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      The King Hall USENET FAQ [ASCII/Multipart] (Version 1.1) Part 3 of 6
      Frequently Asked Questions at and About King Hall (c) Copyright 1995

                                       by

                             David F. Prenatt, Jr.
                            King Hall, 1995 Alumnus
                            U.C. Davis School of Law
                            University of California
                              Davis, CA 95616-5210

                             dfprenatt@ucdavis.edu


The King Hall USENET FAQ may be comprised of more than one part.  If it is,
please see the TABLE OF CONTENTS in Part One for a complete list of the
questions I have attempted to answer and for other important legal
information.  Caveat emptor:  I assume no obligation to anyone through the
publication of the King Hall USENET FAQ.  Furthermore, all versions of the
King Hall USENET FAQ are my personal property and are protected by
applicable copyright laws.  All rights are reserved except the following:
I hereby give my permission to anyone who has access to this version of the
King Hall USENET FAQ to reproduce the information contained herein for non-
profit purposes, provided that proper credit is given to me as the author
of this FAQ and that I am notified of any use other than personal use.
Permission to reproduce any version of this FAQ may be revoked by me at any
time.

- - - - -

      The King Hall USENET FAQ [ASCII/Multipart] (Version 1.1) Part 3 of 6
      Frequently Asked Questions at and About King Hall (c) Copyright 1995
                                       by
                             David F. Prenatt, Jr.


4)  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LIFE AS A LAW STUDENT AT KING HALL.

4.1)  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FIRST YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL AT KING
      HALL.

4.1.1)  Where should I live during my first year at King Hall?

     Your best bet is to live somewhere in Davis close to the law school.
     See Question ? or the Davis USENET FAQ [currently under construction]
     for more information.

4.1.1.1)  Should I move into the graduate dorm at U.C. Davis, Lysle Leach
          Hall?

     No, but that's just my personal opinion.  I lived at Leach Hall during
     my first year of law school, and it was the worst experience of my
     life.  It was too small, too expensive, and a host of petty rules were
     enforced arbitrarily by the Resident Director (RD) whether or not
     anyone was actually breaking the rules.  Most of the people whom I
     know who have lived at Leach Hall feel the same way.  However, some
     people enjoy the camaraderie that they experience when they live with
     other law students in Leach Hall and/or the convenience of living on
     campus.

4.1.1.2)  Where else can I live during my first year at King Hall?

     You can live in one of the communities near Davis, in the Greater
     Sacramento Area, in the Bay Area, or anywhere else in Northern
     California.  See the Questions in this FAQ and other FAQs that deal
     with life in those regions.

4.1.1.3)  Is there anyplace to live on campus other than Leach Hall?

     Yes.  There are a number of on campus housing facilities for graduate
     and professional students that are well worth your money, but they go
     very fast and there is usually a long waiting list.  For more
     information, contact the Student Housing Office (housing@ucdavis.edu)
     at (916)752-2033.

4.1.2)  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FIRST YEAR COURSES AT KING HALL.

4.1.2.1)  What courses are offered during the first year of law school at
          King Hall?

     First year law students (One Ls) at King Hall start classes a week
     earlier than second and third year law students (Two Ls and Three Ls).
     During this first week (Intro Week), King Hall offers a required
     credit/no credit course called Introduction to Law.  No one who has
     ever taken the final exam in this course has ever failed.
          By the end of Intro Week, you will be assigned to a small class
     section for the remainder of your first year.  Your small section will
     have one class together an you will be grouped with one or two other
     small sections into one of two large sections for all of your other
     classes (the total enrollment will be approximately 165 One L
     students).  With a few minor changes, the courses that One Ls take
     remain the same from year to year:  Contracts, Civil Procedure,
     Constitutional Law I, Criminal Law, Legal Research, Legal Writing,
     Real Property, and Torts.  Check the course catalog for more
     information on these courses.
          Some of the courses offered during the first semester are over at
     the semester break.  However, most courses offered during the first
     semester are year long courses, and you will not receive final grades
     for these courses until after the second semester.  For this reason,
     your first semester grades are not a good indicator of your class
     standing; your class standing will be determined at the end of the
     second semester of your first year; it will not change much after
     that.

4.1.2.1.1)  How should I prepare for my classes?

     Even though law school courses are pretty standardized, the best way
     for you to prepare for your classes depends upon who your instructor
     is for a particular course.  If your instructor for a course has
     taught the course before, find someone who has taken that particular
     course with that particular instructor.  These people will usually be
     willing to provide you with a course outline that they prepared and be
     able to tell you what to expect.

4.1.2.1.2)  Should I brief my cases to prepare for my classes?

     As a rule, no.  Briefing cases is an important skill that you must
     learn and be able to demonstrate as a lawyer, but it is tedious and
     time consuming, and it will seldom help you understand the law or
     improve your grades.  However, this is a personal decision.  Some
     people brief all of their cases in all of their classes during law
     school and do very well.  Find out what works best for you.

4.1.2.1.3)  Should I use commercial outlines and canned briefs?

     As a rule, yes.  Since most law school courses are standardized, this
     will save you quite a bit of time and trouble.  However, it is best to
     use an outline prepared by a student who has taken the same course
     from the same instructor you are taking.  If you do use a commercial
     outline or canned brief to prepare for class, review it beforehand to
     make sure that its not wrong in some critical point.  This happens all
     of the time to students who rely upon commercial outlines and canned
     briefs, and it is very embarrassing.

4.1.2.1.4)  Should I use "Hornbooks" to prepare for class?

     Maybe.  Hornbooks are written by the same people who compile your
     casebooks, and they can help you understand the law when your casebook
     is unclear.  If your instructor is hard to comprehend, this is an
     excellent way to bridge the gap.  Many Hornbooks are found in the
     reserve section of the law library at King Hall.

4.1.2.1.5)  Should I participate in class?

     Absolutely not, unless the instructor specifically requests that you
     do so.  Whatever you do, don't volunteer.  If you must volunteer your
     comments during class, limit your comments to once a class meeting.
     Instructors may pay lip service to class participation, but they do
     not appreciate it when it is offered too frequently.  Your teacher may
     feel that you are arguing with him or her, and you will probably
     suffer the social censure of most of your colleagues.
          If you are truly inspired to offer your comments on a regular
     basis, talk to the instructor after class.  You will usually find that
     many other students do the same thing.  Talk to these students as
     well.  No one else really cares what you have to say in class.  Most
     students come to class to listen to the teacher.

4.1.2.1.6)  How important are final exams?

     In most classes, final exams are your whole grade.  Thus, you should
     spend most of your study time practicing essay exams from previous
     final exams that are kept on reserve in the library.  You do not need
     to know the law on a particular subject to take an essay exam in that
     subject.  You'll be surprised how much you can learn about the law
     this way.  It will help you focus on what you know and help you find
     out what you still need to learn.

4.1.2.1.6.1)  What is the format of final exams?

     Most final exams are a combination of essays and multiple choice; some
     are completely essay or completely multiple choice.  The emphasis is
     upon essay exams.

4.1.2.1.6.2)  Can I type my essay exams?

     Yes, and you should seriously consider doing so.  You will be able to
     cover much more ground in the same amount of time and your typed exams
     will be much more legible than other people's handwriting.

4.1.2.1.6.3)  How do I go about typing my essay exams?

     You need to get your typewriter approved each semester and fill out a
     form requesting a typing room for each essay exam that you wish to
     type.  Contact Nicole Waterman (ngwaterman@ucdavis.edu) or Dian
     Francis (dpfrancis@ucdavis.edu) in the King Hall Registrar's Office in
     person or at (916)752-4299.

4.1.2.1.6.4)  Can I use a word processor on my essay exams?

     No, and your typewriter cannot have memory capability.

4.1.2.1.7)  How important are first year grades in law school?

     First year grades in law school are very important, both to law
     students and legal employers.  Because of this, a dark cloud settles
     in over King Hall during the second semester of law school when the
     first semester final exam scores become available to first year law
     students.  Few students are spared an insult to their self-esteem.
     Even those who finish at the top of their class are typically
     confronted with at least one mediocre grade in a subject that they
     thought they knew very well.
          As important as grades are in the real world, grades are not a
     reliable indicator of a law student's knowledge or ability.  Grades
     are simply an arbitrary (albeit consistent) method of ranking law
     students for the job market.  Those who finish in the top 10% of their
     class at King Hall are courted by many employers, and virtually
     everyone else must struggle long and hard to find a good job.
          I have heard many proposals for remedying the suffering and
     hardship caused by the forced grade curve at King Hall.  Some people
     have proposed changing the format and/or grading of exams or
     abolishing grades altogether.  Other people have proposed limiting the
     number of resumes students may submit to firms who conduct On Campus
     Interviews (OCI).  My personal solution was to play the hand that was
     dealt to me, and play it close to my chest.  No matter what your own
     class ranking is, you will save yourself and others a lot of grief if
     you use this strategy.

4.1.2.1.7.1)  When will I find out what my grades are?

     Your grades are supposed to be available about a month after final
     exams are over, but some of the instructors are very slow to issue
     grades.  This may cause you a hardship if you want to defer one of
     your first year courses based on your first semester grades or if you
     are trying to transfer to another law school at the end of your second
     semester.  Otherwise, your grades are not that urgent, so just be
     patient.

4.1.2.1.7.2)  How do I find out what my grades are?

     When your grades become available, you can find out what they are by
     calling RSVP at (916)752-RSVP.

4.1.2.1.7.3)  What if I think there has been a mistake in the grade that I
              was issued to me?

     If you think there has been a mistake in the grade you received for
     one of your final exams, you can make an appointment to review your
     exam.  It is kept on file for one year.  Contact Nicole Waterman
     (ngwaterman@ucdavis.edu) or Dian Francis (dpfrancis@ucdavis.edu) in
     the King Hall Registrar's Office in person or at (916)752-4299.
          If your grades are lower than what you expected, this is quite
     normal.  A 3.5 Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) will probably put you in
     the top 5-10% of your class at King Hall, if not at the very top of
     your class.  There is a forced curved imposed on first year courses by
     the King Hall administration.  No more than 11.7% of the grades can be
     an A- or above, and your colleagues, against whom you are competing
     for these grades, are highly motivated and highly qualified students.
     Many of them have never received a grade lower than a B in their
     entire lives.  Thus, an A+ effort may only earn you a C+ at King Hall.

4.1.2.1.8)  How important are the courses in Legal Research and Legal
            Writing?

     You will probably not learn much in Legal Research (a one unit
     course), but don't blow it off.  Legal Research is the only "easy A"
     at King Hall.  [Note:  The structure of Legal Research will be
     changing next year, so it may no longer be an "easy A."]  Legal
     Writing, on the other hand, is probably the most difficult and
     important course you will encounter during your first year at King
     Hall.  In Legal Writing, you will learn the skills that you need to be
     a good attorney.  Thus, you should take Legal Writing very seriously,
     even though it is only a two unit course.

4.1.2.1.9)  What if I decide that I don't want to go to law school anymore?

     After you've started law school, it's too late to decide that you
     don't want to go. Law school requires you to completely reorganize
     your life, and once you have begun law school, you should complete it.
     If you withdraw from law school, you will simply be throwing away
     opportunities for which you have already paid dearly.  A law degree is
     a good credential to have, even if you learn nothing from law school
     other than that you don't want to be a lawyer.
          Some people encounter a personal hardship that prevents them from
     continuing with law school.  In such instances, you may be able to
     take some time off to set your life in order.  Most people whom I know
     who quit law school, however, do so because they are unhappy with the
     heavy workload and/or the grades that they receive.
          Law school is tedious and competitive for most people, but it
     doesn't have to be that way.  Many students at King Hall are able to
     pass their classes with a modicum of effort (i.e., attending class,
     reviewing course outlines, and practicing final exams).  The
     disappointment and tedium I witnessed in most of my ambitious and
     competitive colleagues was the result of their using scholastic
     achievement as a measure of their self-worth.  As important as it is
     to do well in law school, it is much more important to finish.
          During my first year of law school, I remember meeting a number
     of accomplished and successful alumni/alumna who had very mediocre
     grades during law school.  Clint Bolick (King Hall, 19??? alumnus)
     told me and a number of other students that he had "finished in the
     top 10 % of the bottom half of the bottom half" of his class before he
     went on to become the Vice President in charge of Litigation for the
     Institute For Justice (IFJ) in Washington, D.C.  In other words, not
     everyone can excel in law school, and a mediocre performance in law
     school does not compromise your ability to make a name for yourself as
     a lawyer.

4.1.2.1.10)  Can I repeat my courses?

     King Hall does have some provisions for students who want to repeat a
     course.  Specifically, if your G.P.A. drops below 2.0 at the end of
     your first year, academic regulations require you to repeat many of
     your first year courses if you wish to continue your legal education
     at King Hall.  Similarly, if you receive an F in a course (a very rare
     occurence) that is required for you to graduate, you must repeat that
     course; if you receive an F in a course that is not a graduation
     reuqirment, law school regulations allow you to repeat that course
     with the permission of the Assistant Dean.  Contact Assistant Dean
     Antonia Bernhard (Toni Bernhard) at aebernhard@ucdavis.edu or
     (916)752-0243 for more information.  Law school regulations do not
     state whether you can repeat other courses, so before you repeat any
     other courses check with Nicole Waterman (ngwaterman@ucdavis.edu) or
     Dian Francis (dpfrancis@ucdavis.edu) in the King Hall Registrar's
     Office in person or at (916)752-4299.

4.1.2.1.11)  Should I complain if I am unhappy with my instructor?

     It depends upon why you are unhappy with your instructor.  If you
     think that your instructor is a bad teacher, that's a personal problem
     that you need to address.  I have never encountered a bad teacher that
     someone else didn't like.  On one occasion, the verdict on a visiting
     adjunct professor was virtually unanimous in that no one felt that the
     instructor was competent, and the professor was not invited back to
     King Hall again.
          If you are really unhappy with an instructor, you can usually
     drop the class and take it when another professor is teaching it.  If
     you need the class, however, that is a trade-off that you may need to
     make.  In any event, the grade distribution remains pretty standard.
          The administration at King Hall is very concerned about the
     quality of instruction.  Thus, you are given the opportunity to fill
     out anonymous instructor evaluations at the end of every semester.  I
     have never turned in a bad evaluation for an instructor, but other
     people have, and in many instances they have come to regret it when
     they realize that they actually did learn a great deal from that
     professor.  Keep in mind that sometimes the subject matter of a
     particular course defies the capacity of an instructor to spoonfeed
     his or her students.
          Most of the people whom I know who complain about the quality of
     a professor's teaching think that they know more about the subject
     than the professor or think that they know more about how the subject
     should be taught than the professor does.  I have felt this way myself
     at times.  On very rare occasions I have come to the conclusion that
     attending some law school classes was a complete waste of time, and
     that I learned certain subjects in spite of my instructors rather than
     from them.  However, I still attended all of my law school classes
     religiously, in case an instructor passed out a "silver bullet" that
     would help me on the final exam.

4.1.2.2)  OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER AS A FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENT.

4.1.2.2.1)  How do I register with the committee of bar examiners as a law
            student?

     You will find forms for this in the Registrar's Office.  Take care of
     this as soon as possible.

4.1.2.2.2)  Where should I buy my books and supplies?

     You should be able to obtain all of your books and supplies at the
     Silo Bookstore.  However, you can probably find the books you need
     elsewhere for less.  For instance, there are legal bookstores in
     Sacramento that do a greater volume than the Silo Bookstore.  You
     should also post a list somewhere in the law school of the books that
     you want to buy and watch for lists that other people post of the
     books that they are selling.

4.1.2.2.2.1)  Should I sign up for a bar review course during my first year
              of law school?

     Yes, even if you don't plan to take the bar exam.  When you sign up
     for a bar review course, you will obtain free outlines of your first
     year courses that will help you in preparing for your final exams.
     You may also be able to get a free bar review course by becoming a
     sales representative for one of the courses.

4.1.2.2.2.2)  Which bar review course should I purchase?

     Most people take BarBri or Barpassers.  Given the choice, I signed up
     for Barpassers and later became a sales rep for Barpassers.  My
     preference is obvious, but both of these courses are very good
     courses.  Check out all of the courses on the market and decide for
     yourself which one is best for you.  Some people whom I know even
     signed up for both courses to obtain all of the outlines that both
     course offered and/or to play the two vendors against each other on
     course price.

4.1.2.2.3)  FINDING SUMMER WORK.

4.1.2.2.3.1)  How do I find summer work?

     Send out resumes to firms, government agencies, etc. that interest
     you, and do so promptly.  Summer jobs for first year law students go
     fast.  For more information, Contact Director of Career Services Jane
     Thomson (jthomson@ucdavis.edu) at (16)752-6574.

4.1.2.2.3.2)  What if I can't find paid work?

     Volunteer.  You may also be able to find a fellowship to help you pay
     your way.  Another advantage of volunteering for summer work after
     your first year of law school is that you will not compromise the
     amount of your financial aid during your third year.  Check with the
     Financial Aid Office for more information.

4.1.2.2.4)  AVOIDING SOCIAL PROBLEMS AT KING HALL.

4.1.2.2.4.1)  Is it a bad idea to date other law students?

     Yes.  Problems will arise even in the best relationships.  When they
     do, your classmates will become involved, and everyone will get hurt.
     Moreover, most romantic relationships in law school do not last.  When
     your former lover is a law student, you must confront him or her every
     day.

4.1.2.2.4.2)  How do I avoid gossip at King Hall?

     You can't, and you are foolish to try.  People exchange a lot of
     information in law school, and gossip is included with this
     information.  However, you can avoid repeating unkind and unflattering
     gossip.

4.1.2.2.4.3)  What do I do if people spread a vicious rumor about me that
              is untrue?

     There is very little that you can do about vicious rumors about
     yourself at King Hall.  In any small community there are ignorant
     busybodies who falsely believe themselves to be among the enlightened
     and well-informed, and King Hall is no exception.  Generally speaking,
     these people have lives of their own that are so mediocre or tragic
     that they must poison the reputations of others to boost their own
     self-esteem.  And don't think for a moment that there is honor among
     gossips.  After all, knowledge is power, so the malcontents who chime
     in today about your common enemy will tell tales out of school about
     you tomorrow.  If you are the victim of idle gossip, straighten out
     the record as best you can with your close personal friends, and your
     friends will take care of the rest when you are not around.
          The term idle gossip is difficult to define.  After all, it's a
     matter of perspective.  If you are among the well-informed, and your
     sources are reliable, then you are performing a valuable community
     service as a purveyor of accurate information.  On the other hand, if
     you are an unwitting victim of hidden agendas (i.e., most of us), you
     are receiving incomplete and inaccurate information, and you will do
     irreparable harm to the reputation of others when you repeat a rumor.
          I always asked myself three questions about any rumor that I
     heard at King Hall:

          1) Is it kind?,

          2) Is it true?, and

          3) Is it necessary to repeat it?

     Even when you repeat the truth, you can intrude upon people's personal
     business.  This make enemies out of people who would otherwise be your
     friends and who would be willing to help you when you need help the
     most (and you never know who or when that will be).
          Gossips are the worst kind of false friends.  None of the secrets
     that you share with them are confidential.  On the other hand, silence
     is a friend that will never betray you.

4.1.2.2.4.4)  What should I do if I experience some form of harassment at
              King Hall, sexual or otherwise?

     Depending upon the seriousness of the situation, you should file a
     grievance with the administration at King Hall.  I experienced
     harassment myself at King Hall, sexual and otherwise, and I learned
     that even the nicest people can sometimes be very vicious.  In most
     instances, I was able to resolve it informally.  I simply confided in
     someone whom I knew I could trust about what I was experiencing
     (preferably someone who could later be used as a mediator if
     necessary) and steered clear of the perpetrator until he or she
     offered me an apology or explanation (or until he or she started
     treating me with respect and consideration).  Avoiding a perpetrator,
     however, is not always a viable option in a small, close-knit
     community like King Hall, and thus a formal grievance may be in order.
          Just as important as what to do when you experience some form
     harassment is how to conduct yourself if you are accused of being a
     perpetrator.  Unfortunately, one person's good clean fun or harmless
     flirtation is another person's harassment.  If you find out that you
     have done anything to offend anyone at King Hall, even if it is just a
     misunderstanding, you should apologize IMMEDIATELY to the person whom
     you offended and avoid that person from that point forward.
          The people that I have met at King Hall are typically very
     forgiving.  In most instances, people will appreciate a courteous
     apology and extend an olive branch to you once they have cooled off.
     Depending upon the seriousness of the situation, however, you should
     also consider seeking legal advice (whether or not you think that you
     have done anything wrong).  Law school types can be very litigious.
          My experience with both perpetrators and victims of harassment
     who have confided in me has led me to believe that there is no
     reliable method of divining who is telling the truth.  Liars can be
     very convincing, and you certainly cannot trust the many rumors that
     abound because most people (law students included) have an insatiable
     appetite for vicious gossip.  The more that people talk about a
     situation involving some form of harassment, the more convoluted the
     rumors get.  Many innocent people are falsely accused (a form of
     harassment itself), and many actual victims of harassment are not
     believed (which adds insult to injury); sometimes the roles of victim
     and perpetrator are even reversed.  Worse yet, many perpetrators get
     away with harassment when there is no doubt about what actually
     happened (i.e., the victim is blamed for inviting or creating a
     situation or for overreacting).

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End of document:

      The King Hall USENET FAQ [ASCII/Multipart] (Version 1.1) Part 3 of 6
      Frequently Asked Questions at and About King Hall (c) Copyright 1995

                                       by

                             David F. Prenatt, Jr.
                            King Hall, 1995 Alumnus
                            U.C. Davis School of Law
                            University of California
                              Davis, CA 95616-5210

                             dfprenatt@ucdavis.edu

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