From becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college to leading our Student Bar Association (SBA) through a successful school year, 4L Erika Esqueda is paving the way for future students with dreams as big as hers. Learn more about your SBA President, including how she navigates law school and her relationships, how plants help her take study breaks, and why self-care is important for a successful and rewarding law school experience.
Tell us about your journey to law school - have you always wanted to become a lawyer or what inspired you to attend law school?
My AP History teacher in high school asked if I had thought about pursuing law school, and I wasn't sure at the time. I'm the oldest of six kids, so I never really thought about going to college or anything. He helped me submit college applications and explained the steps I needed to take, so I just continued that path. After college, I applied to SJCL, and I wasn't sure if I would get in, but I did, and now I'm in law school.
Why did you choose to go to San Joaquin College of Law?
I was working for an attorney because my college major was Philosophy Pre-Law, and part of the criteria for graduation was gaining experience working with an attorney. So, I started working for Hammerschmidt/Broughton Law Corporation. I believe they're separate entities now, but while I was there, I met a few 2L and 3L law students from SJCL who explained the law school process to me. That was so helpful because no one in my family graduated from college, so I didn't have anyone around me who pursued anything. I didn't have any assistance because my mom came here from Mexico, and I'm the oldest, so I had to figure everything out myself. Talking to those law school students and hearing about their experience made me think it was possible for me to do it too because of the support they said SJCL has for their students. They told me SJCL was more into helping students individually than other law schools that can't or don't because they're so big and students can get lost. During my time here at SJCL, I've learned for myself that that's not the case because you can get help from anyone here. All your professors are here for you, and if they see that you're struggling or needing more help, they're going to work with you and help as much as they can because they want to see you succeed. So, I really liked that about SJCL, and that's what made me want to go here. My husband and I had moved to Santa Cruz two or three years before I applied to law school, but I had no doubt that I wanted to come back home and prove that I could do law school. Depending on where you come from, it doesn't feel that easy to be able to go to or do well in law school, but SJCL really changed that perception for me. They helped me realize I could do it if I just put in the work and did what I needed to do to succeed.
Why was it so important to you to see other students who looked like you succeeding in law school?
It made me feel like I wasn't alone, and I knew I would have support if I went to SJCL. I feel like there are other students in similar situations as I am - they're married or in relationships or have children, which makes SJCL so different from everywhere else. The school honestly helps students and not just education-wise because you're looked at as an individual person if that makes sense. When the professors and staff help, they're trying to help the whole person versus just helping a student to make sure they pass their class. That's so important because my husband and I haven't decided if we're going to have children, but I know SJCL would be so supportive if we do. I've seen other students have children in law school, and it's not easy, but the school was supportive, and it means a lot to me and adds so much more value to SJCL as a law school.
How does it make you feel knowing you're leading the way not just for your family, but as a first-generation college graduate and future law school graduate?
I love it because if there's any way, I can help someone, I will, and I'm used to it since I'm the oldest in my family. In school, people sometimes get in the mindset of thinking that there are only a few close people they can go to, but I always try to get to know everyone because we're all in it together. That's why if there's anyone with a similar background that I can help with, I will because I know how tough it was for me and still is sometimes. It still doesn't feel real that I'm going into my last year of law school, and I used to question if I belonged here, but I know I do. That's a feeling I try to provide others with now as well as myself because we deserve to be here. I remember the first grade I got was an 80 on the midterm because I was shocked and thought the professor might've put in the wrong number or something. I feel like that self-doubt comes from my background, though, and it makes you believe you're not able to do things like law school. When I graduate and pass the Bar, I do want to go back to my high school and tell my professor that he was the one who motivated me and helped me get here, and I want to thank him for that. Growing up, I didn't come from a good neighborhood, so there weren't a lot of other parents who were professionals. Where I grew up, big things were graduating from high school and not getting pregnant in high school, and that's how you knew you made it. There weren't a lot of people pushing you to pursue your education or anything like that. I had a few friends in high school that were super smart, but their parents wanted them to get married, so they did, and that's something I'd like to talk about to today's students because it's important that they know there's more out there for them.
What would you tell kids today who come from similar backgrounds as you and didn't have lawyers or doctors as role models?
If they didn't have someone in their life to look up to professionally, I would tell them to become that person. I didn't have anyone in my immediate family or any close friends, so I realized that if I wanted to do what I needed to do, I would have to become that person. I became the person I needed as a role model so that others could see it's possible through hard work.
What is the Student Bar Association President and what are some of your goals as President?
The Student Bar Association focuses on providing academic assistance to the student body and bringing the students together to feel a part of the school. Traditionally, they've hosted Back to School Nights and the Barrister's Ball. Last year was different because of the pandemic, so we couldn't do anything. But this year, my goal for the student body is to look back into my first year and see what could've been done differently and better. I would've liked more of a presence from the SBA because the organization applies to every student. You don't have to sign up for the group; you're automatically part of SBA when you start law school. I feel more responsibility as SBA President to provide things for all the students and provide the things that individual classes need. I've already made 1L, 2L, 3L, and 4L committees within SBA to represent each class and hear what they need from us to succeed and have a great law school experience. For example, if the 3L's are taking a midterm this week, what can we do to help or support them? The 4L's will be graduating this year; what can we do to assist them and make their graduation better? I just want SBA to be really involved in each class and be united more with the other student organizations. I want more of a dialogue with them, so it's not just SBA and then everyone else. I want to hear their ideas and provide more of a visible position for them.
What's your own experience been like as a student at SJCL before and after the pandemic?
After my first year of law school, I kind of got a good sense of what we need to do depending on the semester. If I know it's the fall semester, then I have a little more time when I really need to start focusing on finals, so I already have a good foundation. During my second-year spring semester, it all changed. I was so confused. I didn't know how to study or do certain things because you have pressure when you're preparing for the final. When you enter the exam room, it puts you in that mode and pushes you to do your best and focus on the final. During the pandemic, I felt other things going on that I didn't have control over. When I took my first finals during the pandemic, my computer wasn't working, and I needed to print a 15-page exam. It wasn't working right. I felt out of the groove, and during the final, my neighbors started having a party. So that was the toughest part of going to school during the pandemic because I couldn't control outside things around me. Plus, sometimes my internet wouldn't be stable. We're learning tough material, which is hard to learn over the computer without that classroom connection where you can ask questions or have the professor explain something more.
What were you looking forward to the most as you transitioned back to in-person learning?
Having my professors in front of me because, for some reason, physically being there and hearing them in front of you is like being a sponge and absorbing what they're saying, and I didn't feel that same way over Zoom. Physically being in class with other students was always helpful because sometimes they'd have good questions that maybe wouldn't get answered over Zoom.
What type of law are you passionate about?
I've tried criminal law before when I was interning. When I lived in Santa Cruz, I worked for the courthouse in the civil division, where they handled family law. So, I was the clerk that took in all the documents and filed everything in person and through e-file, so I enjoyed family law. When I moved back, I sent my resume and a cover letter to a local law firm focused on mediation and collaborative law. Then the pandemic hit, so I didn't hear back from them until six months later, and I've been there for almost a year now. My boss has been great at explaining certain things, and she's a sole practitioner, so she's helped me understand the way things work when it's your firm. She also offered me an associate's position after I graduated, so I'm really excited about that. I do enjoy family law because of the kind of help you can provide. I know anytime you do need an attorney, it's a difficult time, and that's why my heart goes to family law. I feel like that's the worst time in your life, and if I can help people through that in any way, then that's an amazing feeling for me, and I would do that for the rest of my life.
How important is it to make connections while you're in law school?
It's imperative. I took Community Property this past spring, and it seems like a foreign concept when you first learn it, but when I would actually see it and knew certain things already while interviewing clients, I got the connection part. I'm not an attorney yet, but having that connection reinforces all your hard work because you'll make those connections when you practice law. It's no longer going to be a concept that you learned; it's going to be a concept you can apply now because you understand what's needed. I know it might not be possible with other responsibilities outside of school, but it can help you figure out what type of law you like, even if it's just a summer internship.
What advice do you have for maintaining a healthy work/school/life balance?
For me, it's communicating. When I felt like I needed more time to study a specific concept, I let my boss know, and she was very understanding and said the school was my number one priority. I'm also fortunate to have a husband that understands what I'm trying to do, and he knows that it's not going to last forever. I also try to make sure I put effort into my marriage in the same way I put effort into my job, school, and everything I do. Unfortunately, it can't be as much time as I'd like it to be, but I still make time for lunch dates when I'm working or making him breakfast when he gets off work in the morning, so it still feels like we're connected.
What's something you've learned about being a law student that no one really told you about before?
I've heard people say law school will be hard work, but I honestly didn't know how fast it would fly by. As soon as you start law school, you can't stop, and then it just goes by fast. Then there's the time commitment, of course, and that's normal, but you realize you're not going to spend the holidays with your family the way you did before law school, or you're on a time limit for the holidays. Then there's the time after you finish a summer semester and before the fall semester begins. Those three to five weeks are what you get used to, and you know that's enough of a break for you to recharge before you jump back into a new semester. Knowing there will be shorter vacations when you go into law school is helpful because you know you'll get used to it, you'll make the most of the time you do have, and it will all be worth it in the end.
What advice do you have for new and future students about explaining the time commitment law school takes to family, friends, etc?
It's all about communication. In the beginning, it was hard for my husband, I had to explain to him that I had reading and homework. He was expecting it to be like when I had homework in undergrad, where I would finish it and be done for the rest of the day. He didn't understand what goes into homework when you're in law school because it's not just reading the material you need. Sometimes, you must look over supplement materials to understand the information and prepare for class fully. You also need to start or update your outlines, and there's just a lot of parts that you'll have to work on continuously. After I explained that to him and my family, they understood more and got to the place where they realized how intense it was. Now they let me reach out to them because they know I'm busy and stressed, but they also understand what I need to be prepared and confident for class. They know because they'll Venmo me $25 for coffee or flashcards or little things like that, and I appreciate their support so much. So, it does come down to just having those conversations because my mom, for example, didn't understand what I was doing, and a year into law school, she thought I was still working on my Bachelor's degree. When I explained to her that I was in law school to graduate and practice as an attorney, she had no idea, and I had to explain to her what the steps were for becoming an attorney. It makes sense because we're in completely different times from when she was my age and living in Mexico compared to now and what I'm doing in law school.
How important is self care as you're going through law school?
It's crucial because it's easy to become a hermit when you're just in your room studying and focusing on reading and not going outside. Plants helped me because I would take 30 minutes off from studying to water them and do something different. It helped get me out of the study, study, study mindset because it's easy to keep going and going when it comes to law school. There's always something you can do even if you've already read or finished your outlines. You can always add more to it or watch videos to understand the material better. But taking time for yourself is essential, and I try to do rewards. If I'm going through midterms, I'll schedule time for me to get a massage or a facial. If I'm studying throughout the week, I'll take time and go outside with my dogs. Small things like that take my mind off school for a while. I think work has done that because it feels like I'm doing something for myself, and it's completely separate from school. Anything you can do that's separate from school is so important because you'll get burnt out if you try to only focus on school, and you'll struggle at the end of the semester for finals. So, make sure you take those breaks throughout the semester and do little things for yourself.
What advice do you have for future applicants and for SJCL's incoming class of future lawyers?
For future applicants, if you're thinking about law school and you're able to apply, do it. The time will pass by no matter what you're doing, so you might as well work hard towards your goals, and there's no better place to learn the law than SJCL because they will provide so much support and assistance to you, not just as a student, but as a person as a whole because they want you to succeed. I know it's scary when you decide to go to law school, and you're studying for the LSAT or submitting your application because you feel vulnerable. Still, the reward is worth it when you get that acceptance letter and start this fantastic journey.
For SJCL's newest students, I'm excited to meet and work with every one of you. Our Student Bar Association (SBA) Executive Board has worked hard to plan events and workshops to help give you a strong foundation through your first year of law school. We're always available to students if you want to reach out for help or questions or go for coffee sometime. We're all here to support you and ensure you have a successful and memorable experience as a law student.
Want to learn more about San Joaquin College of Law, attend a virtual student forum or set up an appointment to discuss your law school future? Contact our Assistant Director of Admissions, Francisco "Javier" Rosas, or our Director of Admissions, Diane Steel, today!