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Dear Sophia,

Thank you for your reflection. It’s refreshing to learn how the process of reflection over this academic year has helped you discover more about yourself and provided an outlet when law school life felt overwhelming. The first year isn’t easy, but it is intended to be foundational for your professional identity formation. It’s my hope that you’ll take all you’ve learned about the law and yourself this year and continue to hone your skills as you discover what fits best for you. Your unique journey, gifts, and talents are very much needed in the legal field. I’m excited to continue working with you, getting to know you, and seeing you flourish. Congratulations on finishing your first year! I wish you an incredible summer and a prosperous and deeply satisfying 2L year and beyond. Best, Professor Whetstone

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Dear Sophia,

I’m really happy to hear that despite your initial apprehension about having to do two arguments in the spring, you actually felt prepared and that it was a fruitful experience that you could feel confident about having done. Truly, whether or not you litigate, being able to effectively communicate orally and in writing is essential for every lawyer. So, I’m thankful to know that you’ve gained valuable experience that will help you as you move forward and continue growing your professional skills and identity as an attorney. Congratulations, counselor! You did it! Best, Professor Whetstone

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This semester, writing the reflections has been a great way for me to maintain perspective, allowing me to slow down and make sense of everything around me, especially when it feels like a lot at once. This has reinforced my understanding of myself, I am someone who needs to take a step back and process things after the fact. When I am in the middle of assignments or deadlines, I tend to just push through, without thinking of the broader impact of the work I am producing. However, writing the reflections helps me look back to specific assignments or activities and appreciate both my successes and the areas for improvement. This spring, especially, has felt really overwhelming, the workload increased, and there were many personal struggles that I had to overcome. Looking back, these past few months have been incredibly difficult, but also some of the most transformative, because they showed me how much this community shows up for one another. Because of that, reflecting felt meaningful and allowed me to organize my thoughts when everything felt chaotic.

As a law student, the reflection has shown me that growth in this field is not only about reaching the right or best conclusions, but also about being able to evaluate yourself honestly and adjust. This is something I am still working on as I often do not change my bad habits, falling into the same procrastination cycles. Improving yourself is definitely easier said than done, but I am at least recognizing where I fall short and taking the time to find ways to improve.

My entire law school experience in general has reshaped my professional habits. I am a very ambitious person, but I also tend to live in the moment and not think too far ahead beyond immediate goals. I noticed this especially when many of my peers were frantically trying to secure jobs for next summer, early this year (which I honestly still cannot comprehend). While I definitely care about my future and want to be successful, I did not feel the same level of urgency. Reflecting on that, I have realized that while staying present can be a strength, it can also limit me if I am not thinking ahead at all. This experience made me more aware that I need to be more intentional about planning for my future and taking advantage of opportunities earlier, rather than waiting until the last minute. At the same time, I will show myself some grace. This semester has been very demanding, and planning for next summer, when I was in the thick of 1L spring, was not on my highest priority. Now that I have secured a position for this summer, I feel more relaxed, but I also realize that this is the point where I need to become more proactive and disciplined as I develop my professional identity.

Looking forward, I do see meaningful reflections as something I want to maintain throughout the rest of law school  in a way that is realistic and useful for me. I especially found the reflections from the first semester helpful, reflecting back on law school when we were adjusting to this new environment. I enjoyed writing them then because I was able to process this new chapter in my life, but I also enjoy rereading them because I can see how much I have grown, both in how I approach my work and how I think about myself as a student. The early reflections helped me slow down and make sense of the experience, and I think that is something I want to continue. I plan to incorporate reflections as often as I can, maybe not always by writing them,  but thinking about how I can improve after a certain assignment or hobby (hopefully I have time for those next semester). I do not think it needs to be overly formal, but I do think that being intentional about reflecting, even in small ways, will help me continue to grow next semester and beyond.

Attending law school has always been my dream, even as a child, and something I prepared for throughout my academic career, and it feels surreal that my first year is almost done. This year required so much work, more than I could have fully anticipated, and pushed me in ways I was not prepared for, personally and academically. But, I am proud of what I have accomplished, and I became more resilient and have learned to think more critically, challenging myself in ways I never had to before. Because of that, this year has been incredibly meaningful, and I am happy with the effort I put in and the progress I have made, especially in my writing!

Thank you for this year, I loved our class, and I am even more excited to continue learning form you in a different way as a Dean’s Fellow next year!

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I was not thrilled upon learning that the class would participate in a practice trial oral argument. To be candid, I was already dreading the appellate argument (which went a lot better than I could have thought though), and the idea of doing a full argument twice made me nervous. I was especially concerned that I would be underprepared and unable to respond effectively to the questions in real time.

When the time came to begin preparing, however, the process itself was more manageable than I expected. Constructing my trial folder was not overly difficult because I had already completed the trial brief, so the core research and arguments were in place. I focused on pulling the most important facts from the appendix and identifying the key cases that supported my position. I then reorganized everything into a concise outline that I could easily navigate during the argument. On one side of the folder, I structured my argument in a clear format, and on the other, I included bullet-point summaries of the relevant cases.

My approach to the oral argument differed from how I structured the written brief. Instead of fully developed paragraphs, I needed short, clear points that I could deliver conversationally while also adapting to interruptions. This shift forced me to think more about how to communicate the argument effectively rather than just how to write it.

At the podium, I enjoyed the experience more than I expected. I usually get nervous presenting in front of others for the first time, but I did not experience that level of anxiety here. Instead, I felt composed and, in a way, returned to the confidence I had when I was younger. That stood out to me and made the experience especially rewarding.

I would rate my preparation around a 7. I understood my argument, but I could have practiced more so I was not so reliant on my notes. While being interrupted made me a little nervous, I was proud that I was able to stay composed and work through them. Overall, the questions felt very fair, and were the anticipated opposing arguments. This definitely helped me prepare for the appellate oral argument.

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Padlet is not letting me upload, here is the link! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BDJt9ULhGcbGOcJTy9mbc7L07wO3zOXp/view

This case is Gerald Leahy v. Cortni Tyler, March 3, 2023, 2024-P-0835

This case is a civil appeal involving an insurance dispute. The issue is whether the insurance company violated Massachusetts law by failing to make a prompt and fair settlement offer. The main question is whether the plaintiff’s injuries were caused by the accident and whether the insurer acted reasonably.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELjqLJccyOY

The second case is Commonwealth v. Stephen Smith, March 3, 2023, 2022-P-0942

This case is a criminal appeal about whether there was enough evidence to convict the defendant of intentional assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The main issue is whether the defendant acted with intent or was only reckless, and whether self-defense and prior “first aggressor” evidence should have been considered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fgSy75Oc5o

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Get access to files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more with Google Drive.

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Dear Sophia,

In your answer, you pinpoint a simple, yet very effective, oral advocacy strategy: addressing the judges’ questions directly. When a judge asks you a question, you want to be sure to address it before getting back into the flow of your argument. Talking around the question can, as you note, detract from the efficacy of your argument, but can also lead to the judge losing interest or attention in the substance of what you have to say.

That being said, it is important that you, as the oral advocate, maintain control over the flow of your argument. Having practiced and developed a workable and flexible outline will make this much easier.

Above all, though, bear all this in mind as you prepare for the appellate brief oral argument. There is a lot to learn from observing other people deliver oral argument, whether they be finalists in Van Vleck, career Supreme Court advocates, or your classmates.

I am confident you will do great when it is your turn!

Best,

Sarah

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Watching Van Vleck helped me understand how procedural rules can affect whether a court even reaches the substance of a claim. One of the main issues was whether the state law was preempted by federal law under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. If the court decided that federal law preempted the state law, it would not need to decide the First Amendment issue. This showed me that courts sometimes resolve cases based on procedural or structural rules before addressing the underlying constitutional question. Although this can make it harder to reach the substance of a claim, these rules still serve an important purpose. They help courts stay consistent with federal law, avoid unnecessary decisions, and keep the legal system organized.

After watching several oral arguments, one thing that clearly made an argument more effective was answering the judges’ questions directly. The competitors gave clear answers when judges asked yes-or-no questions and then explained their reasoning. This made their arguments easier to follow and showed confidence.

One thing that makes an argument less effective is when people avoid answering questions directly. If people talk around a question or defend a weak argument, the argument becomes less persuasive. It is important to know when to move on from a weaker point and focus on a stronger one.

One persuasive technique that was used effectively was narrowing the issues. In this problem, the respondent only needed to win on one issue, while the petitioner needed to win on both. Because of this, it was important for advocates to focus on the argument that gave them the best chance of winning.

I thought there was a fairly clear winner. The girls seemed stronger overall because they defended their position more clearly and confidently. They answered the judges’ questions directly and stayed focused on their strongest arguments. Their responses showed that they understood the key issues and could explain their reasoning in a clear way. Even when the judges pushed them with difficult questions, they stayed calm and explained their position well. I think the determinative factor for the panel was how well they handled the judges’ questions and defended their legal arguments under pressure. Their ability to respond clearly and stay organized made their argument more persuasive.

Overall, watching the moot court showed me how important flexibility and clear answers are during oral argument. This experience will help me prepare for future arguments by focusing on anticipating questions and responding clearly.

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Dear Sophia, thank you for sharing such a thoughtful response. I completely agree with your sentiments after learning of the National Registry of Exonerations myself. Taking criminal procedure also taught me about the extreme faultiness of eyewitness identifications; I'd highly recommend you take that class (and shoutout Professor Ferguson a former public defender who teaches it) to learn even more! I'm glad you have this context and perspective when approaching the difficult criminal law issues we're dealing with in FL this semester and know it will inform your persuasive abilities temendously!

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The failures of the criminal justice system were a key motivator in my interest in a legal profession. I have seen firsthand how the system prioritizes individuals with wealth and resources. Oftentimes, the ways in which justice is achieved ignores the systemic challenges of the parties involved, leading to wrongful convictions and unfair sentencing. The legal system is supposed to protect all those involved, but largely it archives justice at the expense of those it's supposed to protect.

Learning about the National Registry of Exonerations and the due process limitations on police-arranged identification procedures has deepened my concern about the reliability of eyewitness evidence. Eyewitness testimony, photo arrays, and live lineups are especially vulnerable to suggestion, memory distortion, and implicit bias, yet they continue to carry significant weight in criminal prosecutions. When DNA evidence or surveillance footage is unavailable, I believe eyewitness identification should be treated with caution and should be supported by strong corroborating evidence.

Balancing the need for effective law enforcement with the protection of defendants’ due process rights requires rethinking investigative and identification practices. Safeguarding communities from lower-level threats does not require sacrificing the defendant’s rights. Instead, improved training for law enforcement and greater scrutiny of identification evidence can significantly help. In serious felony cases, strict adherence to procedural rules by both prosecutors and defense counsel is essential to ensure that the correct individual is held accountable and to minimize the risk of wrongful convictions.

In order to assist exonerees and their families in coping with the consequences of wrongful convictions is a difficult feat. There is little that can be done to erase the years of pain and anguish that the exoneree and their family have faced; however, money damages and a forum to clear their reputation is the best place to begin. The lawyers and the police involved in the original trial should also dedicate themselves to prosecuting the proper individual to allow the original family to reach peace .

Assisting exonerees and their families in coping with the consequences of wrongful convictions is a difficult feat. There is little that can be done to erase the years of pain and anguish that the exoneree and their family have faced; however, meaningful compensation and a forum to clear their reputation is the best place to begin. Additionally, continued efforts to identify and prosecute the actual perpetrator can help provide a sense of peace for both exonerees and the original victim. A justice system committed to accountability must take responsibility for addressing their mistakes and faults.

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Sophia,

I love the plan to use your first semester grades as a tool for growth. Regardless of what they are, this mentality will set you up for continued growth. Good job!

I also love that you’ve come up with a solid plan for studying, relaxing, and getting back to the healthiest you even after the semester concludes. Soak in all the beach time and sleep you can. Also, consider how you can take the rest and recharge during winter break, and bring that energy into your spring semester. Creating systems that are steady yet flexible enough to allow you to make adjustments that benefit you along the way is important for both your short- and long-term health.

You’ve got this! I wish you a wonderful holiday season, and I’m excited to continue getting to know each other this spring.

Take good care,

Professor Whetstone

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This semester taught me how to work under pressure, while staying grounded when expectations feel overwhelming. As I prepare for finals, I plan to structure my study time realistically, breaking tasks into manageable pieces, and trusting the systems I’ve built. I’ve learned that I do my best work when I balance discipline with compassion for myself, so I intend to carry that into both exam preparation and my early steps in the job hunt. I want to pursue opportunities that align with my interests, but also remain open and curious about different paths.

When the semester is finally complete, I want to celebrate by doing the things I love most. For me, that means relaxing fully and spending time with my friends and family. I also definitely will be going to the beach a lot at home, which is my happy place.

During break, I’m committed to truly resting and recharging. That includes taking time away from schoolwork and prioritizing sleep. I also will start excercising again to take care of my body, because I really neglected doing that this semester.

As for grades, I plan to approach them with openness as much as possible. I want to accept my results and use them as information to help me next semester. My goal is to understand what worked, what didn’t, and how I can adjust my study habits moving forward. Seeing my first-semester grades as a tool for growth will help set me up for greater confidence and success in the spring.

Thank you!

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Dear Sophia,

Thank you so much for providing such thoughtful insight into how your first semester has been going. I really appreciate your honesty in this self-reflection and completely relate to the struggles of time management. This is a really tough challenge to come to terms with in law school and I applaud your efforts at not only recognizing it but taking steps to remedy it! Setting time blocks for each class and delegating your efforts more evenly are great ways to prevent burnout and manage your workload. Starting to implement these techniques now is also key to help prepare for the upcoming finals period, so well done!

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This fall semester has been challenging and rewarding. Adjusting to law school has forced me to embrace the idea of running my own race, and focusing less on comparison and more on my personal progress. I have learned that progress looks different for everyone, and that trying your best matters more than striving for perfection. I have challenged myself by sticking to a consistent routine, which is something I have struggled with in the past but have found essential for managing law school. In my personal life, I have maintained balance through rest and talking to my friends from my undergrad and family. It is important for me to take at least on day off, so that I do not become lose focus and to recharge. I have definitely missed the mark a few times. When I get overwhelmed, I tend to shut down and ignore everything else. That happened during the CIA, I became so focused on that one assignment that I struggled to keep up in my other classes and ended up falling behind. I eventually managed to catch up, but it meant I had to work for longer hours during the day. I was grateful for the feedback I received because I value constructive criticism; I only want to improve and get better. For midterms, I realized that my biggest challenge was time management and balance. Just like during the CIA, I focused too heavily on this one exam and let other responsibilities slip. I am getting better at managing that by planning ahead and breaking large tasks into smaller goals. I have also started setting specific time blocks for each class, and holding myself accountable with a consistent routine. Additionally, I'm learning to delegate my energy more evenly, rather than burning out by pouring everything into one assignment. What excites me most is realizing how adaptable I have become. I am learning to adjust and to keep moving forward instead of shutting down. That adaptability has made me a bit more confident in finishing out the semester and handling whatever challenges come next.

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Starting my first year of law school has been both exciting and overwhelming. This has been a goal of mine ever since I was young, and I am so happy to be at GW. However, the transition from undergrad to law school has been overwhelming, and my first impressions fit the “drinking from a fire hydrant” description. I honestly was not sure what to expect, I only knew from older adults that it would be challenging, and it has lived up to my expectations in that sense. I did not expect how quickly it would feel difficult, and the pace picked up immediately. I am struggling most with adjusting to the schedule, because it really does feel like being back in high school since I am sitting in classes all day and facing hours of homework. In college, I had more flexibility, so I am trying to wake up earlier and work throughout the day.

Time management is where I need the most growth. Since starting, I tend to work in short bursts in between classes, which has not been very productive. My goal is wake up earlier to finish by 8 so I can enjoy downtime without feeling behind. My close friends from college and from high school that are also in law school have said that they feel the same way as me, which is reassuring. I have also felt encouraged by the support here, Professor Whetstone and Addie and Sarah have already been so approachable and welcoming. In addition, being surrounded by such dedicated professors and peers who share similar goals has been deeply motivating, and it makes me even more excited for the year ahead.

This first stretch has been tough, but I am confident that the routine will start to feel more natural soon. I know any transition will have its challenges, but I am grateful for the community and support I have here.

Thank you!