Ariel D.

Topic: Law

Essential Question: What is the best way to become a litigation paralegal?

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Senior Project Reflection

Positive Statement: Once I was actually giving my lecture, a weird sort of calm came over me, and I actually had a bit of fun lecturing. I felt pretty proud that I was able to keep a fairly calm pace and make good eye contact.

Questions: 
a. I would give myself a P for my 2-hour, because I completed all the tasks but I didn't really have anything special in my presentation
b. Overall I would give myself an AP because I turned in a lot of things late.

What worked: Service learning. I had a lot of trouble finding service learning at first, but once I had that settled  the experience was great. Having never had a job before, I was able to experience what a work environment was like, and being in a law office taught me a lot that research hadn't.

What didn't work: After a while, research got pretty old. I started having trouble finding good sources and sources that didn't get repetitive.

Finding Value: I think that having completed the senior project, I will have at least a little bit more confidence when walking into professional situations. I still get intimidated by people I view as professionals, but now I can look back at service learning and remind myself that I've done it before and people are generally nice and willing to help.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Service Learning

    Literal

  • Description of duties: I helped Richard Padilla by proofreading documents, organizing files, and making copies.
  • Contact: Richard Padilla, (626) 580-2010

    Interpretive


  • The most important thing I gained from service learning was the knowledge that the atmosphere in a lawyer's office is more laid-back then I thought. It helped me get rid of my mental image of lawyers, so instead of stuffy old men in suits I can think of a lawyer and see an actual person.

   Applied

  • My service learning helped me answer my EQ by allowing me to see what actually went on in a legal job. My research, and even attending a class could only teach me so much. By being in the office and observing the people working I was able to see what really went into the job.     

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Independent Component 2

Log is here on google docs

Literal:
a) I, Ariel, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.
b) I did 30 extra hours of service learning with Richard Padilla in El Monte.

Interpretive:
In doing more service learning I was able to see more of the working environment for lawyers. I did tasks similar to what a paralegal would have, such as copying files and organizing them into binders.


Applied:
This helped me answer my EQ because it gave me even more of an opportunity to observe the lawyers in the office. I was able to listen while they talked to each other. I have heard them discussing new laws going into effect and how that will affect the city, and asked them about those laws.

Helping 2013


Who did you interview: Daniel Leon
What day and time: Thursday at first break

(1) What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

He wants to do something involving mechanics because he likes cars.

(2) What do you plan to do to complete the 10 hours of service learning (working with an expert) which is due prior to senior year starting? 

He plans to work with a mechanic. He has already talked to someone and is ready to start the 10 hours.

(3) What do you hope to see or expect to see when watching the class of 2012 present their two hour presentations?

He doesn't have any expectations right now. He just wants to get a feel for what the project will be.

(4) What questions do they have about senior project?  What additional recommendations would you give the 2013 student about senior project?  Be specific and note what you told them.

Since he doesn't really know anything about the project yet, he didn't know what questions to ask. I told him that he should make sure he has service learning for the 50 hour requirement set up, because he mentioned that he wanted to work with a different mechanic.


_________________________


Who did you interview: Elizabeth Rodriguez
What day and time: Thursday at second break


1) She isn't sure what she wants to do yet. She said she's interested in engineering, but isn't sure exactly what she could do for that.


2) Since she hasn't decided on a topic, she doesn't know what to do. She thinks that if she does go with engineering then she might be able to go to someone up at Cal Poly.


3) She doesn't know what to expect. She transferred here midyear so I don't think she's completely gotten the feel for Ipoly and I doubt she knows much about senior project.


4) She didn't have any questions, but since she's interested in engineering I told her about the engineering 2 hour I went to last year. I mentioned that that one was about things like making sure the street lights work efficiently but that there are plenty of other types of engineering. I also told her to try to figure out what she's going to choose soon so she can get the 10 hours out of the way and not have to worry about it.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Answer #3

EQ: What is the best way to be a public agency paralegal?

Answer 3: Keeping up with changing laws

Evidence:

  • You need to understand a law to be able to implement it
  • New laws might contradict old ones
  • If both you and the lawyer keep up with the laws, you might get a more complete understanding of it

Source:

  • Purthur's class
  • Roles, Responsibility, Ethics, and Required Skills.
  • Litigation Corner: Time To Shine