Spring Semesters

As classmates return to class I want to point out that law school spring semester has a few differences than the fall semester (this is especially important for 1Ls)

1. You may be in a second part of a class (Torts, Civ Pro, Property, Contracts, Constitutional Law, etc.).  This means that you will continue to learn about the same topic, BUT will not review all that was learned in the fall semester..
     -DO NOT waste time on exams reciting details form concepts you learned and covered in the fall.     -DO mention concepts on the exam, but don't go into details
     -DO remember concepts, just because Torts 1 is don't forget it
    -DO keep those notes handy, but you don't need to review them for exams.
2. I suggest that you get two binders (about 1 1/2" wide) one for each semester
     -Put material from Property 1 in the first binder and then keep it out on a bookshelf in the Spring
     -Put material from Property 2 in second binder and keep that with you for studying
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3. Flashcards from Civ. Pro. 1 can be stored, but keep them handy in case you need to review a concept.
    -Flashcards should also be stored and saved so that you can use them for review at Bar time
     -Consider premade flashcards that you can add notes to (great to add state specific items

***Something link Critical Pass Flahscards can help with both classes and MBE bar prep***
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4. At some point during the semester, you will realize the weather is nice and you want to study outside or read outside.  DO IT!  Don't confine yourself to only studying inside, unless you are allergic to the outdoors, being outside is important.  You get Vitamin D from the sun, and more importantly it helps you relax and destress.  Research has show that blood pressure can drop just from being outside and looking at nature.
5. If it is your first semester, have an idea of what your GPA is and then figure out what the absolute worst you can do on all your exams is without dropping to a 2.0 or lower.  It sounds counter-intuitive, but knowing how bad you can perform and stay in law school actually helps.  I realized that I could get an F on one exam, and other than the headache of trying to retake the class I would still be able to stay in law school, and more realistically that I could get a D in Torts (my hardest class) and still be fine if I got a B in Legal Writing and Research (which was my strongest).
6. If it is your last semester, realize that you can't fail a class that is required to graduate or that you need the credits to reach your minimum required credits to graduate.  HOWEVER, you don't need to knock it out of the park either.  You need to pass your classes to graduate, but they will not drop you out of law school if you somehow end up getting a D in every single one of your classes your last semester.  Please try and pass, but realize it doesn't have to be a wow knock it out of the park grade.

Consider getting Amazing Prime for Students, because you can get supplies (like index cards or flashcards above) and prep material with free 2 day shopping.  Also, you will benefit from the video and music access during bar prep time.

Michael H. v. Gerald D. afterwards

Michael H. v. Gerald D., 491 U.S. 110 (1989)
I have now read this case twice, once in Family Law and once in Constitutional Law.  Justia has the opinion that can be read here for free.  https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/491/110/

The case amazes me, mainly because there is DNA genetic evidence that the husband is not the girl's biological father.  In each class discussion the question of what would be different if this had been a divorced mother whose daughter had visitation to her dad compared to what happened here?
In 1989 maybe the definition of family was different than it is now, but divorce and shared custody was occurring at this time.

In any case, the aftermath is what usually interests me.
While I think I found the mother and who the husband and daughter are, it is not appropriate to post their photos or information here.  At the time this happened the girl was a child and her privacy should be respected.
However, what impresses me was that Michael kept fighting to see his daughter, and the court continued to rule against him. (http://articles.latimes.com/1992-06-21/magazine/tm-1114_1_supreme-court)