THE
CIVILIAN CIVILIAN
A STUDENT PUBLICATION FOR THE LSU LAW CENTER COMMUNITY SEPTEMBER 2016 | VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 1
For most students at LSU Law, the last few days before the start of term are reserved for relaxation and preparation. By Thursday, August 11th, many students were only just approaching the jarring realization that textbooks had to be purchased and school supplies procured. While his classmates were making final arrangements to start Kathryn Jakuback school on the following Monday, Travis Staff Writer Simmons, 3L, was watching the news. A few weeks after the flood, we’ve all seen the news footage and done our part to alleviate some of the destruction that the Storm That Must Not Be Named has left in its wake. On that Thursday, however, Travis says that he and his family were hopeful. “During the 1983 flood, the river was around 41 feet and it only got to the threshold of our house,” Simmons recounted. That attitude, shared by many Louisianians in the area, quickly turned to horror as the waters continued to rise. “Just from the rainfall in the beginning of the storm, there was about six inches in our house.” Travis and his girlfriend, 3L Samantha Babin, spent Thursday night braving the flooded streets to rescue his mother from his childhood home. His father insisted on staying to try to put their belongings on higher ground. They returned to get him out on Friday before 6 a.m. Travis shared that he spent thirty
minutes in his home on Friday morning before the water got so high they were in danger of not making it out. “Driving out was tough,” he said. “We had to go slow and be careful not to get stuck or fall into a ditch. Everyone was yelling to stop because the waves from the truck were pushing more water into their houses. The on-ramp to the interstate was almost completely flooded. The hood of my truck was almost fully submerged but it got us out of there.” Travis and his family were glued to local news stations for the next few hours and they watched as coverage showed the water continue to rise until the interstate ramp they’d been on was entirely submerged. Travis said they spent the afternoon texting friends and family and checking on neighbors who were still trying to wait out the rain. They listened to police scanners for updates and learned that the current running through their neighborhood had frustrated rescue efforts. Differing reports of the scope of the damage continued to roll in and Travis says that “being in limbo was the worst part.” Travis’s neighborhood was one of the first to flood and one of the last to drain. When the water finally receded, Travis and his family prepared to survey the damage. The night before they returned to their home, Travis received a text from a friend at the Law Center. “Chris Ortte texted me that he had a couple guys who wanted to help. I thought he was talking like three or four people.” He recounted how he and his family started
THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016 working on their home around six that morning. “Around one in the afternoon, everyone, including myself, was just worn out. I heard my mom yelling that my friends were here. I went outside and it was like the cavalry had been called in!”
According to Travis, he is humbled by the experience and by the response of the LSU Law community. “I am overwhelmingly proud to be part of this class and this law school. Seeing the support around school between faculty and students was very helpful and much-needed.” Eleven LSU Law students arrived at Despite staggering personal loss, Travis Travis’s home to aid the Simmons family says that this experience brought out the as they moved their belongings to the best in everyone. “If it weren’t for my classmates, we street. Travis be shared how his “These students played a major wouldn’t friends “turned role in providing a new home to so far ahead in around and my parents and I will forever be the rebuilding process. The attacked” the grateful for that.” only reason task ahead of we have Travis Simmons them. “It was a contractors in mass exodus of everything inside the house and they did my house right now is because of the it in about forty-five minutes.” Travis said work the LSU Law students did. These that he was “blown away” by his friends students played a major role in providing and by the community. More important a new home to my parents and I will than the manual labor, however, was the forever be grateful for that.” time that they spent afterwards sharing a beer with Travis’s family and having a “much needed laugh.” “What they did was nothing short of astonishing. My parents didn’t stop talking about them or telling others about their help for days and days.”
The Civilian Staff 2016-2017
Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief: Alaina Richard News Editor: Annie Beckstrom Columns Editor: Elizabeth Wong Production Editor: Taylor Degruise Web Director: Halee Maturin Staff Writers Annie Beckstrom Brooklee Hurst Kathryn Jakubak Stacy Liere Jacob Longman
Views expressed in The Civilian, a designated public forum for student expression, do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the LSU Law Center or its student body. If you are interested in contributing to a topic or wish to provide us with corrections, please email TheCivilianLSU@gmail.com or speak to a member of the editorial staff. http://sites.law.lsu.edu/Civilian
Halee Maturin Cody “Tick” McElroy Alaina Richard Tori Watson Elizabeth Wong Columnists Annie Beckstrom Halee Maturin Hunter Odom Patrick Schmidt Emily Schwab Elizabeth Wong
AP Photo/Max Becherer
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AP Photo/Max Becherer
THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Welcome back PMHers! Classes are in full swing, complete with cold-calling, parking lot hunger games, horrible and predictable play calling, ahem, I mean LSU football, and all the magic that comes with being a student at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. It’s Alaina Richard, been a bumpy start to say the least, but Editor-in-Chief on behalf of the staff of The Civilian, we hope that this return to school has provided some normalcy and distraction in the midst of the chaos of the last several weeks. This summer presented the Baton Rouge community with many challenges and changes. Approaching this first issue of the year, The Civilian staff and I wanted to acknowledge
the difficulties our community has faced this summer and explore that confusing and often frustrating landscape in a productive way, but we also wanted to look forward toward all the positive things on our horizon. As my grandmother often says, “the shadows are starting to look different,” perhaps a little crisper, and the humidity is teasing us with its autumnal exit as we tip-toe toward a new season. We hope you enjoy this issue as we wave goodbye to summer and anticipate the excitement of a new season, a new semester, and a new year here at PMH. Best wishes and Geaux Tigers! Alaina Richard
Editor-in-Chief
SBA S T A T E O F A F FA I R S Classmates, Welcome back to PMH! Unfortunately, the start to the semester was difficult for some of our classmates who were impacted by the disastrous flooding in the Baton Rouge area. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who were impacted by Trenton Ball, this tragic event. The SBA is dedicated to SBA President assisting students in any way we can. If you are in need of assistance or just looking to lend a helping hand, please consult the LSU Law Flood Relief page at http://www. law.lsu.edu/2016floodRELIEF/. The SBA will be putting on numerous events throughout the semester. During the first week of school, the SBA hosted a back to school GIF at Fred’s in Tigerland. Whether you were reading cases or pulling up carpet and sheetrock, this provided students with a much needed break at the start of the semester. As a result of the event, we raised $750 for the Baton Rouge Food Bank, an organization that lost a significant amount of its inventory in the flood. A huge thanks to Jack “Zach” Zeringue for helping organize this event. The SBA Athletics Committee will be hosting the Powderpuff Flag Football Game on October 14th. Come witness this annual battle royale between the 2L and 3L ladies for some Friday afternoon entertainment. If volleyball suits you better,
come out to the annual LSU Law Mango’s Beach Volleyball tournament. The tournament will be on September 23rd. Registration is $60 per team. Each team is allowed one “ringer” (non law school student) and each must have one female on the court. If you have any questions, please contact our SBA Athletics Chair, Megan Daily, at megan.daily22@gmail.com. 3Ls can look forward to Hats and Canes weekend when the Tigers take on Missouri on October 1st. We will be hosting a cocktail party at the Manship Theatre on Friday, September 30th at 7 P.M. Prior to the game, we will have the champagne toast on the front steps of the Law Center. Look out for updates regarding the time of the toast, as this will depend on the time of kickoff. For those looking to get involved in SBA, I will be sending information regarding the Ethics, Academics, and Athletics Committees in the upcoming weekly broadcast emails. As always, please do not hesitate to contact any of the SBA members with questions or concerns you may have. We are looking forward to a great semester. Best, Trenton Ball
SBA President
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THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
Tullis&Flory The LSU Law Center offers a multitude of appellate and trial advocacy competitions for law students, both internal and external. Professor Jeffrey Brooks, Preis PLC Cody McElroy Staff Writer Director of Advocacy and Professional Practice, is involved with every aspect of these competitions, provided by the Moot Court and Trial Advocacy boards, and urges students to take advantage of any opportunity to further develop their advocacy skills. Two primary ways to compete during the fall semester include the Tullis Moot Court competition and Ira S. Flory Mock Trial competition. The LSU Law Moot Court Board, concerned with the appellate side of advocacy, sponsors the Tullis Moot Court Competition. The competition is limited to 2L participation and consists of teams of two student partners who compete in two parts. First, the team is tasked with writing a brief based on the case file uploaded to the Law Center’s
What you
need to know
Advocacy website, www.advoacy.law. lsu.edu. The brief consists of two issues to address, with each partner responsible for one. Professor Brooks states that this year’s first issue is a confrontation clause problem concerning whether a statement made by a child to a state worker is admissible in trial without putting the child on the stand. The second issue asks whether states must offer an insanity defense to defendants. The deadline for questions about the case file is September 12th by 5:00 p.m. and the deadline for brief submission is September 19th by 5:00 p.m. After briefs are submitted, student teams should begin to prepare an oral argument to present in front of a panel of judges. The first preliminary round of oral arguments begins on September 29th and the second preliminary round begins on October 4th. After two preliminary rounds, the top 16 teams enter a one-loss elimination bracket until a champion is determined by the judges and our own Dean Galligan. The elimination rounds begin October 10th and continue through October 19th. The final round takes place on October 24th
at 6:00 p.m. in the Robinson Courtroom. The two winners will have their names inscribed on the Law Center’s Tullis plaque, located outside the Robinson Courtroom, and the highest scoring students will be appointed to the Moot Court Board for the following year. Awards are also given to the top oral advocates and the top briefs. It is important to note that students must participate in the internal Tullis competition in order to try out for an external moot court team. Many have misunderstood this requirement in the past and lost the opportunity to compete on an external advocacy team. The timeline for internal and external competition may be initially confusing for 2L’s, considering the schedule. For example, Tullis briefs are due September 19th. Oral arguments take place September 29th through October 24th. However, in-between that time period, moot court external team tryouts take place on September 21st and 22nd. As long as students keep track of the schedule listed on the advocacy website, preparation for both tryouts can be
Congratulations! NEW LAW REVIEW ASSOCIATES
Colton Acosta Matthew Boles Randall Briggs Hillary Brouillette Malerie Bulot Taylor Cooper Alyssa Depew
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Caroline Donze Jacquelyn Duhon Tiffany Dupree Carson Garand Molly Gunnels Endya Hash Katherine Herbert
Bryan Kidzus Sara Kuebel Charles Martin Sarah Nickel Kristin Oglesby Michael Seibert Savannah Walker
Benjamin Wallace William Walsh Derbigny Willis McLaurine Zentner
THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
Congratulations NEW JELR ASSOCIATES
TOP 20 ADVOCATES NOMINATED FOR
WEX MALONE INNS OF COURT Caroline Darwin
Adair Kingsmill
William Gore
Tyler White
Frederick Sprinkle
Rome Gonsoulin
Alexandra Morgan
Alaina Richard
Harrison Smith
Kaitlyn Daniel
Alexandra Dee Morris
Kathryn Jakuback
Katherine Cook
Shelby Giddings
Hilary Renshaw
Jackson Swartout
Meghan Trahan
Philip Giorlando
Bryce Robinson
Eric Vincent Jr.
Leah Brett
Austin Glascoe
Madeline Smith
Alyssa Depew
Hannah Marler
Dakota Hawkins
Margaret Viator
Kourtney Kech
Leah Canaday
Jacob Irving
Melissa Wheeler
Steven Cheatham
Robert Glueck
Kaitlyn Bourg
Madaline King
Virginia Brown
Arielle Minor
Ronald Coleman
FLORY CONTINUED...
achieved in advance. Second year students seeking to participate in external team tryouts must submit the Argument section of their Tullis brief as a writing sample. Third-year students planning to try out for a moot court external team may submit either the Argument section on their issue from last year’s Tullis problem or a legal writing sample of no more than 10 pages. 3Ls trying out for a moot court external team are not required to have participated in last year’s Tullis Competition. The tryout requires all participants to present two seven minute oral arguments to a panel of Moot Court coaches and returning team members. The oral argument will be based on this year’s Tullis problem. The Law Center’s external teams have an established reputation for success. LSU Law’s Moot Court program is ranked 34th in the nation, according to the Blakely Advocacy Institute at the University of Houston. With 31 teams available, Professor Brooks states that roughly 50 to 65 percent of the applicants who try out for an external moot court team are accepted, depending on the year. Professor Brooks attributes our success not to a high volume of teams, but to our “very talented coaches and students.” “Work hard in your second semester,” Professor Brooks said of 1L’s looking to participate in next year’s Tullis competition. He emphasizes that the brief and oral argument
submitted in the 1L spring writing class translates to the same skill set used in competition. Each year the Trial Advocacy Board sponsors the Ira S. Flory Mock Trial Competition. The competition represents a full-trial simulation where teams of two participate in either a criminal in the fall semester or civil case in the spring semester. Any 2L or 3L can participate as an attorney while any student, including 1Ls, can act as a juror or witness. The case file, State of Louisiana v. Jonathan Spencer, can be found on the advocacy website. Winners of the competition receive a trophy and points toward their Trial Advocacy Board membership. Participating in the Flory competition is also an excellent way to practice for external team tryouts. The team registration for this year’s competition ended September 6th. Likewise, the external trial advocacy team tryouts took place last week. However, for future reference, participation in the internal Flory competition is not required in order to try out for a trial advocacy external team. The Tullis Moot Court and Flory Mock Trial competitions are just two of the many competitions offered by LSU Law’s Advocacy Program. All competitions are designed to give students an opportunity to substantively develop advocacy skills that will be utilized in future employment. Additional information on Tullis, Flory, or other advocacy competions can be found at https://advocacy.law.lsu.edu/.
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THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
Whether it is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any of the other countless social networks available, people use social media every day to document their lives, connect with friends, or keep up with current events. As the presidential election approaches, many are jumping to social media to voice their opinions on political or controversial issues. While these posts are a valid exercise of free speech, they can negatively affect employment opportunities, especially in the legal field.
by posting, commenting, or sharing political or controversial posts. Although the majority of job applicants wipe their social media pages of any “questionable” photographs, many remain unaware that political or controversial posts can also make a negative impression on potential employers. In reference to politics in the workplace, the New York Times revealed in a recent article that while federal laws bar employers from firing workers because of race, religion, or gender, there is no protection for political affiliation or activity. While not every political or controversial post guarantees negative consequences, social media presence should be carefully considered by current and future job applicants.
The vast majority of employers will check a potential employee’s social media presence before making the final hiring decision. Melanie Anderson, Assistant Director of Career Services at LSU Law, attests that the many law firm recruiters carefully research every candidate and will choose to not interview someone based on their social media posts, despite that candidate having otherwise excellent qualifications. According to Professor Jeffrey Brooks, Director of Advocacy and Professional Practice, lawyers are representatives of a firm’s brand and employers are hesitant to hire an applicant who reflects poorly on their reputation.
Franz Borghardt, an attorney at the Steven Moore Law Firm, describes political posts and posts regarding controversial issues as “tricky.” According to Borghardt, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions, but how those opinions affect job opportunities depends on how you voice them. Likewise, James Raines, an attorney at Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP, admits these posts are permissible if they are done without being insensitive to those with differing opinions. According to Raines, if one cannot respectfully manage those differences online, he would question the applicant’s ability to manage differences in an employment setting, with opposing counsel, in court, or even with his or her own client.
Brooklee Hurst Staff Writer
With the presidential election quickly approaching, many social media users are voicing their opinions in some manner, whether
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THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
STUDENT
Spotlight “MACHOMAN” KRIS
THOMPSON
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. So call me insane or Anthony Weiner or whatever you like because Patrick Schmidt that’s exactly what Columnist this article will be this year. While you may not be getting indecent pictures from me, at least in this article, you will be gaining an insight into what makes some of PMH’s legends tick. First up is “Macho Man” Kris Thompson. Classification: 3L Section: Section 2 Hometown: Slidell Status: In a relationship Q: As a 3L, what advice would you give a 1L/2L? A: Don’t waste your money signing up for the chess tournament this fall. I will dominate…again. Q: What are you most looking forward to in your 3L year? A: Playing Pokemon Go all over campus. Did you know the law school has two Pokestops? Q: What was your biggest regret in law school? A: I regret not postponing my legal
education until the lazy river at the UREC is complete. Q: What is the most memorable thing to happen to you/that you’ve witnessed at PMH? A: December 10, 2016 #booganation goes wild as Leonard is awarded the Heisman trophy. Q: What was most memorable about growing up in Slidell? A: Wife beater undershirts and jeanco jeans. Q: I know you’re a big wrestling fan. What attracted you to the WWE? A: Listen here you Jabroni, it’s still the WWF to me. Q: Who is your favorite wrestler and why? A: Stone Cold Steve Austin, middle finger to your opponent, stone cold stunner, beer drinking…in that order.
PAUSE CONTINUED...
Rants or fights on social media cause employers to question an applicant’s self-control, judgment, and maturity. In a conflict-oriented field such as law, firms may be reluctant to hire an applicant who is unable to properly handle disputes in a professional manner. In addition, these posts are often negative in nature and employers, like Raines, think twice about hiring someone who publicly disparages others on social media or tends to use social media for negative purposes. Although social media illustrates a valid exercise of free speech, political and controversial posts are best avoided, especially by those wishing to compete in a professional field. Professor Brooks advises aspiring professionals to set their social media pages to private, keep all posts neutral, and to use social media for its original intended purpose, to connect individuals with family and friends.
Q: What would you be known for if you were a wrestler? A: Something of a cross between the Godfather and Chyna. Q: You won the inaugural law school chess tournament. How did you get into chess? A: I guess I kinda got into chess as a means of a way off the mean streets of Slidell. Q: Where’s your favorite place to go in Baton Rouge? A: The Belle of Baton Rouge. Free Drinks. Free money. Q: So is that your favorite casino in Baton Rouge? A: I like to hit on a hard 17 so…I’d have to say Reggie’s. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE...
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THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH
PREJUDICE: THE GOBLET OF CHURCH
It’s day one. I’m bright-eyed and ready to crush this law school thing. I walk into my first class and find a seat in the middle. I don’t want to look too eager but I also don’t want to be a slacker. I am so ready for today. I read the reading on battery like eight times. Class is starting! I’m so excited. I’m ready for anything. I got Elizabeth Wong this. Professor Church says, “Ms. Towing? Columns Editor, Carol Towing, where are you at?” OH. Columnistr MY. GOD. What’s my last name?! Did he just call on me? How many more minutes of this torture must I endure? I’m sweating. My mouth is dry. My last name is definitely Towing. I want to crawl under the desk and hide. I know nothing. What is an element? He’s asking me a million questions. “INTENT. HARM. CONTACT. TENDER YEARS DOCTRINE.” Am I even forming sentences? I think he’s asking easy questions but I’m so focused on the little cup in Church’s hand, the fear of looking like an idiot, and the sweat that’s collecting under my armpits that I can’t formulate a coherent statement. I made it. I survived the first day. I’m alive. I have to go back and do it again tomorrow. The thought of having to do
it again tomorrow isn’t what’s keeping me up at night though. It’s the thought of the tiny cup that Professor Church holds in his hand. It lasts him the entire class. There’s really only one solution. It’s a magic potion. He sips on it throughout class and it makes his voice sound exactly like TOM HANKS. Initially, I was thinking it was coffee because he drinks it so early but coffee doesn’t last a normal person an ENTIRE class period. He can’t fool me. I’m onto him. By the end of my 1L first semester, I will get to the bottom of this. Day in and day out, I go to class and my eyes are often diverted to the various distractions and curious behaviors of my professors. Sure, the students are just as peculiar but their odd habits don’t engage me because I’m one of them and our habits are the same. The professors, however, are full of interesting behavior. Church with his tiny cup. Trahan with his Gilderoy-Lockhart-perfectly-coiffed hair. Sautter with her framed Warren Buffet stock certificate. Corbett with his swag. It’s all so much to take in and yet, I must power through the distractions. I must focus on the academics, the law, the end goal. But first, I must find out what is in that damn tiny cup that Church holds every morning in Torts.
SPOTLIGHT CONTINIUED...
Q: You had a glorious beard 1L year? Will that ever be making a return? A: Is lumberjack law a thing? If so, yes.
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A: A lady that doesn’t mind how terrible of a boyfriend I am.
Q: What is your biggest pet peeve? A: Those cheesy songs they play to pump up the crowd at basketball games…everybody clap your hands.
Q: Is it true, if you don’t use it, you lose it? A: I once failed to use all my allowable absences in a class. Needless to say, I’ve yet to find it.
Q: What do you look for in a lady friend?
Q: What is your ideal job? A: 3rd string NFL QB…the only job
where you’re expected to be completely incompetent and eat hot dogs during working hours. Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? A: As the sole heir to the Benson empire. As such, I would give Mickey Loomis his walking papers, ensuring sustained success for the Saints and Pelicans franchises.
THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
OF THE 1L KIND TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS LAW SCHOOL IN REVIEW The first day of school is a momentous occasion filled with anxiety of what to expect and excitement of starting something new. Law school was no exception.
I couldn’t even tell you what a tort was, much less how to spot one and list the elements. I thought I had made a huge mistake going to law school. No way was I smart enough to be a lawyer!
I spent the two weeks before school started working on all of the homework assignments that had gotten emailed Halee S. Maturin to me, making sure no fact or law was overlooked. God forbid I be the student Web Director, who hadn’t read every line of every page Columnistr assigned! The first day of my 1L year, I barely slept a wink the night before – I was too stressed out about the difficulties the next day would bring. Come morning, I tried on about 15 different outfits, trying to decide which choice of attire said “I am confident and smart, but also friendly.” I had my brand new textbooks stacked in a neat pile next to my pre-packed lunch and fully stocked backpack. I got to school an hour early, out of fear for being late to my first law school class. I sat towards the front of the classroom in Professor Church’s Torts class, with my pens and highlighters spread out and ready to go.
Fast forward two years, and I can spout off the 6 intentional torts in my sleep. I can describe the actus reus and mens rea of a crime in immense detail. I can get up in front of a courtroom and argue a criminal case from start to finish. While I still can’t tell you how to file for bankruptcy or how to form a valid contract, I can point you in the direction of a student who can! It took me until my 3L year to realize that no one is going to be great at every subject [except Mr. 3.9 GPA]. But I can be great at the subjects I love, and that is just fine by me.
I thought for sure that I was prepared for whatever would be thrown my way. Boy was I wrong. After that first day of classes, I went home feeling completely defeated. I felt like no matter how hard I tried and how studiously I read the homework, I would never be as smart as some of my classmates and I would never know the “right answer” to the professor’s questions.
3LS
I can skim a case in 5 minutes and still do just fine when I get called on in class. I can run into class 1 minute before starting, dressed in workout clothes, and no one will give me dirty looks. I can go to the GIFs and drink with my classmates, but I can also get together with those students I’m closest to and laugh for hours as we reminisce on the wild ride that has been law school. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that there is no “right way” to do law school [although there is definitely a wrong way]. There have been messy meltdowns, ugly crying sessions, and lots of stress-eating, but there has also been lots of love and laughter to be had between myself and my nerdy law school friends. While it was by no means easy, it has been fun. Thank you Paul M. Hebert Law School for making me #3LOL.
Don’t forget to send those embarrassing pictures, screenshotted Snapchats, and more to the official Assault and Flattery email:
assflat2017@gmail.com
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THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
A Summer Well Spent PMHers take on Lyon, France & Beyond Most 1Ls spend their summers working long hours, cranking out memos or performing legal research at a clerkship or externship. However, one group of LSU Law students seized the opportunity to travel the world while expanding their legal education. Each summer, LSU Law offers a study abroad program based in the vibrant city of Lyon, France. Students are afforded the opportunity to take unique legal courses taught by visiting judges and Paul M. Hebert’s own professors while also exploring the country and the surrounding areas. Many describe the experience as the opportunity of a lifetime, and for good reason. Lyon is known for its rich cultural and culinary history. The city boasts the title of “gastronomic capital of the world,” featuring renowned Lyonnaise cuisine served up by 3-star Michelin chefs. Outside of Lyon, students often indulge in new adventures, traveling to many different cities and countries. Stacy Liere Staff Writer
Among the students who jumped at the chance to study abroad were Sara Grace Sierra and Joe Cooper. Sara Grace’s journey took her to nine different countries and countless cities, with her some of her favorite destinations being Paris, Dublin, and Berlin. She was able to spend time with her sister in Paris, who also happened to be studying abroad. “Of course, touring the other countries was amazing, but sharing the experience of Paris with my sister was incredible,” she remarked.
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In Berlin, she was able to tour the Holocaust Memorial, which was particularly emotional for Sara Grace. “It was so moving because, in all actuality, we’re not that far removed from the events of the Holocaust.” While Dublin offered the chance to partake in Ireland’s infamous libations, Sara Grace was also treated to a taste of home– BBQ, calling it “one of her favorite meals from the entire trip.” Joe’s experience abroad was all about taking chances. When asked about his trip, he explained his goal was to take advantage of as many opportunities as he could, even if they were dangerous. He achieved that goal in grand fashion. Joe journeyed to Pamplona for the traditional Running of the Bulls, describing an incident where he found himself “eight feet away from one of the bulls.” One of Joe’s compatriots, a fellow PMHer, was physically stomped on by one of the stampeding bulls but managed to escape without major injury. While in Ireland, he visited the Cliffs of Moher, a beautiful but deadly attraction visited by thousands each year. Due to the soft soil atop the cliffs, a person’s next step could easily be their last. Fortunately, Joe escaped Europe unscathed with plenty of stories to tell. In between their exciting weekend trips, Sara Grace and Joe were able to squeeze in some schoolwork as well. When asked about their favorite class, both listed Professor Goring’s course, Migration and Refugee Law and Policy. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE...
THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016 SUMMER CONTINUED...
“The class was interesting because it hit so close to what’s going on in the world right now with refugees and the policies Europe has in place to deal with the crisis,” they explained. Sara Grace and Joe also took Cultural Aspects of Alternative Dispute Resolution, which illustrates helpful ways to avoid the time and expense of going to trial. The Lyon program provided the Class of 2018 with an array of breathtaking experiences and solidified friendships to last a lifetime. Sara Grace and Joe expressed a longing to embark on new adventures in the future after reaping the benefits of complete immersion in a foreign culture. While European escapades have since been replaced with reading assignments and cold calls, these students will always remember a summer well spent.
Congratulations to the winners of the Opening Statement Competition, JONATHAN COBB AND LACEY SANCHEZ. They are featured above (center), with the judges (from left to right) Joshua Newville, Lindsay Blouin, LaToya Jordan, and Kathleen Barrios.
SUNDAY FUNDAY Most of us at PMH are no strangers to the Sunday blues. I, for one, can attest that one of the worst feelings in the world is waking up after an exciting weekend of GIFs, tailgating, Emily Schwab and Tiger football, Columnist only to realize that tomorrow begins another excruciatingly long week of classes. At this point, we are faced with two options: sulk to the library and read for Fed Courts or ditch the books and pray that Devlin forgets your name tomorrow morning. Because I’m obviously partial to the latter option, in each issue I will review new and noteworthy places around town in an effort to ensure that your next Sunday is indeed a Funday. This month’s column will be kicked off with a review of one of Baton Rouge’s hottest food spots- Table Kitchen and Bar. Since its genesis a year and a half ago, Table’s farm-to-table dinner menu has
become widely regarded as a staple in the Baton Rouge foodie community. However, Table’s lesser-known brunch option is a true hidden gem. A live jazz band and a perfectly curated southern style menu was Table’s response to the brunch trend that has swept the city and nation alike, and my experience there left almost nothing to be desired. Luckily, I erred on the side of caution in calling ahead for a reservation because my guest and I were greeted with a buzzing crowd of people putting their names on a waitlist upon our 11 a.m. arrival. The eclectic group of diners included all walks of life; although the majority were couples in their late twenties and early thirties, there were, of course, also tables of college girls retelling last nights’ stories and well to-do Baton Rouge families gathering for a post-mass meal. Although Table describes their mid-morning mealtime as a “jazz brunch”, the live music on this particular day wasn’t your typical New Orleans jazz, but instead included
with Schwab
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THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
WHAT’S NEW BATON ROUGE
MR. Hunter Odom Columnist
Fall is one of my favorite seasons in Baton Rouge. With football in the air, leaves changing, and temperatures soon to be in decline, now is the time to be outside marinating in this fantastic weather.
One way to do so is to head downtown on Friday evenings and enjoy the “Live After 5” concert series. From 5- 8pm at Repentance Park (on the riverside of City Hall next to the Old State Capitol), Live After 5 offers free live music and access to several food and beer vendors. Located in the heart of downtown, this series is continuously a popular spot for the entire Baton Rouge community. On any given Friday, one can find thousands of Baton Rouge’s young, old, rich, poor, and all other walks of life unwinding together to celebrate the weekend. With the stage facing City Hall, the crowd faces the west, making it a perfect
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venue to catch the sunset over the Mighty Mississippi while hearing the music resonate off the hallowed walls of Louisiana’s Old State Capitol. While the featured band performs, vendors at Galvez Plaza offer everything from fried food to cold beer that make for a great pregame for the night’s GIF. Produced by the Downtown Business Association, the original goal of “Live After 5” was to encourage people to explore downtown and needless to say it has succeeded. Every year, the event becomes more popular with larger crowds and more sponsors. I have gotten a chance to experience this concert several times and it has yet to disappoint. This Friday, the concert series features Bag of Donuts, a New Orleans-based party cover band that has dubbed their style “superpop.” Dressed in costumes you’d have to see to believe, this quartet has been covering popular songs for over twenty years and, like fine wine, they get better with age. Expect to hear
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popular songs from all musical eras from this festive group. My personal favorite would have to be their rendition of KISS’s “I Wanna Rock n’ Roll All Night.” To quote the band: “It’s like Mardi Gras all year long.” If superpop isn’t really your style, no need to worry because this event attracts bands of all different genres (see next page for lineup). In the past, featured bands have included: The Benjy Davis Project, Flow Tribe, The Elements and many more. No matter who is playing, “Live After 5” is a great change-ofpace activity that is unique to Baton Rouge and something everyone should experience during their time here at PMH. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a free event. Remember to bring your blankets and folding chairs but leave your ice chests, pets, and tents at home. See you Friday!
GEAUX TIGERS! See next page for band schedule!
THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
e v i L AFTER 5 SCHEDULE
SEPTEMBER 16th Bag of Donuts Party Cover
SEPTEMBER 23rd
Michael Foster Project Jazz, Funk, R&B, Hip Hop
SEPTEMBER 30th Kenny Neal Blues
OCTOBER 7th
Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition Swamp Popr
OCTOBER 14th
SUNDAY CONTINUED...
a folky twist which fell perfectly in line Table’s overall theme. The incredibly talented musicians coupled with the rustic no-frills décor including mason jar drinks, cloth-less tables, and chalkboard art created a high energy yet casual ambiance. Naturally, we began the meal with drinks; the bottomless mimosas seemed to be the obvious choice for me, while my guest ordered an offmenu brandy milk punch (which is definitely something I recommend if you’re looking to indulge early on). As an appetizer, we ordered the boudin balls and lump crab cake, both of which included a homemade remoulade sauce. Admittedly, I am an incredibly harsh critic when it comes to boudin balls considering I am a Cajun girl through and through, and I must confess I was unsurprisingly underwhelmed with this Baton Rouge version of my hometown favorite. However, the crab cakes had the perfect ratio of lump meat to filling (a moderate amount of filling compared to meat), making this appetizer an anomaly in the mid-priced restaurant game. For my main course, I ordered the shrimp and grits and asked that
the chef add a few strips of bacon to the dish. Creating flavorful shrimp to perfectly compliment the grits is an insanely hard to balance strike. Due to this delicate balance, I’m a firm believer that the quality of this dish will give you the most accurate sense of a Louisiana restaurant’s worthiness. Much to my surprise, I absolutely loved Table’s rendition of this ageold favorite. Not only did the shrimp include some of the onions with which they were sautéed, but the sauce was an incredible combination of both sweet and savory flavors. The addition of bacon only perfected this dish. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this as a brunch spot for anyone looking to wander out of their Netflix-induced Sunday comas and venture into public. Table would be the perfect place to get together your rowdiest group of gal pals for an afternoon of hearty laughs and heartier food. And for guys, go ahead and ask that hot 1L you’ve been eyeing on a date, and impress her by ordering an off-menu brandy milk punch to show her you’re super connected and totally in the know.
Travis Matte & The Kingpins Zydeco/ Cajun
OCTOBER 21st
David St. Romain Country
OCTOBER 28th
New Orleans Karma (Fifolet Halloween Festival) Party Cover
Table Kitchen & Bar 4205 Perkins Rd Baton Rouge, LA TABLEKITCHENANDBAR.COM
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THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
Getting Involved with Flood Relief Several LSU Law students, faculty, and staff members are still in the process of Tori Watson recovering from the major flooding that Staff Writerr impacted the Baton Rouge area last month. There are still various opportunities to get involved in flood relief efforts through LSU Law and the local legal community. Here’s how:
Need Help?
Want to help?
The Law Center has an emergency relief fund that provides financial assistance to students impacted by the flooding. Visit law.lsu.edu/2016floodrelief and click on “Student Financial Assistance” for information on how to apply.
The easiest way to help is by visiting law.lsu.edu/2016floodrelief and clicking on “I want to help.” Here you can fill out a form with your contact information and list specific ways in which you can provide assistance. This includes donations, volunteer clean-up efforts, lodging, transportation, and providing class notes and study materials.
Students in need of assistance should visit law.lsu. edu/2016floodrelief and click on “I need assistance.” Here you can fill out a form with your contact information and specific needs.
SOLACE is a group of lawyers dedicated to helping other lawyers. Their services extend to law students, faculty, and staff in need. To seek assistance through SOLACE, contact Judge Jay Zainey at jay_zainey@laed.uscourts.gov.
PILS, BLSA, and SBA have teamed up to host a supply drive for flood victims. You can drop off donations on the first floor lobby in the boxes labeled “Flood Relief.” Suggested donation items include non-perishable food items, water, blankets and pillows, toiletries, baby supplies, clothing, and small toys.
Looking for more information?
PILS is looking for students to volunteer at Disaster Relief Centers in and around the Baton Rouge area. Student volunteers are needed to conduct initial interviews and assist visitors with FEMA forms. Contact lsupils@gmail.com for more information on how to sign up.
For assistance or more information about Law Center relief efforts, you can contact Jeff Brooks by email at jeff.brooks@ law.lsu.edu.
The LSU food pantry is accepting donations in room 455 of the LSU student union. You can also shop their amazon wish list or make a donation at www.lsufoundation.org/foodpantry.
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The LSU Law Class of 2017, 2018 and 2019 Facebook pages are great sources of information, and provide an easy forum for asking questions and contacting fellow law students.
Although the waters have subsided, flood affected PMHers will need continued support to rebuild in the months ahead. Please consider donating your time or resources to the worthy cause of helping our colleagues get back on track.
THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
PILS FALL DAY OF SERVICE
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THE CIVILIAN | SEPTEMBER 2016
LSU FOOTBALL 2016 SEASON 9/3 @ Wisconsin 9/10 vs Jacksonville State 9/17 vs Mississipi State 9/24 @ Auburn 10/1 vs Missouri 10/8 @ Florida 10/15 vs Southern Miss 10/22 vs Ole Miss 11/5 vs Alabama 11/12 @ Arkansas 11/10 vs South Alabama 11/24 @ Texas A&M
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