May 8, 2007

Evan Todd Bieber graduated in 2007 with a degree in political science. He took with him a number of honors and awards, including that for “Senior Scholar” given to the most outstanding graduate. In his senior year, Evan applied to law schools across the nation, and ultimately chose Harvard. Halfway through his first year, he paused to reflect on his experiences so far. .

Upon entering Harvard Law School, I had heard the stories and the stereotypes. It was hard to avoid them when everyone kept reminding me of The Paper Chase and 1L: notorious portrayals of the rigors of the Socratic method and the demands of Harvard Law School life in general. I thus had both my anticipations and my anxieties. [Editor’s comment: What about Legally Blonde?]

However, after completing my first semester, I can say unequivocally that any concerns borne from the uncertainty of attending such a hallowed institution now pale in comparison to the intellectual rewards gained from enduring the challenge. Is there an incredible amount of reading? Of course. Is finals week as rigorous and daunting as people claim? I would say the experience comes pretty close to approximating expectations. However, what often gets overlooked in the details of the everyday grind is how the mind slowly transforms into that of a professional, and I believe this retrospective satisfaction would be echoed by students of law schools across the country.

Learning from some of the most preeminent professors in the field, and interacting with an incredibly bright and diverse (both geographically and in terms of background/experience) group of classmates has certainly added to the quality of my learning experience. Yet, reflecting on the process, I sense that just as important a factor in gaining the most from a law school education has been my degree in political science. When I used to tell people that I was a political science major, a vast majority would follow-up by asking if I planned to go to law school. Well, I now understand why the two disciplines are so intertwined, and why my degree is such an invaluable tool to me now.

The law is incredibly dynamic with numerous moving parts to be understood at once; studying systems of government and the interactivity of competing interests mirrors this important perspective. Not only are statutes a vital part of many cases, but so too are the mechanics and motivations with which they are enacted; an appreciation for electoral and representative politics certainly enhances one’s intuitions concerning the arguments and legal theories being advanced. In our globalized economy, the increasing number of cross-border transactions and relationships has expanded the law just as far and wide; learning international relations and the issues that drive global actors provides an important basis for comprehending the role of law in these developments. These are just three examples of many, but from my experience, the critical real-world thinking at the heart of political science paves a promising path toward the successful practice of law.

Of course, amidst it all, I have never forgotten who I am. As much as the focus remains on work, I have tried my best to infuse a little New Orleans spirit into the Harvard experience. After all, you can’t work 24/7, and the students here (yes, even here) understand the need for an outlet from the pressures to which we are all exposed. As a result, I can only say that law school has been a most gratifying academic and social experience thus far, and I am looking forward to the next two and a half years here in Cambridge.