• Issues,  Law School

    How to Survive Law School

    If you’re starting law school this semester, I have a few things to say–first, congratulations!  This is a super exciting endeavor and you deserve a lot of acknowledgment! So Yay! My second piece of unsolicited advice is to not let anxiety and fear of the unknown overcome you.  Instead, become fearless and adopt a badass attitude. This new chapter will be overwhelming, and if you’re going to survive you have to fortify yourself with confidence–it’s the only way you can make it through the next three years. For some of us, that self-confidence may come naturally.  But if you’re like me, you’re feeling not only excited and anxious, but also…

  • Issues,  Legal Practice,  Uncategorized

    Bilingualism: Help or Hinder?

    Do you speak Spanish?  Are you fluent or able to speak  just enough to talk to your older relatives?  Statistically speaking, younger generations may have less Spanish speaking capability than earlier generations.  It makes me sad to know that likely my (possible) grandchildren won’t know my native language.  Though, I am hopeful because I know there is now more knowledge and awareness  (and acceptance) about the benefits of being multilingual so I’ll keep my fingers crossed. But in the here and now, how are you using your Spanish skills?  When I first started interning in college, an attorney realized I knew Spanish and asked me to translate for him.  He made…

  • Issues,  Legal Practice

    Are You the Interpreter?

    I’m a huge fan of TV and am always excited about the new fall line-ups.  I am doubly excited this year that a new show starring a very funny Latina comedian will be on ABC.  Cristela Alonzo will play a law student, and that makes me excited to think that perhaps there will be a storyline on t.v. with which I can actually relate! One scene that immediately struck a chord with me was the promo where a white woman misidentifies Cristela repeatedly (around the 30 sec mark).  First, as the cleaning crew; then as support staff.  The punch line happens when the lady asks Cristela (who she assumes to be…