Fowler Law Student Dallis Nicole Warshaw is Doing it All

Simultaneously participating on a law journal and moot court can be a challenge for any law student. But Dallis Nicole Warshaw 
(JD ’14)
 understood the value of both programs and was willing to put in the extra work necessary to succeed in each endeavor. Warshaw has been successfully juggling a wide range of responsibilities the past three years. She attends Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law where she participates in the
Chapman Law Review
, is a successful moot court competitor and works as a research assistant for Professor Larry Rosenthal. Outside of school she does extensive volunteer work, and recently got married. We asked her how she does it all and keeps smiling.

Warshaw said the best way for her to find a work-life balance is to keep a schedule. “My phone is my life. I prioritize and schedule everything to make sure I set aside time for things,” she said. 30% of her school-related work time is spent on the
Chapman Law Review
. Another 30% is spent on the Appellate Moot Court Board, depending on the time of year and practice schedule. She spends about 5-10 hours a week, varying with the amount of research needed, working as a research assistant. All remaining time is spent on her personal life and with her new husband.

Warshaw has been involved in the
Chapman Law Review
since her second year at Fowler School of Law. She began as a staff editor and then joined the Executive Board as managing editor in her third year. As managing editor Warshaw is directly under the editor in chief, so “I am always on call for
Law Review
,” she said. She is responsible for managing the schedule for each article and editing articles after others make a first edit.

During her first year, Warshaw (previously Dallis Pflueger-Cavallaro)
won the Golden Gavel Award at Chapman’s Annual Rutan & Tucker 1L Golden Gavel Competition
. It was from this competition that she was invited to join the
Appellate Moot Court Honor Board
. With the Fowler moot court she competed in many competitions, including the
2012 regional round of the National Moot Court Competition hosted at Fowler School of Law
. In 2013, her team made it to the
American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition Finals
. In the fall of 2013, she also advanced to the
final round of the Thomas Tang Regional Moot Court Competition
. Warshaw’s team advanced to the
national finals of the 2014 American Bar Association Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition
.

Warshaw also makes time for volunteer work outside of school. “It keeps me grounded and helps me keep perspective on everything,” she said. She has worked with many different organizations. During her first year of law school she served on the Board of Directors for the Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue organization and actively runs the dog rescue program. In the summer of 2013 she helped coordinate adoptions for Angel City Pitbulls. Through this organization she has adopted 2 pitbulls.

Warshaw recently married David Warshaw in December 2013. The Honorable Scott Clarkson, friend of Warshaw’s, married them in his courtroom and had the reception in his chambers. “It is important to keep that work and personal balance. Knowing when you have to say no. I have a supportive husband. He has been with me through the entire law school process and still wanted to marry me,” she said with a huge smile. Warshaw hopes to work in legal affairs in one of the studios in Hollywood. Her goal is Universal Studios.

Her advice to incoming first year law students

“Trust the process. When you’re in the middle of it things can seem unbearable and you can never adequately prepare. Everyone goes through those feelings of inadequacy. Know why you’re in law school and have a clear vision of your goals. Before you know it you will be graduating, like I am now. You learn a lot and it is definitely worth it. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

About Dallis Nicole Warshaw

Dallis Nicole Warshaw is in her final semester at Fowler School of Law. She is expected to graduate in May 2014. She earned her B.A. in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from California State University, Fullerton.