Melissa Love Koenig – Page 38 – Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog

Outrunning Burnout

Post author:Melissa Love Koenig
Post published:September 11, 2013
Post category:Legal Practice Public

This month’s Wisconsin Lawyer magazine features an article by Paula Davis-Laack on burnout. When I think of the word “burnout,” the first thought that comes to my mind is “I don’t have time for burnout.” Maybe other lawyers and law students feel the same way–burnout is not an option.

The article suggests five tips for preventing burnout:

1. Increase your self-efficacy.
2. Have creative outlets.
3. Take care of yourself.
4. Get support where you can find it.
5. Identify your values.

What I like about these tips is that Ms. Davis-Laack comes at the problem of burnout from a constructive, positive angle. The law profession is time-intensive and demanding, even though it is hugely rewarding. The same can be said of law school. Putting these tips into place seems fairly easy–simple habits to avoid big problems.

By increasing your self-efficacy, the article says, you can help yourself to feel in control, and feeling in control reduces stress. If you are in law school, start working on your outlines now–not at Thanksgiving.

Breathe Deeply

Post author:Melissa Love Koenig
Post published:August 21, 2013
Post category:Legal Practice Legal Writing Public

As I finalize preparing for my fall Appellate Writing and Advocacy course, and I think about our new moot court teams this year, I have been considering what makes for a top-notch oral argument.

One basic, and sometimes overlooked, concept is how to breathe when presenting an argument. This is something I think about, because I have spent a lot of time over the years singing in choirs. Anyone who has sung in a choir or done any voice training has heard about “diaphragmatic breathing.” This type of breathing supports the vocal cords fully. It’s also pretty close to the type of breathing taught in yoga classes.

Summer Youth Institute at Marquette Law School

Post author:Melissa Love Koenig
Post published:July 22, 2013
Post category:Education & Law Marquette Law School Public

A Summer Youth Institute is being held at Marquette Law School this week.

Students attending the Summer Youth Institute are spending a dynamic week learning about the law, practicing skills, and meeting with attorneys, judges, and law students. They are learning about the American legal system, notable figures in legal history, and the United States Constitution. They are reading United States Supreme Court cases and learning about case analysis and note taking.

Students are also practicing oral advocacy and will be participating in a moot court before a judging panel. They are studying negotiation strategies and engaging in a mock negotiation.