Nathan Ewing spent his summer crossing paths with Hollywood stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Meg Ryan and the casts of "Jurassic Park III" and "American Pie II."

Ewing, a second-year student at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, says stargazing was just a small part of a 10-week summer clerkship in the legal offices of Universal Studios, Hollywood. The Los Angeles work also gave Ewing, who grew up in Sheridan, Ill., a farming community of 700, the "unbelievable" experience of big-city life.

"Standing amongst several Hollywood stars at one time, you can't help but ask yourself, `how did I get here'?" he laughed.

"Every day (I was dealing with) another famous person or another famous estate," he added. He reported having several interactions with Marilyn Monroe's estate, and even recalls a telephone conversation with Steven Spielberg's attorney.

Three days a week, Ewing says, he spent his time working in the corporate headquarters of Universal Studios. While in that office, he did copyright and trademark licensing agreement work, as well as assisting with international tax law work dealing with licensing issues in foreign countries.

The other two days of the workweek, he worked with the legal counsel for the theme park itself, dealing with landlord-tenant issues and reviewing consumer agreement contracts and licensing agreements with the park's look-alike "strolling characters."

"The work was demanding, but made me a believer in this school. John Marshall) is such a practical school, and legal theory alone would not have proved to be incredibly beneficial. The faculty teaches you how to be an attorney, which is essential in today's market."

Ewing also touted the experience as a "great networking opportunity." Based on his performance during his stay, he was recommended for a summer associate position in two law firms in the Hollywood area for Summer 2002. He also is returning to the park over the semester break.

After this summer experience, Ewing has decided to "definitely" pursue a career in corporate law, describing the field as "interesting and challenging." He is even considering continuing his legal education and enrolling in the LL.M. degree program in intellectual property law.

"The experience truly reinforced my decision to go into law and my decision to attend The John Marshall Law School," he said.

Ewing earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Western Illinois University in 1999. He completed an internship with for State's Attorney Timothy J. McCann at the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office and worked on a patent litigation team at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, a premier intellectual property firm in Chicago. He now is clerking at the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office.

Due to increased security concerns, The John Marshall Law School has begun to implement comprehensive campus-wide security systems. The first phase of this implementation was the distribution of new John Marshall ID cards to all employees and students. The second step will begin January 14, 2002. John Marshall ID cards will be required to enter The John Marshall Law School Library. All entry turnstiles will be locked. Only by waving your John Marshall ID near the card readers mounted on the black pillars near the turnstiles will you be able to gain access to the library.

If you are in need of an ID, please contact the Help Desk (helpdesk@jmls.edu) ext. 550 or Chauncey Daspit (8daspit@jmls.edu) ext. 537.

December 18

ACCESS Living Program, Room 1203, 9:00 a.m.

December 20

Arab American Bar Association, Room 1200B, 12:30 p.m.