Hello 2019!

For me, the new year is a time to reflect, have gratitude, and also look forward to goals and dreams for the coming year. During 2018, at The High Bar we accomplished so much! Here are some highlights:

1. Most importantly, we proudly helped over 30 students across the United States get an Esquire after their name!
2. “The High Bar” was registered as a trademark!

   

3. We had a fun educational video shoot where five informative videos were created.

   Sneak a peek at one about personalized tutoring here.

4. We hosted two successful Mini Practical Test events. The next one will be held on February 9 and 10, 2019. For more information or to participate, contact us.

   

5. We hosted a successful and informative “Bar Prep Boot Camp” learning series with the More Than Esquires Network. Looking forward to many more collaborations in the future.

At The High Bar we are grateful for such a wonderfully successful and productive 2018. Cheers to 2019 — It’s a new year with 365 blank pages to fill. May your journey through 2019 be an amazing one!

The High Bar’s Founder Featured on The Integrated Hustle

The High Bar’s founder, Alisa Geller, was featured as a part of The Integrated Hustle’s True Life Series.

The Integrated Hustle is on a mission to to give women the tools, support and inspiration they need to live an integrated life. This includes striving to achieve and then maintain the elusive work-life balance, or even taking a bold step to pursue the career of your dreams. The True Life Series showcases women who are striving to do just that. For Alisa, it was an honor to be featured and share her transition from practicing attorney to her passion–tutoring full-time for the bar exam.

Here is a snippet of this conversation:

“If you could go back in time, what 3 pieces of advice would you give to yourself when you first began?

(1) Before formally launching The High Bar, I always thought about having my own business but fear and some normal self-doubt was in my way. Maybe you are familiar with this sort of self-talk?: “what if I fail?” Then after lots of contemplation and conversations with my family, I asked myself “what if I never try?” This is where my first piece of advice comes from: “Believe in Yourself! Jump! The Net will Appear.” Once I did that, within two days of launching my business, I had a student and I have not looked back.

(2) Next, I would note that hard work and dedication are key. While my business has steadily grown, I have also worked very hard to make this happen. I consider my students’ success (passing the bar exam) to be my success. I do everything in my power to help get them there, and I think my passion, ability to work hard, and be dedicated to the cause really empowers my students to do the same.

(3) Lastly, I would tell myself, work can be fun! I think many people feel that work is a drag, but it does not have to be this way. Yes, there will be challenges along the way. Perhaps, even different ones than you expect, but turning tutoring from a side hustle to my full-time profession has been not only rewarding but also fun. My only regret is not doing it sooner, but again, I am not looking back!”

Follow this link to read the full-length feature. 

BAR PREP: TIPS TO PERSONALIZE THE PROCESS

Whether you are a recent J.D. or a bar exam re-taker, this article is for you! For many preparing for the bar exam is an overwhelming and daunting experience, but it does not have to be that way. Let’s discuss how you can make preparing for the bar a manageable experience by personalizing the process.

1. YOUR PREPARATION BEGAN DAY ONE OF LAW SCHOOL

Your final hurdle to get that Esq. after your name is a rigorous and challenging test. This is as it should be. It is a great distinction. However, it is important to remember that since Day One of law school you have garnered important skills preparing you for this challenge.

You have spent countless hours as a student: reading and interpreting case law to sharpen your analytical mind; memorizing black letter law; synthesizing case briefs and lectures to carefully crafted outlines or flashcards. You have used the IRAC or CIRAC format to organize your written exams, and you are now a pro at legal research and writing.

Most importantly, in law school you learned how you study and retain information best. Let this knowledge about yourself be of service to you as you begin to prepare.

2. PERSONALIZE YOUR BAR PREP PROCESS

Since you know what works best for you in terms of studying and retention, employ those same strategies in your bar preparation.

Often students enrolled in a traditional bar review course try to follow the program to a “T.” Definitely use the course as a guide, but empower yourself to tailor the learning process to you. For example, if you are told to outline, but outlining is not how you synthesize and retain material best, then do what works for you. Maybe you prefer using flashcards, making mind maps, re-writing concepts? You get the gist. Whatever it is, do not be afraid to do what helps you learn most effectively and efficiently.

To that point, in addition to knowing how you learn best, you also know your test-taking history. Do you ace multiple choice exams or are they a struggle? Do you feel most comfortable writing or not so much? Take this into consideration as you begin to apply the law to practice problems. Practice skills to improve your weaknesses, but do not discount the power of building upon your strengths . Remember, the results are most often a combined and scaled score so that you can pass by striking a balance between the various parts of the test.

3. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

The first phase of your bar prep will largely consist of learning the law. You might read outlines, watch videos, and synthesize the material. Of course, legal rules and theories are important for success on the exam.

However, application and practice are also vital components for success. In fact, there are many great resources that the National Conference of Bar Examiners have made available such as actual past bar exam questions including ones given on the MBE, MEE and MPT. When you practice, be sure to thoroughly review the provided answer explanation. This will deepen your understanding of the law as it is applied to the questions, and also help you learn and even become a master of the test.

Lastly, should you need guidance on the exam, do not hesitate to ask. You are not the first person and will not be the last to take the bar exam. Seek out a friend, mentor, professor or a tutor — remember, you don’t need to go it alone. I wish you much success as your bar prep journey begins!

The High Bar™ Featured on The More Than Esquires Network™

This week The High Bar™ and its founder, Alisa Geller, were featured on The More Than Esquires Network™.

The More Than Esquires Network (MTEN) is on a mission to empower, educate and create meaningful connections within the legal community. MTEN is a national community that provides guidance, insight, inspiration, motivation to its members by featuring and sharing stories of exciting careers and roles within and outside the practice of law.

This feature was a great honor, since The High Bar aligns with many of the same principles as the MTEN — providing guidance, insight, inspiration, motivation and support, but within the context of preparing for the bar exam. The High Bar has a strong network of former students around the country who now have thriving careers within and outside of a traditional legal role.

Here is what the MTEN had to say:

“Alisa Geller’s aptitude for teaching was apparent, whether working as a law firm associate, a litigation project manager, or fittingly at a national bar prep company. Alisa turned her passion for helping individuals prepare for the bar exam into a full-time profession by launching The High Bar™ @hitthehighbar. By offering highly personalized lessons with specific study and test taking strategies, she focuses on reinforcement of an individual’s strengths and a targeted plan to address areas of difficulty. These techniques allow Alisa to ensure that each student studies smarter, more effectively, and feels confident when they Hit The High Bar. Learn more at www.HitTheHighBar.com.”

TAKING THE MPRE?

ACE IT: Here’s how!

The MPRE typically focuses on where attorneys should draw the line in terms of ethical questions and focuses on the applicability of the rules to the questions fact pattern, as opposed to Professional Responsibilities classes which are more discussion based about what we as attorneys should ethically do.

Tip 1: When you take practice questions, always start by reading the prompt and the answer choices. This will often give you a clearer idea of what the question is about before you dive into the facts.

Tip 2: Read the provided fact pattern carefully.

Tip 3: You may see the question or answer choices contain certain modifiers. Here is a helpful way to understand what they typically mean in practice:

• “Because” or “Since” or “As”: Reasoning must address and resolve a central issue; facts completely satisfy the reasoning; result is consistent with reasoning
• “If” or “As long as”: Reasoning need only be plausible under the facts
• “Unless”: Reasoning must be the only circumstance under which result cannot occur

Tip 4: Pay careful attention to key words in the question. For example, is the attorney subject to criminal or civil sanctions or discipline? Paying attention to this could impact the correct answer.

Tip 5: Further, pay attention to the tiny nuances in the ways the rules are applied to various fact patterns.

Tip 6: Study by practicing and learning from questions. See how the rules are applied in a practical way and understand why you got questions right or wrong. This will make a difference when you get to the test.

Need that extra edge, contact me, to see how The High Bar can help!

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, once wisely stated, “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.”

To me this means: aspire for more; set goals; dream big. At the same time, stay grounded; be present;  have gratitude for the journey.

Each new year brings new resolutions. Maybe this year it is a commitment towards the betterment of yourself. Perhaps it is the achievement of a goal that you are after. Whatever it is—work hard, appreciate the journey, and make sure to center yourself on the unique being that is you.

It’s a new year with 365 blank pages to fill. May your journey through 2018 be an amazing one!

It’s November! Living in the Northeast, my mind conjures up images of the vibrant colors of the changing autumn leaves, the feel of the crisp air, warmer coats, Thanksgiving, and of course, all the wonderful things for which to give thanks and gratitude.

Jim Rohn, a former author and motivational speaker once said, “Learn to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want.” This quote resonates with me.

As The High Bar launches its brand-new website with an aim to bring high quality, personalized tutoring for the bar examination to a broader range of students—I am thankful.

To the community of students who have already allowed me to be a part of their bar preparation journey—I am thankful.

To you, my reader—I am thankful. The High Bar’s blog is written with a focus centered on you, so if there are any topics you would like to see discussed or if you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Lastly, I ask: What can you be thankful for as you pursue your dreams? Let’s start a conversation!

Hit the High Bar with Personalized Tutoring

The High Bar is delighted to announce the launch of a brand-new website!

The goal of this new website is to provide information about The High Bar’s quality, personalized tutoring for the bar examination to a broader range of students. From first-time takers to re-takers to international LLM students – from New York (UBE) to Florida to California and everywhere in-between (That’s you, Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) states!!) – The High Bar offers individualized lessons geared to get students to their goal – passing the bar exam and an Esquire after their name.

This website is interactive and mobile friendly and gives easy access to Home, About, Services, Testimonials, and Contact web pages. The site also contains integrated social media buttons for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to foster communication with past, present and prospective students. The High Bar will be updating its content with helpful information, articles, newsletters, blog posts, and student testimonials. Additionally, expect exciting additions to the Services offered in the coming year.

I hope visitors to this website find it fresh and modern with easy and simple access to all information about The High Bar’s services and about the bar examination in general.

Many thanks to Roberto DaCosta at Vibe Branding and Patrick Maroney at PatrickMDesign for helping to make this site as aesthetically pleasing as it is. Thank you to Robb Digital Marketing for helping to create a sound social media strategy and for showing me the ropes.

For any questions, comments or interest in The High Bar’s services, please contact me.