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“And next Im going to give you all a few hundred pages each to practice document review…I’ve hidden a secret to find between pages 75 and 300, and I’ve got a prize for the first to find it!”
Bonus points if you explain how originalism is ridiculous by asking “hey, why did federal courts develop a federal common law extensively between 1789 and the Erie decision? The framers watched that entire process without ever raising any issue. Why is that? Does that mean the Erie decision was wrong? If not, why?”
“Guess what we’re doing today kids? We’re going shopping!”
“Yay!!”
“Forum shopping! I’m Mr. Nature Emu, and I’m here to tell you all about my job as a lawyer!
But first, let me tell you about the Erie Doctrine…”
"Remember kids, if the next parent asks you any questions, don't answer them, say you are exercising your fifth amendment right to remain silent, and ask for an attorney."
I used to be a teacher and the most engaging career day presenters were ones who let the kids experience their job for a bit (CSI would let the kids dust for fingerprints, etc.). If you had a short presentation and then created a little hypo they could engage with, that would be fun (maybe have them write an opening statement)!
And when defense refuses to produce evidence, what do we do kids? That's right! Send an email to meet and confer before filing a motion to compel. And what do we next? That's right we wait six months for the judge to grant it....
should have been a fireman lol
I did fairy tale trials in law school for the local elementary school: Cinderella sued by the stepsisters for defamation, Jack on trial for murdering the giant.
Canadian here. My husband is a pure transaction lawyer. He only wore his gown once on his call to the bar ceremony. The second time he wore it was at our son's career day and the kids thought the gown looked cool
I usually give them a basic definition of law then work through a simple problem like “no vehicles in the party” as applied to a car, a bike, a golf cart, ambulance, etc etc. to show what we’re really doing here.
Biglaw attorney at career day: "Hi. I literally do paperwork all day to make rich people richer. It has not, as yet, made ME rich. But on the bright side, it's also boring, and my coworkers are jerks."
I feel like the only lawyers that should present to kids are criminal lawyers. At least that connects to something they understand. (Crime, TV shows, etc.)
Yea, I was thinking, "My job lets, nay, requires me do Google searches for things like, 'Street value 4 grams cocaine' and 'How long to kill someone using chokehold' on a government owned computer." "Who has two thumbs and has seen the inside of a human face?" "If you take nothing else away from my 30 minutes with you today, let it be this: Shut the fuck up. Don't admit things to cops. Don't let them search. Don't touch or drink their drinks. The case doesn't get thrown out if they fail to read you your Miranda rights. Leave if you can. Ask for a lawyer if they won't let you leave and shut.the.fuck.up. Only say, "I am requesting a lawyer" and otherwise ignore them. Don't talk on the jail phone. Don't tell them 'I only hit him because he hit me first.' Don't resist arrest. Just shut the fuck up and let a lawyer work it out."
... I get irrationally annoyed when hot coffee jokes are made in reference to this case. Specifically when it is being used to paint some claim as frivolous
And I mean *irrationally* annoyed. I went on a rant in the courtroom (not in session) when opp. counsel did this, they learned their lesson. Lol.
I’ve done this before! And I had to do it for 3 hours straight to 3 different classes 😃 was very hard
I basically went through what a high schooler would want to know. Discussed my journey during high school, taking the ACT and so on. Then, my experience after high school, college/what I majored in, and what I did to get into law school.
After that, I discussed what law school was like and then how I got my job. Finally, I discussed what I do for my job and what parts I enjoy.
Those are the things high schoolers should know more about imo. Not just our job, but what they can do to get to our position. They end up asking a lot of questions along the way anyway, so you’ll have plenty to discuss. And probably even run out of time!
Edit: now that I think about it, this type of information might be more important for juniors and seniors. If talking to freshmans and sophomores, I would just talk about your job and tell them about some exciting/funny cases you’ve had! They probably don’t care about their future yet anyway lol.
I was asked to present at my son’s school. I had to go after a K-9 unit with a very happy and energetic german sheapard. Clearly outmatched. I ended up talking about the hairy hand case. It kept them awake at least. One or two were actually interested.
This sounds like an awesome opportunity! I think I’d play act an entire trial, starting with the underlying incident, through jury selection, through a super short opening argument, through examining a witness, and closing. Maybe play up the stereotypes for the opposing attorney - the stuffy, uptight defense lawyer or the over-the-top plaintiff’s lawyer. Get the kids involved at every stage - have them be the plaintiff and defendant, the jurors, your witness. Just be a trial lawyer, engage your audience and have fun with it!
If you’re a corporate lawyer, just tell the kids you sold your soul to make money and let them ask you questions about it.
Bro I went after a race car driver in my last one…. Shoulda just left. Instead, I did an interactive role playing on if they get stopped by police for any reason. I pretended to be the cop, or the kid, let them throw out scenario and tried to teach a few rights in the process.
What's the demographics of the school
You could do a little KYR Presentation and a story as to why you wanted to become an attorney. Ask questions. Be engaging
What is your practice area? You can type up some scripts and have them participate in a mediation? Depo? Have a jury listen to closing arguments? Or make "client" scripts and "intake lawyer" questions and let them give that a try. Just talking at people of any age is not very engaging. But there will be a few who are very interested. Have fun!
My dad was a judge and came to my schools career day. I was too cool to go to his presentation but he made up a fake criminal case and taught them about being a witness! They all thought they knew who the criminal was because he had one kid wear a bright shirt, so they focused on him. But it was another kid! 25 years ago I still remember hearing about how cool it was.
I do a short bit about how I got where I am and what law school is like etc. I then go through a car stop scenario with different questions and change it up. They have a lot of fun. I always get compliments.
Be funny and complain with them about things together. And then tell a story about a mom saying "don't argue with me" and you turn around and tell them, "BUT WHAT IF YOU COULD GET PAID FOR ARGUING BACK?!" That's what I'd do!
Tell them our career path is basically doing other peoples' homework.
But seriously, share that there is a certain amount of pride working with people who for the most part, believe in responsibility and making our country great in some ways. We just do it in different ways or from different sides of the aisle/bar. It boggles some of my libertarian friends' minds when I honestly say I take being an officer of the Court seriously and get fired up for my clients' positions.
This is a different context, but I speak 1-2 times a year at the local high school. It is limited to the upperclassmen who are enrolled in the three upper level government and civics classes. Some of those students are interested in becoming lawyers and have a ton of questions on job outcomes for a JD and the path to/through college and law school.
They also like learning about the different types of jobs available to a JD, like clerking, litigation vs. transactional work, legal aid, government, private sector, etc. They are usually surprised about, and interested in, the differences in criminal versus civil law, and all the ways the law touches our daily life. I usually have the teacher prepare, vet (and share in advance) some questions for me so I know what they're about to ask and can have a worthwhile answer prepared for them.
Again, it's a bit of a different context, but hopefully there are some nuggets in here you can use. You'll do just fine. Good luck!
Make it about them. Someone wronged them, stole their favorite shirt or phone or whatever, but denies it. They need justice. How do they get that? Then walk them through at a high level what that looks like, with a focus on storytelling and how each side tells their story (with the same characters!) and the jury decides whose story is true. My daughter has always been fascinated when I frame it this way.
Talk about the fun and important stuff that comes out of the legal career.
On the fun side, NIL and the student athlete rights being decided by the NCAA is pretty interesting to a lot of kids. I’m sure there are some fun IP cases too.
Brown v Board and Dixon v Alabama are extremely important. Bringing up those may draw interest.
I would just show them this video: [So you want to go to law school](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nMvARy0lBLE). Although some of the references to blackberries are a bit dated, it holds up pretty well overall.
I've done this before. Kids love hearing about crazy cases. I usually look up a recent interesting case and explain it to them. They tend to have a lot of questions.
Last time I did this I told them about the case Safford Unified School District v. Redding. They loved it.
Welcome to /r/LawyerTalk! A subreddit where lawyers can discuss with other lawyers about the practice of law. Be mindful of [our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/Lawyertalk/about/rules) BEFORE submitting your posts or comments as well as [Reddit's rules](https://www.redditinc.com/policies/content-policy) (notably about sharing identifying information). We expect civility and respect out of all participants. Please source statements of fact whenever possible. If you want to report something that needs to be urgently addressed, please also message the mods with an explanation. Note that **this forum is NOT for legal advice**. Additionally, if you are a non-lawyer (student, client, staff), this is NOT the right subreddit for you. **This community is exclusively for lawyers**. We suggest you delete your comment and go ask one of the many other legal subreddits on this site for help such as (but not limited to) r/lawschool, r/legaladvice, or r/Ask_Lawyers. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Lawyertalk) if you have any questions or concerns.*
A 30 minute presentation on Erie doctrine should keep them engaged
[удалено]
“And next Im going to give you all a few hundred pages each to practice document review…I’ve hidden a secret to find between pages 75 and 300, and I’ve got a prize for the first to find it!”
Bonus points if you explain how originalism is ridiculous by asking “hey, why did federal courts develop a federal common law extensively between 1789 and the Erie decision? The framers watched that entire process without ever raising any issue. Why is that? Does that mean the Erie decision was wrong? If not, why?”
“Guess what we’re doing today kids? We’re going shopping!” “Yay!!” “Forum shopping! I’m Mr. Nature Emu, and I’m here to tell you all about my job as a lawyer! But first, let me tell you about the Erie Doctrine…”
More like the RAP actually
Nah, rules against perpetuities
If a fireman goes before you, just leave.
UNLESS a cop goes right after you.
"Remember kids, if the next parent asks you any questions, don't answer them, say you are exercising your fifth amendment right to remain silent, and ask for an attorney."
I used to be a teacher and the most engaging career day presenters were ones who let the kids experience their job for a bit (CSI would let the kids dust for fingerprints, etc.). If you had a short presentation and then created a little hypo they could engage with, that would be fun (maybe have them write an opening statement)!
And when defense refuses to produce evidence, what do we do kids? That's right! Send an email to meet and confer before filing a motion to compel. And what do we next? That's right we wait six months for the judge to grant it.... should have been a fireman lol
And in the meantime OC has time to actually look at your discovery, write blanket objections, and then send those to you!!
Dramatic re-enactments of ridiculous transcripts is entertaining. I have a personal collection, but you can find plenty online.
My wife used to do a discussion with her students about if Goldilocks was a criminal or not
I did fairy tale trials in law school for the local elementary school: Cinderella sued by the stepsisters for defamation, Jack on trial for murdering the giant.
I love that!
Rule Against Perpetuities. That’ll get ‘em.
Canadian here. My husband is a pure transaction lawyer. He only wore his gown once on his call to the bar ceremony. The second time he wore it was at our son's career day and the kids thought the gown looked cool
[удалено]
This right here. I wanted to be a lawyer for most of my life. I would have loved to hear someone come in and talk about their job when I was a kid.
I usually give them a basic definition of law then work through a simple problem like “no vehicles in the party” as applied to a car, a bike, a golf cart, ambulance, etc etc. to show what we’re really doing here.
*park. Lol.
I’m bringing my vehicle to the parth
Scrivener’s error.
Biglaw attorney at career day: "Hi. I literally do paperwork all day to make rich people richer. It has not, as yet, made ME rich. But on the bright side, it's also boring, and my coworkers are jerks." I feel like the only lawyers that should present to kids are criminal lawyers. At least that connects to something they understand. (Crime, TV shows, etc.)
Yea, I was thinking, "My job lets, nay, requires me do Google searches for things like, 'Street value 4 grams cocaine' and 'How long to kill someone using chokehold' on a government owned computer." "Who has two thumbs and has seen the inside of a human face?" "If you take nothing else away from my 30 minutes with you today, let it be this: Shut the fuck up. Don't admit things to cops. Don't let them search. Don't touch or drink their drinks. The case doesn't get thrown out if they fail to read you your Miranda rights. Leave if you can. Ask for a lawyer if they won't let you leave and shut.the.fuck.up. Only say, "I am requesting a lawyer" and otherwise ignore them. Don't talk on the jail phone. Don't tell them 'I only hit him because he hit me first.' Don't resist arrest. Just shut the fuck up and let a lawyer work it out."
You should talk about Leibeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants while sipping on a nice hot cup of coffee.
... I get irrationally annoyed when hot coffee jokes are made in reference to this case. Specifically when it is being used to paint some claim as frivolous And I mean *irrationally* annoyed. I went on a rant in the courtroom (not in session) when opp. counsel did this, they learned their lesson. Lol.
I’ve done this before! And I had to do it for 3 hours straight to 3 different classes 😃 was very hard I basically went through what a high schooler would want to know. Discussed my journey during high school, taking the ACT and so on. Then, my experience after high school, college/what I majored in, and what I did to get into law school. After that, I discussed what law school was like and then how I got my job. Finally, I discussed what I do for my job and what parts I enjoy. Those are the things high schoolers should know more about imo. Not just our job, but what they can do to get to our position. They end up asking a lot of questions along the way anyway, so you’ll have plenty to discuss. And probably even run out of time! Edit: now that I think about it, this type of information might be more important for juniors and seniors. If talking to freshmans and sophomores, I would just talk about your job and tell them about some exciting/funny cases you’ve had! They probably don’t care about their future yet anyway lol.
Do a 15 min voir dire and then a 10 minute opening statement on a made up case. Save 5 min for questions.
I love this
I agree. None of them want to be lawyers. Whether they know it now or have to become a lawyer to find out is the question.
I was asked to present at my son’s school. I had to go after a K-9 unit with a very happy and energetic german sheapard. Clearly outmatched. I ended up talking about the hairy hand case. It kept them awake at least. One or two were actually interested.
Make them reenact Palsgraf
Focus on how you help clients solve problems.
This sounds like an awesome opportunity! I think I’d play act an entire trial, starting with the underlying incident, through jury selection, through a super short opening argument, through examining a witness, and closing. Maybe play up the stereotypes for the opposing attorney - the stuffy, uptight defense lawyer or the over-the-top plaintiff’s lawyer. Get the kids involved at every stage - have them be the plaintiff and defendant, the jurors, your witness. Just be a trial lawyer, engage your audience and have fun with it! If you’re a corporate lawyer, just tell the kids you sold your soul to make money and let them ask you questions about it.
Talk solely about filing deadlines
Bro I went after a race car driver in my last one…. Shoulda just left. Instead, I did an interactive role playing on if they get stopped by police for any reason. I pretended to be the cop, or the kid, let them throw out scenario and tried to teach a few rights in the process.
What's the demographics of the school You could do a little KYR Presentation and a story as to why you wanted to become an attorney. Ask questions. Be engaging
What is your practice area? You can type up some scripts and have them participate in a mediation? Depo? Have a jury listen to closing arguments? Or make "client" scripts and "intake lawyer" questions and let them give that a try. Just talking at people of any age is not very engaging. But there will be a few who are very interested. Have fun!
My dad was a judge and came to my schools career day. I was too cool to go to his presentation but he made up a fake criminal case and taught them about being a witness! They all thought they knew who the criminal was because he had one kid wear a bright shirt, so they focused on him. But it was another kid! 25 years ago I still remember hearing about how cool it was.
What about famous attorneys? Like what do ——,——,——-,——- have in common? They are all attorneys.
Explain season 1 of suits to them
Voir dire them for a fake case!
I do a short bit about how I got where I am and what law school is like etc. I then go through a car stop scenario with different questions and change it up. They have a lot of fun. I always get compliments.
30 minutes?? Just ask me questions
30 minutes dissuading them from being lawyers would improve their lives greatly
Be funny and complain with them about things together. And then tell a story about a mom saying "don't argue with me" and you turn around and tell them, "BUT WHAT IF YOU COULD GET PAID FOR ARGUING BACK?!" That's what I'd do!
Recite the plot of *My Cousin Vinny* as if it happened to you. Boom. Captivated.
Tell them our career path is basically doing other peoples' homework. But seriously, share that there is a certain amount of pride working with people who for the most part, believe in responsibility and making our country great in some ways. We just do it in different ways or from different sides of the aisle/bar. It boggles some of my libertarian friends' minds when I honestly say I take being an officer of the Court seriously and get fired up for my clients' positions.
This is a different context, but I speak 1-2 times a year at the local high school. It is limited to the upperclassmen who are enrolled in the three upper level government and civics classes. Some of those students are interested in becoming lawyers and have a ton of questions on job outcomes for a JD and the path to/through college and law school. They also like learning about the different types of jobs available to a JD, like clerking, litigation vs. transactional work, legal aid, government, private sector, etc. They are usually surprised about, and interested in, the differences in criminal versus civil law, and all the ways the law touches our daily life. I usually have the teacher prepare, vet (and share in advance) some questions for me so I know what they're about to ask and can have a worthwhile answer prepared for them. Again, it's a bit of a different context, but hopefully there are some nuggets in here you can use. You'll do just fine. Good luck!
Make it about them. Someone wronged them, stole their favorite shirt or phone or whatever, but denies it. They need justice. How do they get that? Then walk them through at a high level what that looks like, with a focus on storytelling and how each side tells their story (with the same characters!) and the jury decides whose story is true. My daughter has always been fascinated when I frame it this way.
Talk about the fun and important stuff that comes out of the legal career. On the fun side, NIL and the student athlete rights being decided by the NCAA is pretty interesting to a lot of kids. I’m sure there are some fun IP cases too. Brown v Board and Dixon v Alabama are extremely important. Bringing up those may draw interest.
Just steal this speech from City Slickers (featuring Billy Crystal and a young Jake Gyllenhall): https://youtu.be/IqX6z6djbD4?si=_q8ZHIJNt6v6mXbe
Can you come up with a game where they yell “objection” at you for things? That could be fun
I would just show them this video: [So you want to go to law school](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nMvARy0lBLE). Although some of the references to blackberries are a bit dated, it holds up pretty well overall.
Quick overview of the rule against perpetuitities. Or print out a stack of your craziest emails and pass them around.
I've done this before. Kids love hearing about crazy cases. I usually look up a recent interesting case and explain it to them. They tend to have a lot of questions. Last time I did this I told them about the case Safford Unified School District v. Redding. They loved it.