The Law Student Association is selling Halloween wristbands, so Spooky Season is officially upon us. If you’re scrambling for last-minute costume ideas, have no fear. These are classroom and bar crawl appropriate outfits that will set you apart from everyone else who decides to be Elle Woods or a Supreme Court Justice.
Lexis Nexis Representative
Needs:
- Large Red Lexis Nexis Tumblr
- 1 Lexis Nexis highlighter in their pocket
- 1 handful of assorted snacks
- 1 Pocket Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (by Lexis, of course)
Stand outside the Law Library with a folding table for maximum costume authenticity. Since you’ll likely have most of these costume materials in your backpack, this costume can be assembled in less than five minutes on your way to class.
International Shoe
Needs
- A world map
- Life-sized shoe costume
- Contact solution
This costume is inspired by the landmark civil procedure case International Shoe Co. v. Washington. Here’s a hypothetical for you 1L’s: based on where these costume sellers incorporate and ship their items, where can they be subject to jurisdiction?
Legal Eagle
Needs
- Boston College gear
- Philadelphia Eagles memorabilia
This outfit is another “let me raid my closet” costume (unless you’re a fan of perhaps any other team in the NFL). It’s a playful nod to Boston College’s mascot and the degree we’re earning at this institution.
Law School Express
Needs
- Watch, set to any one of the following times: 7:00 a.m., 7:40 a.m., 8:35 a.m., or 9:20 a.m.
- School bus hat
- T-shirt designating your favorite stop
This costume may not be complete without the anxiety of 40 1L’s on their way to a 9 a.m. lecture. Nevertheless, it’s an ode to that mainstay of the Newton Campus, the express shuttle bus: a lifeline for many law students and a source of grief.
Gerald Stern
Needs
- Buffalo stuffed animal
- Hard hat (bonus points if it lights up)
Every 1L at Boston College Law School begins their year by frantically annotating The Buffalo Creek Disaster. This costume will definitely scare corporate coal mining company owners (or traumatized 2L’s and 3L’s).
Library Noise Complaint QR Code
Needs
- Print-outs of the noise complaint forms on top of library desks
This costume is a walking reminder that noise travels through the atrium in the library. The librarians and your fellow classmates will thank you for maintaining a quiet space, especially as finals are just around the corner.
Habeas Corpus
Needs
- Skeleton shirt
- Pocket Constitution, open to Article 1, Sec. 9, Cl. 2
The Habeas Corpus outfit is an elevated, more justicially-refined version of a classic skeleton costume sourced from “Party City.” If you have a buddy who’s willing to wear a Supreme Court robe, the two of you could partner as Justice Taney and and Merryman.
A Possessed Fox
Needs
- A fox hat
- A fox tail
- Demonic eye makeup
Remember: mere pursuit will never make you the owner of a wild animal. Bonus points for this Pierson v. Post-inspired outfit: saying “Justinian, Barbeyrac, Puffendorf” five times fast.
Kristie-Valerie Hoang is a second-year student at BC Law. Contact her at hoangkr@bc.edu.