I Survived My First Semester of Law School

christenjoy101
Jan 12
6 min read

Hello Joyful Readers!

I had an eventful Fall 2025, and I am excited to share everything that I have been up to.

Law School Updates

August 2025

The Beginning

I officially began my first year of law school at the William S. Boyd School of Law. Before walking into orientation, I questioned whether I was absolutely crazy for leaving the world of marketing and stepping into an entirely new environment. However, once I walked through those doors, sat down, and met my Lawyering Process I cohort, my nerves settled, and I felt genuinely excited to begin this three-year journey.

Law School is challenging, but I am proud of how I have performed so far. I wholeheartedly believe this was the right decision for me. This experience is shaping me not only professionally, but personally as well. I have become more detail-oriented and more deliberate about considering multiple perspectives in every situation. I am learning that comparison is the thief of joy and that my focus should remain on what I can control and how I choose to show up each day.

As I prepare for my second semester of 1L, I am applying for summer internships, updating my resume, drafting cover letters, reviewing my spring syllabi, and yes... ordering $1,000 worth of textbooks. I now have a clearer understanding of the curve and what I need to improve moving forward. I look forward to meeting with my Fall 2025 professors to discuss strategies for strengthening my exam answers as I work toward my next set of finals in May 2026.

First Day of Law School Picture - August 2025

Scholarship Recipient

I was honored to receive the Freedman Workplace Rights Scholarship for the Fall 2025 semester. My decision to pursue law school was driven by recognizing how many hospitality companies require ongoing legal guidance and stronger workplace policies. As I continue my legal education, I hope to deepen my understanding of labor and employment law. This scholarship meaningfully reduced my tuition costs for Fall 2025 and allowed me to focus more on my academic and professional development. See more here.

October 2025

Client Counseling Competition

In October, Kira and I competed in the Client Counseling Competition. We gained a deeper appreciation for what client-centered lawyering looks like under intense time constraints. Within a 15-minute client interview and a 5-minute debrief, we quickly built rapport, learned key facts, clarified goals and constraints, and presented a clear menu of options, all while remaining transparent about fees and outlining actionable next steps.

This was my first law school competition, and I am proud of myself for stepping outside of my comfort zone and embracing a new challenge.

Comparative Gaming Law Course Acceptance

I was selected to participate in the Comparative Gaming Law course for Spring 2026 and will travel to Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, and Japan in May to study how gaming laws in the United States compare with those in other countries. I am thrilled for the opportunity to deepen my understanding of gaming law and build stronger connections with my peers and Dean Grinvald.

Southern Nevada Senior Law Program "Salutes to Senior Advocates" Event

I was invited to this event, and I had the opportunity to speak with Nevada Supreme Court Justice Patricia Lee. It was a privilege to hear firsthand about her service and commitment to our community. I also connected with associates from Snell & Wilmer, who generously shared practical insights on early career development and the importance of building community through pro bono work. As a 1L at Boyd, their guidance was especially meaningful. The event served as a powerful reminder that, at its best, law is a service profession.

Left to Right: Kira, Justice Lee, Molly (associate at Snell), Kaitlyn (associate at Snell), and me

Clark Hill - Lunch with a Law Firm

During the semester, I met with attorneys from Clark Hill, each of whom was generous with their time and insights. They offered not only valuable advice on navigating law school but also thoughtful guidance on how to distinguish oneself as an attorney after graduation. I truly appreciate the breadth of networking opportunities Boyd provides to 1L students and the accessibility of professionals who are eager to invest in our development.

Halloween Costume

I dressed up on Halloween as "Westlaw," a legal research platform we use in law school, and shared a laugh with classmates. Even during a demanding semester, there was still room for creativity, community, and humor.

December 2025

First Year Writing Sample

I am currently finalizing my writing sample for job applications. In my Lawyering Process I course, I earned a 19 out of 20 on my first open memo and was proud to receive an A on my final memo, which accounted for 60% of the course grade. I also earned an overall A in the class. I take pride in my legal writing skills and look forward to continuing to refine them at the best legal writing program in the country.

Finals and Grades

While I am still awaiting my Torts grade, I am satisfied with my progress in law school thus far. There is always room for growth, and I intend to carry the lessons I learned during the fall semester into the spring semester as I continue to improve.

Content Creation

September 2025 - January 2026

Independent Contractor for Station Casinos

I completed my part-time job in August and requested to continue working as an independent contractor during my first semester of law school. I'm proud that I advocated for what I wanted and successfully transitioned into this role. Since then, I have maintained consistent posting, generating income to help cover the costs of law school. Additionally, I have used these funds to enroll in a Comparative Gaming Law course, which I will be participating in starting May 2026.

Below are some of my favorite videos from the past few months:

Cool Projects

August 2025 - December 2025

Big Brothers Big Sisters Informational Video

I created an informational video for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada. It was incredibly rewarding to contribute to an organization that makes such a powerful impact in our community. I am grateful for opportunities like this that allow me to stay creative and apply my skills in content creation and video editing. Huge thank you to BBBS of Southern Nevada for trusting me with their story. Check out the video here.

Research Used for a Short Documentary Titled UNSUNG - Historic Westside

During my senior year of undergrad, I completed research for a course focused on the Historic Westside, one of the longest-standing communities in Las Vegas. My work contributed to UNSUNG, a short documentary by Zachary Fried, and it was incredibly rewarding to see my research on the big screen. Watch the film here.

Featured on TQETI LIVE Podcast

I had the opportunity to join the TQETI LIVE Podcast to talk about my professional and academic journey. It was a candid conversation about how continuous learning, adaptability, and embracing new opportunities have guided my path. If you're interested in hearing more about my journey, check out the episode here.

Palace Station Thank You Cards

I am handing out these thank-you cards slowly but surely to the amazing team members at Palace Station. Everyone has been so kind to me, and I have enjoyed every moment working at this property.

Next Up

Spring 2026 Semester

My second semester of law school begins in about a week. I will be taking Property, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Lawyering Process II, and International Intellectual Property. I will be teaching a Guardianship class on Fridays through the Christine Smith Community Service Program at the Legal Aid of Southern Nevada. I will also be attending my Comparative Gaming Law classes when the course officially begins in March. Additionally, I will be competing in the annual Boyd Mock Trial Competition the weekend of February 20th-21st.

On January 31st, I will be returning to UNLV AMA as a keynote speaker at the chapter’s Western Regional Conference! What a full circle moment!