Week One Guide f2020

WEEK ONE
STARTING YOUR JOURNEY AT

UIC JOHN MARSHALL LAW
SCHOOL
August 17-20, 2020

You will need this guide throughout Week One.
Please print it or have it available to view
concurrently with any online presentations.
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Table of Contents
WELCOME TO THE START OF LAW SCHOOL! .................................................................... 3

ORIENTATION MENTORS ..................................................................................................... 4
WELCOME TO UIC JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL ......................................................... 5
ORIENTATION: A THREE-PART ADVENTURE! .................................................................... 6
LEARNING OUTCOMES ........................................................................................................ 7
GENERAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ...................................................................................... 8
Monday, August 17 (Day Students Only) ......................................................................... 8
Monday, August 17 (Evening Students Only) ................................................................... 8
Tuesday, August 18 (Day Students Only) ........................................................................ 9
Tuesday, August 18 (Evening Students Only) ................................................................. 9
Wednesday, August 19 (Day Students Only) ..................................................................10
Wednesday, August 19 (Evening Students Only) ...........................................................10
Thursday, August 20 (Evening Students Only) ...............................................................10
HANDOUTS...........................................................................................................................11
Academic Achievement Program.....................................................................................11
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism................................................16
Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion .............................................................................22
Office of Professionalism & Career Strategy ...................................................................28
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WELCOME TO THE START OF LAW SCHOOL!
The centerpiece of orientation at UIC John Marshall Law School is called

Week One because it’s the true start of your legal education! We’ve
packed this mandatory orientation experience with information you’ll need
to succeed in law school, including your first law school class. The things
we’ve included may not make sense to you right away, but we ask that you
trust us! We’ve designed the sessions based on external
neuropsychological research and data from past John Marshall students.
We know what it takes for students to be successful in law school, and we
believe that the program we’ve designed will help you get there.
If you have any questions on this journey, or throughout your time at John
Marshall, please feel free to contact any of us.
Sincerely,
The Week One Committee
Jennifer Pope Rod Fong

Assistant Dean for Student Life & Leadership Associate Dean for Academic Achievement, Program
Assessment, and Bar Prep Programs
Clarence Glenn Marques Rice

Director of Student Activities & Leadership Academic Support Specialist
Development
Zach Sanderson
Student Life Coordinator
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ORIENTATION MENTORS
If you have any challenges connecting to one of the Week One sessions, or if you have other questions
about something you’ve heard during a session, please reach out to your mentors! Please note: you
may have been assisted to a different mentor previously. To help you meet as many current students as
possible, we’ve re-matched mentors and incoming students by cohort for Week One. Please contact a
mentor from your section for assistance with your particular orientation schedule.
Cohort 1 Mentors 1. Brandy Johnson

2. Jerry Shen
3. Allison Schwartz
4. Natalie Elizaroff
Email: jmlsoms1@gmail.com
Cohort 2 Mentors 1. Marc Singer

2. Cashmere Cozart
3. Rachel Bandy
4. Rebecca Day
Cohort 3 Mentors 1. Alana Jones

2. Courtney Krznarich
3. Lindsay Wright
4. Sebastian Crisan
Evening Cohort 1. Emily Ruzevich

Mentors 2. Joseph Upchurch
3. Kayla Garrison
4. Tina Bittler
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WELCOME TO UIC JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL
Chicago’s first and only public law school!
Welcome to UIC Law! Last year was momentous: On August 16, 2019, we became Chicago's only
public law school, and then in March 2020, we shifted to 100% virtual operations due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. We are planning to start this academic year in blended format. We plan to
offer some portions of some courses on campus, but most students and faculty will be fully online,
and most services will be offered virtually. We understand that this is a challenging time and
environment for everyone, but please know that we have been working hard all summer to plan for
different contingencies so we can continue providing you and your colleagues a high-quality legal
education. We are still here to help and guide you, so never feel reluctant about reaching out.
We’re sharing the new abnormal together! But, with every challenge comes opportunity. We are
witnessing seismic shifts in how law is practiced. Please know that the skills you learn in the
classroom—whether in person or online—will be transferrable to your chosen profession. In
addition, our first-year students will be learning in smaller cohorts, which will give you a unique
opportunity to forge even deeper relationships with your professors and fellow students. Seize that
opportunity! You are our future. Please dive in and start learning. We need your ideas and
creativity to help make our school, professional, and world better places for everyone.
Darby Dickerson
Professor of Law and Dean of UIC John Marshall Law School
Welcome to UIC Law! This week marks the first step in your journey to become a lawyer. You
might think it’s only law school, with emphasis on “school.” In reality, you are entering a
professional school, with emphasis on “professional.” You will experience significant
transformation of your outlook, your behavior, and your mindset. You will learn the skills and
knowledge to become a successful lawyer. You will grow and cultivate your reputation as a
reliable and trustworthy attorney. You will establish and expand your network within the legal
community. You will also acquire the ability to change people’s lives. It is exciting and frightening
at the same time to consider the responsibilities you will soon have as an advocate and advisor to
your clients. Enjoy your journey!
Rod Fong
Associate Dean for Academic Achievement, Program Assessment, & Bar Passage
You’ve probably heard the expression “pull yourself up by your own boot straps.” There are some
significant problems with the way this phrase has been understood in the U.S. context, including
the assumption that any of us can get by without outside help. But, parts of this statement are
accurate in describing the law school context. At this level of education we expect you to advocate
for yourself. We expect you to understand and adhere to policies. We expect you to utilize
available resources. And, we expect you to recognize when you are struggling and ask for help.
Asking for help is so important that we’ll even practice doing it together during orientation! Week
One at UIC Law will introduce you to many support resources both inside and outside of the law
school. If at any time you can’t remember what resources are available or don’t know which one
would be most helpful to you in a given situation, please talk with us. The Office of Student Life is
here to help you navigate everything that comes your way during law school!
Jennifer Pope
Assistant Dean for Student Life & Leadership
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ORIENTATION: A THREE-PART ADVENTURE!
Orientation at UIC John Marshall Law School consists of three mandatory experiences, each of
which is timed to provide you with the information you need, when you need it. Whether you are
the first in your family to go to law school or come from a long line of legal practitioners, you’ll
need some basic understanding of how the law school approaches legal education and how we
prepare and resource our students to be practice ready!
Before the start of school: Online Orientation
Online Orientation includes some vital information about campus

offices and resources that you’ll want to know before you arrive on
campus for Week One. It consists of several modules, each of which
ends with a short quiz to verify your learning. While we encourage you
to complete online orientation before you start the semester, you’ll also
have access to these modules through the year, so if you have
questions about the described resources you can review the
information as often as necessary.
Week One
Week One is our opportunity to meet each other, and in Fall 2020 we
will be meeting virtually. As the name suggests, Week One is your
official first week of law school! It will include your first Contracts class,
including advanced reading assignments, attendance, in-class
questions, and discussion. We’ll also spend some time preparing you
for how to read and engage with the class material, and debriefing the
class experience. During this week you will meet various faculty, staff,
students, alumni, and professionals whom, we hope, will inspire,
encourage, and support you.
Even though Week One will be taking place online, we ask that you
please dress in business casual attire. We’ll still be seeing each other
online, and our community is comprised of professionals!
 Business casual is: slacks or skirts; collared shirts/blouses or
shells; jackets/blazers (optional)
 Business casual is not: jeans, shorts, flip flops, gym shoes, or
baseball caps
During your first year (and beyond!): Extended Orientation
Extended orientation is a series of modules that will activate in the

online orientation course every few weeks during your first year (and
once a semester in your subsequent years). There’s a lot of
information that you need to know to be a successful student, but you
won’t need to know all of it right as you’re starting out. Instead, we’ll
stagger the release of the information so you receive it as it becomes
vital to your studies.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
The online orientation course and Week One introduce students to UIC John Marshall Law
School’s expectations and resources. After completing online orientation and Week One,
students will:
1. Discuss the transition to law school and the legal profession

2. Meet classmates and student mentors and begin to develop a peer support network
3. Meet Academic Achievement and Student Life staff and learn how they can contribute to
students’ success
4. Have a foundational understanding of a professor’s expectations in first semester
classes
5. Understand how to read a case and why reading cases in this way is important
6. Begin to extract elements of a cause of action from a case
7. Begin to align relevant facts with appropriate elements
8. Read multiple cases to understand a single cause of action (synthesizing the law)
9. Explore expectations for personal and professional ethics
10. Begin a discussion about time management and prioritizing tasks
11. Become familiar with policies and processes at the law school
12. Identify at least one strategy for personal wellness
13. Understand ways to responsibly engage in co-curricular activities during the first year
14. Understand what lawyers do and learn the importance of lifelong learning
During the first year, students will participate in the Expert Learning course and complete
extended orientation modules online. Through these experiences students will be introduced to
skills and shown how they apply in law school and as a practitioner. Students will need to adapt
these skills to other courses in their first and subsequent semesters. Additionally, students
should constantly practice these skills to reach a level of competency and, ultimately, mastery.
After successful completion of the first year, students will:
1. Manage time and prioritize tasks

2. Learn why and how to prepare for class and notetaking
3. Know how to use facts to spot issues and develop arguments
4. Extend one’s learning beyond rote memorization to thinking analytically and critically
5. Learn how to organize their materials into a course outline
6. Know how to analyze and answer law school essay and multiple-choice questions
7. Apply individualized study techniques to all law school courses
8. Identify non-cognitive barriers to learning and implement intervention strategies
9. Explore opportunities for co-curricular and experiential learning
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GENERAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
A final schedule with links to all online orientation sessions will be distributed no later than
Friday, August 14.
Monday, August 17
(Day Students Only)
9:00am-4:00pm
Topics include:
 Welcome from Dean Dickerson
 Professionalism Oath with Justice Neville
 Introduction to Academic Support
 Academic Standards
 Lunch Discussion with Orientation Mentors
 Alumni Speaker
 Interviewing a Client
 Small Group Work
What to do in advance:
 Complete online orientation
 Submit photo for iCard if you have not already done so (instructions were sent
previously via email)
 Print out this Week One guide and have it available for all orientation sessions
Monday, August 17
(Evening Students Only)
4:30-9:00pm
Topics include:
 Welcome from Dean Dickerson
 Introduction to Academic Support
 Academic Standards
 Dinner Discussion with Orientation Mentors
 Alumni Speaker
 Interviewing a Client
 Small Group Work
 Student Engagement
 Complete online orientation
 Submit photo for iCard if you have not already done so (instructions were sent
previously via email)
 Print out this Week One guide and have it available for all orientation sessions
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Tuesday, August 18
(Day Students Only)
9:00am-4:00pm
Topics include:
 Learning the Law
 Preparing for Class
 Time Management Strategies
 Self-Care and Wellness
 Lunch Discussion with Student Organization Leaders
 Campus Expectations
 Access to Justice
 Above the Bar Panel
 Read the two cases for the Academic Achievement Session (pages 12-15 of this
guide)
What to do before tomorrow’s session:

 Complete any class assignments posted on Blackboard and/or sent to you via
email
Tuesday, August 18
4:30-9 p.m.
Topics include:
 Learning the Law
 Preparing for Class
 Access to Justice
 Self-Care and Wellness
 Student Engagement
 Read the two cases for the Academic Achievement Session (pages 12-15 of this
guide)
What to do before tomorrow’s session:

 Complete any class assignments posted on Blackboard and/or sent to you via
email
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Wednesday, August 19
(Day Students Only)
9:00am-4:00pm
Topics include:
 Torts Class—two of the cohorts will start with Torts promptly at 9 a.m. Do not be
late for class; attendance will be taken!
 Class Debrief
 Exploring Diversity
 Case Studies
 Introduction to Professionalism
 Make sure you’ve read your assignment and are prepared to answer questions in
class
Wednesday, August 19
4:30-9 p.m.
Topics include:
 Torts Class—this is your actual first class; attendance will be taken!
 Class Debrief
 Dinner Discussion with Student Organization Leaders
 Time Management Strategies
 Make sure you’ve read your assignment and are prepared to answer questions in
class
Thursday, August 20
4:30-9:00pm
Topics include:
 Introduction to Professionalism
 Above the Bar Panel
 Exploring Diversity
 Professionalism Oath with Justice Neville
 Case Studies
 Welcome from the Student Bar Association
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HANDOUTS
You will need the following handouts throughout Week One. Please have this guide readily
available during every session. Except for the Academic Achievement handout on pages 12-15,
which you must read in advance of Tuesday, August 18, you do not need to do anything with
these handouts prior to Week One.
Academic Achievement Program
Transitioning to Law School: Time Management
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ASSIGNMENT TO BE COMPLETED FOR CLASS ON TUESDAY:
• Read these two cases.
• How can these cases be used in our client’s case?
***************************************
Lopez v. Winchell’s Donut House

Illinois Appellate Court, 1984
126 Ill.App.3d 46, 466 N.E.2d 1309
LORENZ, Justice:
Plaintiff appeals from an order of the circuit court granting defendant corporation’s motion
for summary judgment. Plaintiff contends that the trial court erred in entering summary judgment
against her because a genuine issue of material fact existed concerning her charge that she was
falsely detained and imprisoned. For the reasons which follow, we affirm the trial court’s decision.
Count I of plaintiff’s unverified two-count complaint alleged that plaintiff was employed as a
clerk in defendant’s donut shop in Woodridge, Illinois, for approximately three years; that on or
about April 8, 1981, defendant, through its agents and employees, Ralph Bell and James Cesario,
accused her of selling donuts without registering sales and thereby pocketing defendant’s monies;
and that she was falsely detained and imprisoned against her will in a room located on defendant’s
premises, with force, and without probable and reasonable cause, by defendant’s employees. Count I
of her complaint also alleged that as a result of defendant’s employees’ wilful and wanton false
imprisonment, she was exposed to public disgrace; greatly injured in her good name and reputation;
suffered, and still suffers, great mental anguish, humiliation and shock; wrongfully terminated from
her employment; required to seek medical attention; all of which prevented her from attending to her
usual affairs.
[Defendant’s answer consisted of an affirmative defense that it had reasonable grounds to

believe that plaintiff had engaged in retail theft and that its inquiry as to whether she had failed to
ring up certain retail sales was conducted “In a reasonable manner and for a reasonable length of
time.” Defendant then moved for summary judgment.]
The motion included portions of plaintiff’s deposition which disclosed the following. James
Cesario telephoned plaintiff at her home at 4:30 p.m. on April 9, 1981, and asked her to come down
to the donut shop; he did not explain his reasons for wanting her to do so. As a result of this call,
plaintiff walked to the store from her home, arriving ten minutes later. Upon her arrival at the store,
Cesario asked her to accompany him into the baking room, which was located at the rear of the store;
Ralph Bell was also present in the room. After Cesario asked plaintiff to sit down, she indicated that
they (Cesario and Bell) closed the door and locked it by putting a “little latch on.” She stated that the
two men told her that they had proof that spotters going from store to store had purchased two dozen
donuts from her, but that her register had not shown the sale. After refusing her request to view the
“proof,” plaintiff stated that she was “too upset” to respond to their questioning regarding the length
of time that her alleged “shorting” of the cash drawer had been going on.
She further stated that defendant’s employees never told her that she had to answer their
questions or face the loss of her job; never directly threatened to fire her; and made no threats of any
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kind to her during the interrogation. She further testified that she at no time during the interrogation
feared for her safety; that she at no time refused to answer any question put to her; that there was
never a point in the interrogation that she said, “I want to leave” and was prevented from doing so;
and that she got up, left the room and went home when she first decided to do so.
Plaintiff’s written response to defendant’s motion for summary judgment did not contradict
the statements that she had made in her discovery deposition. In her affidavit filed in support of her
response to defendant’s motion for summary judgment, plaintiff averred that (1) she left the baking
room after she began to shake, and when she felt that she was becoming ill; and (2) she was
terminated from her employment by defendant.
The trial court entered summary judgment for defendant. Plaintiff appeals from that order….
Plaintiff asserts that the trial court erred in granting defendant’s motion for summary
judgment as there exists a genuine issue of material fact. She posits that she felt compelled to remain
in the baking room so that she could protect her reputation by protesting her innocence to the two
men, and that she left the room once she began to shake and feel ill. Additionally, she attributes her
“serious emotional upset” to her feelings of intimidation that she contends were caused by: James
Cesario’s sitting directly next to her during questioning, yellow pad and pencil in hand; Ralph Bell’s
repeated statement that his briefcase contained proof of her guilt; and his raised voice.
The common law tort of false imprisonment is defined as an unlawful restraint of an

individual’s personal liberty or freedom of locomotion. [ ] Imprisonment has been defined as “any
unlawful exercise or show of force by which a person is compelled to remain where he does not wish
to remain or to go where he does not wish to go.” [ ] In order for a false imprisonment to be present,
there must be actual or legal intent to restrain. [ ]
Unlawful restraint may be effected by words alone, by acts alone or both[ ] ; actual force is
unnecessary to an action in false imprisonment. [ ] The Restatement of Torts specifies ways in which
an actor may bring about the confinement required as an element of false imprisonment, including
(1) actual or apparent physical barriers; (2) overpowering physical force, or by submission to
physical force; (3) threats of physical force; (4) other duress; and (5) asserted legal authority.
Restatement (Second) of Torts §§ 38-41 (1965).
It is essential, however, that the confinement be against the plaintiff’s will and if a person
voluntarily consents to the confinement, there can be no false imprisonment.[ ] “Moral pressure, as
where the plaintiff remains with the defendant to clear himself of suspicion of theft, * * *, is not
enough; nor, as in the case of assault, are threats for the future * * *. Any remedy for such wrongs
must lie with the more modern tort of the intentional infliction of mental distress.”[ ]
In the case at bar, we are confronted with plaintiff’s testimony, given under oath, that
establish the reasons for our finding that plaintiff was not falsely imprisoned. Plaintiff testified that
she voluntarily accompanied James Cesario to the baking room and at no time was she prevented
from exiting the baking room. This testimony shows that plaintiff was not compelled to go where she
did not want to go. On her own volition did she go into the baking room and remain in the baking
room. Plaintiff further testifies that she was never threatened with the loss of her job, nor was she
ever in fear of her safety. Thus, defendants did not submit plaintiff to physical force, threats of
physical force, nor other duress. The absence of such threats establishes that defendants’ acts were
not a factor in plaintiff staying in the room. Plaintiff lastly testifies that she stayed in the room in
13
order to protect her reputation. However, this was plaintiff’s decision to stay in the room for
whatever reason she deemed necessary, and had nothing to do with any overt act or statement by
defendants.
Her affidavit, in which she averred that she left the baking room after she began to shake and
when she felt that she was becoming ill, does not place into issue material facts which she had
previously removed from contention. [ ] In her discovery deposition, given under oath, she stated that
she “got up and left” when Ralph Bell asked her how long the cash register “shorting” had been
going on.
In the tort of false imprisonment, it is not enough for the plaintiff to have felt “compelled” to
remain in the baking room in order to protect her reputation (see Prosser, Torts, § 11); for the
evidence must establish a restraint against the plaintiff’s will, as where she yields to force, to the
threat of force or the assertion of authority. (See Restatement (Second) of Torts §§ 38-41(1965).)
In the present case, our search of the record reveals no evidence that plaintiff yielded to
constraint of a threat, express or implied, or to physical force of any kind. Also, absent evidence that
plaintiff accompanied Cesario against her will, we cannot say that she was imprisoned or unlawf ully
detained by defendant’s employees. Finally, we find no merit to plaintiff’s argument that defendant’s
affirmative defense constituted an admission of an unlawful restraint.
For the reasons stated above, we conclude that the trial court properly granted defendant’s
motion for summary judgment, as there exists no question of material fact in the present case.
AFFIRMED.
MEJDA, P.J., and SULLIVAN, J., concur.
Talcott v. National Exhibition Co.

Supreme Court, Appellate Division, New York, 1911
144 App.Div. 333, 128 N.Y.S 1059
CARR, J.
The defendant appeals from a judgment of a Trial Term of the Supreme Court in Westchester
County, entered upon a verdict of a jury in an action for false imprisonment, and from an order
denying a motion for a new trial. The facts are as follows:
On the morning of the 8th of October, 1908, the plaintiff went into the inclosure of the
defendant in the city of New York to buy some reserved seats for a baseball game which was to be
held there in the afternoon of that day. These seats were sold at a number of booths within the
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inclosure. The plaintiff was unsuccessful in his quest, as all the reserved seats had been sold. He tried
to leave the inclosure through some gates used generally for ingress and exit.
A considerable number of other persons were trying to leave the inclosure through the same
gates at the same time. It appears that the baseball game which was to take place was one of very
great importance to those interested in such games, and a vast outpouring of people were attracted to
it. Many thousands of these came early in the day to seek admittance to the ball grounds, and the
result was that the various gates used generally for entrance or exit were thronged with a dense mass
of people coming in. The plaintiff was prevented by the servants of the defendant from attempting to
pass out through this throng, and as a result of this interference he was detained in the inclosure for
an hour or more, much to his annoyance and personal inconvenience. The plaintiff and those
similarly situated made many attempts to get out through these gates, and in the restraint put upon
them to defeat their efforts they were subjected to some hauling and pushing by the defendant’s
special policemen. Finally the plaintiff and the others were taken through a club house within the
inclosure and allowed to go out through the entrance to the club house to the street.
Concededly the plaintiff had a legal right to leave the inclosure, and the defendant had no
legal right to detain him therein against his will. But the right of each had corresponding duties. A
temporary interference with the plaintiff’s legal right of egress could be justified as a proper police
measure, if the plaintiff sought to exercise such right under circumstances likely to create disorder
and danger. Assuming, however, that the defendant was justified in preventing the plaintiff from
passing out through the gates in question, it should have directed him to pass out through some other
means of exit, if there were any.
The plaintiff told the agents of the defendant of his desire to get out, but received no
directions or suggestions how to get out. The defendant claims that the plaintiff might have gone out
through other gates in another portion of the field used for the entrance of motor cars and other
vehicles; but the plaintiff swears that he did not know of the other gates, and there is no proof that his
attention was called to them in any way when he and the others sought to go out. He got out in the
end, not through the gates for vehicles, but through the club house, on the permission and direction of
the defendant.
Granting that the restraint placed upon the plaintiff in preventing his going out through the
gateways through which he sought exit was justifiable as a police measure, yet the defendant owed
him an active duty to point out the other existing methods of egress. It could not stand idly by, and
simply detain and imprison the plaintiff against his will.
We see no reason to interfere with the verdict of the jury in its finding that the plaintiff’s
detention was unjustifiable under the circumstances. The damages awarded were in the sum of $500.
The plaintiff proved no special damage, nor was he obliged to. All damages awarded in cases of false
imprisonment partake to some extent of “smart moneys,” and the sum awarded here is not so
excessive as to justify interference on our part.
The judgment and order are affirmed, with costs.
All concur.
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Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
Professionalism Oath
THE UIC JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL

PLEDGE OF PROFESSIONALISM
As I begin the study of law, I acknowledge that my role in the

legal profession is a privilege that comes with responsibilities.
Accordingly, I pledge to support my colleagues, respect the

faculty and staff, and uphold the reputation of my school.
I commit myself to service without prejudice, integrity without

compromise, and to civility and professionalism in all my
interactions.
I will promote the principles of justice handed down by the

generations of attorneys who have gone before me.
This pledge I take freely and upon my honor.
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Hypotheticals
PROFESSIONALISM ORIENTATION PROGRAM

DISCUSSION SCENARIOS
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism was established

by the Supreme Court “in order to promote among the lawyers and judges of
Illinois principles of integrity, professionalism, and civility; to foster
commitment to the elimination of bias and divisiveness within the legal and
judicial systems; and to ensure that those systems provide equitable,
effective and efficient resolution of problems and disputes for the people of
Illinois.” Illinois Supreme Court Rule 799(a). The Commission is counting on
the promise of you, our next generation of lawyers, to be a beacon of
professionalism. The Commission’s professionalism program during law
school orientation, including discussion of the following materials, is the
beginning of this process.
SCENARIO 1
Sneed & Smith represents Engulf & Destroy, an important client that has asked the firm to pursue
legal action to close down a competitor, Startup.com. Engulf wants Sneed & Smith to file a
lawsuit stopping Startup from infringing upon Engulf’s “Eagle Express” trademark because
Startup posted on its website some U.S. Government documents that have the bald eagle
government seal. Sam Sneed is the partner, and Carmen Sanchez is a junior associate fresh out
of law school, who has been working with Sneed on Engulf matters.
Carmen reports to Sneed that she has done the research and sees no basis for pursuing a
preliminary injunction based on Engulf’s claim because public records were being used. Sneed
was not happy to receive this assessment from Carmen and told her that she didn’t see the big
picture and needed to learn the first rule of commercial litigation—achieving business goals is
what matters. At Sneed’s insistence, Carmen does her best to draft a pleading. She delivers the
draft document to Sneed. He flips through it quickly. A portion of their conversation follows:
Sneed: This legal argument is terrible. You didn’t even cite the MGM case.
Carmen:But the MGM case was overruled. And even if it wasn’t, we just don’t have the facts to
support our position.
Sneed: Our very important client wants us to squash a pesky little competitor. A preliminary
injunction is just the first round of tying these guys up in knots, and they probably don’t have the
resources to hang in for the full fight. Go redraft this. Keep the facts ambiguous and cite the
MGM case. And let’s talk about how to use this. [Sneed points to a document on his desk.] It’s
an internal Startup legal memorandum that has all their business plans and legal strategies. I
17
got it from “this guy,” and Startup doesn’t even know we have it.
Carmen:But –
Sneed: Just do it. And tomorrow’s Friday, right? We’ll file this tomorrow, and that way it will get
steered to Judge Wallace. He and I have a special “understanding” when it comes to these
filings.
Carmen:I don’t think –
Sneed: Good, don’t think. And make sure you tell your secretary to use Eleventh Hour Couriers
on this one.
Carmen:Why Eleventh Hour?
Sneed: We have a special arrangement with them for cases like this. They guarantee the
package will not arrive before 11:58 p.m. on the day of service. By the way, you sign the pleading—
you did the research, and if we’re on thin ice here, because you’re an associate, we won’t get in
any trouble. But when we go into court for the hearing, keep your mouth shut except to say “Yes,
sir” if I ask you something. Our client expects only men on this case and won’t want a woman
saying anything. Got it?
Carmen: Yes, sir.
DISCUSSION QUESTION 1
Do you think there are or should be limits on what a lawyer can do on a client’s behalf? If so,
where would you draw the lines in this case?
If you were Carmen, would you follow Sneed’s directions to:
 Obscure the actual facts of the case?
 Cite an overruled case?
 Use an unauthorized privileged memorandum?
 Manipulate the filing to get the case heard by a particular judge?
 Manipulate the service to give the other side less time to prepare?
What consequences would you expect might flow from Carmen’s decisions? Does Carmen have
a duty to report Sneed’s actions to the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission
(IARDC)?
Should Engulf & Destroy be able to insist that only male lawyers appear on its behalf? Should
Sneed have told the client a female lawyer was doing work on the case? Should he have tried
to persuade the client to agree to her involvement? Should Carmen say or do something in
response to Sneed’s instruction?
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SCENARIO 2
James represents Defendant in a criminal case. Defendant is charged with the offense of unlawful
possession of a weapon. A police officer believed he saw Defendant walking in a public park
carrying a handgun. The officer told Defendant to stop. Instead, Defendant ran, disappearing
from the officer’s view for several seconds. The officer then caught up to Defendant and arrested
him; however, no weapon was found on Defendant or in the park. Defendant did not make a
statement to the police.
(a) Defendant has pictures on his public Facebook page showing him holding a handgun. He
also has posted comments about how he is always strapped and a picture of him holding a gun
with the caption “Don’t leave home without it.” Can James tell his client to ta ke the posts and
comments down? Does it matter if Defendant was arrested but not yet formally charged?
(b) Assume that Defendant’s creative pictures and posts are on Defendant’s private pages.
Does this change the analysis?
(c) Defendant tweeted from the park immediately prior to being chased by the police that he
was “ready and waiting.” These tweets are available to members of the public who follow
Defendant’s stream. Can James tell Defendant to delete his Twitter account immediately and
deny at trial ever having tweeted anything?
James wants to give his client legal advice but is having a hard time getting a hold of him. James
decides that his best bet is to text his legal instructions to his client. Is James violating client
confidentiality by putting that legal advice into the hands of the phone company, a third party, by
sending text messages?
Defendant comes into James’s office and tells him that while he was running from the police, he
was able to hide the gun in some bushes. Can James tell the client to go get the gun and dispose
of it properly? How is this different from question 1(a )?
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SCENARIO 3-A
ROBERT WILKINS & ASSOCIATES CASE SIMULATION
INFORMATION FOR ROBERT
 You are an older, white, male senior partner at a small, well-regarded suburban litigation
firm of 15 attorneys – nine partners and six associates. You enjoy a robust reputation as a
leader within the legal community.
 For the last several months, you have been handling an employment matter assisted by
a junior associate, Sharon, who is black. Your client is pleased that you have a diverse
team working on this matter and you wish to keep the client happy. You wonder if you
should place a greater emphasis on diversity in future hiring.
 The personal relationships you’ve developed both with your clients and within your firm
are important to you. One of the things you value most about the firm culture is its
collegiality, a primary reason it attracts top attorneys. This has also been a driving factor
in your decision to keep the firm small. Your firm has an “open door” policy: attorneys
drop in and meet in person when they want to discuss cases. You and other senior
attorneys find the in-person communications are more effective and efficient. In fact, you
often use this as an “excuse” to host client-related outings.
 Because of this, you have been surprised by Sharon’s repeated emails to you regarding
work assignment questions. (You think she may have even emailed the client, instead of
calling him, which is not the way things are done at Robert Wilkins & Associates.) After the
first time this happened, you mentioned that Sharon should feel free to stop by your office
with any questions, but she has persisted in emailing you. Given the firm culture and your
own strong preference to speak in person about client matters – especially since some
of the issues over email have involved potentially sensitive issues – you want to make
sure Sharon understands when emailing is appropriate for questions involving your case.
 Unlike some of your peers, you think it’s important to take an interest in the professional
development of junior attorneys. You know you have benefitted from the mentoring
relationships you have had, and you’re eager to give back in this way. You have been
impressed with Sharon’s work so far and would like to get to know her better to see if you
can be helpful in the same way. However, you have been frustrated by her inability to
“read between the lines” and to conform to firm protocol and culture with respect to email
versus in-person communications. You also feel that since she does not seem to value
in-person communications on the same level you do, she would not be interested in
attending client-related outings.
 You’ve asked Sharon to stop by your office to discuss this issue. As a leader within the
firm, you see great potential in Sharon and want her to have opportunities to develop and
flourish at the firm.
PREPARE FOR YOUR MEETING WITH SHARON

1. What is important to you? How will you convey this information? What might be important
to Sharon?
2. What do you know or assume about the situation that Sharon may not know? What role
might this play in how Sharon views the situation?
3. What information would you like to learn from Sharon? How will you learn this
information? What will you ask?
4. How might gender, race, age and seniority affect the way you see the situation? How
Sharon sees the situation?
5. If there is no agreement or understanding of how things will proceed in the future, what
are some of the possible consequences for you? For Sharon?
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SCENARIO 3-B
ROBERT WILKINS & ASSOCIATES CASE SIMULATION
INFORMATION FOR SHARON
 You are a young, female, black junior associate at a small, well-regarded suburban
litigation firm. With fewer than 10 attorneys, the firm has a truly collegial environment that
you value. While you feel you “fit” with the firm culture, you’ve been disappointed that you
haven’t been able to forge the types of professional relationships with the senior
attorneys that you see some of your peers have developed.
 For instance, you have been working for the last several months on an employment
matter with Robert, an older, white senior partner at the firm, and have hoped to develop
more of a mentoring relationship with him. He is regarded as a leader in the legal
community and many junior associates jockey to be assigned to his cases; in other words,
he’s an ideal person from whom to get more advice about opportunities and activities for
your own professional development.
 You see that he has these types of relationships with other junior associates – all of whom
you’ve noticed are white males – some of these junior associates have been invited to
client-related outings, civic events, and dinners with prospective clients. You can’t help
but think you’re missing out on some important professional development opportunities
by not participating in the same type of activities.
 You’re beginning to wonder whether your race and/or gender may be an issue. You are
the only black attorney at the firm, and the only female junior associate. You have heard
there have been black attorneys hired in the past but they did not stay at the firm long.
 You’re still hopeful that you will have the opportunity to develop a mentoring relationship
with Robert. To this end, you have tried to be very conscientious regarding your work
and communications with him.
 Because you know Robert’s schedule is extremely hectic, you have taken to emailing
him with follow up questions about work on the case (you figure this way, you won’t ever
be interrupting his work, but rather he can respond when he’s able). Although you have
gotten the sense that the firm culture is one that favors more in- person communications,
the couple of times you’ve tried to stop by his office to talk about the case, Robert was
not there or his door was closed. As a result, emailing Robert your questions has seemed
like the best approach given your desire to be respectful of his seniority and busy
schedule. You gather that your work on the case has been well received based on the
positive (though limited) feedback you’ve received from Robert.
 Because you thought things were going well, you were surprised when Robert asked you
to stop by his office later today. He did not specify why, so you’re not sure what he would
like to discuss. You’ve been meaning to speak to Robert about having him supervise a pro
bono project you’re interested in, so you’re hoping this will be a good opportunity to broach
the subject.
PREPARE FOR YOUR MEETING WITH ROBERT

1. What is important to you? How will you convey this information? What might be important
to Robert?
2. What do you know or assume about the situation that Robert may not know? What role
might this play in how Robert views the situation?
3. What information would you like to learn from Robert? How will you learn this
information? What will you ask?
4. How might gender, race, age, and/or seniority affect the way you see the situation? How
Robert sees the situation?
5. If there is no agreement or understanding of how things will proceed in the future, what
are some of the possible consequences for you? For Robert?
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Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Letters to 1L Students
Dear 1L student,
Law school has always been just another step in life for me. I’ve known I was going to get my J.D. forever,
and I also knew that receiving my J.D. was just a small step in the huge plans I placed on my shoulders. With that
being said, I had a huge amount of pressure weighing down on me before I started law school, both from myself as
well as from my family/friends. It seemed like everyone was watching me, both in a good and bad way. This feeling
was hard to drown out, especially with my (vigilant) immigrant parents reminding me of my responsibilities every
day.
I also had a lot of smaller worries before starting school; things like making friends, proving myself to my
classmates, and excelling in everything I did. Again, it seemed like the pressure would never stop. On top of that, I
had to work during school to provide for myself, which meant I didn't know what the word "relax" meant in any
sense of the word.
Law school is intimidating. You're suddenly surrounded by highly competitive people who also want to
prove they can do great things. But…you adapt. You make friends that become your family, and they make
everything so much more bearable. You become smart in handling your workload. You learn to tune out the
pressure (mainly because you're too busy reading), and you become proud of yourself for making it this far. It ma y
take a little bit, but you WILL adapt to your surroundings, because it is simply in our nature to do so.
You find your favorite spot in the library, your favorite place to get coffee, your favorite place to just take
a breath. Then, before you can even blink, youre about to be a 3L. Then you'll take the bar...and then, you'll
become an attorney, changing the world with that fire you brought in the beginning. No matter what, never forget
to cheer for yourself, because there is plenty to cheer about.
Dania Ballout
Dear Student:
My name is Kayla Bowden and I am a rising 2L at UIC John Marshall Law School. My best piece of advice for
you is to keep pushing. I do not say that lightly or as a general phrase of encouragement. Law school is truly what you
make of it and requires an entirely new level of self-discovery and perseverance. From workload, course material, and
class structure all of your expectations for law school will be challenged.
As a rising 1L, you’re still excited by the accomplishment of being accepted to law school and are hung up on
how smart you must be to have gotten this far. While this is true, you are smart, please let this state of mind be short -
lived. You have to enter law school knowing there is so much that you don’t know. Adopting this mindset will save th e
heartache of disappointment and pressure to be the best of the best. I learned this the hard way and would have much
rather gotten over my ego than dealt with the frustrations of hurt expectations.
I arrived in Chicago, IL from the east coast without one friend and only having visited twice. The new
experience of being on my own coupled with the intense first-week orientation during which you’re told fifty times “law
school is hard” led me to break down in tears by the following weekend. There were plenty of times during my first
month of law school I reconsidered all that I sacrificed to embark on this journey. With the passing of time and
humbling of my expectations I can honestly say, I’d never regret making the move to Chicago to attend UIC John
Marshall because, in less than a year, I’ve learned myself better than I ever thought possible.
Expect through your first-year course load, you’ll be challenged to plan out every minute of your day, form
opinions on legal matters you’ve never considered relevant to your own life and learn from individuals you would have
otherwise never thought to engage with.
During your first semester, you’ll be offered tons of advice. Be receptive but also be selective on what advice
you decide to implement into your study habits and your lifestyle. Please assess yourself every week on your
understanding of the concepts you’re learning in class. There will be times that you fall behind even with the hourly
schedule you’re forced to make during orientation. Life happens, but always find time to go back over the material you
missed when presented with the opportunity.
In the second semester, you will be overwhelmed with the pressure to secure a summer position. Applications
take a lot of energy but do not allow them to take over your allotted time for schoolwork. Sadly, winter break is the
deadline for many applications, so please prepare early and always reach out to your career services officer for a review
or mock interview. I sent at least two applications in for review every week before I secured a summer intern position.
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I challenge you to go beyond every expectation you set for yourself. Work hard, plan hard, and party a little.
Additionally, be open. Not only to new information but new friendships and experiences. I gained a group of four
friends and that’s more than I’ve had in a lifetime, I even decided to join an executive board for a student organization.
By the end of my first semester I adhered to all of the advice that I’ve just provided you and not only am I
happy with experience and growth, but I am doing very well as a student and legal intern because I pressured myself to
allow a new experience to change me as it saw fit. You will find your way and you will do well, do not float through,
push through, and conquer what law school and the legal field has to offer.
Best Wishes,
Kayla D. Bowden
Dear Student,
The cost of prosperity is high, but there are times that the cost of survival is even higher. The most effective way to
conquer both costs is to completely dedicate all efforts that are necessary and critically important for success. Uninterrupted
dedication to being the best version of yourself during challenging times is what will define you for years to come.
My name is Amira Harmon and I am a rising 2L at UIC John Marshall Law School. I remember being in your shoes just
a year ago. I had doubts on whether I belonged and whether I was capable of the intellectually grueling demands of law school.
Nonetheless, I persevered. I was determined to work hard and be academically successful and I am fully confident that you hav e
the potential to be just as successful.
Upon entering law school, I did not fully anticipate the highly competitive and intellectually grueling path that lied ahead
of me. Before the first week of classes, many professors had assigned scores of pages of cases to read and fully comprehend
before the first day of class. It was a top priority for me to perform exceptionally well in the fall semester as it sets the tone and
foundation for your entire law school experience. I quickly came to realize that law school was going to require me to dedicate all
of my efforts to constantly and consistently perfecting my understanding of complex concepts in my courses. It was no longer
enough to simply understand concepts, but rather develop a sense of mastery that exceeded the efforts of my peers.
One of the most important practices that I learned during this first year of law school is to constantly visualize academic
excellence in order to optimize your academic performance. UIC John Marshall Law School provided me with a countless
network of advocates that reiterated that I am not likely to succeed unless I imagine myself doing so on a daily basis. I took their
advice by taking a few minutes each day to visualize a personal goal as having already achieved it or imagined myself
performing in an exemplary manner in some particular circumstance in order to attain a specific goal. I realized that the more
passionate and frequent I was about “seeing” a clear picture of myself performing at my optimal level, the more likely that dream
would become a reality. Likewise, I also recognized that the more I visualized or imagined failure or under-performing on a
particular task, the more likely such negative thoughts, subconscious or not, would manifest in my daily life, and cause under-
achievement. I learned to become comfortable with the uncomfortable, and welcomed the continuous range of challenges that I
would endure on my path to becoming an attorney. I embraced the arduous and unforgiving nature of this rigorous process and
found a way to “win” against self-doubt, anxiety, pressure, unhealthy thought patterns, and embraced the adversities that I faced
in this high-pressure environment.
The second practice that I was fortunate enough to acquire during my 1L year at UIC John Marshall Law School is
emotional resilience. To succeed in law school, it is critical to have the capacity to prepare for, recover from, and adapt in the
face of adversity. That is, I needed to remain calm, think clearly, and remain in control of my emotions when under pressure or
facing severe challenges. Avoiding circumstances that created unnecessary adversity and stress were essential, and forced me
to temporarily sacrifice things that I loved, such as social experiences. Sometimes it appeared that fundamental course concepts
were coming too fast, or being delivered in a confusing manner, that the hours in a day are too short, or that my physical
condition seemed to be failing me. However, when the emotional exhaustion began to overcome me, I would remind myself of
the reason that I applied to law school. I began this journey to become an advocate for my community and use my talents to
have a profound impact in the justice system.
I know that you are probably filled with a lot of worry in starting this new chapter of your life, but, let me remind you that
you are being given the opportunity of a lifetime. Please take advantage of all that this opportunity has to offer. We believ e in you
and are here as resources to ensure that you have the best experience possible. A law degree has the ability to change your life
and the lives of those around you. Make this count.
Sincerely,
Amira Harmon
Dear Student,
My name is Audrey Meyer and I am a current 2L at UIC John Marshall Law School. First, I want to say
congratulations and welcome! Continuing education, or going back to school, can be a big and scary commitment. I
get it, and I probably had some of the same anxieties about beginning law school that you currently have. When I
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applied to JMLS, the only thing I knew about law school was what I had seen on TV. Good news! It is not really like
that. Over the course of the past year, I have grown so much as a person, and those anxieties continue to melt
away.
One of my biggest fears was going through this process alone. Today, with the blended and online courses,
it is easier to feel disconnected from campus and our colleagues. Rest assured that we will not leave you to figure
it out on your own. There are numerous student organizations and groups at JMLS to help keep you connected.
From the Video Game Law Society, to the Criminal Law Society, there are many organizations available to all
students. During my first year, I witnessed my classmates start two new student groups as well, which goes to
show the significant impact that just a few students can have. The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is always
available and ready to assist any and all students with various needs.
I am sure you have heard that you are starting a new chapter in your life plenty times by now. When you
open a new chapter, there are many things to worry about, but there are just as many new opportunities to seek.
Your law school experience will be what you make it, and your opportunities will only be limited by the limits you
place on yourself.
Thank you and good luck!

Audrey Meyer
Dear Student,
Coming into Law School as a 1L I had many fears. Fears that really just took up a lot of my time. To name a few, I
dreaded the idea of being “cold-called” in front of my future colleagues and saying something stupid. But most of all I feared that I
would not do well in school and maybe fail out.
Fear not, I am here to tell you that these fears are lies. Everyone In your class has the same fear of getting “cold-
called” and yes someone will say something stupid but your colleagues will only remember what you said till the next time
something stupid is said, so the next “cold-call”. to confront this fear I just accepted the fact that something I would say would
sounds stupid. This took the anxiety away from me. I also made sure to focus on the class material so that when I did get “cold-
called” I knew I did the best that I could to prepare. Remember, that no one comes into law school knowing the information that
they are learning, otherwise, Law School would be pointless. So, it is Ok to mess up or not know something I can honestly say I
don’t remember anything that anyone said during a “cold-call”
I also, like all my colleagues, feared that I would fail out of Law School. There was a lot of stress going into midterms
and finals thinking that this was the end of the road for me and that I would be known as the kid who failed out. I did not w ant a
test, curve, a teacher to dictate if I was going to pass the class. So instead I put the burden on myself and made it that if I fail out
it was my fault. So I buckled down did my reading, watched videos and remember to get started on your outlines as early as
possible ( no one ever does) . Unfortunately, all this studying did take away from my social life. I got to see my friends and family
a lot less than I wanted. But, sacrifices need to be made for you to succeed but there is no substitute for taking your mind away
from your studies. You have to keep a social life and after the first or second semester of Law School you will learn how to
balance. It something you have to experience yourself. And something you will always look back on as your 1L and you may
even miss it. Other than that my only advice is to not fear, you are capable of achieving great things and you will. You just have
to give some effort and remember to balance your life with school, exercises, family and being social
Rigas Papas
Dear Student,
My name is Paula Rodriguez and I am a current 3L at UIC John Marshall Law School. You are likely having the
same feelings I had prior to starting law school: stress, anxiety, and excitement! Don’t stress like I did about the little
things. You probably still will but I get it. You want to make sure you are on top of it going into law school.
One of my biggest fears going into law school was being cold called on, in other words the Socratic Method. I
was terrified of getting called on in class, not because I wasn’t prepared because I was, but because I was afraid I would
sound dumb or not be able to answer the question the professor asked. Trust me, mostly everyone feels this way. People
may not show it but they are also afraid. It’s your first year and you want to be top of it. I get it. Sometimes it helps to
volunteer if you know the answer to a question instead of waiting to be called on for a question you may not know. Do
NOT be afraid of asking questions in class because 9 out of 10 times, your classmates have the same questions but may
be afraid to ask. Push yourself to participate because when you do, you’ll find that that helps you understand the material
better. Professors may seem intimidating but they are pretty nice. Go to office hours! Introduce yourself to your
professors and if you ever have questions on the material they are teaching, go to their offices and ask! Most of the time
it will help!
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Another thing I worried about was the competition amongst classmates for grades. Surprisingly our school isn’t
like that. Most of the students at UIC John Marshall are helpful and help each other out understand the materials! If
there is anything I can help you with or you want to ask a question, don’t hesitate to reach out. I was grateful to have
2Ls and 3Ls as friends and mentors who always great me advice on how to approach situations. Don’t worry I got you!
It’s always helpful to befriend people in classes because on top of having friends, it’s helpful if you ever have to miss
class because you can probably get their class notes. Try not to miss class though because classes move at a fast pace and
if you miss a day, you may miss out on a lot. Classmates can also make great study groups, although it may not work for
everyone. It’s okay if you decide to join a study group and then decide to not want to study with a group. I started off
working with my friends in a study group and I finally decided towards the end of my 1L year and beginning of y 2L year
that studying alone was best for me. I would get caught up in talking to my friends that I thought it was best to study
alone first then I would regroup and go over material with them. So don’t sweat it. Try something and if it doesn’t work
for you, change it. Do what’s best for YOU!
To add to my list of concerns, I worried about how the school culture and community would be in law school. I
had a fear of not belonging and honestly it may have been a little awkward at first because I hardly knew anyone but
people were friendly. Don’t be afraid to make friends. Also, there are a variety of student organizations to be a part of
and make you feel more at home. I am the President of LLSA (Latinx Law Student Association) and I am also a member
of BLSA (Black Law Student Association) and a few other orgs. There is a wide range so definitely look them up and
reach out . The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is always available and ready to assist any and all students with
various needs!
Look, I know you will still be worried and stressed but know that during this new chapter in your life or your
career, you won’t be alone! There are so many opportunities and resources to take advantage of while you’re in law
school! Please reach out to me if you need anything! My email is prodrig@uic.edu or text me 1(708) 297-5065. You are
never alone in this!
Sincerely,
Paula Rodriguez
Dear Student,
My name is Chynnique Ross and I am a current 3L at UIC John Marshall Law School. I likely had some of the
same exact anxieties about beginning law school that you currently have. With that being said, as time went on, I
grew as a person and my anxieties began to lessen.
One of my biggest fears going into law school was being a victim of the Socratic Method. I was spooked of being
cold called and not knowing the answer. Certain depictions in the media show this Socratic Method as being harsh,
uncomfortable, and just a downright unpleasant experience for the student. Even though this process is certainly
uncomfortable, particularly the first time, the professors are never intentionally harsh. They simply want you to
come to a place of understanding and thinking that they want all of their students to achieve. The way professors
phrase their questions, and the questions themselves, are intended to guide you to a certain conclusion or point.
And even if you mess up or do not understand it immediately, you will learn from the experience. The whole rationale
of the Socratic Method is that, once a practicing lawyer, you will be comfortable and ready to speak or be called
upon in court. Further, at the end of the day, no one will really remember your cold call except for you . The best
defense against the Socratic Method, is simply to be prepared.
Another apprehension I often anticipated before coming to law school was the competition of students for
grades. I overcome the competitive law school environment by remembering that, this is just a moment in time and
my time was better spent focusing on my own self-improvement. Push yourself to do better than the week before
rather than comparing yourself to other students. Sure, every student wants to be the best that they can be; At UIC
John Marshall, in my experience, the vast majority of students are willing to help you out with nearly anything, from
the property case you are having trouble wrapping your mind around to lending you their laptop charger because
you forgot your charger at home.
Yet another concern I had prior to coming to law school was the school culture in the context of community
and camaraderie. I was pleased to find numerous student organizations and groups that I really connected with.
From the Black Law Students Association, to the Criminal Law Society, there are countless organizations available to
all students. Further, one of the organizations that I am most connected with, the Black Law Students Association,
which prides itself on providing a space for minority students to excel and connect. Even further, the Office of
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is always available and ready to assist any and all students with various needs.
A lot of things will happen over the year, and you will have had more than you ever thought you would. But
just know that through the difficult and the good, you have been brave, and no matter the progress you feel that
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you have not made you are still growing here. There are so many opportunities and resources available at John
Marshall for all students that you will never be alone in the journey. Don’t hold yourself back because of fear.
Thanks,
Chynnique Ross
Dear 1L,
Welcome to your first year of law school! Law school will be one of the most unique and difficult
experiences of your life. The culture of law school is immensely different than any other schooling you’ve gone
through. You’ll face many challenges that you will not know how to overcome, but that is what makes us grow as
legal professionals. Coming into the s tart of school, I had many concerns and this letter will help explain how I
overcame some of the challenges and concerns that I was confronted with.
The environment in law school is often fueled by competition. This can both strengthen motivation to
succeed, as well as increase the pressure you may feel to reach your goals. Before I had taken any class in my 1L
year, I had a plan. I wanted to complete all my readings, take extensive notes, and ace all my cold calls. I was going
to be the perfect student. I’m here to tell you that there is no perfect student. The schooling is designed to be intense
and over-loaded with work. You will have to learn to prioritize and perfect time-management, but you still will not
complete everything. This was one of the hardest lessons to learn. Most importantly, I learned to accept failure and
to learn from the failures. Many of us start law school expecting perfection because of our drive and hard work.
Learn to accept the mistakes you make and realize that many of the best things you will learn here, will be the
lessons from failing. This is what will make you an excellent attorney.
Some of the struggles you face may be out of your control. You are entering a very antiquated field in
which not long ago, women and minorities were not allowed. You will come across attorneys who may still feel this
way; I know I have. Confront these people. They may never learn, but you can prove to them why you went to law
school in the first place. These attitudes do not belong in our career and we need to push to get rid of these negative
opinions. Learning how to advocate is a huge part of law school, but it doesn’t just apply to clients. Advocate for
your fellow law classmates, advocate for your fellow coworkers, and advocate for yourself. Always remember that
what matters for your success as a lawyer is not the race or gender you inhibit, but by your intelligence, grit,
advocacy skills, and drive.
Throughout the law school experience, you are faced with many challenges. However, you will also get
many positive experiences that make everything worth it in the end. You will find an area of law that you love. You
will learn organization skills, time management skills, and advocacy skills. You will meet amazing people and
connect in ways you never imagined. With all the struggles you face, you will encounter positives that make it all
worth it. Always remember why you enrolled in law school in the first place and just know, you can do it.
Current 3L,
Ashley Schoenborn
Dear 1L,
My name is Jake Stortz and I’ve been a student at John Marshall for the last two years. Hopefully this letter can help
relay some stories about how I gained confidence over my initial fears and give some general tips along the way.
One of my biggest fears entering law school was the ever so daunting style of the Socratic Method. If you don’t already
know, basically your professors will cold call students to answer questions or engage in a conversation. This seemed terrifying to
me, and the pressure to not make a mistake in front of the entire class can really build up. When you get called on (and you will)
it’s important to remember that everyone is having these same feelings. Everyone is nervous at first or afraid to look dumb or
unprepared in front of their new peers. Your professors know this as well and will do their best to help you through your
conversations. Now, they may be a bit direct or argumentative, but that is to help craft and refine your new legal skills. Also,
almost all professors will give you in advance a few passes or skips you can use in case you are unprepared for the day. In the
end, after you’ve spent 10 painful minutes talking about something you somewhat understand, you have to keep in mind that
everyone is in the same boat and that this process is intended to make you the best attorney you can be.
Make some new friends! Some of your best experiences in law school will be meeting new people and learning from
them. It’s important to remember that your classmates are your colleagues and will be most likely around you for the rest of your
career. These relationships you make in law school will be unlike any you have had before, grinding throughout the year creates
a unique bond between classmates. Often you learn more from your classmates than your teachers as well. You will listen to
their ideas in class, observe their mistakes and often argue with them about seemingly mindless statutes. But this helps your
learning enormously as your classmates’ different perspectives will help to broaden your own and sharpen your understanding of
26
the analytic process, we use every day. Making these connections with your classmates also lessens the feelings of cutthroat
competition. We all know that law school is an extremely competitive place but don’t let that scare or anger you. Use the
competition as a motivation factor, to put your best foot forward and don’t lose focus on how other people scored or whatnot. Law
school shouldn’t be something you get through alone, but together. Just focus on helping yourself and others around you and
you will do well!
Something important to remember as you progress through the year is that not being a part of a study group doesn’t
mean you’re doing it wrong. Now, some people find them to be very beneficial, to have a group to share ideas with and work out
your cases. Or maybe you don’t, I think that a lot of the time in study groups it’s easier to get distracted or branch off the
conversation. For myself, I found that studying alone made it easier to finish my work faster and more efficiently. Often, I would
bounce ideas off of other students before class (it’s great to find someone who studies like you and you can talk to at class) if I
ever need some clarity on an issue. Really the most important thing is to find which style fits you best and stick with it!
Another tip that I live by is to start outlining your classes from the get-go. Take some time once every week or so and
retype your class notes for a way of review. Take time to review them and note anything the professor emphasized or things that
you have a hard time understanding. Doing this will help you to understand what you know and more importantly what you don’t.
Use this before the end of the semester to get answers from your professors. Starting, and keeping up with, these outlines are
important as they will keep the material fresh and allow you to absorb it better. Because your professors often require answers
beyond mere memorization of facts, this method will have you ahead of the curve and in the best position for success.
I hope that a few of these tips sink in and are helpful to you on your journey at John Marshall. I truly believe that you
have a great opportunity here and that if you keep your nose to the grindstone and a positive mental attitude you will do great! If
you ever want to reach out for questions or anything feel free. My number is (815) 993-4656 and my email is Jrs@ilesq.com.
Hope to see you during the semester!
Jake Stortz
27
Office of Professionalism & Career Strategy
Please note that you do not need to do anything w ith the follow ing handouts in advance of Week One. Dean
Frossard w ill be discussing these handouts during her presentation.
Margaret Frossard
Associate Dean for Professionalism & Career Strategy
Retired Justice, Illinois Appellate Court
Office S-306; 312-427-2737 x112
mfrossar@uic.edu
https://jmls.uic.edu/student-support/office-professionalism/
Examples of information requested by Bar Examiners which delayed review of

application by graduates who were requesting to be licensed to practice law in
the state of Illinois.
1. Alcohol violations while attending college
2. Academic probation while attending college
3. Academic suspension while attending college
4. Criminal mischief charge reduced to disturbing the peace
5. Misdemeanor theft, expunged
6. High school cheating; high school plagiarism
7. Curfew violation
8. Minor in bar, expunged
9. Violation of no mixed company in dorm
10. Ticket for underage drinking
11. Possession of drug paraphernalia; PCS
12. Insulting classmate during high school
13. Retail theft as a juvenile
14. Theft from person at party, no charges
The letter from the Illinois Board of Admissions usually reads something like the
following:
Dear _________,
As part of our background investigation, we obtained a copy of your law school application. It appears
that you improperly failed to disclose the following to the school:
Incident: ________ (fill in the blank from list above)
As a result of this non-disclosure issue, two things must occur before your application to be licensed can
be reviewed and recommended for certification by a member of the Character & Fitness Committee.
First, you must disclose the above matter(s) to one of the Deans of your law school; the disclosure must
be in writing and include an explanation of your previous failure to disclose.
Second, we must receive from your law school a copy of your written disclosure to the Dean and a copy
of the law school’s response to your disclosure.
These items should be directed to my attention and faxed to one of the above fax numbers or mailed to
the above street address. If it is determined at a later date that any further information should be
disclosed to your law school, you will be notified.
Thank you.
__________________@ILBARADMISSIONS.org
28
Cover Letter You Need To Provide to Dean Frossard
To Amend/Update Your Admission Application
Heading
Requested by (insert your full name): __________________________________________
Date: _________________
Level in school and expected graduation year: __________________________________
Current address (where you receive your mail): _________________________________
Email address (law school and personal): ___________________________________________
Phone Number: __________________________
Dear Dean Frossard,
Part I
I would like to amend/update my ______ UIC John Marshall Law School Admission Application by
disclosing and providing the following:
(Examples provided below; fill in the information that is specific to your case)
1. Ordinance violation for minor consumption of alcohol from [year] and related records.
2. Academic probation for six months from [school] during [year] and related records.
3. DUI from [year] and related records.
Part II
Reason/explanation for not disclosing on my Admission Application:
1. Re: Ordinance violation for minor consumption of alcohol from [year] and related records; I did not
disclose the above information and provide related documents when I submitted my UIC John
Marshall Law School Admission Application because _____________________________.
2. Re: Academic probation for six months from [school] during [year] and related records; I did not
disclose my academic probation when I submitted my UIC John Marshall Law School Admission
Application because _____________________________.
3. Re: DUI from [year] and related records; I did not disclose my DUI when I submitted my UIC John
Marshall Law School Admission Application because _____________________________.
Part III
Brief description of the above listed disclosures. For example, if there are seven violations there must be
seven descriptions:
1. Brief description of facts related to ordinance violation
2. Brief description of facts related to academic probation
3. Brief description of facts related to DUI
Sincerely,
[Your name]
29
Please note:
 All of the information provided above will become part of your school file and will be reviewed by
the board responsible for licensing attorneys when you submit the Bar Application. You will need
to provide the documents/reports in a professional, organized manner. With each document,
provide a cover sheet stating what it is. For example,
o on the cover sheet for an arrest report, type “Arrest report from [year].”
o on the cover sheet for a disposition document, type “Disposition Document indicating
successful completion of all conditions of sentence.”
o on the cover sheet for an academic dismissal document, type “Academic Dismissal from
University X, year 2011.”
Each document should be single sided, not double sided. Please redact names of any other
offenders in reports you submit.
 The information and reports related to the amended/updated Admission Application need
to be provided to Dean Frossard by the 8th week of the semester. Failure to do so will
prevent you from registering for the following semeste r.
 If you do not need to make any updates/amendments to your application, please email Dean
Frossard (mfrossar@uic.edu) to let her know that no additional information is needed.
30
Example of Character & Fitness Questionnaire
Required by The Illinois Bar Examiners in Order for a
Graduate to Take The Illinois Bar Examination and Be
Licensed To Practice Law in The State Of Illinois
https://www.ilbaradmissions.org/browseprintform.action?formId=2
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Admission Amendment/Update Checklist
1. Obtain Illinois State Police Record (or the state where you have previously resided prior to law
school). You will be fingerprinted and can be arrested if you have any warrants.
a. Illinois:
i. 312-745-5508
ii. 3510 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653
iii. Walk-ins accepted
iv. Bring current government ID
v. Approximately $20
b. Indiana:
i. https://www.in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch/
ii. Online search costs $15
c. Wisconsin:
i. https://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/background-check-criminal-history-information
ii. Online search is free
d. Michigan:
i. https://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1878_8311-10418--,00.html#fpvisa
ii. Information on where to go to get fingerprinted for Michigan State Police records is
available on website
iii. $30 fee in form of money order
2. Obtain complete records of all criminal charges a the proper Circuit Clerk (this document will help with
obtaining further documents to satisfy IBAB).
a. Cook County:
i. http://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org
ii. 312-603-5030
iii. 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
b. Will County:
i. http://www.circuitclerkofwillcounty.com
ii. 815-727-8592
iii. 14 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60432
c. Lake County:
i. https://circuitclerk.lakecountyil.gov/publicAccess/html/common/index.xhtml
ii. 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085
d. DuPage County:
i. https://www.dupageco.org/courtclerk
ii. 630-407-6500
iii. 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
3. Obtain reports of ALL RECORDS, including but not limited to arrest records, whether it be city, county
or state (FOIA Request).
a. Chicago: https://home.chicagopolice.org/online-services/adult-arrests/
4. Obtain further documentation from attorney.
5. Obtain FBI Report.
a. Accurate Biometrics
b. 134 N. LaSalle Drive #2060, Chicago, IL 60602
c. Walk ins accepted
d. Bring current government identification
e. 24-hour report is $50, credit accepted
6. Obtain a court purpose driving record from Secretary of State or DMV.
a. Illinois Secretary of State
b. 100 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL 60601
c. Open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
d. https://www.ilsos.gov/facilityfinder/facilityfinder?command=getFacilityDetails&facilityID=306
7. If you do not remember what you admitted in your application, you can get a copy of your application
from the Law School Registrar’s Office by emailing law-registrar@uic.edu.
38
Student Professionalism Advisory Board
Reasons to join:
1. Plan and execute programs and events for Chicago area judges and attorneys.
2. Start networking at special law school professionalism events.
3. Enhance your resume
4. Prepare yourself for post-graduation employment and success in your first legal
positions!
To join, contact Associate Dean Frossard at mfrossar@uic.edu.
39
Professionalism Tips and Reminders
Dressing Appropriately: Make sure you dress neatly and professionally for all interviews, networking
events, and at your place of legal employment. For interviews and networking events, suits are most
appropriate (black, blue, and grey). Avoid dressing too casually at school in case there is an unexpected
guest or event with legal professionals—you always want to make a good first impression!
Networking: Be yourself and proactive (but polite) when it comes to networking. Practice your elevator
pitch about who you are and your legal interests. Ask questions about the person’s career path and
insights, but do not ask for a job upon first meeting someone; you do not want to come off as being pushy!
Remember toe exchange business cards and to follow up. The goal is to make lasting connections.
Thank You Messages: It is always polite and professional to send a thank you note or email after a job
interview, networking event, or informational interview. Make sure you have the correct name spelling and
contact information for each interviewer or person you met, so you can send a personalized thank you
message. Avoid being too informal or casual in your message.
Proofreading: Small typos and grammatical errors in your application materials (resume, cover letter,
writing sample) can negatively affect your job prospects. Make sure you proofread everything (and then
proofread again). Ask your career services counselor and/or a trusted friend to review your materials in
case you missed something.
Social Media: Be very careful about what you post on social media. Assume prospective employers and
professors can see everything you post, even if your profile is private. It is common for employer to search
all social media sites in preparation for interviews. Avoid discussing controversial and potentially offensive
topics on your social media pages, such as religion and politics.
Accountability & Preparedness: If you RSVP for an event or schedule an interview or meeting, make sure
you show up. Do your best to arrive prepared and on time for classes, jobs, interviews, and meetings. If
you are running late or need to cancel for any reason, provide as much advance notice as possible. Plan
ahead to avoid being late, especially if there is construction or inclement weather.
Multiple Job Offers: When deciding on multiple job offers, remember to notify any other employers once
you accept a position so they can release the offer to other candidates. If you already accepted a po sition,
you should honor that commitment, even if you receive a more desirable offer with a different employer at a
later date. Talk to your career services counselor if you have any questions or concerns.
Communication/Cell Phone Use: Law school is a professional environment, so be conscious of your

communication and listening skills. Avoid using informal language with professors and professionals. Be
courteous by silencing (and not using) your cell phone during class, meetings, interviews, etc. In th ese
settings, cell phones should only be used if there is an emergency.
Disparaging comments: Avoid speaking negatively about professors, attorneys, judges, classmates,
former employers, etc. You never know who is listening, and you don’t want to hurt your job prospects or
develop a negative reputation in the legal community.
40
Career Services Office
Tentative Fall 2020 Programs
The Career Services Office (CSO) looks forward to offering our programs virtually
during the Fall 2020 semester. The exact dates/times of each program are TBD. You
can expect to receive an email invitation for each program with additional
information.
Some of the programs we plan to offer this Fall include the following:
 1L CSO Orientation (mandatory for 1st semester students)
 CSO Virtual Open House
 Baum Internship & Public Interest Law Information Session
 Careers in Immigration & International Law
 Intellectual Property Law Panel
 Professionalism Program Series
 Practice Area Conversation Series
 Cover Letter Writing Workshop (Co-Sponsored by the Writing Resource Center)
 1L Diverse Career Opportunities
Please make sure to check your UIC JMLS email for communications from the CSO about
program updates. Contact Levey1@uic.edu with any questions.
41
Developing Professional Identity Scenarios
1. Now that you are in law school, you are probably excited to interact with the world of social media
from a legal perspective, while maintaining your friendships and connections to family. What are
your thoughts about performing the following actions on social media? What sorts of consequences
do you think could arise from your social media activity?
a. Posting a photo on Instagram of you with your college friends at 11:30 p.m. on a Thursday
clinking wine glasses with the caption “Never going to grow up #thirstythursday #drinkup”
b. Liking an article on Facebook or retweeting a post critical of a politician with whom you
disagree
c. Commenting “Love it” on a LinkedIn post created by an attorney whom you admire that
reads, in part: “I really hate losing. Yesterday, I won a summary judgment motion for a
defendant client where plaintiff was seeking $1.5 million damages. Do whatever you have to
do to win for your client. I get results.”
d. Writing a Yelp review about employees at a movie theater that states that the employees are
“barely educated morons trying to manage snack orders for the obese.”
For the next four questions, you are sending an email to Mr. Jamal Khan, a law firm partner that you met
at a recent CBA event and whom you would like to meet for an informational interview.
2. What is the best subject line to use of the below?

a. “Greetings!”
b. None; it is best not to waste Mr. Khan’s time as he is busy
c. “Hi.”
d. “Introductions”
e. “Following up on our conversation at CBA event”
f. “Please let me know your availability for 9/1-9/6”
3. What is the best salutation to use?

a. “Mr. Jamal Khan:”
b. “Hi.”
c. “Hello, Mr. Khan.”
d. “Dear Mr. Khan,”
e. “Hey, Jamal.”
f. “Good morning, Khan.”
4. Which of these opening lines is best?

a. “I was happy to meet you at the bar association event last night. Can you please meet me for
a discussion about law clerk jobs—my availability is 9/1 from 12:30-2:30 p.m., 9/3 from 9:00
a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 9/4 all day.”
b. “It was a pleasure meeting you at the bar association event last night. I was wondering if you
might have some time to meet me so that I could learn more about your career. If this would
be possible, do you have some availability sometime over the next few weeks?”
c. “Thank you for so respectfully and honorably speaking with me at the event last night, Mr.
Khan. Your practice is an inspiration personally to me and I wanted to ask you a few
questions at your convenience. Please let me know what would work for you.”
d. “I greatly respect your time—could we get a quick meeting on the books sometime soon?”
42
5. Which of the below is the best way to sign off on an email?
a. Sincerely,
Janice Devers
b. Janice Devers
UIC JMLS Student, ‘23
c. Sincerely,
Janice Devers
J.D. Candidate, May 2023
UIC John Marshall Law School
(555) 555-3049
d. Janice
6. It is reading week, and you are in the thick of things, studying for all of your upcoming exams. You
and a group of other students have been working through the late evenings for the past several nights,
to prepare and study together. One of your professors is offering a morning study session before the
exam. You wake up a bit late the morning of the study session, without much time to get ready. You
want to make it on time so that you don’t miss anything important. You’re still wearing your flannel
pajama pants and college sweatshirt that you had on at last night’s study group. You rush off to catch
your train to get to the study session.
You just finished your Evidence class and are checking your email. You see a reminder invitation
from the Career Services Office about a networking event where there will be several alumni who are
coming to chat with students about their practice areas. You are excited about this and really would
like to attend. It is happening this evening and you have class right up until you need to get to the
event. You are wearing nicer blue jeans and a short sleeve polo. You are not sure whether you
should attend because of your attire.
What do you think you should do in both situations? How do you think others will view you based
upon your appearance in both scenarios?
7. Steve is starting to think about finding a summer legal position and wants to get input from his career
counselor. He sets up an appointment with his counselor for the following week to set up a time. His
email says –
Hey Mr. Paul Johnson!

can we meet today to help me with my resume.
- steve
On the day and time of Steve’s appointment with Paul, Steve does not show up for his appointment.
How do you think Steve handled this situation? Would you do anything different than he has?
43
8. Midterms have arrived during your second semester and you and your colleagues are stressed,
preparing for exams. You leave your review session with your two study partners, Bridgette and
Tanya, to head to the library via the elevator. The first exam is tonight. Much of the class spills into
the stairwell but a few wait for the next elevator with you and your group. Tanya says “I can’t wait
for midterms to be over. I’m going to get completely wasted next door at the bar.” Bridgette laughs
and says, “hell, yeah!” The elevator door opens and there are three people that you do not recognize
on it. Still laughing, Bridgette says, “we’ll need something after Professor Longtooth’s exam. That
guy’s lectures are so boring, I had to teach myself.” One of the people in the elevator is an older man,
and, though he doesn’t speak, he smiles slightly and looks at the ground. When the door opens,
Bridgette says, “I think I may even call in sick to work tomorrow, because we’re definitely going to
close the bar down tonight after the exam.”
What issues do you see in the above scenario?
44

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WEEK ONE

STARTING YOUR JOURNEY AT

August 17-20, 2020

WELCOME TO THE START OF LAW SCHOOL! .................................................................... 3

The centerpiece of orientation at UIC John Marshall Law School is called

Jennifer Pope Rod Fong

Clarence Glenn Marques Rice

Cohort 1 Mentors 1. Brandy Johnson

Cohort 2 Mentors 1. Marc Singer

Cohort 3 Mentors 1. Alana Jones

Evening Cohort 1. Emily Ruzevich

Before the start of school: Online Orientation

Online Orientation includes some vital information about campus

During your first year (and beyond!): Extended Orientation

Extended orientation is a series of modules that will activate in the

1. Discuss the transition to law school and the legal profession

1. Manage time and prioritize tasks

What to do before tomorrow’s session:

What to do before tomorrow’s session:

Academic Achievement Program

Transitioning to Law School: Time Management

Lopez v. Winchell’s Donut House

[Defendant’s answer consisted of an affirmative defense that it had reasonable grounds to

The common law tort of false imprisonment is defined as an unlawful restraint of an

MEJDA, P.J., and SULLIVAN, J., concur.

Talcott v. National Exhibition Co.

The judgment and order are affirmed, with costs.

THE UIC JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL

As I begin the study of law, I acknowledge that my role in the

Accordingly, I pledge to support my colleagues, respect the

I commit myself to service without prejudice, integrity without

I will promote the principles of justice handed down by the

This pledge I take freely and upon my honor.

PROFESSIONALISM ORIENTATION PROGRAM

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism was established

Carmen:I don’t think –

Carmen:Why Eleventh Hour?

Carmen: Yes, sir.

PREPARE FOR YOUR MEETING WITH SHARON

PREPARE FOR YOUR MEETING WITH ROBERT

Thank you and good luck!

Examples of information requested by Bar Examiners which delayed review of

Dear Dean Frossard,

To join, contact Associate Dean Frossard at mfrossar@uic.edu.

Communication/Cell Phone Use: Law school is a professional environment, so be conscious of your

 1L CSO Orientation (mandatory for 1st semester students)

 CSO Virtual Open House

 Baum Internship & Public Interest Law Information Session

 Careers in Immigration & International Law

 Intellectual Property Law Panel

 Professionalism Program Series

 Practice Area Conversation Series

 Cover Letter Writing Workshop (Co-Sponsored by the Writing Resource Center)

 1L Diverse Career Opportunities

2. What is the best subject line to use of the below?

3. What is the best salutation to use?

4. Which of these opening lines is best?

Hey Mr. Paul Johnson!

What issues do you see in the above scenario?

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