Becoming a Lawyer

Hi! Thank you (in advance) for reading my blog! I’ve never written a blog before, but I plan to share my experience as an attorney from my first day of becoming licensed (and in the case of this post, before becoming licensed as well). It is my aspiration to provide monthly updates, but in the busiest times- as this first few months has definitely been, because I am still learning the ropes- the updates may be quarterly. This post is essentially a short recap of the time leading up to me becoming a lawyer and my first impressions of the job.

First and foremost, the last few months have been an absolute whirlwind. I graduated from UF’s Levin College of Law, studied for and took the Florida Bar Exam, started my new job, found out I passed the bar exam, and was sworn into the Florida Bar. I feel like I’ve become a completely different person in the last 3.5 years (my time in law school and taking/passing the bar exam), and I know I’ll continue to grow and change in this wonderful career.

Law school as a whole was a really positive experience for me. Of course there were classes and days that were worse than others. The most important part of law school wasn’t the classes, though. I was able to meet a lot of great people that I think I will be able to be in touch with for a very long time. In addition to the time I actually spent at school, I also got the chance to work for some law firms in Gainesville during my time in undergraduate school as well as law school- one of which actually ended up leading me to my current firm in Daytona. 

Studying for the bar exam was one of the most nerve-wracking and emotionally draining things I have ever done. The two days spent in Tampa were even worse. I probably should not have been AS worried about the exam as I was, but a little worry can do you good and make you study harder. I studied for the exam every day during the summer- I wanted to start working when I graduated but I knew I wouldn’t be able to do that and give the bar exam studying enough attention. Watching the bar preparation lectures was extremely unhelpful. I learned the most and got the most prepared for the test in the two or three weeks leading up to the exam when I found a study-buddy with the same learning style as me. The bar exam itself was excruciating. I spent the entire two days literally shaking with fear and nerves. It’s honestly crazy that almost 3,000 people fit into one room to take the test. I had to reserve my hotel room for the night before and the night in-between the test days in September of 2018 (for a July 2019 exam!!!) because they fill up so quickly.

After the bar exm, I went back to my apartment in Gainesville to make sure I had everything packed up- as I was moving to Daytona the next day. I couldn’t wait to start my new job as an associate attorney at iFloridaDivorce.com! I started full-time work less than two weeks after the exam. I just gave myself enough time to move from Gainesville to Daytona. I spent a little over a month working before I got my bar results back. I refreshed the page so many times that morning waiting for the results I can’t believe my computer didn’t crash. And of course, when I saw the “Pass Pass Pass,” I still wasn’t COMPLETELY convinced I passed the test until the actual numbers came in the mail. 

I was officially sworn in to the Florida Bar on September 20th. My swearing-in ceremony was incredibly special to my family, because we all (except my 11-year-old brother- simply because he did not exist yet) also attended my dad’s swearing-in ceremony in 2003 together (pictures below). Knowing I was becoming an attorney was the most exciting but also the most terrifying feeling I’ve had. 

I have learned more at this job in the last three months than I expected to learn in three years. So far, I have already gotten to attend hearings and trials, attend case management conferences alone, draft motions, send subpoenas, and so many other things I didn’t even realize were part of being a lawyer. My favorite part of the whole job, by far, is the opportunity to meet and talk to clients. They are going through what is potentially the worst experience of their lives, and they have chosen our firm to represent them through that time. I truly cannot think of a higher honor- and I can't wait to spend the rest of my working life being a part of it.