Whether you’re a prospective or current law student, or simply intrigued by the evolving landscape of international law, the new and improved International Law Society at Boston College Law School provides a platform where interested students can engage in meaningful dialogue, learn from experts, and explore the vast possibilities within international law. We interviewed the founding members and current E-Board of the International Law Society to uncover the inspirations behind its formation, its core objectives, and the exciting array of activities and events it has in store.
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A BC Law Bucket List — Five Things You Should Do Before Graduating
As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, it’s a sure sign that the school year is rapidly coming to an end. Graduation is nearing, and part of me feels like I’ve been at Boston College forever by now, but another part feels like three years have passed by with a blink. As I reflect on what is likely (definitely) my last year ever as a student, there are some experiences that I’m grateful to have had, but also some opportunities that I wish I hadn’t let slip by. If you have more than four weeks left in your time at BC Law, here’s a list of things I did that I would recommend to anyone, along with some things I wish I did when I had the chance.
Continue readingFive Things to Consider When Choosing a Law School
Deciding whether to go to law school can be a challenging question, but even after you make up your mind, you still have to decide where to go to law school – and that can be even more difficult. This is especially true for people who have jobs or other commitments that may prevent them from touring campuses before applying. Given that there are around 200 law schools in the United States, here are some factors to consider that can help you narrow your options.
Location
Listing location as a factor may seem obvious, but it is still worth mentioning. Where your school is located not only affects your experience as a law student, but also your career after graduation. This is because most schools have the strongest job prospects within their respective regions. While more prestigious schools can afford their students more nationwide opportunities, access to nearby networks of alumni and other attorneys still increases the odds of finding a job locally. Of course, this is not the case for everyone, so don’t panic if you don’t know where you want to work yet – I certainly didn’t when I was applying.
There are also non-career factors to consider like housing options, proximity to family and friends, and generally what kind of lifestyle you want while in law school. Part of the reason I chose BC was because it is located just outside of Boston, providing easy city access without the immediate hustle-and-bustle, and it allowed me to stay close to my family and friends in the Northeast. It was only after I decided I wanted those things that I looked more closely at job placements and other career-related factors to make my final decision.
Continue readingWhat Students Are Thankful for at Boston College Law School
Thanksgiving comes at a difficult time of year for law students. While we want to enjoy the holiday, the hours of travel and time away from our computers can make it stressful as finals inch ever closer. But this year, I wanted to make sure we as a community took at least a little time to focus on what the holiday is all about. There’s plenty to be thankful for here at Boston College Law School, so take a moment to remember what you love about this school. Here’s what some students had to say when they were asked what they’re thankful for at BC Law.
Conner Packebush, 1L: The community, which is incredibly kind. It’s also so easy to talk and connect with professors.
Maria Russo, 2L: Friends who make the stressful finals season more bearable.
Adel Clemonds, 3L: Affinity groups and free food.
Meghan Doyle, 1L: The welcoming community.
Jared Coltey, 2L: First Generation Professionals — this group has given me a sense of community and belonging during stressful times in law school.
Katie Cross, 3L: The amazing friends Boston College has given me that make coming to school everyday something to look forward to.
Christian Bilgrien, 1L: The professors showing care for our mental health.
Laura Stateler, 2L: Community, community, community.
Paul Sevigny, 3L: Community, support, and being treated like a human first and foremost.
Katarina Bettencourt, 1L: The kindness and support of students and faculty.
Nicole Kerrigan, 2L: My section’s softball team.
Aaron Morris, 3L: The understanding and appreciation of life outside of law school from professors, faculty, and other students that allow law school — and the stresses it brings — to not overtake my entire life.
Andres Leiva, 1L: The opportunity to meet lawyers from big law firm practices and make professional connections.
Cordelia Houck, 2L: The sense of community both inside and outside the classroom, which makes the stress of law school more manageable. When things get stressful, the people around me keep me grounded and remind me that there’s more to life than law school.
Gabriel (Gabe) McCarthy, 3L: The friends I have met from all walks of life, and the chance to learn from such amazing professors.
Tess Halpern is a third-year student and president of the Impact blog. Contact her at halperte@bc.edu.
Legal Listening: More Perfect
My first introduction to podcasts was in my AP Biology class years ago. The science podcast, Radiolab, was full of wonder and fed my curiosity. It felt personal, like telling a story. And I could tune in wherever I was, while I did whatever I was doing.
Many years later, I’ve listened to podcasts about all sorts of things: fashion, foreign policy, even wellness. But now, in my first year of law school, I’ve been using podcasts as a way to explore the legal landscape beyond the dense casebooks. And there is no better full-circle moment for me than a Radiolab spin-off, More Perfect.
Continue readingKillers of the Flower Moon
The air is crisp. The leaves are brown. The days ever shorter. Amidst it all, the paperchase rumbles on.
At this point in the semester, with the crucible of case readings, legal research, and memo writing taking its toll, I found myself delving into the core of why I chose a legal career. What about the law drives us law students to put up with such demands? I needed a reminder, and a recent screening of the “Killers of the Flower Moon,” the new movie by Martin Scorsese starring Leonardo DiCaprio, helped answer the question.
Continue readingHalloween is Here: The Best Law School Costumes
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.
Continue readingWhen Fall Comes to New England, Law School Can Wait (ish)
Before attending BC Law, I had spent next to zero time in New England. Years ago, I remembered listening to the song When Fall Comes to New England by Cheryl Wheeler on car rides with my dad. Once I came to Boston, I was determined to ensure that I could sing along after graduating without feeling like a fraud. As I finish my final semester here, I want to have no regrets about enjoying New England’s fall.
Continue readingSidebar: A Jesuit Primer on Developing an Inner Life
An intriguing opportunity landed in my inbox on an otherwise unremarkable summer day: an all-expenses paid retreat at BC’s Connors Center in Dover, Massachusetts, one that promised a reprieve from the travails of law school and an introduction to the Jesuit precepts which drive the institution’s educational mission. It sounded interesting, so I took the plunge and signed up.
With an upbringing where religion was largely absent, I came to the event with an open mind and a strong sense of curiosity. Growing up in an environment where many of my peers had relationships with spiritual institutions always left me perplexed at the margins. Whether they complained about the rigidity of their Church’s traditions and scripture or took the Gospel as truth, it always fascinated me how complicated a relationship people can have with God.
Of course, anyone acting with a degree of self awareness is conscious of the arbitrariness of their existence. We are cosmically confined, set in perpetual motion from an unknowable event that long preceded us and placed here by our ancestors, who were caught up in the same predicament. It’s hardly surprising that most of us are left questioning why we are here and how we should conduct our lives.
Continue readingDancing the Night Away at Barrister’s Ball
Barrister’s Ball is one for the books, and I’m not talking about casebooks. Informally known as “law prom,” Barrister’s Ball is a night where everyone gets dressed to the nines and dances away the stresses of law school. This year, it was hosted at the Museum of Science. It was such a fun venue. Dinosaurs photobombed pictures, lightning (safely) struck two of our classmates, and we danced under Mars.
As a 3L, I felt sentimental about the night. This was one of the last times I would be with everyone before graduating and leaving Boston College. It made me feel like a senior in high school all over again. The anticipation building up to this event was full of excitement and glee: picking out an outfit, getting ready, and asking someone to prom. It all felt juvenile, but in the very best way. Now, even though “law prom” is over, that sentimental feeling remains.
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BC Law: Impact 