« Game Day | Main | Missing Homeownership »
Whew. Three to go.
CivPro is byebye. Issues I "spotted":
- document requests
- motions for dismissal
- compulsory joinder of parties
- objections to document requests (including attny-client privilege, work product doctrine, and overly broad or overly burdensome requests)
- motions to compel discovery
- motions for summary judgment
- choice of law (Erie)
- standards for appellate review of different issues
- JMOL motions both at close of evidence and after the verdict (a.k.a., JNOV)
- motions for new trial
- appellate review of JMOL, new trial, and interlocutory appeals under collateral order doctrine and/or 28 USC 1292
If there was anything about preclusion doctrine on there, I didn't see it. In all, the exam was either awful or terrific; I was done with my first take on all nine questions in just over two hours. Problem: It was a three hour exam. I went back through to check answers, polish some things, add in more obscure issues, etc. I found some problems and holes to fill, but not too much. So either I just knew it and type really fast and got it all down, or I missed some big issues. Probably the latter, but we'll see. Doesn't matter much at this point, does it?
But it does matter in that I'm trying to figure out if there's anything to be learned from this experience as far as study habits go. Last semester I labored in obscurity on every exam, making my little outlines and running through practice questions on my own. That worked, um, just ok. For this CivPro exam, I worked much more with other people, trading notes, discussing issues, and running through sample questions and answers in a group setting where everyone could point out what anyone else was missing. So the question is: Which works better? The solo or the group method? I guess I'll learn something when grades come out this summer.
Now, it's time for contracts, sales, and UCC for you and me. Or me, anyway.
Posted April 27, 2004 04:53 PM | law school
Well, Ambimb, congratulations on your first exam down!
Good luck with Contracts when that comes up, just remember to be careful with 2-207 and the Statute of Frauds.
Posted by: Matthew at April 27, 2004 06:20 PM
That looks like it covered most everything else if your professor follows the same plan mine does. The lack of preclusion is odd, though. Prof Civ Pro really hammered us the last two weeks of class on it, so I can't imagine it not appearing. It's sorta tough to overlook, too.
Congrats on finishing Civ Pro. And good luck on contracts. I'm in the same boat. Outlining the Farnsworth treatise right now (well, not right now).
Posted by: Steve at April 27, 2004 06:48 PM
One exam down -- congrats!
Posted by: transmogriflaw at April 27, 2004 08:05 PM
Sometimes profs just don't mention something you were *sure* they'd get to. My Crim prof last semester spent a full week on rape, and then didn't even hint at it on the final. In fact, our two issue spotters were almost identical in the crimes at issue. It was kind of weird.
Anyway, congrats on one being down. I actually have COntracts tomorrow, so I feel your pain. Goos luck.
Posted by: Adam at April 27, 2004 08:45 PM
To study group or not to study group is a tough one. To be honest, it depends on who you are studying with. If you are studying with top students or others who have great insights, studying in a group is absolutely critical. On the other hand, if you are studying with people who don't get it, studying with a group is pretty much a waste of time, and may even hurt you.
-- Someone who has been here
Posted by: Anonymous at April 27, 2004 11:30 PM
For me the group vs. solo studying thing may come down to diligence. On my own, I can waste a ton of time; if I'm working w/someone else, I somehow seem to stay more focused. At least some of the time. There must be a balancing point there somewhere...
Posted by: ambimb at April 28, 2004 12:59 PM
I haven't tried any group studying since undergrad when I got sick of doing 90% of the group work in certain econ classes that required group papers or presentations. I know law students as a group are more diligent than the 20 year old Business Management major in a class focusing on the economies of former Soviet republics, but I haven't been able to overcome the prejudice against group studying.
Posted by: Steve at April 28, 2004 08:38 PM
