Blog 24: Last Presentation Reflection

I'm Done!!! I'm finally done!!

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

I am most proud that my block presentation was really engaging for the most part and interesting to most of the people that came to visit my presentation. I understand law can be a very dull topic, but I wanted to make it easy to understand and very very intriguing and I feel that I did just that. 


(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation?  Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

AE       P          AP       CR       NC

I would give myself an AE maybe a high P because not only did I meet the time required but I also was able to engage my audience effectively and provide sources and quality information to all my answers. I also told a lot of stories I had with my mentor. I introduced my mentor. My EQ was displayed aesthetically to the audience. I knew my information and I know I demonstrated how knowledgeable I am. 

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project? Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

AE       P          AP       CR       NC

On my overall senior project I would give myself an AE maybe a high P because I met all the requirements that were necessary. I turned everything on time. I also tried to go above and beyond on all my components, interviews, and lessons. 

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

I feel like what worked for me in my senior project was that I did enjoy my topic and I did learn a lot of information that I can now apply and understand prior to going to law school.

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project?

I would like to mention that my last answer was the most difficult to decide upon and definitely the most difficult one to find information on. 

(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples.

The senior project has given me an insight of law and has allowed me an experience of what it will be like. I love that I could have had this opportunity prior to entering law school that way I am one step ahead of my competition/ peers. Thanks to the research checks i understand a lot more. Thanks to the mentorship, I have now have job experience and an insight on what is in store for me in the future. The entire senior project essentially allowed me to manage my time more effectively and really learn how to priorize effectively. 

Exit Interview

Content:
(1) What is your essential question, and what are your answers?  What is your best answer and why?

How can a civil attorney maximize the chances of an immediate settlement?

Answer #1: Communication

Answer #2: Pre-trial Motions

Answer #3: ADR

Best Answer: ADR and Communication 

This is my best answer because ADR has been proven to be effective since its early beginnings and today has become what many people turn to when in need of resolving a case quickly without having to deal with a lengthy trial. Not to mention it saves a LOT of money! I feel communication would also be included as a good addition to ADR because good communication can make ADR, especially mediation, more effective as communication and compromise are key in this type of ADR. 

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?

Well there was no specific process, the only thing I really did was weigh the pros and cons of each and both communication and ADR seemed to be the best. Pre-trial motions wouldn't be the best because it can be risky at times and at others, attorneys just write up motions to charge the client more for each new motion written up, even when they aren't approved. 

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

I did have a problem with choosing pre-trial motions because I had no idea that they could be used to avoid trials. It took quite a bit of research and talking with my mentor to finally figure it out.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

Source 65

Source 66

Source 35

Source 34

All these sources helped me answer my essential question because it provided me with a sufficient amount of information to weigh the pros and cons of my answers in order to decide on which ones were the best. 

Independent Component 2

This song should be definitely playing because is our last senior project component before our FINAL LESSON!!!

LITERAL(a) Include this statement: “I, Karla Milicich, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 38 hours of work.”(b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component.

• Source 65

• Source 64

• Source 63

• Source 59

• Source 44

• Source 35

• Source 34

• Source 33

• Source 31

(c) Update your Independent Component 2 Log (which should be under your Senior Project Hours link)

Done

(d) Explain what you completed.    

I completed a booklet concerning alternatives to trial and other extra tidbits that may be helpful. (Click Here for Booklet) I completed a pamphlet on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as it is one of my answers to my EQ. (Click Here for Pamphlet) I also made a review of my children's book and a quick summary of it. (Click Here for Children's Book) I also completed a review of a graphic novel. I didn't create a graphic novel but I did create a concept and plot for it. (Click Here for Graphic Novel Review)

(e) Defend your work and explain the component's significance and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.   

I have links to all of my work above. I also have a log of my hours and what I did throughout my log. Hopefully you enjoy it! I put a lot of work and time into it. 

(f)How did the component help you answer your EQ? Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped. 

The component helped me answer my eq because I realized that through most of my research, ADR was the most prominently used alternative. However, good communication is encouraged and motions aren't as encouraged. It was a little shocking to me but the component was rather fun and I enjoyed some of it. I'm not going to lie. It was a lot of work, but I tried my best and that's what counts right?

Interview 4 Reflection

Well, this was my last interview of this project and it has finally come and gone!

Here is my Interview 4 audio.

Here is my Interview 4 transcript.

1. What is the most important thing I learned from the interview?  


The most important thing I learned from this interview was the fact that attorneys used motions as a form to rack up fees and incorrectly represent their client at an economic level. It was also surprising that it is seen as a form of protection for the client. 

2.  How will what I learned affect my final lesson?

From what I have learned from this interview, I feel I will include the part about the attorneys and motions. This does slightly affect how I will talk about motions. I thought they were a good answer to ending trials, but not at the expense that the client will be run dry of their money because of it. 

Blog 20 - Fourth Interview Questions

Well, it's the last interview and I think I'm getting better at this "interviewing" thing.

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  What is this person's area of expertise?

I plan to interview my mentor again as I feel he is the best fit to help me find more information on my final three answers to my essential question. As previously mentioned in my Blog 2, "He is great at what he does. He completed his undergraduate studies at Azusa Pacific University and received a Juris Doctor at the College of Law at the University of La Verne. He specializes in conservatorships, guardianships, and civil and business litigation. He is frequently appointed by the court to advise and serve as a PVP in cases concerning conservatorships and guardianships.  He also has conducted several seminars on Special Needs Trusts for the mentally disabled and has drafted many (and I mean many) such Trusts. Aside from this, he has been an instructor of Business Law at Citrus College."

2.  Post 20 open-ended questions you want to ask an expert in the field concerning your senior project. Your focus should be finding answers to your EQ.

1. What information should a client know and understand before going to trial?  
2. How do you explain to your client about the alternatives to trial?
3. How many times, on average, is your client's case settled prior to going to trial?
4. How would one go about informing the public of alternatives to going to trials, such as mediation and arbitration? 
5. Would you say that alternative dispute resolutions are an effective form of avoiding trial? Why or why not?
6. How do you prepare for mediation?
7. How do you prepare for arbitration?
8. Do you feel that arbitration is more effective than mediation or vice versa and why?
9. Do you normally write up pre-trial motions for the trials you deal with?
10. How do you normally describe pre-trial motions, or motions in general, to your clients?
11. How do you go about preparing for submitting a pre-trial motion?
12. Would you say that pre-trial motions are effective most of the time in avoiding a trial? Why or why not?
13. Would you consider pre-trial motions as a good way to settling a case quicker and why or why not?
14. Would you say that a good relationship with a client and their attorney is key when going through a civil procedure? Why or why not? 
15. How would you describe the "perfect" or at least "ideal" relationship between an attorney and their client?
16. Would you agree that a good relationship with the opposing counsel will help for an easier settlement? Why or why not?
17. How many times, on average, would you say you get along with your opposing counsel?
18. How would you describe the ideal relationship between opposing counsels?
19. Are good relationships within the law community an advantage when proceeding to trial? Why or why not?
20. Based on the questions that I have given, what do you believe is the most effective way of avoiding a trial?

Blog 19 - Third Answer

Well, at least I know what I'm doing, unlike this dog.

EQ 

How can a civil attorney maximize the chances of an immediate settlement?

Answer #3 (Write in a complete sentence like a thesis statement)*

A civil attorney can maximize the chances of an immediate settlement through the use of pre-trial motions. 

3 details to support the answer

The main purpose for pre-trial motions is to set boundaries for the trial that is about to being. In some cases, it can terminate a lawsuit before a trial. A motion is a written request an attorney files to the court asking for a ruling on a particular matter. If the ruling on a certain motion terminates the litigation, it is known as a dispositive motion. Pre-trial motions are also meant to solve any issues or questions parties may have concerning a case, therefore, shortening a trial or avoiing a trial altogether. 

The research source(s) to support your details and answer

• Akhbari, Kourosh. "Civil Pretrial Motion Lawyers." LegalMatch.com, Legal Match. N.d. Web.. 2 Mar 2016. <http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/civil-pretrial-motion-lawyers.html>

• "Resolving Your Case Before Trial: Court Motions." findlaw.com, Thomson Reuters. N.d. Web. 4 Feb 2016. <http://injury.findlaw.com/accident-injury-law/resolving-your-case-before-trial-court-motions.html>

Concluding Sentence

Pre-trial motions help attorneys set boundaries for a trial that is about to begin and may shorten it in the manner that it will limit certain matters of the trial. Some motions may solve particular issues beforehand. This will demonstrate that pre-trial motions are an effective way to limit trial time and ultimately avoid or terminate it. 

Blog 18 - Answer 2

I'm not necessarily referring to mediation resolving divorce alone, but it is the right way to go for any case that wants to avoid trial!

1.  What is your EQ?

How can a civil attorney maximize the chances of an immediate settlement?

2.  What is your first answer? (In complete thesis statement format)

A civil attorney can maximize the chances of an immediate settlement through the means of communication amongst clients and their attorneys and between opposing counsels.

3.  What is your second answer? (In complete thesis statement format)

A civil attorney can maximize the chances of an immediate settlement through the means of Alternative Dispute Resolutions, such as mediation and arbitration. 

4.  List three reasons your answer is true with a real-world application for each.

Three reasons for why this answer is true because Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADR) have been proven to be effective in avoiding trials because it allows opposing counsels to come together and communicate with one another and find a compromise. It also is cost-effective. Most trials are lengthy and during that time, attorneys are still being paid. It is also more flexible. ADR sessions can be arranged according to the parties' schedules and they are a lot more casual. A third party is present to focus the discussions towards the dispute and to find common ground for both parties. 

5.  What printed source best supports your answer?

• Repa, Barbara Kate. "Arbitration Basics." NOLO.com, NOLO. N.d. Web. 1 Sep 2015. <http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/arbitration-pros-cons-29807.html>

• "What is mediation?" FreeAdvice. Advice Company, N.d. Web. 27 Aug 2015. <http://law.freeadvice.com/litigation/litigation/mediation.htm>

6.  What other source supports your answer?

• "6. Alternative Dispute Resolution" How to-Guides. lawhelpontario.org, Law Help Ontario PBLO, N.d. Web. 4 Feb 2016. <https://www.lawhelpontario.org/lawsuits-disputes/superior-court/how-to-guides-superior/alternatives-trial/>

• Miles, Sharrolyn. "Winning at Mediation: The Strategies for Effective Dispute Resolution." americanbar.,org, American Bar Association, N.d. Web. 10 Feb 2016. <http://www.americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/publications/the_101_201_practice_series/winning_at_mediation_the_strategies_for_effective_dispute_resolution.html>

7.  Tie this together with a  concluding thought.

Alternative Dispute Resolutions is the most effective way to an immediate settlement prior to a trial
because it allows for a proven longer-lasting and better compromise amongst parties.