This week in the Law School
This is bar exam preparation week. Prepare yourselves!
Monday
Bar exam information session and bar preview program launch
Noon - 1 p.m. in the DeLaney Moot Court Room
Director Katie Beck will provide an overview of the national components of the bar exam, jurisdiction-specific exam components and admissions requirements, and an approach to gathering the necessary information and documentation for those applying this semester. She will also offer an overview of the 2025 Bar Preview Program, designed to support Law School students as they apply and study for the July 2025 bar exam.
This session is designed for 3Ls but 2Ls are also welcome. Please RSVP on CareerNet.
Brownies and bar questions tabling
1 - 2:30 p.m. in the first floor lobby
Stop by the OSA table to learn more about the bar exam, get your questions answered, and grab a sweet treat.
Tuesday
Bagels and bar questions tabling
9:30 - 11 a.m. on the first floor lobby
Stop by the OSA table to learn more about the bar exam, get your questions answered, and grab a Gables Bagel.
Bar preparation vendor fair
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the first floor lobby
Get ready for bar preparation with all the information you need in one place! Representatives from leading bar prep companies will be on hand to share details about their programs and answer your questions. Learn about course options, study tools, and exclusive discounts while connecting with company and student representatives who can guide you in choosing the right bar prep resources for your needs.
Panel: Chicago Women in IP
Noon - 1 p.m. in 213
Join four alumni practicing IP in Chicago for a virtual discussion. Learn about their backgrounds, diverse real-world experiences and practical advice for a career in IP. Also learn about ChiWIP, a Chicago-based professional organization. Participating alumni are Danielle K. Muñoz '13, partner, Fitch Even; Francesca Cardillo '15, senior counsel, Wheels LLC; Allison Strong '22, associate, Nixon Peabody; Vanessa (Qixuan) Wang '24, associate, Marshall Gerstein.
Lunch provided with RSVP.
PLA general body meeting
Noon - 1 p.m. in 120
Join Plaintiffs' Law Association for our first general body meeting! We'll cover PLA's upcoming events and leadership opportunities. All students are welcome to enjoy lunch and get to know our current executive board.
Bar preparation vendor demonstrations
1:15 p.m. - 5:25 p.m. Schedule below
See what each bar preparation company can offer you by attending product demonstrations with the company representatives. These demos are intended to give you a sneak peek of each company’s offerings and help you make educated decisions about your bar exam preparations.
Vendor demonstrations:
- 1:15-2:10 in 214: Barbri (Mary Cerpeau)
- 1:15-2:10 in 222: Helix (Sherriee Detzler)
- 2:20-3:15 in 203: Themis (Miranda Sarhan)
- 3:25-4:20 in 222: IndyBar (Deneen Fitzgerald)
- 4:30-5:25 in 125: Kaplan (Brad Steinberg)
Wednesday
Community and Culture
Noon - 1 p.m. in 213
The Office for Community, Inclusion, and Engagement will host our first event of the semester. The discussion will provide space for open discussion regarding local, state, and federal concerns. Light refreshments will be provided.
Bar application drop-in clinic: Preparing Character and Fitness applications
2:30 - 4 p.m. in the Faculty Conference Room (335)
Drop by to receive information and support with preparing the Character and Fitness portion of your bar exam application.
Bar preparation alumni panel
5 - 6 p.m. on Zoom
Hear from panel of recent graduates about their experiences studying for and taking the bar exam. The panel will help students set realistic expectations and offer strategic advice for preparing logistically and psychologically for an intensive study period.
Thursday
Coffee with first generation professors
Noon - 1 p.m. in 214
Join First Generation Law Students Association for a discussion over coffee with first-generation professors Jennifer Oliva, Donald Gjerdingen, Alvin Velasquez, and Dean Gabriel Escobedo.
Lunch and Learn
Noon - 1 p.m. in 213
Inquire with Career Services Office for details.
Mindset management for bar preparation
Noon - 1 p.m. in 124
This interactive session aims to equip soon-to-be Law School graduates with practical strategies for cultivating a positive mindset and managing stress effectively during bar preparation, helping them approach the process with confidence and resilience.
Space is limited and lunch will be provided. Please RSVP on CareerNet.
Lunar New Year celebration
4 - 6 p.m. in the Student Lounge
Celebrate Lunar New Year with Asian Pacific American Law Student Association and enjoy a Chinese food buffet.
Friday
No events.
Sunday
Maurer Skates 2025
1 - 3 p.m. (Western Skateland, 17th Street)
Dean Escobedo and Director Ghazal invite everyone to a Law School skate. There will be snacks and other refreshments. There is no need to RSVP; just show up ready to skate and have fun! Skates are included.
Announcements
Call for Authors: American Inns of Court Warren E. Burger Prize
American Inns of Court invites judges, lawyers, professors, students, scholars, and other authors to participate in its 2025 Warren E. Burger Prize for Writing. Authors should submit an original, unpublished, 10,000–20,000 word essay on a topic that addresses the issues of excellence in legal skills, civility, ethics, and professionalism. The winning author will receive a $5,000 cash prize plus airline tickets to DC and hotel accommodations for the annual American Inns of Court Celebration of Excellence Supreme Court of the United States black tie event the last Saturday in October. The submission deadline for the 2025 Warren E. Burger Prize is July 1, 2025. Read more information.
Pro bono hours reporting for the classes of 2025 and 2026
Class of 2025 graduates must report their own cumulative pro bono hours by April 1 to be recognized at graduation. And Class of 2026 students should report their hours to be entered to win a Kaplan Bar Prep Course. Make sure to continue logging your pro bono hours on Tick this semester! Every hour counts. Check out the Access to Justice Program's website for more information!
Tickets on sale: 37th annual Rapheal M. Prevot, Jr. Barristers’ Ball
The Black Law Students Association will host the 37th annual Rapheal M. Prevot, Jr. Barristers’ Ball, "A Starry Night Masquerade," on Saturday, March 1, 6:30 – 11 p.m. at the Woolery Mill. Tickets are available for purchase through February 14, starting at $75 per person for students and $90 for faculty, staff, and alumni. Prices will increase throughout the window for students, so hurry and buy early! Purchase tickets and learn more about the ball. Send questions to eventlaw@iu.edu.
Faculty and staff News
Prof. Sarah Jane Hughes gave two presentations at the Cyber & Technology Institute co-sponsored by the American Bar Association and the Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, January 24, 2025. The first was related to the rash of actions against Synapse and Evolve Bank by individuals and bank regulators following the bankruptcy of Synapse with as much as $95 million missing from accounts held for the benefit of customers of Synapse that affect customers of synapse that arguably are not in privity with Synapse and not covered by federal deposit insurance. The second was a review of the various actions against other providers of electronic financial services with actions by the CFPB, FTC, DOJ, and state AGs highlighted.
Professor Hughes also curated and edited The Cyberspace Law Survey issue that will appear in the Winter 2024-2025 issue of The Business Lawuer, a peer-reviewed journal. Professor Hughes also co-wrote one of the Survey articles on – surprise – payments and financial services.
Prof. Leandra Lederman co-presented her new working paper, "Deductions' Limits," with her co-author, Prof. Sarah Lawsky (Northwestern), on January 29, 2025 in the Missouri Law School Tax Policy Colloquium, hosted by Prof. David Gamage on Zoom.
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About ILA
Indiana Law Annotated is published Sundays during the school year with events and announcements for the coming week.
Submit announcements and faculty news to ila@iu.edu and event requests to our online tool by noon of the Thursday before publication. Entries may be edited for consistent presentation.