start of the spring semester, I was excited for a change in my learning experience as a law student. I had grown accustomed to the classroom experience and was anticipating gaining an understanding of the judicial process from a hands-on perspective. To me, participating in the Juvenile Justice Clinic and working with the Public Defender’s Unit was an opportunity to learn the administrative processes of not just the courtroom but how each judge prefers to run their respective courts. [READ MORE](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/navigating-a-juvenile-detention-hearing-toward-a-positive-outcome) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/navigating-a-juvenile-detention-hearing-toward-a-positive-outcome#comments-listing) Topics: [Classes and Courses](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/classes-and-courses), [Student Life](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/student-life), [Clinics](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/clinics) ![Valisha Desir](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/valisha-desir.jpg) Written by [Valisha Desir](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/valisha-desir) Valisha Desir is a 2017 graduate of Seton Hall Law School. # [Turn Your Judicial Clerkship Interview Into a Job Offer](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/turn-your-judicial-clerkship-interview-into-a-job-offer) Posted by [Gregory L. Acquaviva](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/gregory-l-acquaviva) on 7/13/16, 11:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/gold-tie-before-interview-600x297.jpg)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/turn-your-judicial-clerkship-interview-into-a-job-offer) Congratulations! You have a judicial clerkship interview. You studied hard, earned good grades, wrote a stellar judicial clerkship cover letter, and submitted an application that rose to the top of a very large pile. Now what? How do you land that coveted clerkship? These tips will help you stand out for all the right reasons: [READ MORE](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/turn-your-judicial-clerkship-interview-into-a-job-offer) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/turn-your-judicial-clerkship-interview-into-a-job-offer#comments-listing) Topics: [Internships/Jobs](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/internships-jobs), [Advice and Tips](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/advice-and-tips) ![Gregory L. Acquaviva](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/Acquaviva-square.jpg) Written by [Gregory L. Acquaviva](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/gregory-l-acquaviva) Gregory L. Acquaviva, Esq., '06 is Vice President of State Government Affairs for UnitedHealth Group. Previously, he served as a judicial law clerk to Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and Chief Justice James R. Zazzali, Supreme Court of New Jersey. # [Law School Clinic Experience Gave Me the Chance to Provide Hope](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/law-school-clinic-experience-gave-me-the-chance-to-provide-hope) Posted by [Timothy Ortolani](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/timothy-ortolani) on 7/5/16, 11:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/woman-in-darkness-600x283.jpg)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/law-school-clinic-experience-gave-me-the-chance-to-provide-hope) My participation in the [Immigrants’ Rights/International Human Rights Clinic](http://law.shu.edu/ProgramsCenters/PublicIntGovServ/CSJ/Immigration-and-Human-Rights-Clinic.cfm) was by far my most memorable experience in law school. Professor Farrin Anello assigned my partner and I to a time-sensitive case. The client was a young woman who recently fled Guatemala and had entered the United States without a visa. After being apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, she was sent to Delaney Hall Detention Center right here in Newark, where she was being held when we met her. Her bond hearing was rapidly approaching, and Catholic Charities brought her case to the attention of the Center for Social Justice. After reviewing the documents from our client’s initial interview with an asylum officer, we believed that she had a strong domestic violence-based asylum claim. [READ MORE](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/law-school-clinic-experience-gave-me-the-chance-to-provide-hope) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/law-school-clinic-experience-gave-me-the-chance-to-provide-hope#comments-listing) Topics: [Classes and Courses](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/classes-and-courses), [Student Life](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/student-life), [Experiential Learning](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/experiential-learning), [Clinics](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/clinics) ![Timothy Ortolani](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/Ortolani-square.jpg) Written by [Timothy Ortolani](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/timothy-ortolani) Tim graduated from Providence College in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in History. During his time at Seton Hall Law, he worked for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, the Superior Court of New Jersey – Criminal Division, and for McDermott and McGee, LLP. This fall, he will serve as law clerk for the Honorable Thomas R. Vena, J.S.C. # [Equal Justice Clinic Provides More than Transactional Legal Skills](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/equal-justice-clinic-provides-more-than-transactional-legal-skills) Posted by [Renée Bissonnette](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/renée-bissonnette) on 4/29/16, 11:04 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/csj_exterior-803202-edited.jpg)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/equal-justice-clinic-provides-more-than-transactional-legal-skills) In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a public letter while he was imprisoned in Birmingham jail. In it, he said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Of course I’d heard this quote many times throughout my life, but I suppose in all honesty it affected me in the way most grandiose platitudes did: not much. We all innately feel that injustice cannot be tolerated, however, until injustice finds its way into our day-to-day lives, we are hard-pressed to find the motivation to take action, or the ability to comprehend what it truly means to face injustice. [READ MORE](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/equal-justice-clinic-provides-more-than-transactional-legal-skills) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/equal-justice-clinic-provides-more-than-transactional-legal-skills#comments-listing) Topics: [Classes and Courses](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/classes-and-courses), [Clinics](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/clinics) ![Renée Bissonnette](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/renee-bissonnette.png) Written by [Renée Bissonnette](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/renée-bissonnette) Renée received her B.A. in Criminal Justice from Villanova University in 2013. She will receive her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in May 2016. After graduation, Renée will serve as law clerk to a criminal judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey in Hunterdon County. # [The Hardest Part About Law School isn't the Classes](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/hardest-part-about-law-school-is-not-class) Posted by [Michelle C. Kuhns-Abrahim](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/michelle-c-kuhns-abrahim) on 3/14/16, 10:57 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/michelle-abrahim-library-600x275.jpg)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/hardest-part-about-law-school-is-not-class) Surviving law school while pregnant and raising three small children (two of them twins!) is by no means easy. How do I manage? How do I do it? Well, it’s truly a perfect storm, and it really comes down to a positive attitude, surrounding myself with those who love and believe in me, and wanting deep down inside, above all, to make a difference and a better world. [READ MORE](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/hardest-part-about-law-school-is-not-class) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/hardest-part-about-law-school-is-not-class#comments-listing) Topics: [Student Life](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/student-life) ![Michelle C. Kuhns-Abrahim](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/michelle-abrahim-150x150.jpg) Written by [Michelle C. Kuhns-Abrahim](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/michelle-c-kuhns-abrahim) Michelle C. Kuhns-Abrahim is a 2016 graduate of Seton Hall Law School. # [Will Non-Catholic Students Fit In at a Catholic Law School?](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/will-non-catholic-students-fit-in-at-a-catholic-law-school) Posted by [Father Nicholas Gengaro](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/father-nicholas-gengaro) on 3/10/16, 7:41 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/Fr-Nick-orientation-600x248.jpg)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/will-non-catholic-students-fit-in-at-a-catholic-law-school) Learning that Seton Hall University School of Law is a Catholic institution, prospective law students who are not Catholic may wonder what sort of welcome they might receive here. This may be particularly true for non-Christian students. [READ MORE](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/will-non-catholic-students-fit-in-at-a-catholic-law-school) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/will-non-catholic-students-fit-in-at-a-catholic-law-school#comments-listing) Topics: [Student Life](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/student-life) ![Father Nicholas Gengaro](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/Nicholas_Gengaro_2-495100-edited.jpg) Written by [Father Nicholas Gengaro](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/father-nicholas-gengaro) Law School Chaplain. The mission of the Chaplain’s Office is to assist with the growth, rejuvenation, and refreshment of the spirit not only for Catholics but for people of all faiths. # [5 Ways to Avoid Plagiarism](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/5-ways-to-avoid-plagiarism) Posted by [Carl Coleman](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/carl-coleman) on 12/3/15, 8:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/laptop-on-desk-in-dark-room-under-lamp.jpg)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/5-ways-to-avoid-plagiarism) --- Plagiarism — the use of someone else’s words or ideas in writing without proper attribution — is one of the easiest ways to ruin your academic or professional reputation. Just ask [Senator John Walsh](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/11/us/politics/plagiarism-costs-degree-for-senator-john-walsh.html?_r=0), whose Master’s degree from the United States War College was rescinded after it was discovered that he copied large portions of his final thesis without attribution. Or [Benny Johnson](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/buzzfeed-fires-benny-johnson-for-plagiarism/2014/07/26/64abe9d2-1484-11e4-98ee-daea85133bc9_story.html), the BuzzFeed writer who was dismissed after Twitter users pointed out dozens of examples in his articles of “sentences or phrases copied word for word from other sites.” As a law student, being scrupulous about avoiding plagiarism is particularly important, as a plagiarism violation could be used as [evidence of poor “character and fitness”](https://law.utexas.edu/faculty/wschiess/legalwriting/2006/10/plagiarism-it-follows-you-after-law.html)when you apply for admission to the bar. For lawyers already in practice, plagiarism can be [grounds for professional discipline](http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/publications/criminal_justice_magazine/cjsu11_ethics.authcheckdam.pdf). [READ MORE](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/5-ways-to-avoid-plagiarism) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/5-ways-to-avoid-plagiarism#comments-listing) Topics: [Advice and Tips](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/advice-and-tips), [Writing](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/writing) ![Carl Coleman](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/coleman_carl_150x150.jpg) Written by [Carl Coleman](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/carl-coleman) Professor Carl Coleman specializes in the legal, ethical, and public policy implications of medical treatment, research, and public health. He currently serves as Academic Director of Seton Hall Law School's Division of Online Learning. # [Tips for Pursuing a Career in Family Law](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/tips-for-pursuing-a-career-in-family-law) Posted by [John Barone](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/john-barone) on 11/24/15, 12:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![holding-hands.jpg](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/1-holding-hands.jpg?width=600&name=1-holding-hands.jpg "holding-hands.jpg") Law students hoping to practice in the area of Family Law can position themselves to achieve that goal by following this advice. While no one thing will guarantee a successful career in one specific area of the law, a combination of multiple experiences and associations will make the likelihood of employment in that area increase. Here are a few ideas to get you started.  ### Tip #1: Build your network. [READ MORE](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/tips-for-pursuing-a-career-in-family-law) 2 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/tips-for-pursuing-a-career-in-family-law#comments-listing) Topics: [Advice and Tips](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/advice-and-tips), [Events](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/events), [Experiential Learning](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/experiential-learning), [Clinics](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/clinics) ![John Barone](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/John_Barone-150x150.jpg) Written by [John Barone](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/john-barone) John Barone is a 2016 graduate of Seton Hall Law School. # [Drafting a Personal Statement For Graduate School: Eight Dos & Don'ts](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/drafting-a-personal-statement-for-graduate-school-dos-and-donts) Posted by [Simone Handler-Hutchinson](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/simone-handler-hutchinson) on 11/18/15, 4:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/1-typewriter-blank-notebook-on-wood-table-600x248.jpg)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/drafting-a-personal-statement-for-graduate-school-dos-and-donts) Applying to graduate school for a [master's degree](https://law.shu.edu/onlhttps://law.shu.edu/academics/mls-online.htmline/graduate-degrees/msj/index.cfm) can feel daunting, particularly if you are a mid-career professional who hasn’t been in the classroom for a while. Most graduate schools will require that you submit a personal statement as part of your application, but don’t be intimidated by the task. If your goals of returning to school include developing new skills to better position yourself for new or expanding opportunities within your industry or related industry, a compelling personal statement can be the key factor in the school’s decision to admit you. Graduate schools desire diverse students with a variety of personal, professional and educational backgrounds. Think of the graduate school personal statement as your opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants and to highlight something that the admissions committee would not otherwise know about you. [READ MORE](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/drafting-a-personal-statement-for-graduate-school-dos-and-donts) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/drafting-a-personal-statement-for-graduate-school-dos-and-donts#comments-listing) Topics: [Graduate Programs](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/graduate-programs), [Advice and Tips](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/advice-and-tips), [Writing](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/writing) ![Simone Handler-Hutchinson](https://blog.law.shu.edu/hubfs/simone-handler-hutchinson.jpg) Written by [Simone Handler-Hutchinson](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/author/simone-handler-hutchinson) Assistant Dean for Graduate and Professional Education [Previous](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/page/6) [ALL POSTS](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/all) | This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Welcome to  OFF THE RECORD [Seton Hall Law](https://law.shu.edu) professors, students, administrators and alumni share advice and experiences about law school and life beyond the bar exam. ## [SETON HALL | **LAW**](https://law.shu.edu) ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Advice and Tips (38)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/advice-and-tips) - [Admissions (25)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/admissions) - [Student Life (21)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/student-life) - [Internships/Jobs (12)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/internships-jobs) - [Classes and Courses (11)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/classes-and-courses) - [Experiential Learning (9)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/experiential-learning) - [Clinics (8)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/clinics) - [Writing (6)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/writing) - [Financial Aid (5)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/financial-aid) - [Graduate Programs (4)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/graduate-programs) - [Alumni (3)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/alumni) - [Faculty (3)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/faculty) - [Events (1)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/events) - [Health Law (1)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/health-law) - [Law Journals (1)](https://blog.law.shu.edu/off-the-record/topic/law-journals) see all ### Subscribe to Email Updates #### SETON HALL | **LAW** Seton Hall University School of Law One Newark Center 1109 Raymond Boulevard Newark, New Jersey 07102 973-642-8500 [Directions | Map](http://law.shu.edu/About/Directions-old.cfm) - [![](https://law.shu.edu/_resources/images/icons/icon-facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/SetonHallLaw) - [![](https://law.shu.edu/_resources/images/icons/icon-x.svg)](https://twitter.com/setonhalllaw) - [![](https://law.shu.edu/_resources/images/icons/icon-linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/school/seton-hall-law-school) - [![](https://law.shu.edu/_resources/images/icons/icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/c/SetonHallLaw/videos) - [![](https://law.shu.edu/_resources/images/icons/icon-feeds.svg)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/shulaw) - [![](https://law.shu.edu/_resources/images/icons/icon-instagram.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/setonhalllaw)