The Southwestern Law Commentator - Issue 04

ISSUE 04

FALL 2021

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Cheers to 110 Years!

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EXCELLENCE

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DEAR SOUTHWESTERN, At the start of the school year, the doors of campus opened for the first time since March 2020 and the excitement, passion and enthusiasm were palpable among anyone who stepped foot onto Southwestern's beautiful campus. Being amidst the brilliant minds of the student body and faculty is something we could not feel in the same way through our computer screens.

The editorial staff has spent the past several months preparing for this issue to honor the history of Southwestern. We were provided a unique glimpse into our school's history by old yearbooks, student handbooks and other documents that showcased the storied history of our campus.

We feel so fortunate and excited to be among the elite group of future attorneys who share Southwestern as an alma mater. Though our traditions and our surroundings have changed, the drive, strength and tenacity of the Southwestern community remain the same.

We would like to thank the incredible alumni and faculty who played a part in this celebratory issue. We appreciate the many thoughtful responses and fond memories that made this issue possible.

Thank you for joining us on this journey!

Jessica Smith EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, 2021-22

Desiree Ruiz-Alfaro SUPERVISING EDITOR, 2021-22

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Lauren Romero EDITOR, 2021-22

NOV.

2021,

ISSUE

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SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL Celebrating 110 Years of Excellence

A STUDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

BY DESIREE RUIZ-ALFARO

Over the last 110 years, Southwestern has established itself as “A landmark in legal education.” From its talented and successful alumni, to its tenacious student body, Southwestern’s legacy runs deep through the legal community.

Founded in 1911, Southwestern Law School was established by a small group of resolute individuals with a goal of creating a legal institution that was accessible to all -- regardless of gender or race. Today, 52% of the student body at Southwestern identify as female, and 41% are first-generation law students. This unique landscape has created a diverse community of legal thinkers.

As the needs of students continue to evolve, Southwestern accommodates and provides students with the flexibility they need to continue pursuing their legal education. Amidst a global pandemic that shocked the world in 2020, Southwestern quickly pivoted and found a way to give students the education they deserved from the safety of their homes. But Southwestern did not stop there. Motivated by the bedrock goal of access to all, Southwestern understood that its students needed extra support as a result of the pandemic. So, it reintroduced the Bison Emergency Fund to help students during such trying times.

Since its founding, Southwestern has continued to provide students with a legal education focused on enhancing practical lawyering skills and encouraging creativity. Southwestern's experiential programs immerse students into the practice of law through hands-on experience and encourage students to carve their individual paths towards a successful career.

The Bison pride is inherent among all students because students can feel the support and encouragement from their professors, administrators, faculty, and staff. Southwestern fosters a community where students feel safe to express their opinions and open to understanding conflicting opinions.

Although many have walked through the halls over the past 110 years, one thing remains true, the Southwestern community is extraordinary.

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throughout the years

THEN & NOW

LAW REVIEW

LAW COMMENTATOR

CAMPUS 03

times have changed! in the last 110 years

Advertisements Southwestern's Law Review from 1916 advertised local retailers in the issue. Some of the "hot ticket" items included: Christopher's Deluxe Ice Cream Parlor $2 Hats at Orlando Hat Shop Phonographs and Musical Supplies at Frank J. Hart Southern California Music Company $6 and $7 Shoes at Elk Skin Shoe Store The Corona Pacific Type Writer

Vanity Fair Yearbook editors used to ask Universal Pictures executives to rate the SW student body to name the prettiest girl! They called the segment, Vanity Fair. To the left are two of the finalists in 1932!

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GUESS WHO!

A.

B.

D.

E.

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F.

G. 05

See the last page for answers

110 Years of Trailblazers What is your current employment?

Founding partner, Alexander Morrison + Fehr LLP (previously Alexander Krakow + Glick LLP) How did your experience at Southwestern shape your career today?

Reinforced that the same level of determination and perseverance that resulted in success in law school, I am still applying to my work ethic today.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Southwestern?

Contracts class with Professor Glasco. Her analysis just seemed first nature to me.

What have you learned about yourself while embarking on your legal journey?

I am better at executing than hatching great ideas. Good to surround yourself with like-minded people to collaborate in successes. Perseverance, patience and professionalism pay long term dividends. You do cross paths with opposing counsel more than once. The longer you practice, the higher the likelihood.

Make past experiences work for you, not against you.

1986

What is your current employment?

I am a partner in the entertainment department at Fox Rothschild, LLP.

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HE ID

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EXANDER, L A I

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ESQ II,

J. BERNA R

Meet our Alumni

How did your experience at Southwestern shape your career today?

Southwestern made my career! As an evening student I was able to work full time, while also being able to pursue my legal education in a timeframe that was beneficial to my career. During the day I was drafting contracts, and in the evening I had access to my professors who I could ask more pointed questions about agreements I was working on during my day job.

What have you learned about yourself while embarking on your legal journey?

You are your best advocate! If you don’t advocate for yourself, you’ll never get what you want. Be a self-starter. Take the classes that will make you a better attorney.

Any advice for how to handle negative outcomes?

Always remember that if you made it this far, then you have the resiliency to make it through anything.

Nothing in life is really a negative outcome unless you attach that meaning to it. Look past those negative emotions and be resilient.

Any tips or advice you would offer to a law student!

Networking is so important, especially in the entertainment industry. I found my first job in the entertainment industry when I was 19, and I kept up with those relationships throughout my entire career. Networking is a two-way street, so you have to be proactive and maintain those relationships. I moved to my current place of employment during a global pandemic because I firmly believe that “No is never the answer.” I work hard to help my clients get the best outcome, and I have the same determination in my career goals.

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110 Years of Trailblazers Meet our Alumni What is your current employment?

I am a plaintiff trial lawyer specializing in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.

How did your experience at Southwestern shape your career today?

I was inspired by my professors. The externships I was able to pursue provided me with knowledge and practical experience that allowed me to hit the ground running. Southwestern has a competitive environment, which taught me to work hard, be relentless, and persevere. Talent only takes you so far. You must also have the drive to succeed.

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BR I

ANISH, ES P Q AN

What have you learned about yourself while embarking on your legal journey?

My experiences as a law clerk exposed me to trial work and I quickly learned that was the area of law for me. Trial work allows me to find fulfillment and a sense of purpose when I go to court and advocate for a client in need. After winning a large verdict for an injured plaintiff with substantial lifelong needs, the plaintiff’ mother recently told me, “You will never know the impact you have had on our family, and I’m sure many, many more.” Without the money the plaintiff received, his mother and family were going to have to give up work to take care of their severely disabled son and relative. Trial lawyers are the voice of our clients in the courtroom and their future – and their family’s future – are in our hands.

Any tips or advice you would offer to a law student!

I encourage all law students to begin networking right away and attend all bar organization meetings. This is critical to setting the foundation for your career.

1984

What is your current employment?

Currently I am a United States District Court Judge celebrating nearly 14 years on the federal bench. Prior to that I was briefly on the L.A. Superior Court from 2005 – 2007.

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How did your experience at Southwestern shape your career today?

Southwestern made me want to be a judge. Initially, a part of me wanted to have my picture hung in the corridor of the Westmoreland building with all of the other graduates of Southwestern who went on the bench. Funny how that desire evaporated. I don’t know if my picture is up or not.

1980 07

Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Southwestern?

The memory which is indelibly etched in my mind is not a terribly pleasant memory, but was terribly important. In 1976 after receiving my acceptance letter to Southwestern, but before classes were due to start, I received a call from the school advising me that the dean would like to meet with me the next day at 3:00 p.m.

Never having been through the law school experience before, I just assumed that the dean met with all the incoming students. At the time, I was working full-time on the graveyard shift, so the afternoons were when I slept. So instead of sleeping I donned my best business attire and drove the 25 miles to downtown L.A. To shorten the story, in no uncertain terms the dean told me that based on my academic history there was simply no way could I reasonably expect to graduate and he offered to return my deposit. In fact, he had my actual deposit check on his desk. He stated, exactly, that Southwestern wasn’t running an affirmative action program so I should just pick up my check and go on my way. Find something else to do. I had no future in the law. One doesn’t forget an encounter like that. Then fast forward about 20 years when I received an invitation from Justice Arleigh Woods, to join the Southwestern Board of Trustees. At that time she was the Chair of the Board.

I have a fairly strong dislike for meetings therefore I am reluctant to join any group. However, I accepted her invitation for the sole reason that perhaps the dean might be watching from the grave. I hope he is still watching.

How did you get over the fear of being cold called in class? How did you gain practical experience while you were a student?

I combined these two because in my personal experience they are somewhat related. I wasn’t especially bothered by being called upon in class – unless I was woefully unprepared. That problem is easily solved. But I did have an irrational fear of speaking in public. Southwestern’s moot court program got me over that fear and provided me with practical experience at the same time. I recall we were arguing against Santa Clara at the Mosk Courthouse. I was so nervous I knew I’d never be able to stand, much less speak coherently. I decided that I would get out of the competition by pretending to pass out. Paramedics would come and whisk me away. Problem solved. Yes, my stage fright was just that severe. I had already looked behind my chair to assure I didn’t break my neck as I pretended to faint. Just as I was about to turn in an Academy worthy performance, the judges called my name. I unsteadily got to my feet and they immediately saw that I was a nervous mess. They did what I now do, lobbed me a few soft-ball questions just to get me comfortable talking.

Then they asked a few questions designed to challenge my position. That really caused me to engage with them, and we were off to the races. That one episode taught me that stage fright is irrational. Your audience is not hoping you fail. On the contrary, they want you to succeed spectacularly. They are on your side. The other thing I learned is Southwestern only does one thing. It teaches you how to be a lawyer. Simply follow what you have been taught and you will be fine.

110 Years of Trailblazers

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Meet our Alumni

RAHAM, ES G Y

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JAH M

1988

What is your current employment?

I am a partner at Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump Holley, an entertainment and business litigation boutique in Santa Monica.

How did your experience at Southwestern shape your career today?

My criminal law professor (the late GREAT Professor Karen Smith) told me that I should apply for a summer clerkship position at the LA County Public Defenders Office after second year. This was nothing I had ever considered (I wasn’t even sure what a public defender did!). But she knew me well and she knew that it was a job that I would love. And she was 100% right! I fell in love with the job and went back to the PD’s Office as a senior law clerk after taking the bar and then as a Public Defender immediately upon passing the bar four months later. My time as a public defender changed my life, my career and, frankly, shaped the way I see the world to this very day. Though I now practice civil and entertainment law, in addition to my criminal practice, it is criminal defense that I love the most…because of those early days in the Public Defender’s Office.

How did you get over the fear of being cold-called in class?

My civil procedure professor (Professor Thomas Kallay) was the most intimidating of all of the professors at Southwestern. He was very stern and serious. On the very first day of class, he walked in, set his papers down on the podium, looked up and immediately called on one of the students to answer a very complicated question from the reading. He didn’t welcome us or go over the syllabus or make small talk. There is no one in that class that day who has forgotten that moment. It was terrifying. Anyway, two days later we were back in his class and he did the same thing—began calling on people. Again, no small talk. Right to business. He called on about six people in a row and no one got the answer right. Suddenly he called on me and somehow (who knows how!!??), I knew the answer. The only person more impressed by this than my classmates was ME!! That experience got me over my fear. And what was great about it was that it was very early on in the first semester of first year. So it was awesome to get that fear kind of out of the way.

What is your current employment?

I am a partner and trial lawyer at a large law firm.

How did your experience at Southwestern shape your career today?

Southwestern gave me the tools to succeed. There is not a day that goes by that I do not marvel at how Southwestern prepared me to be a trial lawyer with grit, persistence, and excellence.

Any advice for how to handle negative outcomes?

Life and the practice of law are replete with challenges and obstacles.

Ultimately, negative outcomes prevail when you give up. To adequately deal with them, do not give up. This journey truly is a marathon, not a sprint. So lace up and stay in the race for as long as the marathon continues.

2014 08

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CHAMPURRADO TRES LECHES

Ingredients

by Andy De La Cruz

4 cups boiling water 1 cinnamon stick

3. While you are waiting for the mixture to boil, in a bowl, pour maseca into the 1 cup of regular milk and mix the two. Mix well until maseca is completely dissolved into the milk and there are no chunks or balls of maseca.

1 pastilla of Chocolate Abuelita/Ibarra or other equivalent 1 can of evaporated milk

4. By this time, the mixture in the pot should be boiling. Lower the heat to low. Add full tablet (pastilla) of chocolate abuelita or other equivalent into the pot and mix with wooden spoon

1 can of La Lechera condensed milk

until chocolate is completely melted and dissolved. Keep your

1 cup of regular milk

eyes on the mixture in the pot.

Directions

1/2 cup maseca (Mexican corn flour)

1. Pour 4 cups of water, together with 1 full cinnamon stick in a pot, and boil on medium heat for 15 minutes or until water is pink from the cinnamon stick.

5. Gradually add in the mixture of regular milk and maseca into the pot. Continue mixing slowly. (In case you see chunks or balls of maseca, use a strainer to fish them out and press them into the strainer to fully break them up and dissolve them into the pot).

6. Add La Lechera (condensed milk). Feel free to add as much as you would like, but keep in mind a little goes a long way because the condensed milk is very sweet! Then, turn the heat up to medium and continue stirring. The mixture should start to

2. Pour entire can of evaporated milk into

boil, but keep a close eye on it and do not walk away! Once

the boiling water and lower the heat.

the mixture has come to a boil, turn off the heat. Let the

Keep a close eye and wait until mixture

champurrado sit for 5-10 minutes and then enjoy! Be careful

comes to a boil.

not to burn your tongue!

Enjoy with a tamal or your favorite pan dulce!

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Classroom Discussions Inclusive of Race and Gender Are Integral to a Modern Legal Education

By Shara Darden Shara Darden is a 2L student in the PLEAS program. She is the co-chair of Southwestern’s NLG chapter and the communications chair for the Public Interest Law Committee. Shara also serves on the Advisory Board for the SBA’s Safe Space Series. Shara plans to complete the public interest concentration and practice law in service of those most vulnerable in our society.

Earlier this semester, my professor exclaimed that if he heard one more time that the concept of American exceptionalism had anything to do with race or gender, he would pull his hair out. But, doesn’t the exclusion of people of color and women necessarily imply an underlying and pervasive ideology of white supremacy?

When I asked my professor this question, he became very agitated, defensive, and dismissive. He explained that discussing race and gender had nothing to do with how the courts will decide cases. He said that he would not discuss ideological fiction. When I persisted in pointing out the relevance, he asked what I wanted him to do about it now. I wanted him to acknowledge it, but he said he would not and told me that I should take a critical 10

race theory class if I wanted to learn about how terrible this country is.

I will give you a moment to absorb that.

Going Beyond Teaching to the Test In the next class, my professor shared how students thanked him for not discussing race and gender since they found those discussions distracting in other courses.

Unfortunately, my professor missed a significant opportunity to lead us in a critical dialogue about how cultural considerations influence almost every aspect of the law in this country -- from construction to interpretation to execution. Many of our legislators are lawyers. And given the current state of the union, I guess they did not learn how to talk about race and gender in law school either.

We are all learning how older white men who owned land and wielded power from positions of authority built the common law and modern statutory laws. Unfortunately, some students find these facts irrelevant because they only care to learn what is necessary to pass the bar exam. Of course, we all want to do well on the bar exam. However, some students are energized around using the law to protect vulnerable populations, prioritizing human rights over property rights, so discussions about race and gender in relation to the law are essential.

Understandably, some students may feel that they only have the capacity to absorb rule statements, statutes, and procedures. However, race and gender biases, along with the lack of diversity on the bench and in state and federal legislatures, have created horrendous barriers to justice for people of color and women in almost all areas of life.

Certainly, most of us want to avoid contentious political debates, especially in class. But, the classroom is where we are supposed to learn. And how do you talk about abortion laws without first acknowledging the impact on women’s rights to make decisions about their health and bodies? Let’s all wake up to the fact that politics do indeed influence decisions made from the bench at the highest levels of the judiciary. So, where should attorneys learn to discuss the convergence of race and gender with the law?

Modern Legal Education Has To Include Cultural Leadership As an able-bodied, college-educated Black woman in law school, I have also had to acknowledge and understand privilege. It is not an attack on white men to point out the imbalance of influence they have had on American jurisprudence. But, going forward, this is not just an old white man problem. We all need to be aware of the privilege we carry into a courtroom, a boardroom, or even a classroom. And we all need to be able to have thoughtful, constructive conversations about tough topics.

Instead of teaching how to reflect on the cultural realities that influence legal opinions, my professor boasted about students’ comments as support for his offensive behavior, then later tried to connect the dots to what he called “cancel culture.” I am no expert in “cancel culture,” but I believe that people who engage in horrible, offensive behavior should be accountable to those they harm. I also think that modern legal education should go well beyond teaching students to regurgitate opinions and rules. Instead, it should engage us in critical reflection and discussion about the laws we learn and their impact on all people, especially the most vulnerable in our society.

We are the next generation of legislators, judges, and leaders.

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The Never-Ending Fight Against Imposter Syndrome By: Lauren Romero Lauren is a 3L Evening Student and a proud dog mom. Lauren is born and raised in the City of Los Angeles and hopes to use her J.D. to help victims of family violence.

My phone pinged, I looked down and saw the email I had been anxiously awaiting. “Congratulations!” After that, the rest of the day seemed like a blur. I must have read the email about 40 times before it actually sunk in. I couldn’t believe I had actually been admitted into law school.

The feeling of disbelief carried on into orientation. Upon check-in, I convinced myself that I wouldn’t be on the roster and that I would be sent home. Everything went smoothly and as I sifted through my welcome packet, I thought to myself, “it’s just a matter of time before they let me know they were mistaken.”

Imposter syndrome is described as the feeling that you’ve ended up in the position you’re in because of a stroke of luck or because of a mistake. For many students – especially those that come from underrepresented communities -- this feeling is familiar and can taint almost every step of your educational and professional career. In a 1978 paper that introduced the term to the public, psychologists Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes said that the feeling was prevalent among women in higher education.

They explained, “Women who experience the impostor phenomenon maintain a strong belief that they are not intelligent; in fact, they are convinced that they have fooled anyone who thinks otherwise. For example, students often fantasize that they were mistakenly admitted to graduate school because of an error by the admissions committee.” They go on to detail the effects of imposter syndrome as “generalized anxiety, lack of selfconfidence, depression, and frustration related to inability to meet self-imposed standards of achievement.”

I am a first-generation, daughter of immigrants. My parents came from Mexico and did not have the opportunity to finish grade school before they began to work to help put food on the table for their families. I was the first in my family to leave home to pursue an undergraduate degree. When I was accepted to UC Santa Cruz, I experienced the same sense of disbelief. I had to constantly fight off imposter syndrome throughout my undergraduate career. When I walked across the stage and received my Bachelor’s degree, I thought that I had finally conquered it and turned all the doubt into dust. I was wrong.

The internal battle with my imposter syndrome began affecting my every day. My voice shook every time I was called to answer a question in class. I would think to myself, “I know the material, I briefed this case thoroughly and even reviewed notes before class. Why isn’t it clicking?” When I took my first midterm (that I admittedly did not do stellar on) I convinced myself that the gig was up. My professor reading my test would finally lead the administration to realize that I was admitted by accident. In the middle of my test, I gave up. I convinced myself that I had already lost.

As Imes and Clance suggested in their paper, the struggle with imposter syndrome is felt by many women in higher education but this feeling isn’t exclusive to any gender markers, rather, it spans across gender identity and intersects with race and class.

Students of color and students from underrepresented communities can experience the same feeling of imposter syndrome. External forces in higher education such as microaggressions, preconceived notions and assumptions can make the battle against imposter syndrome that much more difficult.

"Be patient and give yourself enough grace to acknowledge your achievements and to devote yourself to achieving your dreams" For myself, overcoming imposter syndrome is a constant battle. My first year of law school was flooded with feelings of self-doubt that tainted my experience and ultimately my success. When I realized the effects that imposter syndrome was having on my grades, I knew I had to think of ways to get myself out of it. I found methods of reminding myself why I made it this far. I began with affirmations, reminding myself of the long nights spent studying for the LSAT and loudly repeated to myself that I didn’t get this far just to get this far. I knew I had to keep going. I gave myself grace, acknowledged that I didn’t know it all and sought the help of my professors when I didn’t understand. These relatively small, but meaningful ways helped me gain confidence in my work. And even on the rough days, where it was near impossible to convince myself about my worth, I told myself, “Well, I’m here now… what am I going do about it?” Afterall, it does help to fake it until you make it. While I cannot say that I have the answers to tackling this feeling, I’m writing this in hopes that it reaches someone who may be experiencing the same doubts and who might need a small reminder that they are worthy.

So, to all law students – regardless of the program you are enrolled in, I want to offer this kind reminder that you are here because you are deserving. Be patient and give yourself enough grace to acknowledge your achievements and to devote yourself to achieving your dreams.

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Art Expo

By Kevin O'Neill & Tarik Garret

Above, and on the next page, you will find examples of O'Neill's and Garret's art exhibition. Shawn Fine Art Gallery featured the exhibit in March 2021. To learn more about the piece, click HERE. A Note From the Artists The piece, in a broad sense, is an essay; an assemblage of different media and methods of working from a confluence of research and documentation to ready-made sculpture and appropriation. The work compiles photographs on top of selected text from our analysis: legal code, case law, theory, and transcripts. We weave together our research, conversation, current events, and performative interventions which function together to communicate ideas around property from our close reading of Cheryl Harris’s “Whiteness as property.“ In the work, we hone in on and play with the rhetorical interchangeability of the words that make up the seminal article’s title juxtaposed with the resonances of our material realities.

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DID YOU REMEMBER TO BREATHE? HOW COACHING AND NEUROSCIENCE LEAD TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Law school, in line with the practice of law, is an academic undertaking in which success is predicated on a true understanding over mere knowledge of legal rules. It is through this understanding of the law that successful arguments are born, showing an ability to weave the law with logical inferences, policy considerations, and a robust understanding of the parameters set forth by the facts. There is a poetic elegance to such nuanced understanding, leading a reader to mutter “wow” under their breath, or a jury to listen wide-eyed.

However, the stress of ensuring this understanding shines under timed conditions with everything riding on that one moment— that one exam—creates another level of challenge. It is often this stress that minimizes a student’s ability to perform. After all, knowledge is only the potential of power. We must apply our knowledge to unleash this power of persuasion.

As academic performers, law students must ensure they are training for success. Pursuing a Juris Doctorate means students are playing at a high level, and to maximize success, students must understand and implement tools to enhance performance.

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Jacquelyn Rogers Associate Professor of Law Southwestern Law School

COACHING TO FACILITATE RETENTION AND MASTERY Cognitive science principles and learning theory are critically important to ensure students set forth time to interleave different doctrine and incorporate spaced repetition within each course’s material. Further, professors release practice exams and encourage the use of multiple-choice questions to facilitate practice for midterm and final exams. Students go through the motions of taking practice exams and creating and reading outlines. And it is here where many students get stuck: Reading and re-reading outlines and other study materials. They practiced. They knew the rules forwards and backwards. They followed the advice of their professors. So, it is understandable if a student feels stuck and uncertain of how to make improvements in academic performance.

However, top performers in virtually every field have coaches. What is it that good coaching produces?

At its core, the goal of coaching is to develop the full capacity of the performer, such that the performer peaks on “game” day.

Law students can use the fundamentals of good coaching to improve their own performance.

Good coaches ask open-ended questions. To facilitate improvement, we first must recognize where we need improving.

Law students should embrace and implement assessment-based coaching at every opportunity. Self-assessment is one way students can be their own coach. Peer-to-peer coaching is also an effective use of coaching. Collaborating with a study partner and grading each other’s essays is another way to encourage questions, assessment, and identify areas for improvement.

Good coaches are not only knowledgeable, but they also explain concepts in clear and simple terms. As a law

student (and a lawyer), it is not enough to regurgitate the law. Successful exams fully develop the pertinent arguments using clear and plain language. In other words, a successful law student is one who can “coach” the reader through the issues presented. As such, an effective study method is to explain legal concepts to someone who does not have any knowledge of the law but can easily learn if the coaching is effective. Using examples and fully defining and explaining each component of the law during this process will further facilitate understanding and sharpen analytical skills.

Good coaches set explicit and measurable goals, with a roadmap of how to reach each goal. In law school, days can

speed by in a blur—happening to us, as opposed to us happening to the day. Being intentional can be difficult with so many demands and responsibilities.This is where good coaching comes in. Each course in law school has an end goal—the final exam. However, a vague plan to attain a successful grade that includes “studying a lot” is not only too ambiguous, but also often frustrating. Instead, embrace the intentionality of creating a schedule and a way to maintain accountability.

Don’t be afraid to roadmap each hour daily to attaining a goal. For each hour, set forth specifics of what to complete within that time. Suddenly, a black hole of “studying” becomes a set amount of time to complete thirty multiple choice questions and check understanding of each question against the answer explanation and the course outline.

In no time, a law student’s coaching skills can flourish, and they might even find themselves coaching others!

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NEUROSCIENCE AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION: MANAGE YOUR STRESS IN REAL TIME Something that affects everyone during performance is stress. Often this is categorized as a “bad” thing—but it isn’t when managed. The right amount of acute stress (short-lived stress, not chronic stress) helps performance by sharpening focus, alertness, and cognition of the task at hand. So, when you feel your heart rate rise, your blood start pumping overtime, and the feeling that you want to “go,” what can you do to manage this in real time? Employ the psychological sigh! This is something that we all do involuntarily—when we are about to fall asleep or after we have been crying—and differs from concentrated breath work (such as meditation, which is also extremely helpful, but outside of the scope of this article). The framework around the psychological sigh, also known as exhale emphasized breathing, is that longer or more vigorous exhales calm us down (and the opposite is true with longer/more vigorous inhales). When stress levels rise, take two quick, short inhales through the nose in rapid succession, and then let out a long exhale, all the way through the diaphragm. After repeating several psychological sighs, and it usually doesn’t take more than three to feel the effects, you will begin to feel yourself calm down, and your heart rate will lower after about thirty seconds.

You cannot practice for something high stakes without putting yourself into a stress environment. Think

about whether you truly implement stress into your practice environment, and how often you do so. Many students fail to put themselves in an exam-representative environment and state of mind during practice. Without doing so, students fail to practice and improve on something that can make or break successful performance—stress management.

While it is almost impossible to entirely replicate “game day,” it is possible to come close. Practice in the same or similar setting as the exam and at or near the same time the exam is scheduled. For example, if the exam is remote, sit in the same location you intend to take the exam. If the exam is at school, practice on campus, possibly even in a classroom. If in person, invite some peers to practice alongside you. Additionally, ask a friend to proctor—including keeping time and standing near you to simulate the feeling someone is hovering over your shoulder. Psych yourself up mentally that this is the real thing. Our minds and bodies respond to this “trick” often with an uptick in stress, providing a perfect opportunity to practice stress management.

Looking outside the archaic traditions that often still plague legal institutions, and implementing performance-based methodology rooted in science, acknowledges something that many still overlook: Law students are cognitive athletes playing a high stakes game—law school exams. Thus, studying for law school exams is not one dimensional. Maintaining high performance requires purposeful execution of coaching techniques, cognitive science principles, and the ability to manage stress and anxiety. This type of multi-faceted training produces outstanding, well-rounded, attorneys with the ability to advocate and coach clients, as well as consistently demonstrate grace under pressure.

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Dean's Fellow Study Tips! ’

Excerpted from the Dean s Fellow Digest Blog posts, which are a wonderful resource and can be accessed via https://www.swlaw.edu/swlawblog/deans-fellow-digest

TO ELONGATE YOUR FOCUS, USE A TIMER TO GIVE YOURSELF TIME ON AND TIME OFF.

REMOVE ALL DISTRACTIONSPUT YOUR PHONE IN THE OTHER ROOM!

CREATE A TO-DO LIST OF ACCOMPLISHABLE TASKS. GET A NEW STUDY TOOL TO GET EXCITED ABOUT, LIKE NEW PENS!

WORK WITH A FRIEND TO HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE.

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How to Build a Study Calendar

HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE BY BUILDING OUT A STUDY PLAN! HERE ARE 5 TIPS FOR BUILDING YOUR BEST STUDY CALENDAR.

1

Add all of your exam dates.

2

Add all personal commitments/stress-relief activities.

3

Decide your approach. Choose to either spend study days on one whole subject or split study days with two subjects.

4

Go backwards. Start from your last exam and decide how to you are going to allocate your days.

Be as detailed as possible! Add in both the hours you plan to study and what you will focus on for that day (study guide, practice exam, etc.)

5 CHECK OUT THE NEXT PAGE FOR A PRINTABLE CALENDAR!

Adjust accordingly! Try your best to stick to your plan, but work to adjust your plan if you do not meet your goals for the day.

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MONTH: DECEMBER

Study Plan

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MONTHLY GOALS

TO DO LIST

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COFFEE BREAK! With exams approaching, the LC staff wants to share some of the best coffee break spots in LA. See below for the staff's recommendation list! Click on the shop name to be redirected to its website.

HOT AND COOL CAFE Signature Drink: The Be Cool

GO GET EM TIGER Signature Drink: Ice Cream Shakes

MAÑANA COFFEE Signature Drink: Chagaccinno

ALCHEMIST Signature Drink: Honey Latte

GOODBOYBOB COFFEE Signature Drink: Espresso Tonic

HILLTOP COFFEE + KITCHEN Signature Drink: Lavender Latte

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LAW COMMENTATOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JESSICA SMITH

SUPERVISING EDITOR DESIREE RUIZ-ALFARO

EDITOR LAUREN ROMERO

Guess Who? A. Professor Garland B. Professor Cammack C. Professor Fischer D. Professor Yokoyama E. Professor Bateman F. Professor Miller G. Professor Cameron

CONTACT US: lawcommentator@ swlaw.edu

To learn more, visit our CANVAS page.

THE OFFICIAL SOUTHWESTERN STUDENT PUBLICATION

ISSUE 04 // FALL 2021