Gill Trial Competition

By Breanna Hayes
This trimester, CWSL saw the expansion of intramural sports thanks in part to 2L, Jonathan Gonzalez. In previous years, CWSL’s Student Bar Association has partnered with Thomas Jefferson School of Law to offer co-ed basketball and flag football leagues. New to the lineup this trimester is the co-ed intramural soccer league, consisting of 3 teams of majority Cal Western players. Under Jon’s direction, the SBA aims to further expand the program and offer basketball and soccer leagues in both the fall and spring trimesters. There is even rumor of a kickball league coming Spring 2020! If you don’t think sports are your thing, guaranteed you can dodge a ball better than you can dodge an Einesman cold call (but respect to Patches O’Houlihan all the same).
By Dimple Chauhan
Hello everyone! My name is Dimple Chauhan and I have the pleasure of serving as your American Bar Association (ABA) Representative, here, at CWSL. California Western is an ABA accredited school, however, most students do not know what that means, nor do they know just what amazing perks students get for joining the ABA.
The ABA is one of the world’s largest voluntary professional organizations, with over 400,000 legal professionals members. The ABA’s mission includes: serving memberships by providing benefits, programs, and services, which promote members’ professional growth; advocating for the legal profession by promoting: the best quality legal education, competence, ethical conduct and professionalism; and eliminating bias to enhance diversity by promoting full and equal participation in the association and in the justice system. Even though this is all great, as law students, the ABA will directly benefit YOU, too.
By The Commentary
Evidence. The single most important concept that makes or breaks your case.
You don’t fear the guy that stays seated when he objects and mumbles:
Abel Michelson : “uhh your honor, I think…well, maybe…that is character evidence.”
Judge Old Chief : “Overruled.”
Abel Michelson: “…I mean, under rule 601….oops…I meant 803, this should not be allowed because it is a past crime.”
Judge Old Chief : “Wrong. Overruled.”
At this point Abel Michelson gives up…and boom, you win the case. Why? Because the evidence that just came into trial demolished your entire case. It ate away your theory. And it quenched its thirst with your theme. A lawyer who knows how to make the rules of evidence work in their favor, simply, wins the game.
Continue reading “3L Ryan Stygar Publishes First NonFiction Book: Understanding Trial Objections”
By Nicolas Ahadzadeh
Election time for the 52nd district of California is coming up quickly. According to BallotPedia, the candidate filing deadline is December 6, 2019 and the primary election is March 3, 2020. Katie Pope, a current 2L at California Western School of Law, is taking advantage of these deadlines. Katie will be submitting her candidacy for Congress in the 52nd district this week.
Continue reading “From California Western to California Congress”
By Nicolas Ahadzadeh
Law students often leave money on the table. After working at the circulation desk of the California Western Law Library, I have noticed that a significant amount of reserve materials go un-used. This article aims to shed some light on those resources, and how those resources can make the difference between a B and an A.
Black’s Law Dictionary
Not only is Black’s Law Dictionary on reserve, but there are several copies on the open reference shelves as well. Professors want to teach you the law, but that’s not an easy task if you don’t know the definitions! Professor Bohrer shared a story of his first property class with me. His class was discussing a case about a replevin cause of action and no one could answer the question, “what is the definition of replevin?” In a scenario like this one, knowing the definition could save you from the embarrassment of not knowing the answer and/or make you the hero of class! If you ever stumble across a word that you don’t know during your assigned readings (which will probably happen often), take a look at Black’s Law Dictionary for the proper definition.
Study Aids – General
The library has a vast number of study aids for each subject matter. Did your Civil Procedure professor confuse you about when a certain doctrine applies? (such an Erie time for all of us). Check out the Gilbert Law Summaries from the library. Does your Criminal Law professor go off on strange tangents about equestrians and you didn’t quite get the analogy? Check out the Examples & Explanations book!
By Varun Sabharwal
On September 14, 2019, your favorite student-run newspaper, The Commentary, set out with benches, signs, and very little sunscreen, to pick up trash between the sandy grains of Ocean Beach. Our mission was twofold: (1) raise awareness for the need to keep our beaches clean, and (2) educate people that their garbage can be a hinderance for the myriad of creatures that also inhabit our planet.
Students (and zombies, if you’ve read our zombie apocalypse poll)! Feeling a little tired? Need a little rush? PERFECT, now you can get a shot… Wait what? Starting tonight, April 10, 2019, there will be evening and weekend coffee service available in the 350 building through April 19th! Enjoy & good luck on finals #Caffeine Continue reading HEADS UP:
By Varun Sabharwal, Entertainment Editor
California Western School of Law is home to an enviable history of producing fine oral advocates. From the tribulations of the jury box, to the finesse of standing at a lectern before judges of the Courts of Appeal, we’ve seen these advocates grow and learn. As members of the Moot Court Honors Board (MCHB), we’ve helped build the foundation for these advocates, when they were just law students. From organizing the Gafford competition for our 1L’s to administering the logistics for our competitive teams, at every step of the way, the MCHB has been there, ensuring that our school always puts its best foot forward.
Students excelled this trimester in both external (inter-school) and internal (intra-school) competitions:
Continue reading “The Courtroom is my Playfield: Moot Court news”