Barzam

After a sputtering start last week, bar exam prep began in earnest this week. I started with Criminal Law. I enjoyed criminal law when I was at the DA's office, but I didn't like it much in law school. I think it was because I didn't like the instructor. He wanted to spend too much time talking about how a retributivist would view punishment compared to the views of a utilitarian. Unless I'm going to be writing criminal code, I'm not sure it matters. Just tell me what the elements of arson are. I then structure my questioning and evidence to prove (beyond a reasonable doubt) the elements of the crime. Anyway, this instructor had a depraved heart who made it painful to come to class. In spite of this, I made it to every one of the crim law classes except the day Aimee passed out and smacked her head on the sink in her apartment (she had walking pneumonia). As a 1L , I was just too afraid to miss class. You never know when that will be the day that the prof. hands out the answers to the final. Well, tomorrow it's criminal procedure all over again. That means it's time to reacquaint myself with the Amendments 4 through 6, 8 and 14.

One final hurdle

As I ponder the final hurdle in this journey--the bar exam--it's worth remembering yesterday's festivities. It was an amazing day. As I walked to the stage to be hooded, it was wonderful to be accompanied by my giddy daughter. I was surprised that we received an ovation for being the first father-daughter combination to graduate from KU Law in the same class. And then to stand on stage on watch her be hooded was priceless. I won't ever forget the day and all the emotions it produced. I guess the only downside to all of this is reading a story about us in the Topeka Capital-Journal this morning. At the end of the online version, the first comment is a lawyer joke. I guess I've gone from being a member of one hated profession--the media--to the member of another. People hate lawyers, until they need one. No matter. It was still a great day for our family. I will never forget it.

It's over: update

After some thought, I've decided that what I am feeling is mostly fatigue and a slight headache.

It's over

I finished law school yesterday at 4:58 p.m. As I walked out of the exam room, I thought, "what just happened?" Not sure how I feel yet, but check back later. Maybe I'll know after I've processed it all.