The End Is Only the Beginning

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning. –Louis L’Amour 

Nearly three years ago, I made the cross country drive from Atlanta, Georgia to Palo Alto, California to begin my first year at Stanford Law School. Only three months prior, I had just completed my master’s program in philosophy at Emory University. At the time, most of my belongings were packed in my parents’ basement, and I had no idea where I would permanently reside once I got to California. Needless to say, I was a bit overwhelmed.

Looking back, I wonder what kept me from turning back around and returning to the life I so loved in Atlanta. I’d like to say that it was my love of the law and knowing that I was embarking on the opportunity of a lifetime, but at the time so much was unknown and I couldn’t have been certain that things would work out as they have. Whatever the reason, I am glad I kept heading West.

The last few years have been hard, but wonderful. A very meaningful relationship in my life ended, and I suffered the loss of a family member. But I have made friendships that I hope will last for years to come, and I have had my dog, Geist – a five-year-old Weimaraner – by my side through this entire journey. And I have confirmed my love of the law and carved out a place for myself at a truly amazing institution. Stanford has proved to be the opportunity of a lifetime.

But as my time at Stanford draws to a close, I marvel at what lies ahead. The next several months will bring many firsts: my first visit to the U.S. Supreme Court to hear oral arguments on a case on which I worked; my first (and hopefully only) California Bar exam; and my first day as an attorney at a firm in San Francisco. I would be lying if I said that none of this frightened me in the least bit. But having made that cross-country drive, I’m pretty hopeful that this new journey, while challenging, will prove to be enlightening and rewarding…whatever the future may bring.

Savvy Shopper-At-Law: Building Your Clerkship Wardrobe 101

So, you are a 1L and you obtained your first clerkship. It is prestigious, but it pays very little. Currently, all of your clothing consists of quirky college t-shirts and worn jeans. So how do you begin creating a work wardrobe on a budget?

Savvy Shopper-At-Law is here to help! With a few core pieces, you can create two weeks worth of working wardrobe choices. Additionally, by choosing these purchases wisely, you can save hundreds of dollars and precious time in the mornings. The following pieces can be combined to create at least two weeks worth of work clothing:

• One skirt suit
• One pant suit
• One cardigan set
• Two blouses
• Two shells
• One cardigan set
• One shift dress

Now, here are the five rules on pairing these pieces to create savvy, successful outfits: 

(1) Make your suits and tops forgettable and make your accessories memorable.

Naming It, Claiming It: Pursuing a Legal Life on California's Central Coast

Note: On January 1, my husband and I made a resolution for the New Year: we would move to California's Central Coast before the end of 2010. This series will chronicle the career component of our journey as I attempt to make connections, build a network, and, hopefully (fingers crossed!), find a legal job in the next twelve months.    

This column was born at Brent's Delicatessen in Northridge, California. Ms. JD's Executive Director and I had met for lunch and, over two heaping plates of cheese blintzes and potato pancakes, she convinced me that I should document my adventure. There’s something decidedly crazy about moving to a small beach community, particularly when one owes massive loans and one doesn’t have a job lined up in the small beach community of one’s choice.

Initially, I planned to write anonymously. At the time, I had several irons in fires in cities across the country. I was moving steadily along in the Presidential Management Fellow application process.  I hadn't heard from my summer employer—although, considering the current spectacle that is the California state budget, I suspected that my odds were not great. I had numerous applications outstanding.

What if an employer selected me for one of these positions? Worse yet, what if an employer in Washington, D.C. saw this post—this very post that I am writing now—and decided that, clearly, I wasn't interested in moving permanently to our Nation's capital and, therefore, decided to withdraw the offer?

I worried that writing this series might preclude me from certain opportunities, might close proverbial doors. Using a pseudonym seemed a reasonable judgment—I could share my story while protecting my identity—but something felt cowardly and incompatible about this approach. I wouldn't be moving to the Central Coast, after all, if I took a job in some other location.

And, so, I decided to up the ante on risk.

Ms. JD Welcomes the 2010 Writers in Residence

Ms. JD is thrilled to announce the 2010 Writers in Residence! This accomplished group of men and women will tackle a variety of issues in thought-provoking monthly columns. From finding balance to the finding the perfect interview suit, from advice for making partner to advice for working in a small legal community, from perspectives from law school to perspectives from a CEO's office, we believe you will enjoy the many viewpoints that this diverse group of writers plan to share in the coming year. 

Please help us in welcoming Wendy K. Akbar, Impey Biggs, M.R. Byrum, April A. Christine, Mikki Collier, Paula Edgar, Ursula Furi-Perry, Jennifer Guenther, Katie Hayes, Jennis Hemingway, Michelle Hugard, Frank Kimball, Catherine Mattesich, Miami Attorney, Miranda Pennoyer, Vado Porro, Erin Rohne, Katrina Richards, Ashley Rutherford, Keisha Stanford, Janet Wallace, Jennifer Ward, and Andrea Welker. 

Read more about their columns here and check back often to catch their features!