March 27th: Gay Marriage Fireside Chat

For our next event this Wednesday, March 27th, we will attend a fireside chat organized by Penn Democrats. The conversation with Professor Rogers Smith will shed light on the Supreme Court's recent 'gay marriage cases', US v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry. We will attend the event as a group and potentially engage in an after discussion over coffee. Please find more information below.

Penn Democrats presents a conversation with Professor Rogers Smith: 

On Wednesday, March 27th, join Penn Democrats for a Fireside Chat with Penn Constitutional Law Professor Rogers Smith!  Fireside Chats are an opportunity to have an intimate discussion with professors and local politicians about political issues.  Professor Smith will review the Supreme Court's recent cases, including the cases regarding the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8.  It will be held in the Goodhand Room at the LGBT Center (3907 Spruce Street) at 6pm.  Seeing as the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the care to challenge DOMA on the 26th, this will be an insightful and timely discussion that you will not want to miss!  Come with questions!  

Visit to Kline & Specter

Today, the James Wilson Law Society had its first field trip, an excursion to the renowned Philadelphia law firm Kline & Specter. Their attorneys - David Williams, Ruth Yang and Braden Lepisto, all Penn alumni - were so nice as to meet up with our group.

During a one-hour discussion in Kline & Specter's conference room, they provided us with invaluable insights into the practice of law in general and their individual work in particular. 

They shared some thoughts on applying to and choosing the right law school, as well as launching one's legal career by exploring different opportunities through summer internships.

  

Other topics that were covered included work-life balance and 'the beauty of what we (as attorneys) do'. All attorneys agreed that their job was fulfilling because, among other reasons, they enjoyed the contact with their clients, and how their job enabled them to help their clients claim their rights. This was also a point that distinguished work at a smaller firm, such as Kline & Specter, from practice in a typical big law firm - whereas attorneys at Kline & Specter represent clients and handle cases on their own very early on, this is typically not the case in a big firm. 

All participants agreed that we had a very informative conversation. A big thank you to Kline & Specter, Ms. Yang, Mr. Williams, Mr. Lepisto, and everyone who participated!