s | b | a CHICAGO-KENT STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
April 24, 2023
This is the last Newsletter of the 2022-2023 school year. Good luck on final exams, and have a wonderful summer. See you in August!
Announcements
SBA Bylaw Amendments: Please see attached below the recently passed amendments to our SBA bylaws. Those amendments will be in effect starting in Fall 2023 semester. The website will be updated shortly.
Ask a law librarian–or three! On Tuesdays in April from 1-3, all three law librarians – Shannon, Jean, and Mandy – will be available to help you in the Library’s 9th floor Reference Suite. This is a great time to get research assistance, tech help, or any other support the library provides.
If you aren’t able to make it during these times, please feel free to stop in during our usual reference hours, Mondays – Fridays, 9:30-5, when one of your five librarians – Shannon, Jean, Mandy, Emily, or Eric – will be able to help you. Just ask at the Service Desk. We are, as always, also available via email at refreq.
Barbri: Chicago-Kent 3Ls – BARBRI is here to help as graduation and the bar exam approach! Each of BARBRI’s three course options (gabriella.viola or by phone/text at (773) 896-3464.
Helix:
Victoria Percifield, Esq.
Attorney Regional Director for Helix Bar Review – the only not-for-profit bar review in the nation – asks that if you have any questions about our At-Cost UBE or CA Course, the MBE supplement, and free MPRE course to please email her at vpercifield.
Last Day to Register for Helix Bar Review for the July 2023 UBE or CA Course: May 15, 2023. We recommend you register before this date so that you can get your physical books in the mail by the time you begin studying!
Important Bar Exam Dates: Helix UBE or CA July 2023
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Monday, May 1 is the start of our 12-week program – ideal for the student who wants a little extra padding when it comes to his/her/their study schedule!
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Monday, May 15 is the start of our 10-week program – the traditional 10-week program is for students who will be able to study full-time after graduation!
Important PASS Class Dates: Using Helix to study for the July 2023 UBE or CA bar? We have LIVE webinars to help you PASS the bar! Get an in-depth look at the three portions of the bar exam, work on practice questions before bar prep, and get live feedback from your trusted Helix Directors!
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Saturday, May 6 – MPT or CA PT Class
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Saturday, May 13 – MBE Class
Kaplan: Kaplan Bar Review offers both live and on demand course options for bar seekers all in one package. With Kaplan Bar Review you receive a full-service bar course that contains over 4,500 MBE questions including NCBE released questions, unlimited essay grading + an essay bank, a pass guarantee or your money back if you do 75% of the course and so many other great features. You can do 100% of Kaplan Bar Review On Demand; or you can attend live streaming lectures at no charge. The lectures are recorded and available on-demand as well. For more information about course options for Chicago Kent students please reach out to sabrina.johnson
Themis: Themis Bar Review is designed to help you pass the bar exam. Using the most current research on memory retention and comprehension, we have built an online, on-demand lecture-based program. Our course offers innovative tools, including an Adaptive Calendar and Study Pacer that, together, help keep your study schedule on track. Pair those with a dedicated Personal Success Team, unlimited essay grading, and dynamic illustrations to reinforce rules and rationales, and you have resources that work for every type of student and every learning style. However you plan to study, you can trust that our transparent, expertly developed methods will help you walk into the bar exam with confidence.
Coffee ConneKtions: Coffee ConneKtions is an opportunity for alumni and students to get together and learn more about one another. Additionally, it is a chance for students to learn about the day-to-day life of a lawyer and discuss other pressing questions about the law in an informal setting. Students who wish to participate should sign up here for ONE event with an alum you are most interested in meeting with. Please do not sign up for multiple events or your registration will be deleted. The registrations are first come first serve, but you are welcome to sign up for an alums waitlist. Register here for Coffee ConneKtions
How to Succeed in a Public Interest Summer Internship: Have an internship this summer at a legal aid, government agency, or in the judiciary? Join the Career Services Office on Wednesday, April 26 at 3pm in Room C20 to hear from Chicago-Kent alumni who have supervised students and get tips on how to make the most of this summer as you build your legal career. Co-sponsored by the Career Services Office and the Public Interest Center.
Office of Continuing Legal and Professional Education: Please join us for the following upcoming conference(s). As faculty and staff of Chicago-Kent, you will receive complimentary registration. Enter the discount code: CKCLE1 at checkout.
39th Annual Section 1983 Civil Rights Litigation Conference l April 27-28, 2023
Liability arising out of §1983 claims continues to present challenges for courts across the country, and the Supreme Court has a large impact in this dynamic area of law. Join us for this two-day in-person conference to get up-to-date on the latest cases, trends, and strategies affecting §1983 litigation. You have the opportunity to examine both the law of §1983 as well as the litigation strategies that underlie successful cases. Experts in the field address the most important issues and provide wisdom for you as you tackle this year’s cases, whether you represent plaintiffs or defendants. As always, the conference provides an analytical approach to problems and offers practical advice about how to solve them.
Study Abroad Program: Spend your time this summer in beautiful Southern Germany! Augsburg University is offering a summer program for JD students in European and International Economic Law. This unique, six-week intensive program covers a wide range of courses taught by an esteemed international faculty, including our own Prof. Dan Kaz, and you can earn up to 6 ABA credits towards your JD degree. For more information, please see the summer program wmohdyusoff.
Resources
Mental Health Tip of the Week: Set Achievable Goals and Priorities
Don’t try to take on too much each day. Try to be mindful of what you need to accomplish now and what can wait. Be proactive with the goals you want to complete and set achievable goals for yourself.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
Other Resources at Kent:
https://kentlaw.iit.edu/law/student-experience/student-support/mental-health-and-wellness
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hf0sl9e727HdBVYTnQqkSDLInv6GUVJQxJJafpc9BX0/edit
Quiet Study in Library: As our community returns to in-person study and instruction at the Conviser Law Center, the Law Library, in conjunction with the Student Bar Association, wants to remind students that the Law Library is a quiet study space. Talking is discouraged in open seating areas where, if necessary, conversations should be brief and very quiet. For group study and discussion, the Law Library offers ten study rooms students can reserve at the Service Desk on the 9th floor.
Exit Escort Service: In the evening hours, a Public Safety officer is available to provide a walking escort for those with concerns about their personal safety. This service applies to any location within a two block radius of the Conviser Law Center, including Union Station and many adjacent parking locations. Please see the officer(s) on duty at the front desk, or call the Public Safety number, 312-906-5030. Please also see the below survey!
Student Organizations
Chicago-Kent Law Review Write-On Information: The Chicago-Kent Law Review’s Summer Write-On Program will be from May 14th, 2023, to May 28th, 2023.
Here is the link to the 2023 Write-On Google Drive. In the Google Drive, you will find the Information Session recording & slide deck, the 2023 Summer Write-On Instructions, and general information about the Chicago-Kent Law Review. Please note: You will need to request an exam number to participate in the Write-On and you may do so starting now until May 13th @ 5:00pm (instructions on how to request an exam number can be found in the Instruction Packet located in the Google Drive. Law Review will post the Write-On Problem to the Google Drive on May 14th!
Chicago-Kent Law Review: Publication Party & Panel – April 25th! Join Chicago-Kent Law Review for a luncheon celebrating our student publishers. If you’re interested in Law Review, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the publication process and the work you’ll do as a junior associate! Our student publishers have researched and written about various salient legal issues. They are excited to share their work with the CK Community! The event is from 12 pm – 1 pm in Morris Hall. Lunch will be provided for those who RSVP here by April 18th, 2023.
Chicago-Kent Trial Team Tryouts: Are you interested in receiving individual instruction on trial skills, making invaluable career connections with practicing attorneys, and having tons of FUN? Join Chicago-Kent’s nationally ranked Trial Team!
Who: Tryouts are open to any student not graduating this year.
When: Tryouts will be April 26th and April 27th from 4pm-9pm. Callbacks will be held April 28th, starting at 4pm.
Where: Marovitz and Kohen Courtroom
How: Sign up for a time slot by clicking here. You must sign up by April 24th.
What: Just prepare (for either side of the case — see below for detailed instructions): a 3-5 minute Opening Statement, a 10-15 question direct, a 10-15 question cross, and a 3-5 minute Closing Argument. If you would like to meet with a trial team member for some help before tryouts, please sign up here.
Informational packets with everything you need to know and the problem Ricki Rhodes v. Los Diablos Correctional Center and Pat Mercer are available by clicking here (information handout) and here (Los Diablos case).
Contact: cktrialtryouts with questions!
International Moot Court Honor Society (IMCHS):
Parents and Caregivers of Chicago-Kent (PACCK): Every 4th Monday, PACCK will be hosting a student lunch support hour from 12-2pm in the game room on the fifth floor. Food will be served. All are welcome; however, we highly encourage the attendance of parents and caregivers. Come eat and chat with parents and caregivers as we uplift and support one another. Please know this is meant to be a safe space where you are supported. Spread the word. PACCK specializes in supporting law students who have an extra responsibility of providing care to others. We’d love to see you there.
Sack Supper Stuffing with SBA: Come join the SBA Philanthropy Committee as we make 150 sack suppers for two Night Ministry stops the evening of April 25th. There are two opportunities to volunteer: April 24 from 5-6 pm or April 25 from 11 am to 1 pm. Both sessions will be in the Spak. If you have any questions, please reach out to Janie Sanford at jsanford1.
SBA Awards Reception: Please join us at the SBA Awards Reception luncheon this Wednesday, April 26th @ 12:00pm. All students/faculty/staff are welcome to attend, we just ask that you RSVP here by this evening.
Student Humanitarian Network Executive Board Elections: The SHN Board will be hosting elections to determine next year’s executive board. In order to run for these positions, please send in a short statement outlining why you would be a good fit for the position. Please submit these statements to shn with the subject line "2023 SHN Elections.”
Members can run for multiple positions. However, we ask that you list your preference for one over the other.
Please submit your statements by April 21, 2023, at 11:59 pm.
Elections will be held online between April 24 and April 27, 2023.
Results will be announced no later than April 28, 2021.
Study with REAA: Join REAA in room C20 on Tuesday (4/25) from 4-5pm to study, hang, and celebrate all your hard work! This will be an opportunity to prepare for class, ask questions, and build community.
Women in Law (WIL): SBA and Women in Law are partnering to collect gently worn prom dresses for special education high school students. Please bring in any dresses that a teenage student could be interested in wearing for prom and deposit in the bin just past the security desk. Don’t worry about wrinkles, we will be removing the dresses and hanging them up at the end of each day! Thank you for making some prom dreams come true!
*All dresses can be dropped off in a bin that will be located by the security desk.
Upcoming Events
APRIL 24-28: Collecting Prom Dress Donations
APRIL 24-25: IMCHS Tryouts for Jessup Team
APRIL 24-25: Sack Supper Stuffing w/ SBA Philanthropy Committee
APRIL 25: Study w/ REAA
APRIL 25: Chicago-Kent Law Review Publication Party & Panel
APRIL 26: SBA Awards Reception
APRIL 26: How to Succeed in a Public Interest Summer Internship
APRIL 26-27: CK Trial Team Tryouts
MAY 14: Commencement
MAY 14-28: Chicago-Kent Law Review Write-On Program
More events may be found on the SBA calendar. Please make sure you are accessing via your Kent email address.
Birthdays & Special Days – April/May:
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4/1 |
Isabelle Abbott, 3L |
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4/27 |
Brianna DeFrank, 1L |
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5/8 |
Emelia Vogel, 1L |
*if you wish to share your special date with the student body, clickhere