Starting with the admission process and continuing through the bar exam,
Capital supports its students. Equally as important, it does an amazing job of
supporting the students’ families as well.
During first year orientation, the Capital Student Services Office invites
families to the Law School to learn what to expect over the next several years,
so that there are no surprises in the fall.
Friends and Family Orientation
Several weeks into a law student’s education, Capital hosts a Friends and
Family Orientation. The event is as an opportunity for friends and families of
law students to learn more about what life is like for their law student and to
come to the realization that they are not in this alone. The orientation is a
full day event, which consists of a mock class, a session called “Living with
and Loving a Law Student,” and a panel discussion with family members of current
law students. The program gives family members a forum in which to discuss their
apprehension about what life will be like with a law student in the family and
to have their questions answered.
A key element of the Friends and Family Orientation is the mock class held by
a law professor. The goals for the mock class are two-fold. First, professors
want to help the family members develop an understanding of the time commitment
involved in being fully prepared for class and ultimately doing well in law
school. The second goal is to help family members appreciate the level of stress
and anxiety that accompanies a Socratic education method. Attendees are asked to
come to class prepared to discuss a case that was distributed prior to
orientation and the professor cold calls on the family members.
Counseling Services
Throughout a student’s time at Capital, there are a number of resources
available to help them succeed. In addition to the Academic Success Protocol,
the Student Services Office, and a number of student organizations, Capital has
an outstanding and supportive faculty and staff. Drs. Shirley
Lange and Jennifer Speakman are also on staff to
provide professional counseling to our law students. Dr. Lange is the Director
of University Counseling and Health Services, while Dr. Speakman is the Counselor
and Disability Services Coordinator. They lead the university's health and
wellness initiative.
Bar Preparation Orientation
Finally, after three or four years of living with the ups and downs of law
school, graduation comes and families are lulled into the false sense of
security in knowing that law school is over. Then comes the bar exam. Just like
law school, preparing for the bar exam is like nothing you have ever
experienced. It is time intensive; it is stressful and a law student’s career
hangs in the balance. Enter Professor Yvonne Twiss, L’98,
director of Bar Services. In addition to bar preparation for students, Professor
Twiss offers support to families between graduation and passing the bar.
Similar to the Friends and Family Orientation that occurs at the beginning of
law school, Professor Twiss holds a Bar Preparation Orientation at the end of
law school. Families hear presentations on what they should expect their law
student to be doing during bar preparation, how much work is involved, and how
important it is for the student to prepare efficiently. Professor Twiss tries to
take the heat off students by convincing families that the amount of work
students are putting in is truly necessary to pass the bar. Panel discussions
also provide families with tools they can use to support their student during
bar studies, inform them about what resources are available to them at the law
school and what the warning signs are of a student who is burning out, becoming
depressed or not adequately preparing.
According to Professor Twiss, “The goal is to bring family members into the
fold and make them relevant to bar preparation. It is not enough to give the
student the space they need to study; the families must be actively engaged in
helping the students succeed.” She also tries to prepare the families for the
isolation they will have from their law students and what they should expect as
far as scheduling, stress levels and emotions.
Summer 2007 was the first time
that Professor Twiss held a bar orientation for families and it was very well
received. She received positive feedback from both students and their families.
She also received numerous “cries for help” from loved ones who needed
assistance managing life during bar preparation. The orientation is scheduled to
be a permanent part of the bar preparation process.
From beginning to end,
Capital goes above and beyond supporting the people who are supporting its law
students.