The End of Highlighter Guy

I passed a major milestone today in Intellectual Property. I prepared the cases on my own, without the help of Study Aids, and I actually briefed one of the cases correctly. I know it sounds like nothing, but to me, I am so tickled. One small step for Ashley, one giant step for twins who have switched places. Amazing, isn't it, how much you really like a subject once it finally clicks, and you know what is going on. And it only took....How many days?

One compelling mystery from law school has finally been solved. Highlighter Guy got called on today in Professor Rogerson's class, so I now know his real name.

MR. SEATON

Mr. Randall Seaton. I got his first name off of his class notes he dropped when Rogerson called on him. To me, he really doesn't look like a "Randall." He looks like a Hightlighter Guy, but besides that, I think he looks more like a Jimmy or a Bobby. Something with an "ee" at the end of it because he's kind of a good ol' boy. I asked him if he ever went by "Randy," which would fill the "ee" requirement, but he said no. It's Randall. Randall Highlighter Guy Seaton.

I was actually proud of Randall when Rogerson called on him. It took a few minutes for him to gather his thoughts--and his papers--but he finally stood up and faced Rogerson. He didn't even sweat buckets like he usually does just thinking about the possibility of being called on. Professor Rogerson gave him a few "guess the entity" type of questions, including ones where Randall had to distinguish beteen a "C" Corporation and an "S" Corporation. I thought Randall did just fine. It's too bad that Professor Rogerson doesn't share my opinion. When Randall hesitated on the question regarding the number of shareholders for an "S" corp., Rogerson told him to "sit down and shut up." Nice.

Professor Rogerson finally returned our Bylaws drafting exercises back to us. I felt nervous about the timing of the Bylaws and the fact Richard was just terminated from Law Clinic...Surely my Bylaws involving the unauthorized practice of law in Law Clinics didn't negatively reflect on Richard? When my paper was finally passed down the row to me, I was relieved to see Rogerson's comments. Under a big red checkmark were the words: "Unrealistic project. Law clinic programs are already closely regulated by the law schools and the state Bar Associations." So, I guess Rogerson didn't think it had any merit, meaning it wouldn't have impacted Richard's job. I hope.

It is a teeny-tiny bit of a surprise that Rogerson is such an egomaniac that he didn't even see the connection between the Bylaws and the working conditions for me in the Property Law Clinic. Especially the element in the Bylaws where I talked about a law student being able to complain to a lawyer about unfair working hours. Like, HELLO! Oh well, I tried to use humor to help get me out of a bad situation. When calmness, anger, and humor don't work, what else is there?

There was another mystery solved today, sort of, when I finally ran into Richard in the library after Intellectual Property. I asked him what happened with Law Clinic and why he is not working there anymore. I put it in a positive way, saying something along the lines of "How did you get so lucky?" Richard told me he was glad to be out of there because there is a policy where you can't quit Law Clinic during the semester. If you do quit, you get an "F" on your transcript (it's usually considered a pass-fail class and everyone passes). The school has to have this consequence so they can be sure no clients are left high and dry without legal counsel in the middle of their cases. Richard said he doesn't know why Rogerson fired him. Apparently, Rogerson left a note in Richard's school mailbox that said "You need to come by my office and justify your existance in the Law Clinic." Justify his existance? How about the fact he has been the only one spending any decent amount of time working there, who actually knows what the hell he's doing?

Richard told me he went by Rogerson's office yesterday afternoon and that Rogerson didn't even extend the courtesy of letting him sit down. When Richard asked what was going on, Professor Rogerson told him, "I'm dropping you from the Property Law Clinic. You're fired as of today." Rogerson then started to shut the door to his office on him. Richard said he was shocked to hear he was fired, especially since he thought he had been doing a pretty good job. For some reason, he couldn't even bring himself to ask Rogerson why he was fired. He just said, "Okay" and "Thanks" and walked off. Of course, I would have jumped up and down, done the Snoopy-dance, and screamed at the top of my lungs, "Thank you! Thank you!" But that's just me.

While I'm glad Richard is taking it so well and seems genuinely happy to be out of Law Clinic, I think it is really sad that Rogerson did that. No reason, no excuse, nothing. Even when you hate a job, if you get fired from it, it still counts in the rejection-department. I think Richard is going to try to get a job working in the law library a few hours a week. I'm glad he'll still be around, not only because he's been nice to me, but also because I couldn't bring myself today to ask about the Becca Rutherford thing, and I want to be able to ask him about it in the near future.

Gotta go study for Tarkington's class...And, hey, it is just a coincidence that LOST is starting right now..