Spokane
SCHOLAR
Summer 2018
Fall Classes Start August 20th
Moving to Spokane Student's Guide to Picking the Right Spot!
Welcome to Gonzaga Law!
What's Happening Around Town Places to Eat, Events, and Festivities
Anxious? Excited? Terrified?
to Watch For.
So Were We.
Law School Pathfinder From Current Students for Future Students
What's Inside
4Editor's Letter Welcome to Gonzaga Law 5Meet the Ambassadors Ask an Upper Classman
16 Spokane on Social Media #SpokaneDoesntSuck
6Student Spotlight Meet Sather Gowdy
18 Eateries The Best Spots for Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Drinks
12 Finding Home Sweet Home Neighborhood and Housing Guide 15 Setting Goals & Making it All Happen Introducing the CPD
19 To Prep or Not to Prep Getting Ready for Law School
Upcoming Events H O O P F E S T \\ June 30 - July 1 The largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world featuring over 6,000 teams, 3,000 volunteers, 225,000 fans and 450 courts spanning 45 city blocks. Beyond basketball, it is an outdoor festival with shopping, food, and interactive entertainment.
C R A V E Northwest \\ July 12 - 15 Food and drink festival, taste the northwest.
PIG - OUT - IN - THE - PARK \\ August 29 - September 3 Food trucks, street vendors, music, and more. Enjoy free admission to this food and live music festival.
T E R R A I N \\ October 5 One-night-only, juried multimedia art and music event celebrating young and emerging artists in the Spokane area. 2
Letter from the Editor
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melia Earhart said, “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” I don’t think there is one “right way” to go about law school - it is an experience unique to each person that chooses to take it on. One thing I know with certainty is that Amelia was on to something, and sometimes in law school, the most effective way to do it, is to just do it. But the beauty of choosing Gonzaga is that you don’t have to go it alone. This publication will be one of many modes of providing invaluable information to help you feel equipped and ready to start this whirlwind experience called law school. By way of introduction, my name is Nicole Luth. I am a rising 3L, Spokane native, and your Summer Student Ambassador. In the subsequent pages, you will learn about some of the students that make up the GU Law community. The Ambassadors are available for any and all random questions about starting law school, what GU is like, what it’s like to live in Spokane, etc. My hope with this magazine is to connect with you— the reader/future law student/future Zag who is in the place I found myself in two years ago. There are plenty of tidbits I can share with you about what to expect from professors, classmates, internships, etc., and as the summer progresses I will share this and more on the Admissions Blog. In case you haven't already heard the phrase, people often say that in law school the first year they scare you to death, the second year they work you to death, and the third year they bore you to death
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" the first year they scare you to death, the second year they work you to death, and the third year they bore you to death " This experience will challenge you in ways you could never imagine, let alone prepare for. It is a wild ride with twists and turns, but if there is one thing I know after this year of being "worked to death," it is that law school will be worth it in the end because you will be one step closer to achieving your goals and dreams. For now, I hope you keep this in mind as you move forward—you, first and foremost, are an individual. You will not be defined by being a law student, but you will grow from this experience and go on to accomplish amazing things. And on a lighter note, the one thing I wish someone would have told me before I started school is this: your eyesight will change (in my case drastically) from all of the reading, so don't update your glasses prescription until a few weeks/month after you start. I bought new glasses and contacts before I started, and within two months I had to go get it updated because I couldn't see the whiteboard anymore. Please feel free to reach out to me— my personal Instagram is @attorney_journey and my email is nluth@lawschool.gonzaga.edu. I look forward to meeting you in person soon!
- Nicole Luth
Meet Your 2018-2019 Law Student Ambassadors Send us an email ____ @lawschool.gonzaga.edu
Allison Drescher || 2L adrescher Angela O'Meara || 3L aomeara Annie Bell || 2L abell4 Ashley Walker || 3L awalker6 Brooke Frickleton || 3L bfrickleton Daniel Hershkowitz || 3L dherskowitz
Back Row left to right: Katie Carnell, Annie Bell, TJ Burford, Christy Vu (graduated 2018), Mary Carter (graduated 2018), Nicole Luth Front Row left to right: Allison Drescher, Destiny Soto, Brooke Frickleton, Angela O'Meara Not Pictured: Ashley Walker & Dan Hershkowitz
Destiny Soto || 3L dsoto2 Katie Carnell || 2L kcarnell2 Nicole Luth || 3L nluth TJ Burford || 3L tburford
We are here to answer any and all of your questions about Gonzaga and/or law school in general. We have all been where you're at currently and it can be a whirlwind experience. If you want to know about first-year classes, what to expect from professors, how we manage the stress, what we do for fun (because yes, you can still have fun when you're in law school), or whatever else is on your mind, drop one of us a line. You will find a collaborative culture at GU Law. We are a resource for you, just as the classes before were resources for us. It is the clichĂŠ gift that keeps on giving, but it's the truth.
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Broadening Horizons
Florence, Italy
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Student Spotlight of meeting Sather Iwithinhadathefewprivilege days, if not the first day, of orientation our 1L year. He has an infectious spirit that brings happiness and joy to all those around him, and if there is an “upperclassman” incoming students should know, he is at the top of the list! Sather has been jet-setting around Italy this summer, and I can’t thank him enough for humoring me with these questions. First, here is the obligatory back story that everyone will share countless times in law school – where you’re from, where you went to undergrad, and what you got your degree in. Sather was born and raised in Spokane, is a Mead High School grad, and received his Bachelors in Sociology and Pre-Law from Whitworth University in 2011. Now let’s get this show on the road! Nicole – Well we might as well start with the question I think every law student has been / will be asked at 50 times before the end of their first year ... Why did you want to go to law school?
Sather - I was that “weird little kid” that has wanted to be a lawyer since I was 7 years old. When the kids in my neighborhood used to play “cops and robbers,” I would always demand that when the robber was arrested he’d be given a “fair trial” with me as his lawyer. I would then insist that the game transform into a courtroom drama. I remember one morning before going to school I was listening to NPR with my dad, and there was a story about a black man who had just been released from prison (somewhere in the South) after having been exonerated by DNA evidence and already serving something like 40 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. I remember the man talking about how over the 40 years he was in prison, his family had stopped coming to see him, his wife had left him, and even his closest friends doubted his innocence. The only person who stood by him (later winning his eventual release) was his underpaid/overworked public defender from his original
case. In an interview, the man said about his attorney, “Sometimes heroes don’t have capes, just ratty briefcases and wrinkled suits.” This really hit me, and I’ll never forget it. At that moment I decided I wanted to be a hero for those people who are historically at a disadvantage in our justice system. Someone has to be there to protect the rights of those people, and that’s what I want to do. N – What made you choose Gonzaga?
S – GU Law has always been the one (and only) law school I wanted to attend, and it’s the only one I applied to. Growing up in Spokane, I knew very well Gonzaga’s reputation as a place that truly cares about providing access to justice for people of poverty, minority groups, and others who are historically at a disadvantage in our justice system. Continued next page
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N – What did you think was most challenging thing about 1L year? S – The first year was challenging for me because there’s nothing you can do to prepare for how much work it is. The homework/reading you have to do is honestly never really “done,” but rather you just have to teach yourself to stop for sleep, to eat and take care of yourself. 1L year really does “change how you think,” and that’s a slow and tough process, but in the end, if you stick it out and do the work, it can be an amazing experience. N – And what was the most rewarding thing about your 1L year? S – Towards the end of my first year I was out with my family and we saw a person slip and fall on a wet floor at a local store. Without even thinking about it, I rattled off the prima facie elements of a negligence tort and the look on my mother’s face was priceless. It was at that moment that I knew that all the hard work of my first year had paid off and that I really did “know” the material. That was a truly rewarding day. N – So I’ve been following you on social media this summer and what you’ve been posting from the Florence program looks amazing! You’ve had the opportunity to go twice now . . . what was your favorite take away each year? S – I’m extremely fortunate to have been accepted to the GU Florence program these last two summers. Ever since I was very young I had dreamed of visiting Florence and as someone who loves both art and history, there are few places in the world where those interests meet in such a spectacular way. Over the last two summers (at the time of this interview) I have visited 73 of the 89 official museums/churches/historical sites in Florence. I hope to see all 89 before the end of this year’s program. Aside from soaking in all the art and history in this amazing city, one of my favorite things (both years of the program) has been the chance to meet, compete against and become friends with the Italian law students from Florence University. In this world that is becoming more and more interconnected, it is extremely valuable for us students to have a chance to build relationships, both professional and personal, with people from other countries and cultures. It not only makes us more well-rounded, but can only serve to better us in our future careers as lawyers.
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N – What was the most challenging aspect of the Florence program? S – The first 10 days or so of the Florence program is a lot of work, and maybe the most challenging part of the entire program. Not only are most of the students adjusting to a rather significant time difference (and the inevitable travel mishaps that are bound to happen) but we hit the ground running. We dive right into not only the classroom routine but also into preparations for the International Mediation Competition that we participate in against the law school students from the University of Florence. After the Mediation Competition takes place, things start to calm down and it becomes much easier to enjoy the sights and culture of Florence. N – . . . so tell me about this project/ challenge you've been doing finding and recreating scenes from Hannibal . . . S – Haha. Oh wow, this is a bit embarrassing. Well, Silence of the Lambs is one of my all-time favorite movies and books, and I think Dr. Lecter is one of the greatest villain characters of all times. He’s an intellectual and enjoys only the finest things in life and even though he’s “evil,” he also has a strict ethical code – he only eats “the rude.” The character of Dr. Lecter defies (at least externally) all of our assumptions of what a monster is. I love the complexity of the character, and I also really enjoy the sequel film “Hannibal,” a large portion of
which was shot in Florence. Because I really enjoy the world and characters created by Thomas Harris (the author of the Lecter Saga) and because I figured it would be a creative way to get to know Florence, on my first visit I made it my mission to find the locations around the city used (or referenced) in the movies and TV shows. Some of the locations are easy to find because they are important, or famous spots around the city, but others are very obscure and have been harder to find – they require exploration of places in Florence that are off the beaten track! When I find one of the locations, I usually take a picture, and then use a still from the movie(s)/TV show as an overlay to show both the location depicted on screen, and what I see when I’m standing there. It’s definitely a nerdy way of exploring Florence, but it’s also has provided a really fun way to explore every nook and cranny of Florence. N – Did you have the opportunity to travel after the program last year, if so where did you go? And where are you going this year? S – After the Florence program last year, I spent a week in Rome with my father and had a wonderful time exploring that city, walking the same paths walked by the likes of Caesar and touring the treasures of the Vatican. This year, after the
Florence program concludes I’m going to visit Paris for a week, where I will meet up with a former exchange student from France that lived with my family a number of years ago. Then, because Winston Churchill is my favorite historical figure of all time, I’m going to spend another week in/around London, visiting Churchill sites such as the Churchill War Rooms, Chartwell (Churchill’s home for most of his adult life), and Blenheim Palace (where Churchill was born and where he is buried). N – Who would you recommend participate in the Florence program? S – I would recommend the Florence program for anyone who has an interest in international law, in Italian art/history, for those who are looking for a way to expand on the legal education that is offered in the traditional classroom setting, and for those who want to step out of their comfort zone and want the chance to have meaningful interactions with students from other parts of the world. Continued next page
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Photo taken by Sather Gowdy 2018 GU Law Florence Program
N – Shifting gears a little, let’s talk about Heal Spokane, an awesome non-profit you’ve started, while in law school (and during the madness that is 2L year no less). I’ve had the privilege of seeing you speak on the local news and to Spokane City Council about the organization and how you are on a mission to heal the community through service and kindness. It is such an important cause and has received a lot of positive feedback since you’ve started it. How do you balance growing this non-profit organization you've created with the rigors of law school?
whatever “it” is a priority in your life.
S – I think part of my success in balancing the rigors of law school with my responsibilities with Heal Spokane is that when I started the non-profit, I had no idea how much work it would actually be. There’s something to be said for the enthusiasm of starting something new, without any conception of the difficulties that come with it. Also, I have many people– from my Board of Directors, too many volunteers–that all play a vital role in furthering the mission of Heal Spokane. I am also a firm believer that you can make time for almost anything if you plan and maintain a detailed schedule, and make
N – What is the best way for new students to get involved?
I have decided community service, and inspiring others to get involved to community service, are going to be priorities in my life, alongside all of my other responsibilities of law school. That means that sometimes I will have to put service before my free time, or before other leisure activities, but when it’s a priority it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice. Not to mention when I am serving others, or doing a speaking gig, I feel very restored in my soul, and while sometimes it’s hard to “find the time” to go out and serve others, I have never once regretted it.
S – First, let me say that I’d be honored if any new students wanted to get involved with Heal Spokane. The best way to get involved is to check us out / follow the organization on social media. There is a Facebook group, our website is www.healspokane.com, and we are on Instagram too. These platforms will keep you up to date with what Heal Spokane is doing around town and any upcoming service opportunities that we are be planning. I can also be contacted
personally via the website, or if you see me around school, I’d love to chat in person about how people can help. N – Is there any other wisdom or words of advice you'd like to share? S – Over the past eight months, I have become convinced that people are capable of withstanding any adversity as long as they believe in the “rightness” of their cause, and as long as they maintain what Winston Churchill called “an unconquerable willpower.”
We all will experience times of great stress, pain, and sorrow in our lives, and in those hours, it may seem like everything is telling us to doubt ourselves and to give up. However, if you remain committed to what you believe, and refuse to quit or stray from the course of action that you know to be right, then you will become an unstoppable force. Whether it’s with law school, your future career, or a cause that you feel called to support… “Never give in.” ***
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Finding home sweet home Curious about where to live in Spokane? Spokane is growing considerably and there are new neighborhoods popping up, older areas getting facelifts, and historic districts that are full of charm. Finding a place to live in a new city can arguably be one of the most stressful things on your to-do list before starting law school. If you've heard of or are familiar at all with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, you already know that at the base of the pyramid are our most fundamental needs including shelter. Once those fundamental needs are satisfied the next levels of need take precedence in our behavior—like making new friends, recognizing your self-esteem, and (what is very important in law school) reaching your full potential and recognizing what that potential is a.k.a. "Selfactualization."
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Northstar Lodge just N of Northtown Mall and PET FRIENDLY! La Vista Citta central location and 5 minute drive to school
Stonecrest South Hill central location and easy commute 940 North GU campus housing Altura Apartments downtown urban living All this to say, finding a place to live is so incredibly important! We recognize that we are here to help. The student ambassadors have compiled a list of complexes we have lived at, and approve of, so you can have some piece of mind when looking into them. They are listed above. And please email us if you're looking at a place and want to run it by someone here. We've also done a fair amount of research on this topic and found a pretty awesome resource that breaks down the different neighborhoods in the downtown area: SpokanePlanner.com. All of the areas they highlight are relatively close to the school (and we don't have much traffic in Spokane, so no need to worry about a nasty commute) and all in all, we'd have to agree with how they've ranked the neighborhoods. We also highly recommend reading the blog post they did called "Moving to Spokane.� It really has everything you need to know about Spokane and the surrounding area.
Lindsey Wheat, Class of 2018 Pro Bono Distinction
Setting goals, building your network, launching a career, and making it all happen. A
mong the most common questions we receive as current students this one stands out, “Are you worried about post-grad job prospects?” It’s not a secret that law school is (in most cases) an expensive graduate program to pursue, and while we continue to see improvements in the job market, it can still be daunting to dive into that kind of uncertainty. Allow me to introduce you to the Center for Professional Development. The greatest people you may ever meet who make up an office designed to help students navigate the job market from day one. We begin with Jennifer Gill. She is the first person you will see when you walk into the office, and if you've toured the law school there is a good chance you already had the good fortune to meet her. She is coordinator extraordinaire and one of the key components to making the OCIs a smooth event for law students (and more on that in a minute). Jennifer is also on top of every detail that surrounds the job interview process and has on hand everything you didn’t know you need in a pinch – lint rollers, mending kits, hairspray, stain remover, shoe polish . . . you name it, she probably has it in the interview closet. Next up is Laurie Powers. She is the Assistant Dean of Professional Development and you will be required to meet with her or the CPD’s Associate Director at some point during your first year. She will coach and counsel you on how to make your resume shine and write a polished cover letter for every job you apply to. But more than that, she will work with you to determine what it is that you want to do with your law degree and what steps you will need to take to make it a reality. Laurie also has the information and statistics on bar passage rates, employment placements, the states students are working in, and more. If you have questions about any of that or want to know more, feel free to send her a message. Gonzaga Law has an incredibly connected alumni network, and the CPD is a key component to cultivating it. These connections are not only found in Spokane or Washington State, but extend across the country and internationally. Also noteworthy, the CPD’s support in the career development process does not end at graduation. Alumni looking to transition to the next phase of their careers, or make a career change within the legal community, seek support and find success working with the CPD. Now back to OCIs, shorthand for "On-Campus Interviews." Many schools offer this program, so you might have already heard about it, or be familiar with the concept from undergrad. In any event, OCIs can be your best friend in law school. The CPD works tirelessly throughout the year and for months in advance, contacting firms, non-profit organizations, government entities, and more, compiling a wide variety of internship/externship opportunities. Students can apply for as many jobs as they are interested in and the CPD reviews the resumes and cover letters before they are submitted to prospective employers. Then, after employers select the students they would like to interview, the CPD hosts those employers at the law school for an "interview round-robin" day. They plan the interviews around students’ schedules and you don't have to worry about running all over town. Win-win! 15
"Looking Up from the Books" Photo by Mary Carter, Class of 2018 Taken at Hotel RL while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee from Victrola Coffee Roasters
Spokane Playground [@SpokanePlayground] Anna is a wonder woman! Her page is mostly dedicated to outdoor adventures and hikes in the area, and she also shares her favorite coffee shop, restaurants, and other Spokane hot spots. She also does a monthly women's group hike (year-round) and sometimes they include a champagne toast and snack at the top.
nymore it seems like bloggers or "social media A influencers" are a dime a dozen. Everyone has some "thing" they talk about and want to share with the rest of the world. Admittedly, some are better than others, and there is no shortage of people who are using their social media platforms to showcase the best of the best that Spokane has to offer. Regardless, if you're a Spokane native, recently moved here (or moving in the next few weeks), or still considering moving to Spokane—and you're into the whole social media thing—here are a few accounts to check out. Spokane Eats [@SpokaneEats or SpokaneEats.net] as the name implies, this page is all about the restaurant scene in Spokane. Chandler Baird (the blogger) interviews chefs, covers new restaurants, hits the farmers markets, and more.
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Spokane Coffee Gram [@SpokaneCoffeeGram] this page is relatively new to the game. So far, they aim to showcase the best coffee spots in and around Spokane with some artsy shots of iconic Spokane landmarks sprinkled in. I like this one in particular because I am always looking for new coffee shops to check out when I need a change of scenery from the library. Spokane Doesn't Suck [@SpokaneDoesntSuck] from their bio "A lot of people say that Spokane sucks. We disagree." This is probably one of my favorite taglines/ movements to come out of this city! While this page has mostly been dedicated to cool shots taken around Spokane and their clothing line, they recently launched #sdssuggests—crowd-sourced posts that highlight upcoming events or things going on in the area. For more, check out: Visit Spokane [@VisitSpokane or visitspokane.com]; The Inlander [@TheInlander or inlander.com]; and Spokane7 [@Spokane7 or Spokane7.com] - Nicole
Ben Asare, Class of 2018 SBA President
From an outside perspective, Spokane may not look like it has all the culinary options that you would find in NYC, but we promise you won't be disappointed. From brewpubs to steakhouses, vegan fare to breakfast joints, Spokane has you covered. Here are some of our favorite places to get you started.
Eateries Breakfast
Lunch/Dinner
Drinks
Frank's Diner || on Monroe St. – it is
Saranac Public House || on Main St.
Durkin's Liquor Bar || on Main St.
Gilded Unicorn || on 1st and
Hogwash Whiskey Den || in the WA
in an old train car and they have been voted the best breakfast in town for 18 years running by the Inlander's People Choice Awards.
Old European || on N. Division St. -
they have all of the classic breakfast favorites and never disappoints.
Boots Bakery and Lounge || on
Main St. next to the Main Market CoOp. Their website isn't much, but they have fresh / healthy / gluten free / vegan options, bomb waffles, and delicious coffee. It's worth a stop in, and that area of Main Street is a lot of fun to explore.
Bruncheonette || in Kendall Yards on Broadway. They have a creative menu with healthy options and most items are made from scratch. Or find their food truck downtown on "Food Truck Friday." 18
and they have Bacon Mac 'n Cheese . . . need we say more? They have a gluten free/vegan version too. Monroe . . . Sparkle Burger. YASS. That's really all you need to know, but they seriously have an awesome menu and it's underground with very cool vibes.
Twigs Bistro || there are a few
locations in Spokane and all are great. The downtown spot has an indoor balcony on the 3rd floor of River Park Square and the South Hill location has a great patio.
Pete's Pizza || the calzone king! A Spokane staple since 1972, Pete's Pizza is right next to GU's campus and serves up the best pizza and calzones in town.
They have creative cocktails and a speakeasy-style nook downstairs.
Cracker Building Basement. They serve craft cocktails that are sure to please.
Barrister Winery || the location on
Railroad Alley has limited hours, but is a beautiful space. The owners are former attorneys turned winemakers. Make sure you try their Rough Justice.
No-Li Brew House || it is within
walking distance from the law school, has great food and brews, and an awesome patio with fire pits nestled along the river which makes it a popular post-finals hangout!
To prep . . . or not to prep So, you’re getting ready to start law school. You have made it over the hurdles of undergrad, maybe a job or two (or three), the LSAT, applying to schools, and now you’ve been accepted. That itself is a substantial accomplishment. And so begins the next leg of the marathon–1L year. If you know other attorneys, whether they are friends or family members, chances are pretty good that you’ve already received some advice on what to do–or not do–in preparation for starting law school. If you aren’t surrounded by attorneys, maybe you find yourself feeling slightly disadvantaged (borderline panicked) at the thought that you are somehow missing out on the wisdom that will give you an edge that first year. If you find yourself in the latter group, rest assured, you will be just fine. So how should you prepare for your 1L year? The short answer is that there is no formula to make you feel “fully prepared,” and if you can accept the fact that the first year is a learning curve for everyone, you’ll probably be better off. In the first year of law school, professors rewire your brain to “think like a lawyer.” It is the ultimate equalizer. Don’t be intimidated by this. It’s not as painful as it sounds, and the process is crucial to becoming the best advocate you can be. I didn’t read any of the “recommended books” before starting law school, so I can’t provide first-hand feedback there (and looking back I don’t feel like I was disadvantaged by that). However, I have heard pretty good things about One L of a Year, by Leah M. Christensen. In terms of TV shows and movies, people make references to My Cousin Vinny all the time – if you haven’t seen it, I’d watch it just so you get the references if nothing else. Many of the other popular shows are completely unrealistic representations of law school and the practice of law, but they are entertaining so go nuts! Believe it or not, I found Legally Blonde to be the most accurate representation out of the bunch. The best advice we can give? Enjoy the summer! Make the most of the time you have with friends and family before you have the pressure of assignments and readings looming overhead. If anything, get a jumpstart on the “First Day Assignments” for your classes and call it a day. If you have questions, please don't be afraid to reach out to the Student Ambassadors. 19
'' It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. '' - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Do you have suggestions for future articles? Would you like to be a guest writer? Please send inquiries and ideas to Nicole Luth
nluth@lawschool.gonzaga.edu
