‘In the Law, You Think Sideways’

What Alumni Want New Law Students to Know

September 18, 2017

Let go of your preconceptions. Don't worry about not understanding everything at first. Try out for the school musical. Go to office hours. Don’t panic.

Law School alumni know what it takes to successfully navigate the Law School and its traditions, from surviving the Socratic Method (read the cases in advance and be prepared to take some wrong turns) to understanding Elements of the Law (consider it a jigsaw puzzle and stick your hand up early). And they have advice about making the most of the experience (get to know your classmates, put in the long hours when necessary, and be brave enough to do the cool stuff). To help prepare the Class of 2020 for the journey ahead, we asked alumni to share their wisdom. The quotes below reflect only a portion of the many replies submitted and are, in some cases, excerpts of longer responses. Thank you to the alumni who took the time to contribute to this survey—the Class of 2020 and the rest of the Law School community are grateful.

On Navigating Elements of the Law:

• “Don't worry about not understanding everything at first. Use the insights from Elements to help you in other courses. Think of it as a course that is teaching you how to think, rather than as a course that's providing you with knowledge to consume.”— Class of 2014
• “Don't get hung up on the facts—it’s the (legal) principles!”— Class of 1989
• “Stick your hand up early. It takes a few weeks for the crowd to start to discern what a stupid answer is.”— Class of 1990
• “Consider it a jigsaw puzzle.”— Class of 1969
• “Save the readings. Throughout your legal career you will recall lessons learned in the course that are still highly relevant, and you'll want to refresh your insights into these lessons.”— Class of 1972
• “Don't feel overwhelmed. Everyone is in the same boat, and the purpose of the class is not obvious in the beginning. Somewhere during the quarter, you will wake up and the answer will be on the ceiling, and you will kick yourself for not understanding it sooner.”— Class of 1980
• “Think big picture. More than just teaching you about principles of law, this class will help you understand how the world works: government, society, and economics. Observe how what you are learning applies in the real world, and you'll come to a deeper understanding.”— Class of 2005
• “Do your best to let go of your preconceptions. Elements, and the Law School in general, is largely about changing how your approach problems. Focus on the method and the way of thinking. Don't be bothered if the result isn't what you expect or want—that doesn't mean you're wrong, maybe you just have to work a bit to get there.”— Class of 2014
• “Don't take notes on every word said. This is more like a philosophy class ... it's more about listening, thinking, and participating.”— Class of 2017
• “In math, you think from the general to the particular, and in science, you think from the particular to the general. But in law, you think sideways.”— Class of 1981

On Preparing for Your First Socratic Method Moment:

• “You can't. Expect to be surprised, and don't let that bother you.” — Class of 1966
• “Read the materials, then re-read them, and then outline what you read.” — Class of 1981
• “Don't panic. It is just like asking someone out in high school. If they say ‘no,’ you don't die. The most memorable moments from law school are big failures in class (they are funny), but they do not mean anything beyond that.” — Class of 1992
• “Have guts enough to ‘stand on your hind feet’ (Professor Karl Llewellyn’s advice) and argue before your peers. It does not affect your grades, but it will help you as a lawyer.” — Class of 1962
• “Understand why the Method is key. Through Socratic dialogue, you learn from your classmates, not from your teacher, who serves merely as a guide. Your classmates are brilliant, believe me. As are you. They are also as intimidated as you are at first. It will become routine, and you will learn more about the contours of each subject by paying attention in class than by reading an outline later in your dorm room or apartment.”— Class of 1991
•  “Just be yourself, and stick with whatever you do that qualified you for admission in the first place.” — Class of 1980

  

• “The same way you prepare for anything: simulation. Once you read a case ask yourself some basic questions: Why is this case in the casebook? What lesson am I supposed to draw from it?  What point(s) does it teach? Then prepare a brief outline of the basics: the facts, the holding, and the reasoning. Then ask yourself (to the extent possible at this stage), what did the court get right and what do you think the court got wrong? Finally, ask yourself what is the logical extension of the court's reasoning? To what other situations could it apply? If you have a partner or roommate, ask the partner or roommate to ask you these questions. If you live alone, practice in front of a mirror. Do it until you no longer find it intimidating.”— Class of 1978
• “Read in advance … and take solace in the fact that you will not likely receive the same question I did: ‘Ms. Jane Doe, please define prostitution.’ Correct answer: sex for money (which was not my response).— Class of 1992
• “Just read the case. You may ace it, you may stumble, but either way, no one cares, and it'll be over. But just make sure to read the case.” — Class of 2014
• “Take a moment to make sure you understand the question and organize your thoughts before saying anything. Ask for clarification if it would be helpful.” — Class of 2015
• “Be prepared (that is, having read and taken notes) but also be prepared to think outside the box.  Socratic is useful to get you to think through an otherwise nonobvious answer, so be prepared to take some wrong turns and don't be embarrassed when you do (so will everyone else when it's their turn).— Class of 2017
• Don't panic. It will be fine.— Class of 2005

On Making the Most Out of Law School:

• “Develop a good understanding of social issues, businesses, and decision-makers—the things and people that you'll learn to serve.”— Class of 1972
• “Try out for the school musical! It's a great way to meet people from other years—and its a ton of fun!”—Class of 2016
• “Your legal career doesn't begin after graduation. It begins on the first day of law school. If you are serious about success (and not everyone is), unrelenting focus on mastering the law and legal skills is a key ingredient.” — Class of 1988

  

• “Get to know international students. They have so much to contribute to knowledge about other systems, not only of law but of education in general.” — Class of 1991
• “Form a study group as soon as possible. Get to know all of your classmates and stay in touch after law school.”— Class of 1967
• "(1) Clinics, clinics, clinics. (2) Build a strong relationship or two with the faculty, e.g., through a research assistantship or meetings during office hours. (3) Befriend—genuinely befriend—more classmates. Your classmates are brilliant and interesting people who have a lot to offer. Avoid cliquishness and don't write anyone off too quickly.— Class of 2015
• “Law school is an incredible intellectual journey. The sooner you open up about what you don't know or understand, the more fulfilling it will be. Don't be a poser! Also realize that practicing law is, for the most part, very different than law school—the earlier you can 'get your hands dirty,' the better."— Class of 2005
• “If there is anyone in the world that you admire, invite them to speak at the Law School through a student group. This is a powerful tool that you only have for three years to meet some of the most interesting people alive. Use it.”— Class of 2000
• “Don't date a fellow law student—before you know it, you're married, have kids, grandkids, and have been together, arguing legal issues, forever.” — Class of 1969
• “It is easier to persuade someone if he or she trusts you and likes you.” — Class of 1972
• “Don't neglect focusing on making lasting friendships your first and second year. It makes the rest of law school so much more fulfilling.” — Class of 2011
• “Make sure to be, and be known, as absolutely truthful to your professors and fellow students. Your reputation for integrity ... is more important to your future in the profession than your class ranking.”— Class of 1966
• “You will leave with an incredible intellectual tool kit, use it well.”— Class of 1969
• “Be brave enough to do the cool stuff—take the awesome-sounding classes (hint: use your seminars and Greenberg!), apply for the super-interesting internship (especially your 1L summer), ask to get coffee with cool people, go on immersion trips. It will all come together, sometimes in unexpected ways—so deviate from your plan a little for those cool opportunities you'll only have in law school!” —Class of 2016

  

• “Grades are not everything, but they sure make it a lot easier to do what you want. Put in those crazy hours. Eighteen-hour days might be what it takes in the last few weeks before exams. Do it! Study hard, my friends. Remember: on exams, argue both sides and pick a conclusion. Get those points! Best of luck!!” — Class of 2017
• “Being a good human is more important than being a good law student.” — Class of 2016
• “Look around at your classmates. You are seated among the most talented people you will ever see, all together in one room. Among them will be one or two (or more) who will become your best friends.” — Class of 1979
• “You'll be spending your time with law students who will become lawyers, and you'll wind up spending most of your waking hours with other lawyers. Don't let that fool you. Most ordinary people in the US don't even know a lawyer and may never have talked to one. Because you spend so much time with other lawyers, you'll forget how rare or special you are. You'll have knowledge, and therefore power, that most people don't have. Use it to help people. Most people can't afford you. Try to help them if you can anyway. You'll remember your pro bono clients a lot better than your 70th M&A deal.” — Class of 1983
• Enjoy the start of an incredible journey. To quote a Chicago classic, "Life [and law school] moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." — Class of 2017