The Barrister's Ball: The Fun Side of Law School

It is often said that attending law school can feel like going back to high school.  Students start and end their day with a trip to the locker room, almost everyone eats lunch in the People's Court Cafe around 12:00, and instead of secretly passing notes in class, students send messages to one another via Gchat.  So, naturally, we also have a Prom. 

Every year, students and faculty members get excited for the Barrister's Ball.  This black-tie optional affair is a great opportunity to get to know your colleagues outside of the confines of the law school.  This year's Ball was held at the Columbus Anthenaeum in its beautiful Olympian Ballroom.  From 7:00 - 11:00, those in attendance enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and plenty of dancing.  Additionally, each person received a voucher for chips to use at one of six casino tables ran by celebrity professor dealers.

A unique aspect of this year's Ball was the addition of photo booths.  Everyone had free access to two booths, which fit up to fourteen people.  The booths offered unlimited photo printouts in color, black & white, or sepia.   People could also choose from a  number of outlandish props to include in the picture.  In addition to the photo booths, raffles for prizes from BarBri and other local businesses were held.

The Barrister's Ball is an event that no law student should miss.  It is a chance to dress up, cut loose, and have fun with classmates and professors.  A special thanks to the SBA for organizing such a memorable night!

Capital Recognized for Its High Bar Passage Rate

The LSAT is a test that has the power to produce mixed emotions from a lot of people.  Some enjoy cracking the puzzles of the logic games, while others cringe.  We are told that the LSAT is primarily designed to reflect success in law school.  So does this mean that if a person receives a low LSAT score, he or she will have a hard time passing the bar exam?

The National Jurist, a legal magazine distributed nationally, recently conducted a study looking at the correlation of LSAT scores and bar passage rate.  Researchers wanted to find out if law schools with a lower median LSAT had a lower bar passage rate.  They discovered that most schools have bar passage rates that correlate to their incoming LSAT scores, but that Capital "buck(ed) the average".  The article goes on to showcase Capital's high bar passage rate.

To highlight some of Capital's effective preparatory programs, the article quotes Professor Yvonne Twiss, Director of Bar Services, and former Student Bar Association President Thomas Siwo, L'11.  Siwo talks about his experience with the Academic Success Protocol, a program which helps admitted students prepare for law school, during the summer, before classes begin.  He states, "We spent 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in mock classes...practicing reading and writing techniques with professors who taught classes.  It really gave me a heads up on how to think and perform in law school."  Siwo's hard work paid off.  He passed the bar last summer and now practices law at Bricker & Eckler, one of Ohio's largest firms.

Professor Twiss talks about the success of the Capital Advanced Bar Studies (ABS) course.  In 2005, the American Bar Association lifted a ban on for-credit, in-house bar prep at law schools.  Capital crafted a course to help students get ready for the process of studying for the bar exam.  Although it is not mandatory, around 95% of students choose to take this class.  The course has certainly proven its value.  Now, after the implementation of ABS, the average percentage of first-time test takers passing the bar at Capital in the past five July exams is 90.26 percent, compared to 88.26 for all other Ohio schools.

Click here to view the entire article.

Capital Students Lend A Helping Hand

Based on my experience thus far as a Capital Law student, I have come to realize that there is a strong sense of camaraderie among the student population.  Before starting law school, I had heard tales of cut-throat students hiding books in the library to gain a competitive edge over their peers.  I wondered if this was going to be an accurate prediction for the next three years of my life.  But, my reservations proved to be false.  At Capital, students are quick to lend a helping hand.  Recently, this positive perception of mine was affirmed when I read about how Capital Law students are currently helping another student in a time of need.


Adam Bessler finished classes at Capital Law in December 2011.  With hopes to take the February bar exam, Adam began studying.  But, on February 6, 2012, Adam found out that his young son, Jameson, was diagnosed with leukemia.  Adam has now put the bar exam on hold to spend time with his family.  Adam's wife, Megan, has been working as a teacher at Jane's Montessori Academy and is due to have another little girl, Olivia, very soon.  To help alleviate the cost of Jameson's medical bills, and assist Adam and Megan with their day-to-day living expenses, students have donated money to "Jameson's Get Better Fast" cause. 


Yesterday, Jameson received some very good test results that puts him in the best possible prognosis for his leukemia.  But, this will still be a long road for Jameson and his family.  He is currently going through chemotherapy, and is being cared for at Nationwide Children's Hospital.  To help keep his spirits high, supporters have also been sending cards to Jameson's room.  Nationwide Children's actually has a website that allows cards to be ordered and sent directly to his room, J5321.


To stay up-to-date with Jameson's progress, the Bessler family has set up a Facebook page. After spending some time reading about Jameson's strength and positive attitude, you will see how this little boy is a true inspiration to us all.  I wish Jameson and his family all the best.  Here's to Jameson getting better fast!

Experience Capital Law

Are you still on the fence about whether you want to apply to law school?  Maybe you have already been accepted at Capital but you are unsure about what to expect as a Capital Law student?  The decision of where to attend law school is one that requires a lot of thought.  Luckily, Capital offers a number of programs throughout the year to help prospective students make an informed and confident choice.

I remember how excited I was when I received my acceptance letter from Capital University Law School.  However, I suspected moving from a rural undergraduate campus to a law school located in downtown Columbus was going to be an adjustment.  I knew that I was going to have to visit Capital first in order to quell any fears associated with relocating to a city.  That is when I heard about an upcoming Capital Law Accepted Students Day.  I immediately made a reservation.

The time soon arrived to attend the event.  I woke up early one Saturday morning, left Oxford, and was en route to Columbus.  As it turned out, the accepted students day solidified my desire to attend Capital Law School.  The faculty, staff, and students involved in planning the event were so welcoming that I immediately felt comfortable in the school.  I particularly remember an inspiring presentation by a recent Capital Law grad who had defended a young man accused of murder.  This young attorney spoke of her hard work gathering new evidence and uncovering the truth behind a careless crime scene investigation which ultimately led to a resounding verdict of not guilty.  I left Columbus that day feeling confident that Capital would provide me with an outstanding legal education.

It is important to note that I am not the only person who thinks highly of these types of events.  Capital recently hosted an Open House that numerous prospective students attended.  The positive evaluations of the event were overwhelming.  Persons in attendance thought the activities, which included presentations on professional development, admissions, and financial aid, were both engaging and informative.  Additionally, the student panel discussion received rave reviews.  Based on a final evaluation survey, not a single person stated he or she was less inclined to apply after attending this event.

As you can see, attending an open house, or an accepted students day, is a great way to make your decision of whether to apply or attend Capital Law School easier.  To stay up-to-date with the latest information regarding open houses and events visit http://law.capital.edu/Experience/.  If you cannot attend one of these Experience Capital events, you can always set up an individual visit where the Office of Admissions will tailor a visit to your individual needs.

Columbus, OH: A Foodie's Hidden Mecca

When one thinks of Columbus, OH, the first thing that probably comes to mind is college football.  But, if you look closely, you will find that there is much more to this city than pigskins and buckeyes.  For those of you unfamiliar with the term, a "foodie" is defined as "a person having an avid interest in the latest food fads."  It may come as a surprise to learn that Columbus cuisine has been showcased in the Chicago Tribune and on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations.  But, after discovering the diverse range of culinary options scattered throughout the city, you will understand why the Columbus food-scene is steadily gaining momentum.  Below are three ways the city of Columbus can help you discover your inner foodie.

North Market
Located in the heart of the Arena District, the North Market is a smorgasbord of tasty eats.  A great spot for lunch, the North Market is home to dozens of diverse vendors.  Patrons have their choice of Indian, Vietnamese, Barbecue, Sushi, and many more.  For those with a sweet tooth, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is a must.  Using a wide-array of Ohio ingredients, Jeni's transforms normal ice cream into bold flavor experiences with options such as "Goat Cheese with Cognac Figs" and "Cumin and Honey Butterscotch Cake".  Looking to improve your cooking skills?  Check the schedule at the School of Cooking and take a class upstairs in the Dispatch Kitchen.  For more information, and a full list of vendors, visit www.northmarket.com.

Columbus Food Adventures
Tired of only spending time with your study group in the library?  Or maybe you want to impress that girl in your Torts class with an awesome first date?  Columbus Food Adventures is the way to go.  Owner, Bethia Woolf, will lead you on an exciting food-oriented tour of Columbus.  Tours include:  German Village Tour, Alt Eats Tour, Short North Food Tour, Taco Truck Food Tour, and All Dessert Tour.  In addition to Bethia's tremendous amount of local cuisine knowledge, stops on the tour will involve private meetings with restaurant owners, head chefs, or bakers.  And, best of all, each tour provides plenty of samples.  As a past participant of the All Dessert Tour, I would definitely advise anyone interested to wear loose fitting pants the day of the event.  To purchase tickets, visit www.columbusfoodadventures.com.


Food and Drink Festivals
Throughout the year, Columbus hosts numerous food and drink festivals.  Most recently, I attended the Columbus Beerfest.  With the purchase of a ticket, each guest received a commemorative tasting glass and twenty-five sampling tickets.  The festival showcased over fifty craft breweries including Columbus natives:  Columbus Brewing Company, Barley's, and Elevator.  If you are disappointed that you missed out on this event, don't fret.  Another beer festival, AleFest-Columbus, is Saturday, February 4, featuring over 180 great beers from various breweries around the world.

The Food Truck craze has propelled mobile dining into the mainstream.  This past summer marked the first annual Food Truck and Cart Fest held at Columbus Commons - a downtown grassy oasis.  Over twenty vendors parked their trucks and carts on the lawn, and Columbus residents got the chance to discover a great variety of sandwiches, tacos, crepes, and desserts.  Judging by the popularity of the event last year, I expect to hear about a second festival this summer.  Just remember, these mobile eateries can set up almost anywhere, so it can be difficult to track them down on the street.  But, if you find one you like, most trucks and carts keep Facebook or Twitter pages up-to-date with their latest locations.

Holiday Stress Relief

Tuesday, November 29, marked the Second Annual Capital University Law School Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest.  Students scoured eBay, thrift stores, and their mothers' closets in search of the most fashionably heinous garment they could find.  With finals beginning next week, stress levels are running high.  But, yesterday, instead of worrying about exams, students were able to spread some holiday cheer and share a lot of laughs together.

The 2L class hosted the contest.  Participants were required to give a brief explanation of their ugly sweaters before strutting their stuff down the aisle in front of the distinguished judging panel.  The judges, Dean Jennifer DiSanza, Dean Rachel Janutis, and Director Shawn Beem, proved to be critical, yet fair.  The Dean of Capital Law School, Richard Simpson, was in attendance as well.  Unfortunately, he showed up in a suit, not an ugly sweater, but, there is always next year...

The student outfits did not disappoint.  A wide variety of clothing and accessories were modeled:  a shirt with a bedazzled Barack Obama in a Santa hat, a penguin onesie, and a sweater with a colorful collage of scenes from The Grinch.  A special thanks to Ryan Schick, who not only participated in the competition, but was also the primary planner of the event.  I encourage everyone to be a part of the Ugly Sweater Contest next year.  You are guaranteed to have a good time!

Oyez, Oyez, Oyez

The Chief Justice of The Supreme Court of the United States calls upon the Petitioner to approach the podium and begin oral arguments.  The first advocate rises from counsel table.  Although there is great confidence in his stride, his mind is racing.  He tries his best to suppress the nervous thoughts creeping into his head.  Standing behind the podium, he stares into five sets of eyes.  The judges look eager to ask questions, hoping to find holes in his argument.  He has spent countless hours over the last two months preparing for this day, and, now, it all comes down to this.  He takes one last deep breath, and proclaims, "Mister Chief Justice, and may it please the court."

The four members of the Fall National Moot Court Team experienced this scenario first-hand the weekend of November 19 and 20.  The team traveled to Thomas M. Cooley Law School, in Lansing, Michigan, to compete in the regional competition.  The competition was scored using points from a written appellate brief and points from an oral argument.  I was lucky enough to accompany these students as a Moot Court 2L Fellow.  Throughout the semester, I helped the team members prepare for the competition.  It was such a great experience to watch these talented individuals steadily improved with each practice, and their hard work paid off in the end.

The team of Emily Jackson and Courtney Yeager excelled in the first two qualifying rounds.  After the first day, Emily and Courtney were the second seeded team in the tournament.  The next day, they skillfully argued their way into the semi-finals.  In the semi-final round, these two fantastic competitors put forth truly amazing arguments.  Ultimately, the team lost to a talented Cleveland-Marshall duo by a margin of a few points.  But, Emily and Courtney did not leave Michigan empty-handed.  Out of all of the competitors at the tournament, Emily Jackson won 2nd Best Oral Advocate and Courtney Yeager won 4th Best Oral Advocate.

The team of Rachel Sabo and Stefan Thomas also performed brilliantly.  After watching both of these competitors in action, I hope I never have to argue against either one in court.  Rachel and Stefan prevailed over teams from Ohio State and Case Western on oral argument points by large margins.  Additionally, Rachel was awarded with the Best Oralist prize at the Capital Law Honor Round, and Stefan was the only competitor at the regional tournament to score a perfect oral argument score of 50  in a preliminary round.

Traveling with the Moot Court Team to Michigan was a very rewarding experience.  These four Capital Law students were fantastic representatives of the law school.  The coaches, Professor Susan Simms and Professor Jeff Snapp, also deserve recognition.  They worked hard throughout the semester organizing practice judge panels and offering valuable advice to the competitors.  Knowing how hard these students and faculty members work has given me a greater appreciation for the Moot Court program.  I hope I will be able to compete on the team next year, and I wish all of the additional Moot Court Teams competing in the spring the best of luck!