Hala Lewis

Hotch Potch…

The phrase describes this past month, and I just learned last week that it has legal significance.  Then of course, everything has legal significance when you are in law school.  Some highlights from the month include, I became court certified which means I can appear in court.  I did not expect to get giddy over this happening, however, when the letter came, I felt warm fuzzies inside. 

My sister got married!  She met a great guy at the dog park and we ALL fell in love with him.

Because I am an “older” student and well established in this community, I did not come to law school looking for friendship.  But, I have met some of the most kind, thoughtful and interesting people at Lewis and Clark.  This is one of them—my friend Julien.  There is a Mexican restaurant called Los Costita near campus, and we finally made the time to meet for some mid day nibbles and prattle. 

Even though I can hardly justify light reading and messing around in the kitchen, I still do it…

It doesn’t always rain in Portland.  This Saturday was perfectly beautiful, so we took the kids to the pumpkin patch to fulfill our seasonal duties and enjoy some outdoor fun.  The farm we visited had cider pressing, rope making, corn grinding, pumpkin launching, hay climbing, corn mazing, tractor riding, pumpkin picking fun.  Even my teenagers had a good time.

 Hotch-pot, or hotch-potch, in English law, is the name given to a rule of equity whereby a person, interested along with others in a common fund, and having already received something in the same interest, is required to surrender what has been so acquired into the common fund, on pain of being excluded from the distribution.

27 October 2009

• random happenings

Here we go again…

Fall semester is in full swing, and although this is my third year, it still takes me a while to get in the groove.   I am taking a lighter load than usual this semester for a number of reasons—any of which standing alone would be sufficient.   

I’ve been asked several times whether law school gets easier as time goes on, and I think like most things, it does.  One advantage is having more control over selection and scheduling of classes.  This term, I am only taking three classes in hopes that I will finish my A paper.  I am working as a legal intern at the Lewis & Clark Legal Clinic in the tax section where I get to represent clients who have controversies with the IRS.  In addition, I continue to clerk for a government agency.  Which brings me to another question several students have asked—is it a good idea to work and go to school at the same time?  The answer to this question should be addressed on a case-by-case basis, but generally, my response is a resounding “yes!”  Assuming the work is legal in nature; working helps bring the concepts introduced in class to life, and it can help determine what type of work you find enjoyable. 

Finally, another oft asked question is—how do you balance school, work and family?  My response is that it takes a commitment from your partner, your kids, your friendships and yourself.  Every family and relationship is different, but for me, knowing when to say “yes” and when to say “no” has been crucial.  I can usually tell when an area of my life is out of balance, and I try to respond to that imbalance as soon as I recognize it.  My law school journey has not been easy street, but it has been one of my most fulfilling undertakings so far. 

If you are struggling with whether or not you should apply to law school because you are afraid you can’t manage the demand, I can confidently say that with the right mix of support and courage, law school is not only possible, it is enjoyable as well.   So, get your applications in before the deadline and get ready to learn how to think like a lawyer!

“Law school taught me one thing: how to take two situations that are exactly the same and show how they are different” –Hart Pomerantz

13 September 2009

• balance
• life
• work

The Lazy Days of Summer

There has been nothing lazy about my summer.  Gone are the days of indiscriminate leisure—replaced instead with a season of carefully planned recreation and reprieve.  I have been clerking full time for a government agency and am  now taking my second session of summer classes.  I carry at least one book with me at all times—in case the day brings pause.  Few pauses come which are not devoured by articles and cases that require my attention.   

Realizing that the summer could easily escape my grasp and that fall could descend without my breath having been caught, I have decided to take my own advice and slow things down a bit.  A few days ago, I volunteered to teach a pastry decorating class to a couple dozen  5-15 year-olds.  While being in a kitchen (especially with a bunch of kids) might sound like another layer of work, my time with chocolate and buttercream  is far more life-restoring than sitting around with a magazine.  The next day, I took my friend to Cannon Beach.  My friend has stage-4 cancer, and because of that, we took things extra slow, and each moment was packed with appreciation.  The following day, a group from work headed out of the office for a field trip.  One of our stops was at a Sandy River Delta Restoration Project where we learned about various habitat restorative efforts.  Among other things, it was a beautiful hike, and I got some good tips for dealing with invasive blackberries. 

This week, I did not buck when my husband decided to pull me away from my reading to take the kids and I down to the river.  I intentionally left my books in the car (and he had the keys), so I could fully enjoy our family time.  We ended our river day at my parents’ house where fresh berries abound.  The following morning, I picked up an additional flat of blueberries, and I spent the day making berry tarts and fruit sauces—it was delicious way to avoid reading.  Tomorrow, I go back to school and work reminded of the importance of relaxation—even if it takes some work and planning, it is well worth the effort. 

26 July 2009

• relaxation
• Summer vacation

Student Loan Heebie-jeebies

An awful heebie-jeebie feeling kicked in today after reading an article in the NY Times called “Finding Debt a Bigger Hurdle Than Bar Exam,” by Jonathan D. Glater, July 1, 2009.  It gave me the same squirmy feeling I get after I inadvertently walk through a spider’s web.  The article is about Jonathan Bowman—a 47-year-old man who, as a child, was inspired to become a lawyer by the lawyers whom he encountered through the foster care system.   After earning his JD and LLM, Mr. Bowman passed the NY bar exam after his fourth attempt.  Along the way, Mr. Bowman racked up a lot of student loan debt.  Too much debt—in the opinion of five appellate judges, to have the character and fitness necessary to practice law.  And so, they denied his admission to the NY Bar.

This article made me shudder and squirm on a number of levels.  For one, it occurs to me that finishing law school and passing the bar is not a guarantee of bar admittance.  While I can appreciate the importance of strong character, ethical standards and integrity, the appellate judges’ decision seems a bit elitist.  Since starting law school, I have heard many people say, “Education is an investment.”  I am one of a multitude of students who would not be able to make this “investment” without financial aid programs.   While Mr. Bowman does owe an extraordinary amount of money (although a large portion of the amount owed is in dispute), the judges seem most dissatisfied with his failure to make any loan payments.  I can’t help but wonder if I was in Mr. Bowman’s shoes, how I would go about earning enough money to meet my basic living expenses and make student loan payments while studying for the bar.  I can’t help but wonder if Mr. Bowman had borrowed this money and “invested” in a house instead of his education, whether the judges’ analysis might change. 

Because I hate to sign off until next time on such a squirmish note, and though it might be a while before I can shake this case of heebie-jeebies, below are a couple of links which student borrowers might find helpful.  For now, I remain thankful to have found the Lewis & Clark community to be a perfect mix of collaboration, collegiality and academic rigor (worth every penny).  It is a place where I am reminded that this investment is worth the debt, sweat and tears, and I remain sure that dividends even far beyond mere money await….

Equal Justice Student Debt Relief

Recent Student Loan Article

2 July 2009

• debt
• Student loans

Finish Lines and Puffy Hats

Today started out dismally, but ended gloriously.  I trudged back to campus to prepare for my first day of summer school which starts on Tuesday.  I was annoyed to be leaving my family on such a gorgeous, 72-degree Saturday.  I signed up for nine credits over two summer sessions, which I knew was going to be challenging–especially while clerking full time.  When I arrived, swarms of puffy hats, flowing robes, and beaming guests invaded what would otherwise be a mostly vacant day on campus.  I felt some angst, wondering if I was going to be able to pull off working full time, parenting, being a good partner to my husband, being there for my ailing father, AND taking nine credits over the summer.  More than anything, I’ve wanted to be in a position to wear a puffy hat next May.  I replayed the promise I made to my youngest daughter, “If mommy works really, really hard now, she’ll be done next May.” 

A phone call from a law school buddy interrupted my misery.  He was on campus too.  We met in the computer lab, and I mapped out my plans for the summer and next year with him.  I am not much of a planner.  I am a doer.  A while back, when I as doing my first marathon, I refused to look at the course map because I thought that knowing which long hills were ahead would be a distraction.  I was only interested in the finish line, not about all the difficult terrain that separated me from the finish line.  My friend (thankfully), is a bit more calculated.  He ran some numbers and told me that loading myself up with credits this summer was not going to help me catch up on the residency credits I am missing since my switch from part to full time school.  He reminded me of the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, and by the time the conversation ended, he talked me into dropping one of my classes.  I felt like the rope around my neck had just been cut off…like whomever was sitting on my face decided to get off…like I could actually breathe again. 

I rushed home to my family, just in time to catch my husband pulling out of the driveway with the kids.  I parked my car in the garage, and got in with them.  We spent the afternoon at my parents’—in the yard I played in as a child.  We played softball, tag, drew pictures with sidewalk chalk and drank Turkish coffee under my Dad’s grapevine.  When I lay down on the grass with my three-year-old nephew tucked under one arm and my seven-year-old daughter tucked under the other, I felt like I might when I finally get my puffy hat.

In the meantime, after a long run and hot shower, I sit here so very thankful for my friend who was willing to stand up to my stubborn lack of planning and for the gentle reminder that there’s more to this journey than the finish line.   Having said all that, a May graduation remains in reach and so does my sanity. 

23 May 2009

• family
• friends
• Graduation
• summer school