ProfessorTommy.Tips

Right now, I’m ranked first in my pickleball league. But a lat strain on Monday has me benched. With the matches I’ll miss due to injury, my ranking will slide—likely enough that this season effectively ends. It’s a sharp reminder: rankings are history, but readiness is now. A ranking is a snapshot of past results. It compresses a run of performances into a neat number or place on a list. That can be motivating and validating, but it’s backward‑looking. A leaderboard reflects

Arby’s recently launched Steak Nuggets —hand‑cut, bite‑size pieces of smoked steak seasoned with garlic and pepper—sold like chicken nuggets. You can order them as a 5‑ or 9‑piece with Hickory BBQ sauce, in a sandwich with Havarti and crispy onions, or over white‑cheddar mac and cheese. In the commercial, the narrator actually asks, “How has no‑one done this before?” My answer, after trying them: Because it’s not a great idea. And that's my bar‑prep lesson. When you catch you

You’ve might have heard it by now. The viral mashup of Taylor Swift’s “Elizabeth Taylor” and the Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” has taken over social media. It’s a nostalgic, unexpected blend of pop eras that somehow works. And believe it or not, it’s a pretty good preview of what’s coming your way with the NextGen Bar Exam. The Mashup Analogy A mashup works only when two songs—often with very different rhythms, keys, and eras—are artfully combined to sound

A museum. A freight elevator. And a seven-minute getaway. You read that right. This morning, in a scene that could’ve been ripped straight from Ocean’s 11½ , a crew of thieves pulled off a seven-minute heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris . They used a freight elevator bolted to a truck, angle grinders, and chain saws to smash their way into the Apollo Gallery—the home of the French Crown Jewels. They threatened guards, smashed cases, grabbed jewels once worn by queens, and zi

From ABA Law Student Division's Student Lawyer , October 16, 2025: When people think of law school success, they often imagine students who are loud in class, quick to volunteer, and seemingly at ease in every networking event. The “easy” advice introverts often hear? “Just become more extroverted.” But that’s not realistic. Nor is it necessary. I say this from experience: I was an introvert as a law student, I was an introvert as a practicing lawyer, and I remain an introv

LeBron James recently sent the sports world into a frenzy with what he called “The Second Decision.” Fans and media speculated for days. Was he finally retiring? Changing teams ... again? The buzz built until the reveal: “The Second Decision.” wasn't not a basketball announcement at all, but a new advertising campaign with Hennessy . Some fans felt duped, particularly those who paid premium prices to attend what they believed might be LeBron’s final game. One California resid

(Follow-up to “ Early Signals from July 2025 Bar Exam Results ,” Sept. 9, 2025) The early snapshots are beginning to take shape. As of...

You’ve seen it: A wide receiver or running back breaks free, the crowd roars, and the touchdown is all but certain. But instead of...

From ABA Law Student Division's Student Lawyer , October 6, 2025: "Law school, like show business, demands everything but gives back...

From ABA Law Student Division's Student Lawyer , October 3, 2025: "Hey 1Ls. Feeling like you’re struggling already? You’re not alone....