From the Desk of Matt Froelich: Dual Degree Reflection

Starting in the fall of the 2012-2013 school year, CSL and UNCC initiated a joint JD/MBA degree program. This is a great bundle considering completing each separately would take an additional year, and we all know “time is money.” Now that I’ve been in the business program for nearly a full academic year, it’s time for a brief reflection on my experiences. And, hopefully a prospective student will read this and gain insight into the actual happenings of both institutions.

I want to start by complimenting the quality of both schools’ faculty, which consists of well-respected figures in their fields. Additionally, both of the school’s facilities are exceptional, and they offer similar technologies for students. However, the approach to education each school takes is completely different. In law school, students are expected to abide by the Socratic Method and approach each problem on their own. On the other hand, business school is much more team oriented, and this takes a great deal to get used to.

Group work definitely has its perks. The total workload is divided up among you and your teammates, which greatly lessen the burden imposed on each individual. But here’s the catch: you have to rely on and trust others. For those of you who are like me, this can be an unnerving experience, especially if you are in an unfamiliar group. For students who have been molded through law school, this can be quite difficult. But, business school requires you to re-learn to trust the competency of others, which can be a tall-order. Apart from learning to deal with the different attitudes found in each program, there are other downsides to the program.

The first downside is that for students currently in the law program it adds another year until freedom, I mean graduation. This includes taking any pre-requisites that may be needed the summer before entering the program, as well as enrolling in classes in the following summer. Speaking from my own experience, I can tell you this additional year is much longer and requires more effort than one would think.

Attending law school for 2 years is an intense experience, which drains a lot of energy. For that reason, the majority of the people I know – including myself – are ready to be done with school after the three years. However, even with the added year, I still believe the dual degree program offers an excellent opportunity. Not only does it diversify the skill sets you develop in law and/or business school, but it also improves your marketability for future employers. All in all, this is an excellent way to distance you from the rest of the market that is over saturated with new attorneys.

~Matt Froelich, J.D./M.B.A. Candidate 2014~

New Faces in the Library – Meet Brooke!

I was recently hired as a part-time library assistant, working in both tech services and circulation. I was born and raised in High Point, North Carolina.  In May of 2012, I graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Dance Studies.  At Appalachian, I worked at Belk Library and realized how much I enjoyed the atmosphere of a library.  I moved to Charlotte in the summer of 2012 to pursue graduate studies at Pfeiffer University in Marriage and Family Therapy.  When I am not working or studying for classes, I enjoy doing Pilates and taking dance classes.  I am excited to be here at Charlotte School of Law and I am looking forward to getting more involved with the Library!

~Brooke Rideout~

 

The Hero with a Thousand Faces: Meet Erica

My fascination with mythology began with my mother’s tattered copy of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, which she had read as a young girl. I loved reading those stories over and over. And as I became familiar with the mythologies from other cultures, I appreciated the interconnecting themes that appear globally. The stories shared within a society present the ideas of what that society views as important. Joseph Campbell explores this theme within his work The Hero with a Thousand Faces. I really enjoyed this book because it is interesting to me to see the same story told so many different ways by so many people.  Campbell explores the common theme of the Hero through comparative mythology analysis, highlighting the similarities of the “Hero’s Journey” found within stories told throughout the world. Campbell analyzes stories from ancient mythology to heroic figures that are found within modern cinema. Whether the hero is Anasi, Odysseus, or Luke Skywalker, the comparative analysis allows an outsider to understand and, more importantly, appreciate different cultural values.

~Erica Tyler~

Meet Kirsten!

My name is Kirsten Hallman and I am one of the newest Circulation Assistants at Charlotte School of Law.  I work at both the Suttle Avenue and Gateway Center locations, and I help students, faculty, staff, and other patrons with the circulation of the law library’s materials.  Additionally I collaborate with other library staff members to update legal treatises, perform stack maintenance, and complete various other projects.

I am originally from Columbia, South Carolina but I recently moved to the Rock Hill area.  Prior to my relocation, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in History from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina (Go Blue Hose!).  During my time there, I worked in the James H. Thomason Library as an assistant to both the circulation and reference staff.  While working on my undergraduate degree, I also had the opportunity to study abroad in both Italy and China.

This month I will start my Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) coursework at the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!).  When I am not working or doing schoolwork, I enjoy reading and playing with my 3.5-pound maltipoo Eko.  I love to travel and I am active in my church.

I am excited to be here, and I look forward to meeting you all!

~Kirsten Hallman~

DNC Charlotte 2012: A Recap in Pictures

Met Miss Chiquita Banana on the way to the Convention Arena

Welcome Convention Volunteers sign at the Convention Center

Dog choosing which Obama shirt to buy

Police Dog on Duty at Convention Center

Deni Coryell (CSL Student) working as a volunteer at the DNC

Jane Meets the Media and Delegates!

Judy Woodruff from PBS TV – seen at the Media Area in the basement of the Convention Center

Jane Sees More Media

ABC Media Crew Member with Major Supply of Caffeine

Time Magazine Doing Photo Shoot with Delegates at the Convention Center

Work Area for C-Span at Convention Center

Media Work Area for CBS NEWS at Convention Center

NC Delegate from Durham with Blogger – Convention Center

Delegates with Obama Puppet Gloves – Convention Center

Delegate with Native Costume & Flag – Convention Center

~Jane Fraytet~

Redemption and Sexy Carrots: Meet Brian Trippodo

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

I really enjoyed reading Blue Like Jazz because Miller explores his own thoughts on spirituality in a very sincere and non-judgmental fashion. Through the backdrop of Post-Modernism, there is a certain combination of humor and reflection which I found to be very interesting. Plus, who can pass up reading a book with a chapter entitled “Redemption: The Sexy Carrots”!

~Brian Trippodo~

Jess Walter, Quality Literature sans Zombies: Meet Cory Lenz

The Financial Lives of Poets by Jess Walter

He may never squeeze onto a Bestseller List overrun with vampires, wizards, hired guns, and unlucky survivors of an apocalypse, but his narrative and prose unspool beautifully and deserve a larger readership. He places his characters in the wake of a national tragedy – the 9/11 attacks or current financial crisis – drills for humor and discovers everyone’s humanity. He writes fully developed characters and the kind of sentences where, after having read them, you find yourself staring into the distance, shaking your head, marveling at their insight. Luckily, I can recommend other writers like Jess Walter, so that when he’s between novels you can check out the likes of Andrew Miller, Benjamin Kunzel, Mark Costello, ZZ Packer, David Wong Louie, Colson Whitehead, Joshua Ferris, Miranda July, Sam Lipsyte, Andrew Sean Greer, David Ebershoff, Lorrie Moore, and Tim Winton. Among them, there is only one story about zombies.

~Cory Lenz~

What Do Law Librarians Do?

Have you ever wondered What Do Law Librarians Do?.

Check out this awesome posting from the RIPS Law Librarian blog by Catherine “Deane” Deane.

RIPS Law Librarian is published by the Research Instruction & Patron Services Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries.

Introducing Shannon Fitzpatrick!

My name is Shannon Fitzpatrick, and I am one of several new faces among the faculty and staff here at Charlotte School of Law.  I am a reference librarian, and I come in several hours per week to assist students, faculty, attorney members, and public patrons with their legal research needs.  This position is a great fit for me as I truly enjoy both legal research and working with others.

When I am not here, I am at my law office in Cornelius where I have a small civil litigation practice.  Although being a solo practitioner requires a lot of hard work and self-discipline, it also provides a lot of freedom and flexibility to engage in activities and other types of work I also enjoy (such as working at Charlotte Law!).  In addition, I participate in various pro bono projects through the Young Lawyers Division in Mecklenburg County.

Before opening my office and working at Charlotte Law, I studied for, took, and passed the North Carolina bar exam after moving from Jacksonville, Florida to Charlotte, North Carolina.  I graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law with Moot Court Honors and a certificate in Advanced Legal Research, Writing, and Drafting.  During law school, my work experience included a judicial externship with a state judge, a summer externship with a county attorney, and a clerkship with a private firm in downtown Jacksonville.

Prior to law school, I lived and went to college in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.  I am a proud graduate of Appalachian State University where I studied Communication and English, played Division I Women’s Field Hockey, and worked part-time at a small law firm.  If or when I had downtime, I liked to hike or ski, depending on the season.

Now, I enjoy my downtime by reading, taking yoga classes, and spending time with my fiancé Tom and our two dogs Maggie and Rudy.  Tom and I are getting married on August 25, 2012 in my hometown of Hershey, Pennsylvania.  Although we stay busy with work, wedding planning, and watching college football (namely Tom’s alma mater, Notre Dame… Go Irish!), our first priority is making time for our friends and family.

I look forward to the New Year, and I expect that 2012 will provide many opportunities to meet and get to know the friendly folks at Charlotte Law.

~Shannon Fitzpatrick~

Introducing Cory Lenz!

I am excited to be the newest reference librarian at the Charlotte School of Law and look forward to promoting the studies and scholarship of the students and faculty.  Research can be fun, encouraging and, most importantly, painless – very similar to a safe, effective workout.

How did I get interested in law and arrive at the Charlotte School of Law?  Well, it was simple – I followed a very crooked path and pedaled a lot of miles to get here.  I started my career in Los Angeles working in film production and development as a story editor.  Stories and films fanned the flame of my interest in artists and creativity which vaulted into the area of their legal concerns, specifically trademark and copyright law.  In addition to my legal studies, I continued my education in human kinesiology as an ACE-certified personal trainer and added library science to the mix.  Creativity, curiosity, and customer service have always been and will continue to be the common themes of my professional development.

So what can I do for you?  Having just graduated from North Carolina Central University School of Law with a JD/MLS and finished the journey many of you are taking, I can help fend-off common mistakes in your research strategy, exam study, or bar preparation.   So please stop by my office with any questions, be it research or assignment-related or about your health and fitness concerns.  Or stop by just to introduce yourselves – I would love to share favorite films or books, externship war stories, or anything else you might want to discuss.

~Cory Lenz~