Once the Spirit of Chicago left Navy Pier, the party really started. Ner­vous 1Ls, like yours truly, mingled with the upper classmen and beseeched them for tips and tricks for Professor Carter’s midterm. Many of the 2Ls and 3Ls gave out good, heart-felt advice; some just replied with a devilish grin. Having just taken the aforementioned midterm, I now fully understand the grin.

After the cruise was fully under­way and Chicago’s scenic skyline slow­ly glided by our side, the party really began to pick up. The crew of the Spirit started serving the food (which, by the way, was fantastic) and the DJ started playing catchier and catchier tunes. It wasn’t long until the each and every of the ship’s passengers could feel a buzz of excitement in the air.

The dance scene started off a little slow, but as the evening progressed, more and more people started trickling onto the floor. By the time the ship docked again at Navy Pier, the dance floor was jam packed, and many cruise goers looked disappointed when they realized that the evening had come to an end. If I may, I’d like to give an honor­able mention to the dancing 2L or 3L wearing the shades whose name I never got – Holy cow, you’re good. If your JD doesn’t work out, try Hollywood or Broadway. I think you could easily get filthy rich with your skills

I digress. As the evening came to an end and many of the cruise goers lined up to exit the Spirit, many sported a drowsy look; save finals week, many of us don’t stay up till 3 a.m. As I board­ed the bus and snuggled up against my girlfriend to go to sleep, many followed my lead and did the same. Some, though, still had a little midnight oil to burn and chatted about life, the universe, and ev­erything in between.

When we pulled into Valparaiso, the night ended calmly and quietly. So­ber rides were available to take those of us home who had a little too much fun on the cruise. Rumors that Dean Adams would be waiting there to rep­rimand those of us that partied a little too hard turned out to be false, and ev­eryone seemed to leave the event smil­ing. When I eventually made it home at 5:30, I mumbled something about usu­ally getting up for class at that time. Oh well, at least I got to party in Chicago and a take a break from Civ Pro, if only for a night.

David is a 1L and can be reached at forum@valpo.edu

Evaluations, Inc. E-professionalism, then, is a natural extension of professionalism to all things electronic. In fact, according to Tracy Evans, Director of Career Services at Louisiana State University Law Center, and Amy Gerwitz, Associate Director, Alumni Counseling and Relations, at Pace University School of Law, “Electronic professionalism encompasses so many different areas it is almost overwhelming at first.”

In today’s economy, you need all the help you can get to land a legal position. Don’t let your lack of e- professionalism ruin your chances. You must be diligent in making sure your professionalism is evident in what you do, what you say, and who you are in person, in print and online. According to Ms. Evans and Ms. Gerwitz (along with a few tips from yours truly!) here’s how you can accomplish your e-professionalism due diligence:

1. Do a regular online search of your name. If necessary, consider hiring a company to “clean up” your online image.

itor what is being said or posted about you.

3. Do record a professional voicemail message at home and on your cell phone. This includes a professional sounding ringtone on your cell phone.

A simple “Dear Mr./Ms. [last name]” if it’s an employer, alumni or other professional or “Hello [name] ,” will suffice if it’s someone with whom you are more familiar!

5. Do use professional online networks such as LinkedIn as a way to market yourself professionally.

6. Do make sure personal web pages are cleaned up.

7. Do use the internet to research potential employers, professionals or alumni so that you know something about them before you meet them.

8. Do follow up on electronic communications. They are not always reliable.

9. Do check your e-mail and voicemail on a regular basis. Have your valpo.edu mail forwarded to your gmail, yahoo, or other account so that you can receive important information concerning the law school.

10. Do use your work computer for professional uses only.

YouTube, etc. Also, make sure friends/family/co-workers/fellow students are

not posting inappropriate content that includes your name or picture.

profile settings are private that employers and others may not see them.

3. Don’t assume that employers are not conducting electronic background checks on you – they are.

4. Don’t over blog – make sure content is professional and DON’T blog about your employer.

5. Don’t put inappropriate content in your home or business e-mail.

6. Don’t have an inappropriate e-mail address and don’t use the same e-mail for your resume that you use for your online presence unless your online presence is completely appropriate and positive. Also, don’t give documents inappropriate names, especially those you may be sending to employers.

7. Don’t click send on an e-mail without double-checking to make sure you’re sending it to the correct recipient and without reading the content, especially for the “reply all” messages.

8. Don’t use capital letters (it means you’re shouting) in e-mail correspondence and don’t send multi-colored e-mails.

9. Don’t include quotes in your e-mail signature box. Or, if you do, have separate signature lines depending on who’s receiving the e-mail. If you keep your signature line basic, with just your name, title, employer, address, phone, fax and e-mail address, you won’t inadvertantly offend potential employers!

10. Don’t wear a Bluetooth accessory in a meeting, at a lunch, or in other business settings. Also, don’t set your cell phone on a desk, table, etc. when you’re meeting with an employer, alumni or other professional.

11. Don’t text in the middle of meetings, lunches, etc.

12. Don’t wear your iPod while working.

Should you have any questions about these tips or general questions about e-professionalism, please visit the Career Planning Center (Room 125) or contact our staff to make an appointment at (219) 465-7814 or careerplaning.law@valpo.edu

On November 5, 2008 the Valparaiso University School of Law Moot Court Society will host the 20th annual Judge Luther M. Swygert Memorial Moot Court Competition. Every year members of the Moot Court Society delve into areas of First Amendment law in this competition. This year’s topic involves academic freedom for professors, which is timely and of great interest to many.

Smith and Katie Staab). The field will be narrowed to the top four competitors who will perform in the final round on November 5th.

Judge John Tinder of the 7th Circuit, Justice Elizabeth Lacy of the Virginia Supreme Court, and Justice Debra Todd of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Members of the Moot Court Society include:

Gilfillan, Kirsten Haalboom, Brandon Hall, Sean Hatfield, Allison Horton, Milo Johnson, Jesse Lanshe, Joanna Lekkas, Elizabeth Madlem, Anthony Mayerhofer, Kathryn McEnery, Ashley Mills, Brett Mock, Amy Molloy, Erika Nelson, Steve Olsen, Nicholas Poteres, Abigail Rom, Heather Schaefer, Sameer Siddiqui, Jeff Speights, Arriel Stevens, Moses Suarez, Jessica Warren

Dear Faculty, Staff, and of course Students,

Welcome back for another year within the halls of Valparaiso University School of Law. To begin, I would like to welcome our new faculty and staff who have joined us this summer. I am confident that they, as all of our faculty and staff do, will contribute greatly to strengthening our education and experience, along with promoting the open door policy.

Most importantly on behalf of your student representatives, I want to welcome all of our new incoming first-year students along with those who have transferred in. We hope that your transition has been easier with your participation in the Student Mentor Program. This is one of many missions that the SBA wants to further develop this year, which is building and strengthening relationships. Whether it is working closely with the administration to get needed improvement, or assisting each other to ensure that we all succeed both academically and within our careers once we graduate.

With that said, one important change to take note of is our meeting times. This year we have decided to move our meeting time to Sundays at 5:30 pm in the Chicago / Hessler Rooms. We hope that this will allow more students to attend and listen in and / or voice their concerns during the student concerns portion. However, if you cannot make it, please let one of your student representatives know your concerns so that he or she may address it as well. Our pictures and names are listed on the board outside of our office, and email addresses will be listed on our website once the new school website goes live.

One thing that we encouraged and witnessed in the beginning of last year was greater participation by students and the student organizations. This year, we want to build upon that engagement to create greater success and efficient use of limited resources. Thus, our new first-year students who want to make a difference and help further that cause can get involved in your SBA. Campaigning takes place this September 8th – 11th, with voting to take place during Chapel Break (10:50 – 11:40 am) on September 12th.

Some other important information to note is Cardozo Cup, our annual student inter-class softball game along with a match-up against the faculty-staff team. This will take place on Friday, October 3, 2008, staring at approximately 4:30 pm. The new location this year (Bicentennial Park). More information to follow via email. If you want to participate in the game, your class captains will soon be sending out information to announce practices, t-shirts, etc. Another great event is VU Day of Caring sponsored by the United Way, which is Saturday, September 20th, more information to follow as well.

Ultimately, this is your SBA and we strongly encourage your active engagement to make it a success. We cannot work to implement changes if we do not know about the issues facing you. So please feel free to stop in our office and we encourage everyone to get involved in one of the student groups or starting one of your own. In the end, this is a new year with new challenges, hopes, and dreams. We wish everyone great successes!

Working towards a great year,

Laura Wishart

SBA President, Class of 2009.

More than ten new members joined the Mock Trial team for the 2008-2009 season. Tamara Bershok, chairperson, is excited about the team’s prospect. “This is a really strong team and I think we can get back to national competitions,” said Bershok. Joining the 9 returning 3Ls were 10 new 2Ls.

Tryouts were held on September 1, to fill the few remaining spots. Bershok feels the hours of tryouts were well worth it, “Try outs are a lot of work for the executive board but it is a great to see the talent Valpo students have.”

The executive board was elected last spring. Along with Bershok, Tracey Steele-Schafer is the Membership and Intraschool Competitions Chairperson, Mitch Gilfillan is the National Competitions Chairperson, Aaron Georgi is the Finance Chairperson and Matthew Skilling is the Secretary and Alumni Relations Chairperson. The executive board will travel to Michigan State University for a competition at the end of October.

Once the final roster is set, the team will begin preparing for the Intraschool Competition. The fact pattern will be available mid-September and allows two months for the teams to prepare. The competition has two days of preliminary trials and a final round that is open to the public. The final round will be held on November 12. A sign-up sheet for tickets will be located outside the Student Advocacy Center in November. Bershok encourages everyone to attend, “finals are exciting because you get to see your friends and classmates put on their suits and be lawyers.”

Matthew is a 3L and can be reached at matthew.skilling@valpo.edu.

Welcome to another year of law school! The summer proved to be a very busy one for the members of the Valparaiso University Law Review.

Under the leadership of Editor in Chief Carrie Flores, the Law Review’s group of editors worked tirelessly over the past several months to admit a new class of Notewriters into the Law Review. We are very excited to announce the Notewriters for Volume 43 of the Valparaiso University Law Review.

Each individual participated in the annual case comment competition following their May final exams. The Notewriters had only three weeks to thoroughly research and write a twelve-page comment on a recent Supreme Court decision. The editors of the Law Review evaluated each submission and, through a combination of their writing scores and grades, the top submissions have been selected to participate in the review. Additionally, congratulations to Shannon Noder who received the highest score on her case comment, which will be published in the review.

The Notewriters, after deciding upon topics, are in the process of writing their Notes. Since the new members will write on their chosen topics for the next seven months, the selection of their specific areas of law was an intimidating one. However, these individuals have dedicated themselves to the Law Review and we congratulate them on their success and commitment to the school.

The Law Review is publishing four issues this year, and we are currently in the process of preparing Issues One and Two for publication. In addition to articles submitted by outside authors and professionals, the Volume 42 issues will include Notes by the following Law Review members: Matt Chandler, Carrie Flores, Taylor Fox, Liam Gruzs, Nate Hubley, Brad Shivley, Krista Blaisdell, Kim Cuccia, Sheryl Erdmann, Pam Hart, Paul Kulwinski, Chris Rados, Justin Curtis, Allison Horton, Michael Meyer, Amy Riederer, and Brianna Schroeder. Congratulations to these diligent writers for achieving the publishable standard!

If you have any questions about the Law Review or if you want to learn more about the organization, feel free to stop by the Law Review office or contact Brianna Schroeder at Brianna.schroeder@gmail.com.

Volume 43

Law Review Notewriters

Richard Barrett, Joshua Hermes, Samuel Richardson, Tom Bricker, Lauren Hoyson, Abigail Rom, Emily Calwell, Stephanie Lacke, Gary Rom, Nicole Camier, Amanda Link, Lisa Ross, Edward Devries, Kathryn McEnery, James Smith, Michael Duffy, Shannon Noder, Adam Speraw, Christina Ecker, Steven Olsen, Katie Staab, Joshua Faucette, Adam Pope, Tara Waterlander, Tyler Pratt.

We look forward to our welcome back to school picnic on September 19th. The VLD is again sponsoring Valparaiso University’s Day of Caring, with the Porter County United Way on September 20th. We need volunteers! Breakfast and a souvenir t-shirt will be provided compliments of the United Way.

To join the Valpo Law Democrats, come to our meeting, stop by the activities fair booth, or email Jennifer Sheetz at jsheetz@valpo.edu. Let’s get our donkey in gear!

As the hype of the Presidential Primaries takes hold of our law school and grips the attention of our nation, this is a perfect time to introduce the idea of campaigning on a local level – running for the 2008-2009 Student Bar Association. This past year the focus of SBA has revolved around internal improvements, namely in the areas of record keeping, fiscal responsibility, and charity. Giant leaps have been made to preserve records and timelines for future SBA members. Not only will this save time for other important matters, but it also helps future administrations to have a precedent upon which to rely.

This year the SBA has tried to do more with less money. We decided to give more money to student organizations instead of throwing frivolous events. Looking back, it definitely has allowed student groups to do more. Unfortunately, there is always something more that groups wish to do, but SBA cannot fund everything. However, we have found creative ways to raise money, which strengthens the bond between organizations. From the blood drive and book drive, to the current penny war battle between classes, our local community has been enriched by contributions from our law school.

The vast improvements of this year’s SBA can be attributed to the wonderful participation from the members and from students who have held SBA to a higher standard. I have full faith that this positive trend will continue, so long as motivated individuals run for positions. If you have an interest in seeing what SBA does, please drop by our office or attend our meetings each Sunday. What it comes down to is being involved. If you want to contribute to our school, run for the Student Bar Association. Help us leave our footprint on the school, community, and other law schools around the country. We have big plans for the future of the organization and welcome any feedback or assistance. I urge you all to think about running for next year’s SBA. Not only can you put this on your resume, but you also gain valuable leadership experience and build your professional network.

In closing, I would like to say that it has been a pleasure serving as both Vice President and President this year. Special thanks goes to the 3Ls who have played a role this past year: Bailey Cunningham, Gaby Guzman, Jordan Gwiazdon, Megan Krol, Ian Lucas, EB Newberry, Anthony Nwaneri, Sebastian Smelko, and Sherwin Tsai. I look forward to finding strong individuals to fill their valuable positions.

Upcoming events include 1L Appellate Brief Binding, February 18th – 29th, located on the second floor of the library. Watch for a sign-up sheet on the Phi Alpha Delta student organization board soon. Walk-ins will also be accommodated IF POSSIBLE. Other upcoming events include Bowl-A-Thon on March 24th at Inman’s, taking the place of the weekly bowling league that night, and a panel of speakers discussing how to succeed in the public sector on March 26th. Additionally in March, we will have officer elections for next year’s executive board; if you are interested in attaining great leadership skills and getting involved, please consider this opportunity. We also have a Q&A session to help 1Ls register for next years’ classes, as well as another Q&A session for second semester finals. Lastly, on April 11th will be our Annual Charity Auction. This event has been very successful in the past and we ask you to please come out and bid on some of the spectacular items (past items include cleaning services, car washes, tax filing, theater tickets, baseball tickets, and even Notre Dame football tickets!) and help us finish off what has been a great year with flying colors!

The Student Bar Association has focused much of its time this semester working to attend to the ever growing problem of poor lightening, the lack of safety call boxes and finally the poor condition of our parking lots. Joe Baruffi (the Director of Student Services) and I have submitted a formal request to our Institution for action. Also, sitting in the SBA office is a petition that will be delivered to the leaders of Valparaiso University. I encourage you all to read and sign this petition—perhaps it will further our progress with this issue.

Also, the SBA has worked hard to improve our image and our pride. We expect to continue our very successful Student Advisor Program next year and we anticipate several first year law students to step up and take the lead. You are no longer new here, this is your school: improve it! Furthermore, other initiatives that the Student Bar Association is working towards are a Diversity Group, as well as Student Alumni Council. It is envisioned that in the future, these groups will increase the already robust sense of community within our Halls.

Finally, save your pennies over the Holiday as the penny wars between the classes will begin at shortly after next semester commences. The total monies collected will go to the Indiana Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients program. This SBA is personally committed to not only dedicating its efforts for the betterment of our Law School community but giving back to others as well. There are always great opportunities to help others here at the law school from the VU Day of Caring, to the Book Drive, PDP’s pumpkin carving event for local children, PAD’s adopt a family program, and many more.

Next, I want to introduce you to the new President of your Student Bar Association, Laura Wishart. Laura is a second year law student and is thoroughly committed to continuing the mission of improving Our School for our students. I have worked with Laura the past two years and have witnessed her commitment first hand. Go to her and our other representatives with your concerns and problems just as many of you have approached me in the past. She and the rest of your Student Bar Association want to help. You can reach Laura at laura.wishart@valpo.edu

Finally, as I will make the transition from a student at Our School to an Alumnus, I will leave you with some final thoughts. Administration and Staff: thank you for your ever present commitment to improve Our School. Your dedication to progress is inspirational. Please continue to listen to the ways students believe this school can improve. Faculty: thank you for your open doors, minds, and hearts. Thank you for your devotion to our education and demanding the very best from us every day in class. You all are to be extremely commended for dedicating your life to educating others. Lastly, fellow colleagues: we all have an affirmative duty placed upon us the day we enter as first year law students at the Valparaiso University School of Law. I am not discussing the commitment we make to ourselves to be the best student we can be. Rather, this obligation is to commit a part of our journey into and out of here to improving Our School. Take Pride not only in yourself, but also this school—Our School. Pride stands for Personal Responsibility In Daily Excellence.In my assessment, the Valparaiso University School of Law will be much different in the future. The question is how it will be different. Sure, we could all forget about Valparaiso Law when we leave here and yes, it would probably be OK. However, OK is not and should not be good enough. We can improve Our School more, plans are coming in place to really move forward. Will you be a part of this progress? You each are an integral part. Ask how you can help, volunteer, respond, Act! Please join in our endeavor to improve Our School, not only while you are a student here, but also as a proud graduate.

In closing, thank you, Valparaiso University School of Law, for the wonderful memories, the life long friendships I have made, and, in my estimation, one of the best legal educations in America. It was an honor and privilege to serve you.Best Regards, God Bless, and Happy Holidays.

J. Sebastian Smelko

President, Student Bar Association

jsebastiansmelko@gmail.com