Sitting in a small café in Maryland, I opened the cover of A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr and began to read the first page. At the time, I had no real intention of even finishing the book but was trying to work “reading for pleasure” into my routine. My freshman year of college had turned reading into a chore more than anything. Thankfully, over time, I learned to embrace and combine reading for both knowledge and pleasure. Now, before I go any further, I must admit that I was unaware a movie-version existed. Although John Travolta’s character was often referenced in classes on how “not” to negotiate, even to this day, I cannot say I’ve ever watched the film.
What I was not expecting, was for the book to captivate my imagination and professional
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It’s not always case-breaking finds at one o’clock in the morning, exhilarating oral arguments or massive jury trials. Instead, days are spent crafting discovery plans, drafting and editing briefs, receiving criticism from colleagues, outlining arguments and reading filings from opposing parties all while trying to balance the multitude of other aspects of daily life. A Civil Action addressed this truth. It addressed the financial difficulties certain career paths can take and also addressed the effects a legal career can have on personal relationships. It is, of course, difficult to generalize the application of one story to the entire field, but a realistic understanding is more useful than ideas of grandeur. Knowing this reality prior to really beginning my undergraduate career allowed me to remain focused, develop the skills I needed, and maintain a realistic understanding of how to prepare for law school. Every class I completed, every group I participated in and every job I’ve held has been in furtherance of my goals to become an attorney. This lesson from A Civil Action helped provide a necessary …show more content…
Two large corporations were alleged to have dumped the hazardous waste causing leukemia in numerous victims. Throughout the book, Schlichtmann must educate himself on the industries he is challenging, on cancer-causing chemicals, and on the tort law involved. Although experts are brought into the mix by both sides, there is a heavy responsibility on the individual attorneys to learn about and understand their cases sufficient enough to argue their perspectives. Although some may see this aspect of a legal career as daunting, I see it as a continuously rewarding challenge. Each case presents a unique puzzle with its own set of variables, rules, participants and setbacks. In addition, each case requires the attorney to learn new things. It is the aspect of continuous learning that I find most interesting.
The lessons taught by A Civil Action were influential in directing me towards a legal career. Although there are many other factors and variables involved in this decision, I would be remiss to ignore the impact of this story. A Civil Action is just one story throughout the past seven years that has influenced my decision to pursue a legal career. Reading this story changed the way that I viewed the law and changed the way that I viewed my course of study. I continue to appreciate those few days I spent sitting in a café in Maryland, reacquiring my love
Jan Schlichtmann is not good role model for personal injury attorneys. He chose to take the Woburn case because he believed it would positively impact his reputation in the legal community, and he did not consider the case’s requirements. The book implies that he had a certain commitment to his vision of himself as a savior and a maverick, using unorthodox techniques to reach a trial victory in favor of his clients, a self-concept that I believe involves more personal investment than is healthy or beneficial for a personal injury attorney. Ultimately, he lacked experience, which manifested in a variety of ways that damaged the plaintiffs’ case.
Chris McCandless, a straight-A student out of Emory University, was a brilliant and eccentric young man bound for law school. Twenty-four thousand dollars intended for tuition and a supportive, upperclass family seemingly predisposed his future. However, much to his family and friends’ surprise, Chris chose a radically different path. The path he chose not only defined his own existence, but the lives of all his future acquaintances. New faces, new experiences, and new triumphs were in store for Chris McCandless in his escapade throughout the United States.
Additionally, Ms. Huang emphasized Cardozo’s dedication to practical legal skill is a pivotal asset post graduation. The ideal location and wide range of clinics, externships and internships offered at Cardozo truly are . Moreover, not only will students sharpen their lawyering skills, given the plethora of programs, they can engage in a program they will be passionate about. With New York City as its backdrop, it is the epicenter of a multicultural and diverse setting generates stimulating class discussions that ultimately enrich the
December 2 2017 Bryant Langheim Final Paper Do you ever wonder who the person who helps attorneys or who you speak to get a attorney. The answer is a paralegal and that is the career I’m interested into going to school for. I have a lot of strengths, weakness, and I will tell about becoming a paralegal. Although that’s not all I will also explain steps and the process I have a job in criminal justice.
Ambassador. Eisenhower has given me the opportunity to participate in the InspirEd Internship. This internship allows me to work within a local law firm under the lawyer Mr. Chiligiris. Through this program, I have been able to gain a better understanding of the process of the law and see the court in action. I am able to assist Mr. Chiligiris in the preparation for his court cases, as well as aid him in researching previous court decisions. The school’s ability to provide students with internships allows me to gain experience in the law field and it helps me to be able to attain future internship opportunities. This is extremely important to my future for most law firms require applicants to have experience in the workplace before they can be hired as a full
I was born on July 2, 1908 in Baltimore, Maryland to William and Norma Marshall. My father was the grandson of a slave, who worked as a waiter at an exclusive club. My mother was a kindergarten teacher. Both set of my grandparents owned grocery stores, but my father wanted to be independent of them. Fortunately, my family and I enjoyed a comfortable, middle-class living. One of my father’s favorite pastimes was to listen to cases at the local courthouse before returning home. Then he would debate the lawyers ' arguments with my brother, William and me. I believed debating court cases with my father and brother sparked an interest in me becoming a lawyer. Also, my parents placed great importance on education, encouraging my brother and I to think and learn.
Ever since I was a little girl I have always aspired to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps and become a prosperous attorney like him. He exerted himself strenuously, graduated from Northeastern Law School and was one of the founding partners of the Morrison, Mahoney and Miller Law firm currently located in Boston. It has been an arduous journey for me to verbally express the least endeavoring to follow my grandfather’s legacy. Shortly after graduating high school, my life consummately spiraled out of control and I was faced with adversity that seemed insurmountable. It is paramount to take a moment and apportion some brief history considering that I my past has molded me into the strenuously exertive, goal oriented student I have always aspired to be.
Criminal justice in America now and then appears to be more criminal than just — loaded with blunder, misbehavior, and prejudice, if not unordinary, discipline, combined with determined resistance to change and an inability to learn from even its most recognizable mistakes. What 's more, no place, are matters are more worse than in the southern state of Alabama, the embraced grounds where Stevenson has become an advocate for the oppressed in the legal system.
#1 A Civil Action is a tragic movie informing viewers about a case that should have more light on it. A Civil ACtion is based on the Woburn Toxic Trial, Anne Anderson et al. v. W.R. Grace & Co. et al. It takes place in 1982, in the town of Woburn, Massachusetts and it about eight families. The major partie in the trial and movie include the plaintiffs who were a group of eight families that lived in a part of town served by the two municipal wells. The defendants who were W.R. Grace & Co., owner of the Cryovac Plant, UniFirst Corporation, owner of Interstate Uniform Services, and Beatrice Foods, Inc., owner of the John Riley Tannery (kennedy). Six people were treated for died from leukemia, a form of blood cancer. The jury deliberated
Summer training proved to be the most difficult time of the season. Every day I would be forced to run alone since none of my teammates lived near me. It can be a challenge maintaining the motivation to continue training despite not having anyone to push you. On days when my legs told me that they didn’t want to run, my aspirations would carry me. The degree of difficulty associated with law school can be daunting; there will be days when the workload will be overwhelming. Always keeping in mind the goal of graduating from law school and entering a career within the field of law provides the motivation to carry on. The goal of survival is not enough; however, the goal of success within law school and the field of law is enough.
For as long as I can remember, it has been my dream to become an attorney. That being said, coming from a small town in Wisconsin, people around me view this as an ambitious and unlikely goal. Upon learning of my dreams, many people from my hometown are surprised that I—a female—would strive for such a masculine career path. However, rather than allowing this discouragement to stop me, I use it as motivation to reach for my goals and prove that a woman can succeed in a traditionally male field.
I define myself as a curious researcher and reflective practitioner who perceives legal education as a combination of passion and practicality. Whereas my idealistic side wants to thoroughly understand the development of global legal ethics, my pragmatic side asks what actions should be taken by lawyers to solve international legal problems. Hence, Penn Law’s core strengths in providing a remarkably interdisciplinary learning experience and the program of Legal Practice Skills will be the bridge to my academic and professional aspirations.
From when I was ten until I was fifteen, I wanted to become a lawyer. I’ve always had impressive public speaking skills, a persuasive personality, and a knack for debate, so it seemed like the perfect fit for me. However, upon a taking a law class my sophomore year, I realized that lawyering might not be exactly what I expected it to be. As I learned about the different laws and the complexities of the court system I was
My educational progress, achievements, membership in Phi Theta Kappa, and obtainable career goals are outlined in this report. The difficulties I overcame while attending Guilford Technical Community College (hereinafter “GTCC”) are noted along with the guidance of my teachers; demonstrating the quality of education at GTCC. My completed courses and grades (4.0), along with the four (4) remaining classes required for my degree, prove my commitment to graduate with a 4.0 GPA. The knowledge and skills I obtained and apply are provided prior to a review of my internship with Burke’s Law. A current job description and job outlook from the current Occupational Outlook Handbook (hereinafter “OOH”) for the paralegal field indicate the excellent employment
I have chosen a career as a paralegal. This is a field that I expect will be both challenging as well as professionally rewarding. As a paralegal, I will assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services (National Association of Legal Assistants, 2008). A career in paralegal studies is a prestigious, professional adventure and offers a wonderful opportunity while enhancing ones knowledge of the law and provides for challenges, growth and advancement.