Hi Everyone! This summer, I am working for a judge in the civil department of the Los Angeles Superior Court. My co-extern bailed before our job started, so I have a one-on-one relationship with the judge which is allowing me to learn a lot, but is sometimes intimidating.

I am most struck by how much time and how many resources our court system will give to a meaningless dispute. The judge I work for is a hard-working and learned man, who spends hours of his days dealing with people who are blatantly taking advantage of our system's low-bar to entry. If I were permitted to discuss the Court's business, I would have tales to tell.

I am quite lucky because I get to watch lawyers come into court every morning and advocate for their clients. It took about 5 minutes to see the difference between a good attorney and a bad attorney. Every day, I learn how I can use my license in a better way.

Mostly, I am learning to be well-prepared. It is striking to see how many lawyers don't know their stuff.

-- NonaFarahnik - 17 Jun 2010