I've been accepted to a West Coast law school, starting this past Monday. I mentioned Groklaw in my essay; it and you are a large part of why I applied (just out of getting a masters degree in Physics).

I used Groklaw to help describe why I thought I could be a successful future lawyer after changing career paths from condensed matter physics. Groklaw (I explained) created a forum where I could dip my toes in and apply my scientifically developed thinking and experience (things I cherish) to law research and analysis. I found I could do it productively, and seemingly successfully (I felt challenged and happy). Your direct and indirect encouragement, as well as others', helped a lot.

So, I feel like a happy mommy hen today. And the best part is that it means that one of Groklaw's goals is being reached -- to share with you the beauty, complexity, and fascination I feel about the law and contribute to a pool of technically knowledgeable lawyers, some of whom will become judges eventually, so that decisions are made based on what the technical facts are, not on fear , legal FUD, or misunderstanding. Knowing that Groklaw is contributing to that pool is deeply satisfying.

Here's the email from our third law student today:

Hi PJ-

I saw your post about "Groklaw Members" going to law school and I realized I should let you know that Groklaw was instrumental in my decision to return to school for my JD as well!

I have a degree in CS and had worked as a developer and IT for many years. Like many fellow geeks, I followed (and still follow!) the SCO fiasco via Groklaw. I'd always been interested in intellectual property law, but it was reading the actual briefs and court documents in the SCO case(s) that were posted to Groklaw that really got me hooked.

That was two years ago... I'm now 50% through law school (I go to an evening program, so it's 4 years for me). Thank you for Groklaw, it's a fantastic resource and it's great to see that Groklaw not only helped inspire me to pursue my law degree, but others as well. Keep up the good work!!

And our fourth tells me this:

I too mentioned Groklaw in my essay. For me it was seeing the obvious disparity between Cravath and SCO's attorneys -- the mastery of the former over facts and the English language -- that inspired me to go to law school. It was like seeing Michael Jordan in his prime.

I hope all you guys out there realize that you are expected to write for Groklaw when you graduate. Think of it as your pro bono work.

: )