Thank you for such a lovely visit, Erin Dunn

I knew I’d love you in person, too—

💌 Amanda

When I first showed up on LinkedIn in Sept 2021, the name Laura Frederick was one of the first I heard. So much of what I have done in terms of content creation, personal branding, and starting my own business can be traced back to Laura’s path.

Fast forward to this past December, Laura and I spoke on the phone for the first time.

AND it’s got helpful advice on interview prep for you!

Start in the comments.
Practice post ideas in comments.
You can warm up to it.

But START!!

The great Melanie Kalmanson is hosting a free webinar with special Bluebook tips just for you, and it’s happening TOMORROW.

Sign up so you can get the recording to watch after exams, if you can’t attend.

I’m thinking of you all and sending good cheer through this May slog—

Dear Matt,

Marrying you was the best decision I ever made.

What an extraordinary life journey we’ve had together.

Happy, happy 25th Anniversary—

I am so excited for another 25, and more!

One thing that’s hard is that you don’t get to talk to many people in person during the day.

And so, it was especially nice to have someone drop by my house today—@ Monica Muehsam. If it hadn’t been for posting on LinkedIn, we never would have met!

Monica is a paralegal who recently went out on her own. She’s going to be helping me with a few projects.

Dear 1L - Spotlight

Today I introduce Amelia Hamman, an immigrant from South Africa by way of Canada, who credits her work ethic and adventurous spirit to the sacrifices her parents made to give their children the best possible future.

Here’s some backstory:

▫️ Amelia grew up speaking Afrikaans before she spoke English.

Law students: Here is an excellent vocab primer to improve your understanding during networking conversations with attorneys. Read the thread, too, as there are other handy terms mentioned. Hope you find helpful!!

💫 Dear 1L - Spotlight

Today I introduce Michael Aronson, a 2L who started as a small-town, ice-hockey goalie with big-time plans: He’d someday become the star starting goalie for the Florida Panthers.

During long training hours with the team’s goalie coach, Michael ultimately seized a spot on a Junior-level team and was one big step closer to realizing his hockey-star dream.

Today Dear 1L spotlights retired chemical engineer Renee Austin — the first in her family to attend college or law school.

Renee started law school as a part-time student in Michigan, but she was also working full-time as an engineer. She quickly realized that institutional barriers and insufficient program resources meant no good opportunities for her as a part-time student. She withdrew after two semesters.

💌 Dear 1L - Student Spotlight

Meet a two-time college dropout who, later in life, refused to let “delayed” mean “denied.”

In the 1990s, {@ALEX BELOW} failed to get a Bachelor’s from the Univ. of New Orleans (UNO), but he worked successfully in business to support his family for the next 20 years. Still, though, he aspired for more. 

🔷 Dear 1L — Summer Spotlight 🔷

Pivoting away from the haunting background stories of past weeks, the showcase turns to the hardworking, international world of rising 2L, Alexandra Hulit.

*    *    *

To fund and support her education, Alex spent 6+ years working in retail and customer-service facing positions.

🔷 Dear 1L - Summer Spotlight 🔷

This week, I introduce incoming 1L, Jonathan Koehler.

**

Jonathan grew up in a world marred by alcoholism and family failure. Corporal punishment, periodic homelessness, and a steady dose of tongue-lashings taught him to defend himself—with words.

Today, just thinking about it as I wake, dread starts. Sadness seeps in.

How is Father’s Day for you this year?

I hope the day is only filled with joy, and I obviously say a heartfelt happy day to all the wonderful dads who are reading this.

But if today is a tough one for you, or bittersweet—

or even if it means a dreaded call to one who is estranged—

🔹 Dear 1L - Summer Spotlight 🔹

This week, I introduce rising 2L, Ali Slader.

Ali shares that she grew up on Cherokee reservation lands, amid the most meager of means.

Hers was a violent home of unspeakable abuse, in which Ali was “sister” to six brothers and the only “daughter” of an 8th-grade-educated father.