Family Day at Law School

Introductory note: for those, who have never read our blog before, we are a couple in New York City, where I attend law school. In order to keep our anonymity, we don’t use our names, nor do I write the name of the law school. However, the pictures posted are real.

This past weekend, Wife got to experience a taste of law school. A few weeks back, Law School sent out announcements that there will be this special “family day.” I asked Wife if she would like to participate, and she responded with a shrug and responded, “Sure, could be fun.” Without thinking much about it, I signed us up for the festivities. Honestly, we then forgot about it until late last week when I had a sudden panic attack that we had missed it—and my fears were relieved when I checked the calendar.

On the morning of Family Day, Wife and I walked over to Law School for the festivities. When we arrived to the courtyard of Law School, perky greeters welcomed us with a cup of coffee and our nametags while we were entertained by “doo-wop” singers (basically, Wife describes the singers as Boys II Men if they were aged twenty years). Photographers were there to snap our family pictures (and they gave us a free print). As we entered into the law school, I realized that this would be a much bigger deal than either of us had anticipated.

Upon entering the Law School, the Dean greeted us and thanked us for coming with a friendly handshake. This man is one of the most powerful five or ten people in all of legal education, and he took an entire day to personally meet the family of all the students, faculty, and staff of the law school. This quite simply blew my mind. I tried to explain to Wife whom she had just met; it would have been much easier to explain if the Dean had been more arrogant and aloof instead of so friendly and approachable.

We were ushered into a large reception hall where a full breakfast spread was presented for us. For the first time since we have been out here in New York, I ate lox with my bagel. Wow…I’m really not sure if I have ever eaten anything better than that in my life (other than, of course, Wife’s cooking). Maybe my breakfast was so outstanding because the lox were on a real NY bagel; maybe the lox are better here in New York as well. Either way, Wife and I agreed that the breakfast was phenomenal.

After breakfast, we went to class. We had our choice amongst about five different classes, all taught by professors who are regarded as the best in the world in their field. We chose Constitutional law, where we participated in a lively discussion on the Supreme Court’s historic treatment of the 14^th Amendment. We left our class and went on a tour of the Law School and the surrounding area.

When we got back, Law School presented us with a lunch they were incredibly proud of. Law School treated us to, “A taste of New York.” Throughout the main building, various stations were set up to give us a sampling of the best food that New York has to offer. There was a sampling from Little Italy, China Town, Coney Island, and there was also a sushi bar (but I am not sure what part of New York that was supposed to come from). The food was decent, but nothing compared to the lox and bagels for breakfast.

Law School wanted us to experience an academic treat—something truly significant. Law School put together a short lecture series and panel discussion with four of the world’s leading scholars on election law to discuss imminent political issues upcoming in the 2008 That was an interesting two hours. Early next year, a synopsis of what we heard will be published by the Law School.

Our experience ended with “Tea with the Dean.” I was a little unsure what this would entail, but it was quite simple: more food, specifically coffee and desserts of every shape and form. After Wife and I each had a “black and white cookie,” we left to go back to go home, but first we were each given a bag filled with souvenirs.