Michael Finkelstein, 2011

Subject: Spring Update
Sent: 3/12/12 to 492 Recipients
Dear friends and family,

I know it has been a while since my last email. I am over the hill in school now and the early spring has been incredibly busy. My clerkship in Houston over the winter break proved to be a tremendous opportunity and I have followed it up with my current position clerking at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Baton Rouge.

This semester, I competed with the LSU trial team, established a Jewish Law Student's Association chapter at school, and ran my first half marathon. My article on the NBA labor dispute was published in the February/March edition of the Louisiana Bar Journal. I've attached a copy of the article for those of you who would like to read it. 

One of the organizations I'm involved in will be participating in a series of events with the George Rodrigue Foundation for the Arts to support arts education in Louisiana schools (http://www.georgerodriguefoundation.org/site.php). As a part of the series, we are hosting Jacques Rodrigue to discuss copyright law and infringement. We will also be collecting art supplies and participating in a volunteer project with a local elementary school. 

Thank you all for your continued support and you're welcome to share this email with those close to you. All the best going forward into the festival season.

Sincerely,
Michael Finkelstein


Attachments: PDF Copy of NBA Article

Subject: Winter Update
Sent: 12/19/11 to 478 recipients

Dear friends and family,

I am excited to announce several recent developments since my last email. First off, the fall semester is over and I am now halfway done with law school! My article on the NFL Lockout was re-published (at http://www.mediate.com/articles/FinkelsteinM1.cfm), and my new article on the NBA Lockout will appear in the February edition of the Louisiana Bar Journal. 

I am spending my winter break in Houston clerking in Federal Court for Judge Lee H. Rosenthal at the Southern District of Texas, which has already proven to be an incredible learning opportunity. Next semester, I'll be working at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Baton Rouge and I've accepted a clerkship for this coming summer to work in the New Orleans law firm of Usry, Weeks, & Matthews.

Thank you all for your continued and generous support and please assist me by sharing this email with your friends and family.  Feel free to drop by my personal website, as I have been working on it recently and even added a page to showcase some of my photography (http://michaelfinkelstein.weebly.com/).  Importantly, cheer on the undefeated LSU Tigers in the National Championship this January as we battle Alabama (again) for the title.  Safe travels and best wishes this winter. Happy Holidays and Geaux Tigers.

Sincerely,
Michael Finkelstein

Subject: October: If You Want the NFL, Come to Me  
Sent: 10/4/11 to 411 recipients

Hi friends and family, 

This fall has been off to a whirlwind start. First off, for those of you wondering about the title of this email; as LSU climbed the NCAA football polls to a No. 1 ranking, I was busy writing an article about this summer's NFL player lockout and mediation. The article was picked up for publication and will print in the October/November edition of the Louisiana Bar Journal. I attached a PDF copy to this email if you'd like to read it.

In terms of other things keeping me busy these days, I participated in the law school's mock trial competition and won a spot on our trial advocacy team. This team will take me to Washington D.C. in March to participate in a competition emphasizing the use of modern technology in a 21st century courtroom. I will soon be competing in our school's moot court competition in mid-October and I will be mediating cases as a part of my involvement in our Civil Mediation Clinic. 

I am also teaching a law class at a local high school as part of a program called "Street Law." This past week, I created an engaging lesson plan that brought my students to dialogue about the philosophical foundations of crime, and of the law in general. Directing them to think critically about the law and its impact on our society, we discussed issues such as morality, the death sentence, and the effectiveness of the American justice system.

Last week, I celebrated the Jewish New Year and I met with Amanda Ellis, a Texas lawyer who is published and who advised me on how to better utilize social media websites to find employment. I followed Ms. Ellis's suggestions and have reached out to attorneys and streamlined my social networking profiles to make them more attractive for potential employers. Yesterday, as the Supreme Court convened to begin hearing cases under its 2011 term, I took the opportunity to meet and speak with American Israeli Political Action Committee (AIPAC) National President, Lee Rosenberg.

I'd like to take the chance here to launch my own website. You can now find me online at http://michaelfinkelstein.weebly.com/. I am also starting to do some freelance photography and I am available if you'd like to have a photographer at any kind of event you are planning (birthday party, reception, tailgate, etc.).

As I continue my search for a summer clerkship, particularly those in New Orleans and Houston law firms, please keep me in mind if you know of anyone who needs a law clerk. Please also let me know if you there is anyone who might like to be added to this list. Thank you all for your support, it has been incredibly positive and encouraging. Enjoy this beautiful fall weather and Geaux Tigers. 

Sincerely,

Michael Finkelstein

Attachments: PDF copy of NFL article