A Guide to the Not-to-Miss Law School Events

Melissa Smith (2L)

For all you 1Ls out there, navigating the many social events of law school can be overwhelming. But do not despair. I’m here to tell you that, despite the readings and exams, there are a few that you should not miss.
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Law Show Primer

Jason Buttuls (3L)

Here is a simple primer on Law Show. It is an annual musical production going into its 17th year that raises money for a notable charity. For the last three years the charity has been the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. We raised approximately $90,000 over the three-year period through ticket sales, sponsorships and our very popular silent auction. This year marks the beginning of our three-year commitment to Edmonton’s Zebra Child Protection Centre. The Zebra Centre provides children with counseling while ensuring that justice is achieved for the abused child. This amazing charity and our ability to raise a significant amount of money should be reason enough for you to get involved.
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1L Advice From a Professor

Professor Brown

I have been asked for “500 words of advice for incoming 1Ls.” This leaves little room for sugar-coating, so here goes.
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Are You Experienced? – An Overview of Student Legal Services

Patrick Bigg (2L)

Student Legal Services (“SLS”) is the largest student-managed, non-profit law clinic in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Annually, over 250 students from the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta volunteer their time to provide legal information and assistance to low-income individuals with legal issues. Under the supervision of advising lawyers, SLS gives students the opportunity to apply principles to practice, while at the same time providing essential services to the underprivileged. SLS has been providing these services for over forty years in the Edmonton area.

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Introduction to the LSA

Elyse Jacobson, LSA President (3L)

On behalf of everyone in the Law Students’ Association, I am delighted to welcome all of the first year students, faculty, and fellow returning students to the University of Alberta.
While many of you purchased or renewed your annual LSA membership during Orientation Week, some of you may be wondering what the LSA does and what opportunities and what benefits our membership offers. LSA services include lockers, CANS and free registration in intramural sports. We also upkeep the Gavel, pay for the cable television, and provide access to a phone.
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From the Publishers

Jason Buttuls
Ken Proudman
Canons Co-Publishers 2011-2012

Alas, summer vacation has given way to yet another year of school. It was only mere weeks ago that some of us were off travelling the globe, surfing the ocean waves, or watching Storage Wars marathons on A&E. Or if you are in 1L you probably spent the last few weeks pre-reading cases and making notes. That was not a waste of time at all. Reading this publication however, is a pleasant way to pass some of the random down time you will have in Law School.
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Dean’s Welcome 2011

Philip Bryden, Dean of Law

On behalf of the entire Faculty of Law, I am delighted to welcome you to the 2011-12 academic year. This is the 99th year of legal education at the University of Alberta, which means that next year we will be celebrating our Centenary. The coming academic year will therefore be a busy one as we organize a number of events to mark our hundredth anniversary.
I will be providing you with more information about our Centenary celebrations over the course of the coming academic year, and I hope that you will get caught up in the excitement and want to take part in the activities. We are certainly interested in creating ample opportunities for students to get involved. For now, however, I would like to give you an initial sense of three key events we are planning.
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A Semester in Review

Brendan Sawatsky (1L)

The first semester of law school has gone by for 1Ls with a lot of studying, some shenanigans, and one or two scandals. Over the course of the first four months we made new friends, had many fun nights out, and hopefully learned a little as well. At the end of it all midterm exams gave us a small taste of what awaits us in April. The semester began with many of us being timid, feeling out our new environment with excitement and nervousness, while at the same time being a little overwhelmed with seminars, career fairs, and applying for jobs. By October, this nervousness had passed and most people revealed their true colors at various nights out including several infamous Avenue Pizza Thursday karaoke nights.

During the first few weeks of school many upper years told me what I could expect and made many predictions some of which were accurate. As predicted by these wise upper year students I did have a great time playing rugby and had a lot of fun at school (while working a little too). However, some predictions, based on previous years, did not come to pass. It seemed that there was an abnormally low amount of “lawcest” (there was some) this semester. This could be due to something else that did not happen: the breakup of all long-term relationships existing prior to law school by Thanksgiving. I don’t know what this says about our year compared to other years, but either it is taking us a little while to acclimatize to law school or we have higher morals then 2Ls and 3Ls. However, I am told this is subject to change as well.

My library habits noticeably changed during the course of the semester. At first my library experience consisted of a tour. Around October I was very familiar with the first floor of the library, and by December I had moved to the upper echelon of the second floor (quite floor). I started studying here not because the first floor became overrun with non-law students, nor that it was a quite and productive work area. The best part of the second floor is watching non-law students trying to get into the McLean reading room and having epic fails. After experiencing this I was forced to study in the McLean reading room so I could see their facial expressions as well.

Overall I have to say that the last semester was a great start to the year. This may sound nerdy but I was excited to come back to school for this semester and I know I was not in the minority on this. This excitement may fade as we all get our midterm marks back, but it looks like there are enough social events in January and February to keep us all occupied in the event of a bad mark or two. If this occurs for me I may have to read more and play a lot less ping-pong in order to step it up for April.

A FIRST YEAR’S GUIDE TO THE FIRST MONTH

MARCUS OSTROWERKA (2L)

By now, all you 1Ls have undoubtedly heard about U of A Law’s “collegial” atmosphere. I’m still not exactly sure what this means, but I do know that for those 1Ls who want to get involved, meet fellow law students, and generally have a good time at law school, there are a variety of options. Below are the top ten of the first month, according to me:

1) First Friday Back – I realize First Friday Back has already occurred, but it’s such a great start to the year that I had to give it honourable mention. If you missed it, don’t worry, there’s still lots to come in September!

2) (Fellas) Join Golden Bearristers Rugby – My only regret from first year is not joining rugby. Despite being full contact, zero previous experience is required. “Athletes” of all sizes add value on the rugby pitch so don’t be discouraged. The team consists of players from the likes of “Big” Jim Taylor (2L) (6’3″ 285 lbs. of solid muscle) to Ky “The Little Wildman” Kvisle (2L) (5’6″ 150 lbs. soaking wet). The rugby crew is tight-knit, their social activities are legendary, and the team is a great place for 1Ls to meet upper years. Don’t make the same mistake I did; if you haven’t already, sign up now!

3) (Ladies) Join Panda Bearristers Rugby – For all the same reasons, plus you get a pink Osler jersey.

4) Sign Up for El – Hacko – Playing a boozy round of golf with your new law school friends is a much better way to spend a Friday afternoon than sitting in LRW.

5) Avenue Pizza – Law students basically keep Avenue profitable by overrunning it every Thursday for karaoke night. Whether you find yourself crushing “Super Cups” with Jeff Weidman (3L), or belting out “I Want it That Way” with Jorge Pineda (2L), your Thursdays at Avenue will be ones you wish you could remember. If you didn’t go to Avenue during the first week, make sure you go this week and I’ll see you there, as, coincidently, it’s my birthday. GONG!!!!!!!

6) Join an Intramural Team – A great way to meet students in any year. We have tons of teams, including hockey, volleyball, basketball, and dodge ball.

7) Get a Team Together for Law’s a Beach – …Which is actually a softball tournament. This is both a ridiculously fun day and a fundraiser for the grad committee. Come out and support your fellow students; it might be your only chance to see Trevor Goulet (3L) and Paul Govenlock (3L) in disturbingly tight super- hero shirts.

Law Show – This annual variety production is one of the best things you can participate in. Singers, dancers, actors, musicians, and talentless people (like me) are all encouraged to join.

9) Join Vin Ordinaire – Now that you’re in law school, embrace your inner elitist and start developing your palette for cheap!

10) Go on a Date With Trent Falldien (2L) – Because I’ve reached my word quota, and somebody has to!

My Graceful Departure from Law School

King Kong (2L)

Dear 1Ls, by now you’ve come to realize that your future is looking like a whole lot of 14-hour work days. I was fed up with that bleak future. This is the story of how I failed myself out of law school last year, to end up in this wonderful life of 8-hour days, no stress, and lots of free time.

Right from the start I was the only one who was an hour late for orientation, because I decided that the LSA’s pre-orientation would be so much wilder. I was right. Even later on in the year, I was repeatedly late for morning classes, so that I wouldn’t know what was going on.

I did ask upper-years for a lot of advice, but it was always when they were drunk. I followed it all.

I was behind on readings so I planned to study on the bus to Vancouver with the rugby team. I didn’t. And still my commitment to failure was outshone that weekend by a fellow team mate who decided to sleep outside on a park bench in downtown Vancouver. Aiming for the drunk tank just wasn’t my classy way out though.

I surrounded myself with the type of hooligans who returned to study at school… after visiting the bar… and subsequently passing out at a desk till the next morning.

It wasn’t just about the parties though, I signed up for almost every club, because I was excited a lot more about being in law school than being a lawyer. I definitely spent much more time on my SLS files than LRW assignments, and still didn’t get hired as a summer caseworker.

Early on I developed a caffeine addiction from Steve’s, guaranteeing that I would be immune and dependent by the time exams rolled around.

I even ignored the horror stories about the property final, leaving studying till a month before finals, because I came from the faculty of business and figured I already knew enough about property. Still, despite my goal, I often studied till I literally lost the ability to read. I don’t even know how I drove home afterwards. And even after going to almost every guest speaker, seminar, and job fair, I had no clue what kind of law I wanted to focus on in the future anyways.

Finally, instead of gearing up for finals, I spent all of March depleting my student line of credit, by shopping online to replace all the components in my home theatre. But if you remember any of this article, remember the next sentence, it’s my most important advice I have to give. Save some money for after exams, so that you can enjoy a law themed strip show, and a nice exotic vacation to unwind.

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