Blog 24: Last Presentation Reflection

          

(1) Positive Statement
-What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

•     What I'm most proud of about my senior project is the amount of time and effort I put into my project. I spent so much time on my research and watching cases to develop my answers. There was times that I struggled, like with finding a mentor but I put so much effort into this project. I am very proud of myself and it's a big accomplishment for me. It was a great experience all together and definitely taught me a lot about the career field that I want to pursue later on. 

(2) Questions to Consider
-a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation?  Use the component contract to defend that assessment.
AE       P          AP       CR       NC

• I would give myself a P. I presented myself well and knew a lot of information on my topic and presented that as well. I showed my intuition and tied in my answers to myself. Also, I met the talking time requirements and the overall time requirements. I brought posters props and everyone enjoyed my activity and said I did a wonderful job. In all honestly, I would give myself an AE but I feel a little insecure saying that I deserve an AE if I really don't.

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project? Use the component contract to defend that assessment.
AE       P          AP       CR       NC(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

• Again I would give myself a P because I spent a lot of time on my project and I had to go through three mentors so that was a bit of a struggle. I did my work, I missed a few assignments, not gonna lie, I definitely don't deserve an AE because of those assignments but I don't deserve a CR because of them either. I soent many hours on my independent components as well which were fun. So I think I did proficiently overall in my senior project. 

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

• I think what worked well for me was the areas I could explore within my topic. I got to look into different fields of law and how they related to my topic. Also the amount of things I could do for my independent components was cast as well. And being able to work on all these cases and take notes and sit in on meetings at my mentorship was so fun to me and made me like my topic even more. 

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project?

• If I had a time machine I would find a mentor that actually stuck with me. Having to keep finding new mentors was hard because each one I emailed had a different reason on why they couldn't be my mentor. I would also not procrastinate and keep up with my research checks and maybe taken a psychology class at Cal Poly because it played such a big role in my answer one and throughout my topic. 

(5) Finding Value
-How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors? Be specific and use examples.

• My project has taught me A LOT about criminal prosecution and the field of law in general. Law is a career I want to pursue so being able to get this experience before even going into study law will help me during school and after. Also, being able to build up my reputation in the law community opened up doors and opportunities for summer internships at law firms. My mentor said she would continue to be my mentor as long as I want. So this will help me in all my future endeavors in my career of law.

Blog 23: Exit Interview

Content:

(1) What is your essential question, and what are your answers?  What is your best answer and why?

My essential question is; What methods can a prosecutor use to ensure a successful court case? My three answers are based on personality types and what methods each personality type would use. My first answer is a Prosecutor who is more psychologically focused, they focus on reading the clients and how they act. Are able to act upon first judgement and interrogate the witnesses because they know if they are lying or not and can, in a sense, read their minds. These are the types of methods that they use. 

My second answer is Knowing how to utilize loopholes, site cases, how to work the system, and being "street smart" in a legal manner. Being able to find a loophole in any document or case file can help you win your case. 

My third answer is Logical, scientific, and fact based. Being able to think logically, use facts, and use hard evidence to your advantage. Analyzing evidence and using the evidence to prove your points is crucial in the case. 

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer? 

To arrive at my three answers I did a lot of research, read lots of transcripts and watched a lot of law televisions shows. I think my research has been the hardest because some of the things I was researching were redundant. There was more information out there I just didn’t know where to look. So I started researching different fields of law and how they correlate to my topic. This is how I came across Psychology and the study of the mind. I have also watched many trials on YouTube and saw what the prosecutors do and how they conduct themselves!

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

The only major problems I faced was within my research and my mentor. I felt like the information I was looking up was redundant and repetitive. So I started to look up different fields of law and how my answers could tie into those fields. My second problem was with my mentor. I had a mentor but then I was texting and calling her and emailing and she wasn't returning anything. So I had to start emailing and going and finding a new mentor. Which I did, and I share the same mentor as Paula.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

One of my big sources for my first answer was this article and it helped me come to the point of using psychology as a method.. Being able to read your clients and how to utilize the ability to see their mannerisms and kind of tell if they're lying or not. It helps you to interrogate them while on the stand. "Study of the Mind." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, n.d. Web. 08 May 2016.

Another big source was all of the cases I watched on YouTube. The Casey Anthony case and OJ Simpson case for example. I watched how the prosecutors conducted the case and how they each worked differently throughout the trial. I watched the OJ Simpson series and the actual case and how and what the prosecutors said and who they used as witnesses really helped me to come up with my other two answers. They're all based on how you conduct yourself and the case in a courtroom. 

Be prepared with evidence and specific examples to support any response.  It is also significant to cite sources as you explain.

Blog 16: Independent Component 2 Approval

                           

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

• For my Independent Component two I plan to watch the tv series "American Crime Story." It's a series based on The people vs. OJ Simpson. I also want to collaborate my IC 2 with Paula Montano and she will be watching this for her IC 2. 

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

• To meet my 30 hours I plan on watching each episode up until the point of which the IC is due. During each episode I will take notes and compare them with Paula. Also I want to look up the case notes from the trial and any information I can find on it to see if the series is true to the actual trial. I will also be summarizing the penal codes, laws, and strategies used in the case during each episode and apply them to my project and especially to my answers and how they are cohesive. We also so want to try and interview someone who worked on the case at the time but that part will be tricky. 

3.  Explain how this component will help you explore your topic in more depth.

• This will help me go into more depth about my topic because I'm doing criminal law and this will be me watching an actual trial unfold. It will give me the experience of what it's like in a court room and allow me to look up laws and codes that are used in the trial. I'll have to look for key details while watching the show and my answers for my EQ are based upon methods and strategies and I'll be able to see if they use any of these in the trial. Watching this will further my understanding on how a court case is conducted, what the prosecution does, and how all of it ties together. 

4.  Post a log in your Senior Project Hours link and label it "Independent Component 2" log.

Independent Component 1

Confirmation

•  “I,          Nicole Giannini       , affirm that I completed my independent component which represents   34.5 hours of work.”
  
  During the process of my independent component I learned a lot of new information. I learned about different laws and policies that i didn't even know about before hand. My component 1 ties into my EQ and answer one because I had to read through and comb over so many cases that had over seventy different penal codes. A lot of penal codes repeated and I didn't have to look them up because I started to remember them. If you read over the same type of information several times it starts to stick. I also learned about this family automobile insurance policy, where anyone can drive the car and not have insurance of their own but if they're under the policy and get in an accident they will be covered. Anyone not under the policy and/or not a relative could have to pay out of pocket or depending on how serious, be charged with a crime. I understand not only how law works but different types not just criminal law. Having to summarize and pick apart all these documents and cases took a long time but it was really rewarding in the end. 

            All the sources I used below helped me to go into depth of my explanation of the cases. I would come across penal codes or policies that I did not know. So I basically looked it up to in all honesty, know what these cases were talking about. I also learned about different types of liability coverage and the policies you can obtain. A couple of the cases I had, had to do with liability coverage in car accidents. This all helped me further my knowledge into my topic and even though it was very time consuming I enjoyed it. 

My Sources

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=290-294

http://doi.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/doinvgov/_public-documents/Consumers/CC-280.pdf

http://www.dmv.org/insurance/liability-insurance.php

http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/personal-injury/shared-blame-comparative-contributory-fault.html

http://woodsinsurance.com/a-guide-to-determining-who-is-at-fault-in-a-car-accident/

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/things-you-should-know-before-renting-a-public-storage-space-164488

http://www.autoinsurance.org/will-auto-insurance-pay-for-a-car-accident-while-dui-or-dwis





Photos

Lesson 2 Reflection

                                                 






1.What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?

• In my lesson 2 I am most proud of my power point. I spent a lot of time on it and did a lot of research for the specific topic I talked about. My overall presentation went well and I conducted myself well and that showed through my power point. 

2. a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

       AE       P          AP       CR       NC

     b.     Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.

• I think I deserve a P because I spoke well during my presentation, I cited sources, I had over 10 minutes of talking time and a lot of students were commenting that they enjoyed my presentation. My power point was clean and precise and I met all the requirements. 

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?

• What worked for me in my lesson 2 was my hook and activity. It really tied into my EQ and my answer very well and I think people really had a better understanding of why my answer was so important because of those two things. 

4. What didn't work? If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?

• I almost did not make talking time due to my Information. To improve upon my lesson I would have researched more information on the answer to my EQ. Even though I had a lot of information on my power point and I formulated my answer due to the help of my mentorship, I should of researched more on the memorization of documents, papers, etc.

5. What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?

Well my EQ is: What Methods can a Prosecutor use to ensure a successful court case?

• My answer 2 will probably be, someone who uses methods that are more logical, scientific, and fact based. Being able to analyze evidence and present it well to the judge or jury to prove your points. 

Blog 13: 10 Hour Mentorship Check-in

1. Where are you doing your mentorship?

Currently I am doing my mentorship at the Archer Norris Law firm in Newport Beach. It's one of three locations and my mentor was one of the partners that helped open up that location.

2. Who is your contact? What makes this person an expert?

My mentor is Limor Lehavi, she is a partner at her firm and has been working there for over ten years. She does insurance law, like claims, civil litigation, business litigation etc. I believe she's an expert in the field of law because she has studied different types of law and has been working in her specific type of law for over twenty years. She has been named the top rated insurance coverage attorney by Super Lawyers for four consecutive years. Limor has taught me a lot and I am continuing to develop skills from her.

3. How many hours have you done during the school year?

During the school year I have done about fifteen hours. I would be doing more but at my mentors firm I am not allowed to work and do volunteering unless it's as a paid intern and they do not have money in their budget right now. So I do what I can, when I can but I will be going to more events and meetings with her that will help me do more hours.

4. Succinctly summarize what you did, how well you and your mentor work together, and how you plan to complete the remaining hours?

\During my mentorship at the firm I have read over cases and summarized them and I take notes in meetings with her so she doesn't have to and so I learn different sections and codes of law. My mentor and I work really well together. We have conversations all the time about general things and she tells me about her family life and she overall loves having someone to teach her skills and knowledge to. I plan to finish my hours by moving on to a new mentor that I can actually volunteer with and who does criminal law. My mentor has a couple people in mind who she wants to set me up with. 

Blog 12: Holiday Project Update

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you do over the break with your senior project?
Over winter break I went and did mentorship hours at Archer Norris Law firm. I did paperwork, looked over cases, filed old cases, and made spreadsheets for my mentor. I also worked on my independent component with my mentor and she helped me a lot. 

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

The most important thing I learned was how to look over and adequately summarize cases and pull the information out that my mentor needs to start working on the case. I really liked being able to see the cases and read the witness statements. I had to sign an NDA so I'm not allowed to disclose what the cases were about but she taught me how to read past all the filler in the cases and pull out only the important information. 
3.  Your third interview will be a 10 question interview related to possible answers for your EQ. Who do you plan to talk to and why?

I plan on interviewing one of my mentor's partners in the firm. He is an insurance law attorney as well and he has worked in this type of law and in entertainment law as well. I wanted to interview him because he has worked in multiple fields and I feel as if he would be a great resource to my project.