Add RSS RSS

JD / MBA of the Day: Jonathan Eakman, With A Big FU to SMU

SMU dedman school of law.gifSMU Dedman School of Law in Texas has turned out at least one charmer. We now have evidence that it can produce the not-so-charming type as well. Multiple readers alerted us to this thread on Reddit.com: How to Get Kicked Out of Grad School Before You Even Start.

It’s an email conversation between Jonathan Eakman, an SMU Dedman law school student, and the admissions office of the SMU Cox School of Business. Eakman was supposed to start the MBA portion of a JD/MBA joint program this fall. Before starting classes, MBA students must complete three mandatory online tests. These emails track Eakman’s series of excuses for not taking the tests. They include “having too much fun this summer” and “a car wreck, computer problems, stupid family issues and a kidney stone scare.”

He asks the admissions office to “be cool on this” since, in a previous job, he “dodged having to take responsibility for a billion dollar budget, so [he knows] what [he’s] doing.” It only gets more hilarious from there.

We contacted Jonathan Eakman by Facebook. After the jump, we give you the email thread as well as the postscript. SMU Cox Business School did not greet Eakman with open arms on the first day of school.

From the person who submitted the thread to Reddit:

The Story of an Educated Idiot. It’s a lot to read, so I realize most won’t, but those who do make it to the bottom will be glad they did. I feel (just a little) bad about posting this, but apparently he already did, to his Facebook page, exactly as it appears here, for all 180 of his “Friends” to see. Incidentally, I am not one of those 180 Friends. I am, however, real-life friends with one of his virtual FB Friends, and this friend copy/pasted it into an email and forwarded it to me. So that’s how I got it. Here it is.

And here’s the full thread, for your reading pleasure. We’re not bothering to redact names, as the thread has already gone viral.

From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 1:00 PM
To: Murdoch, Holly M.
Subject: Ivy software

Holly,

Having too much fun this summer. Need a little extra time on the ivy software. Got the worst out of the way with the accounting, and the business math shouldn’t be a problem (econ degree), but the I have a hitch in my step with the corp finance. Have patience with me.

Thanks. Jonathan


From: Murdoch, Holly Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 1:18 PM
To: Eakman, Jonathan
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Jon - You can have an extension until August 5. Please have them complete by then.

Thanks, Holly Murdoch MBA Admissions


From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 9:17 AM
To: Murdoch, Holly M.
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Holly,

Had some family issues and haven’t been able to get the last Corp Finance study prep test done. Be cool on this. In my last job, I dodged having to take responsibility for a billion dollar budget, so I know what I’m doing. Thanks for your help/understanding.

Jonathan


From: Murdoch, Holly
Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 3:46 PM
To: Eakman, Jonathan
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Jonathan - Please have them complete by the end of the weekend.

Thanks,
Holly Murdoch MBA Admissions


From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 11:11 AM
To: Murdoch, Holly M.
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Holly,

I hate excuses, but I find myself using them. A car wreck, computer problems, stupid family issues and a kidney stone scare have made my three weeks less than productive. I suggest maybe an oral examination to prove my competency or, since bootcamp is already in progress, we forget about it. The downside risk for me is that my grades might suffer, and I am OK with that. Looking forward to a great year in school!

Jonathan


From: Cudney, Patricia
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 11:40 AM
To: Eakman, Jonathan
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Jonathan - I am sorry to hear of your recent troubles. However, successful completion of the 3 online tests is required of all students for full enrollment in the MBA program this fall. Please let me know when you’ll be able to complete them.

Regards, Patti Patti Cudney
Director, MBA Admissions Cox School of Business at SMU


From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:17 PM
To: Cudney, Patti
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Patti,

The legal education received next door has made me a cynic. Not once has there been an exception made? Never? Not once? Would you admit me if I actually believed that? I’ll get it done. Just don’t feed me the cock and bull story.

Jonathan


From: Cudney, Patricia
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:26 PM
To: Eakman, Jonathan
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Jonathan - I can only speak definitively to the last 6 entering classes since I have worked here, but there has not been an exception made.

Patti Cudney Director, MBA Admissions Cox School of Business at SMU


From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:43 PM
To: Cudney, Patti
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Patti,
So you would admit me if I believed that.
Jonathan


From: Cudney, Patti
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 12:44 PM
To: ‘Eakman, Jonathan’
Subject: RE: Ivy software

Since I have been here, no one has been allowed to start the program without completing the test requirements.

Patti Cudney Director, MBA Admissions Cox School of Business at SMU


From: marci
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 2:35 PM
To: Eakman, Jonathan
Subject: Re: JDMBAs

Dear Mr. Eakman,

Your e-mail messages regarding your failure to complete the prerequisites for entering the MBA program have been forwarded to me. First, no one has ever asked for an exception for completing work required to enter the MBA program, nor, obviously, has an exception ever been granted. You were, however, granted several extensions of time to meet the requirements. Frankly, if you are having problems meeting these requirements, whatever the reason, you may well find the program expectations to be very challenging. In addition, the tone you have taken in communicating with Cox staff about the matter is inappropriate. I cannot imagine that you would communicate this way with faculty and staff at the Dedman School and it won’t be tolerated here. If you would like the opportunity to enter the MBA program, I am available this week for a face-to-face meeting to discuss your sincere interest in the program and in meeting all requirements of the program. I strongly suggest that prior to such a meeting, you complete all the requirements if you haven’t done so already. Absent completion of all requirements and a meeting to discuss your seriousness about the MBA program by Friday this week, your admission to the Cox School of Business MBA program will be revoked.

Sincerely,
Marci Armstrong Marci Armstrong, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Graduate Programs Cox School of Business Southern Methodist University


From: Eakman, Jonathan
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 2:19 PM
To: marci
Subject: RE: JDMBAs

Marci,
Did you read the whole email? Don’t use undergraduate threats with a graduate student. Its unbecoming. And hysterical. Furthermore, you granted me an exception on time, so how is an exception on completion any different? As for ability to complete the SMU MBA program, did you check my resume? Do you know I’m a law student next door? On academic scholarship? It is on my resume. It’s a pretty solid resume, you should look. I have real world corporate finance experience for the world’s largest airline. I did their sales strategy. I got there by programming metrics based web applications. I have an econ degree. Might make that corporate finance test seem unnecessary. Furthermore, you assume I have time for a face to face meeting. That is the problem with completing the requirements. I agree that the test is easy to complete. I passed the other two without opening the study materials. I just had a some bad luck and need time to deal with it. That is why I have been granted several extensions. Which I appreciate. But once I complete the requirements, which is one test, what do we have to talk about? My sincere interest in the program? I’m already admitted and my deposit has been paid. I’m enrolled in classes. That’s what I consider sincere interest. What’s your definition? As for my tone. Please define inappropriate. If there is any school bylaws I need to refer to please let me know. This is how the grownups over at the law school communicate. Do you not have a sense of humor? I’ve been at SMU for two years now and I am aware how people communicate. Does this work on people with work experience? Maybe its just hard to threaten (future) attorneys. As for the revoking my admission. I paid the deposit. That means I’m acccepted. Please send appropriate bylaws dealing with rejection of admitted students. You act like I’m a trouble maker, and I’m a law student. What caused the misperception?How many JD/MBA’s do you have problems with? I’m unimpressed with your response. Is this how the business school is going to treat its best students?

Jonathan Ellison Eakman


From: “Eakman, Jonathan”
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:28:31 -0500
To: Armstrong, Marci
Subject: FW: JDMBAs

Marci,

The admissions department revoking my admission when I am already admitted?? Good try. As an admitted student there is a process for expulsion. Once you allowed me to pay the deposit, put me on the student email, enrolled me in classes, and caused me to spend $900 on textbooks I was admitted. Just because you call the tests prerequisites doesn’t mean they aren’t part of the school curriculum. This goes to the honor board. I am requesting they be brought into this. I am also re-requsting the appropriate bylaws you are acting under.You refunded my nonrefundable deposit. Glad I didn’t get deposit insurance. I’ll be there on monday, since I’m on the roll. It really was a good try.

Jonathan

Really? This is “how the grownups over at the law school communicate”?

We contacted Eakman for comment. It turns out that he was greeted by police officers on the first day of class.

Here’s what he told us via Facebook message:

Thanks for your interest. I really appreciate getting to tell my side of the story. I want to make a couple points right off the bat. First, several students did not set up their email and therefore did not take the prerequisite tests, and were still admitted. They faced no penalties that I know off. Secondly, you don’t kick out a student two days before school starts. I was admitted, the admissions department should have nothing to do with it. I was attending their seminars, and was (and still) on their email list. Thirdly, there is nothing in the bylaws about kicking out a student for being rude. Academic dishonesty, yes, rudeness no. When I showed up to the school I was met by police officers, who restrained me from talking to the admissions person. The law school on the other hand, had no problems with my behavior, and welcomed me back to the law school. I have decided that I don’t want to continue at SMU, but it was obviously too late to apply to other schools, so have taken some time off.

Sounds like Eakman is not being cool on this.

How to Get Kicked Out of Grad School Before You Even Start [Reddit]

Comments

avatar
1 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:23 AM

SMU? I thought everyone was always kidding when they posted comments about the SMU. Its actually a school?

avatar
2 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:23 AM

First First of the day.

avatar
3 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:26 AM

well, he sure has the requisite egotistical dickhead attitude for the world of business and biglaw.

avatar
4 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:28 AM

Douche

avatar
5 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:28 AM

#4--yeah, he should apply to UVA!!

avatar
6 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:29 AM

This post delivers.

avatar
7 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:29 AM

Jonathan Eakman obviously thought that A.S. Byatt's "Possession" was utter shite because he gave it a try instead of taking the compulsory tests. If he'd actually explained that to the admissions folks, they'd have given him a complete slide on the test requirements.

What an utter moron.

avatar
8 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:31 AM

For one of the first times ever I feel it absolutely appropriate to use this word: What a DOUCHE!!!!!!

Geez!

avatar
9 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:32 AM

2 = first fail of the day

avatar
10 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:33 AM

B-b-b-but he has real world corporate finance experience for the world’s largest airline!

avatar
11 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:34 AM

If the cops are there to meet you on the first day of class, you may have done something unwise.

avatar
12 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:35 AM

Here I sit
Buns a stretchin'
Givin' birth
To another Texan

avatar
13 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:35 AM

Nobody gives a shit about a low level peon who boasts about his real world experience for the world's largest airline when he was actually responsible solely for petty cash for sandwiches for pilots and flight engineers.

avatar
14 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:35 AM

Sounds like a typical SMU student to me....

avatar
15 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:35 AM

"Be cool on this"

wahaha. Where did this superiority complex come from? I can't imagine it passed muster at the world's largest airline.

If this kid thinks he knows everything, what's he doing getting an SMU JD/MBA? He must have been fired from the airline.

16 Posted by Dubya | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:36 AM

Jonathan Ellison Eakman:

You should now have full appreciation of what I mean when I say "Don't mess with Texas." This is especially true when you are dealing with Laura's alma mater.

avatar
17 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:36 AM

AHAHA! Hilarious. Jonathan Eakman, you've made my day.

avatar
18 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:38 AM

First to say:
This guy will never get a job at a BigLaw firm, or even a medium law firm (not that either are guaranteed from SMU anyway).

He should take note and abandon the law now. His career is runied before it starts. At least he can avoid the student loans.

And to repeat others, . . . what a total douche.

avatar
19 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:39 AM

What does he care? Armed with a legal education from SMU, he probably already has offers from wachtell and w&c in the bag.

Or, if he's really, really lucky and is in the top 50%, he MIGHT land a coveted offer at V&E's Dallas office -- but that's a real long shot.

avatar
20 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:39 AM

Sounds like the kind of guy who would throw a tizzy about being told by a head partner to check his blackberry after 7 PM. Should fit in well around here.

avatar
21 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:40 AM

I stepped in some SMU, once. Everyone made fun of me.

avatar
22 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:40 AM

Grade-A Douchebag, for sure....

avatar
23 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:40 AM

I hate epistolary novels.

avatar
24 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:40 AM

The kid acts like he was itching to hit the self-destruct button when fall came around. I think he wanted to drop out anyway and decided to go out with a bang.

avatar
25 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:41 AM

He realizes he has just made himself unemployable for life, right? If you Googled this guy and this email thread was the first hit, how quickly would you light his resume on fire?

avatar
26 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:43 AM

He must be black. This post reeks of affirmative action entitlement with him trying to skate by without meeting even the minimal qualifications met by his white (former) classmates. Welcome to Obama's America!

avatar
27 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:44 AM

This guy is related to anti-Redskin Quinn associates. Has to be.

avatar
28 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:44 AM

In fairness to the student, this is the way most people communicate in Dallas. I would guess the tone is only amplified at SMU.

avatar
29 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:45 AM

I hope all future employers google his name and his emails are the first web pages that come up. I can't imagine working with this guy. I don't think "TTT" is strong enough.

What comes below "TTT"?

avatar
30 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:46 AM

27, are you saying Eakman = "Eek" man?

avatar
31 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:47 AM

This guy's tone is far too high-and-mighty for an SMU student. C'mon.

avatar
32 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:48 AM

Nice race-baiting, 26. Your mom must be very proud of you.

avatar
33 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:48 AM

What an immature idiot. It's unbelievable that this guy really thought his bullshit would fly. To post this exchange on his Facebook page is boarderline deranged. What in the world did he think that would accomplish?

avatar
34 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:48 AM

The kids totally right...the other day I walked into court to oppose a SJ motion, and the judge started getting all pissy because I never filed an opposition or even called to request an extension. I told him I was a grown-up and already paid for parking so he should just be cool about it. He agreed, took one look at my resume and decided to grant SJ for me instead.


avatar
35 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:49 AM

What an immature idiot. It's unbelievable that this guy really thought his bullshit would fly. To post this exchange on his Facebook page is borderline deranged. What in the world did he think that would accomplish?

avatar
36 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:49 AM

SMU

avatar
37 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:49 AM

26: you are d-bag

This is incredible. I wonder if you need an econ degree to flip burgers.

avatar
38 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:50 AM

I fucking hate neo-Victorian novels about lovers dispossessed.

avatar
39 Posted by pithypike | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:51 AM

"Don’t use undergraduate threats with a graduate student. Its unbecoming."

Epic.

avatar
40 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:52 AM

Does he even have opposable thumbs to begin with?

avatar
41 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:52 AM

SMU to Douchiest law school? I request a recount.

avatar
42 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:52 AM

Is "Cutting off his nose to spite his face" an expression in Texas?

avatar
43 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:53 AM

This is an awesome story. We really do let some grade-A people become lawyers. Perhaps admissions interviews ought to be come mandatory...

avatar
44 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:54 AM

Would be fun to see Urquhart at QE's reaction to Eakman's constant excuses.

avatar
45 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:55 AM

Next time, they won't fuck with a GRADUATE STUDENT!

avatar
46 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:55 AM

Comment 34 FTW.

avatar
47 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:55 AM

what's the contract argument?

avatar
48 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:57 AM

why has no one pointed out the obvious? this is almost certainly a joke.

avatar
49 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:58 AM

34: Well played. Very funny.

avatar
50 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:59 AM

Sense of entitlement, much??? Dude, don't bother running back to the legal world. We don't want you either.

avatar
51 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:59 AM

30-you whiffed.

-27

avatar
52 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:01 AM

3500 sq ft wife and a Lexis, bitches!

YeeeeeHAW, Wildcard.

53 Posted by Tibor | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:01 AM

This guy has to be kidding. You don't warm up a prospective employer/educator by bragging about your ability to "...[having ] dodged having to take responsibility for a billion dollar budget..." This dude is a self-entitled little prick and I hope the B-school has the stones to tell him to suck.on.this. Unbelievable; this guy is acting like a partner when he hasn't even finished law school! Good luck to you, sir!

avatar
54 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:01 AM

19, WTF is w&c? Made up law firm?

avatar
55 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:02 AM

This guy and Dave Johnson (of Cardzozo pizza) should get together.

avatar
56 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:04 AM

2 words: Restatement 90.

avatar
57 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:04 AM

cmt. 34 was nice, but 30...that one made me laugh.

avatar
58 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:05 AM

Does anyone buy the "tak[ing] some time off" thing? I wouldn't be surprised if SMU Law didn't actually want him back.

avatar
59 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:06 AM

54 = FAIL (White & Case. I'd know that one.)

avatar
60 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:07 AM

The guy is hiding out in grad school until the economy improves and he acts like an ass. Good plan.

Something tells me the law school did not welcome him back with open arms. Hence the "taking some time off."

avatar
61 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:07 AM

If you replaced "admissions counselor" with "moderately attractive, overly made up, promiscuous undergraduate" this same exchange occurs verbally over the course of about 10 minutes on a regular basis.

avatar
62 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:08 AM

I'm an SMU law student. I don't know the kid, but I SWEAR this is not the norm around here. In fact, I cannot imagine the law school not kicking him out for his behavior with the school of business. What an ass!

avatar
63 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:08 AM

This would never happen in Texas.... oh wait.

avatar
64 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:08 AM

Jaw on the floor. This guy is insane.

avatar
65 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:09 AM

Hahahaha! Jackass. His brain probably isn't attached to his spinal cord, even. You can't make this stuff up.

avatar
66 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:10 AM

Why are we spending so much time talking about this while the balloon boy drama is unfolding minute by minute?

avatar
67 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:10 AM

"Unfortunately the only state law he broke was the douchebaggery prohibition, which is a class three misdemeanor. We're currently consulting with federal prosecutors to see whether we can charge him with any federal crimes."

-Dallas police chief

avatar
68 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:11 AM

hahahaha 59 thinks "W&C" is White & Case... clearly on Wachtell's level...

avatar
69 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:11 AM

Clearly a douche, but I think he's actually right. Once someone has been admitted and deposit paid, they're a student. If SMU's bylaws define a student differently (like you don't take student status until the first day of classes), then the Dean had an obligation to demonstrate that.

Granted, the honor board, faculty or whatever should throw him out on the curb, but the Dean is trying to duck appropriate process here.

avatar
70 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:13 AM

66=67

avatar
71 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:14 AM

This kid will probably be a millionaire long before any BigLaw associates make the mark. The guy has what it takes to go far in a world where BS rules the day. Just think, Obama made it all the way to the White House (now Black House), with nothing more than BS and corruption. The grad school must be really hard up for tuition money, because they should have tossed his ass after the first exchange. On the other hand, the entire world is no run by BS, and the folks running the grad school are just as full of shit as the kid. This is what the world has come to now, what law grads getting paid to not work, and associates thinking that the big money comes to those who sit on their asses all day and night drinking beer and fucking whores.

avatar
72 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:18 AM

This kid is going to make an awesome BigLaw partner one day.

avatar
73 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:18 AM

71, I hope you are not one of the whiners who lambastes Elie about pushing his own political views on the readers.

avatar
74 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:21 AM

I work in the Dallas legal field and this isn't that unusual as far as behavior among attorneys. It's all about bullying and manipulation and not just to other legal people in the course and scope of their jobs, but also in their dealings with vendors, retail people, country clubs admission people, car dealers, realtors, their children's school administration, etc.

avatar
75 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:21 AM

This guy is oh-so-impressed with himself, yet it must, no doubt, be dawning on him that his professional life is over before it has begun. Maybe he has a trust fund or something, but if not, he is royally screwed.

avatar
76 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:26 AM

This website should have a "Douche of the Week" competition - sort of like the Legal Eagle Wedding Watch, where we get to vote on the biggest douchebags. I'm torn between this guy and the Quinn partner.

avatar
77 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:31 AM

19-
Top 50% @ SMU gets VE Dallas? Are you shitting me?

avatar
78 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:31 AM

Can we reopen the douchiest law school competition and add SMU? Who the hell talks like this at a third tier law school in a recession?

avatar
79 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:34 AM

I suppose that I should know the answer to this question, but is SMU Dedman School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association? Does anyone know whether the school is a member of the Association of American Law Schools?

avatar
80 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:35 AM

Remember all those SMU comments on the "Douchiest Law School" thread?

Well, ladies and gents, now you know why.

avatar
81 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:36 AM

Yeah!

SMU is totally the douchiest law school! After all, there's one kid there who's a douche!

Oh really? Tucker Max essentially won it for Duke? Carry on then...

avatar
82 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:36 AM

Like 76's idea, but think this SMU guy beats out QE partner easily for the award

avatar
83 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:41 AM

On the one hand, the student here is so far out there with his condescending, entitled, arrogant tone that this must be a joke. On the other hand I went to law school with a moron who was a "solid C" student who was so thoroughly convinced of his brilliance that he had much the same attitude -- "I'm in law school, I'm not one of your ordinary people. I am brilliant." So maybe it is real.

The guy drops that he is a "(future) attorney" so often he clearly thinks this is something special. Dude, you and about a million of your closest friends are all future attorneys. It ain't that hard to get in to a second-rate law school. Yes, even on scholarship. You idiot.

Who gets to be a grown-up without recognizing that if you break the rules and need an exception made for you, you treat the people with the power to grant it with at least a modicum of civility? Who thinks anyone else at his school cares that he is a law student or that he worked for an airline? He's wasn't the damn CEO. He was some random worker nobody there remembers.

avatar
84 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:42 AM

I've run into this guy a couple of times and he was obviously a bit strange, but he was also quite reserved and quiet, and really nice too. He must have had some sort of melt down.

avatar
85 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:42 AM

What what?

avatar
86 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:43 AM

If his resume was as impressive as he thinks it is, he would have been able to go to a real law school.

avatar
87 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:44 AM

#26-- nice try with the race baiting. Nope, he's a white boy: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1989532&id=549788866#/Eakman?v=photos

avatar
88 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:46 AM

sorry, 87, nice try, but unfortunately using those silly "facts" never works with types like 26.

avatar
89 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:46 AM

This guy's resume is not as impressive as he thinks it is. He goes to SMU.

avatar
90 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:49 AM

I find the posts by this Kashmir Hill lady consistently more entertaining and well written than the posts by that Elie Mystal fellow.

Am I alone here?

avatar
91 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:56 AM

This guy is basically a walking stereotype. Sounds like he'd be perfect for an MBA program.

avatar
92 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 11:57 AM

He must be a Black person. No white person would behave like this.

Houston attorney

avatar
93 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:00 PM

Is it safe to assume he couldn't pass the test. That has to be why he self-destructed this way. If I was AA I would be pissed. This does not reflect well on them.

avatar
94 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:01 PM

The threat of being revoked admissions from SMU is like the threat of saying you'll going to key my broken down1980 Ford Escort.

avatar
95 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:03 PM

SMU. Assshats welcome. Please apply soon.

avatar
96 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:04 PM

Let's be honest though, the admissions people are bull shite. Very few of the admissions people I've ever met would qualify as competent, and it looks like SMU's B-school is full of the incompetent types as well. If as the guy claims, several students didn't take the stupid pre-assessments and still got in, then it looks like he just got singled out for calling their policies bs.

avatar
97 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:13 PM

I think his number of friends is intentional. And relevant to this post.

avatar
98 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:14 PM

i think this is a hoax. inspired by the balloon boy. he could've taken the corp finance test in less time then he took to craft all those e-mails, especially at the end.

avatar
99 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:21 PM

96 = Jonathan EEEKMan.

avatar
100 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:23 PM

PE = Eakman. Guess he'll have more time on his hands to post now...

avatar
101 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:25 PM

Asslobsters and SMU.

avatar
102 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:29 PM

SMU sucks. Harvard of the South, my ass.

avatar
103 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:29 PM

With Eakman's knack for self-promotion, he may be the next Elie.

avatar
104 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:31 PM

"[C]aused me to spend $900 on textbooks."

Restatement (Second) of Contracts Section 90 for the WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

avatar
105 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:32 PM

34- Very funny. Chuckled aloud.

avatar
106 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:33 PM

34- Very funny. Chuckled aloud.

avatar
107 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:33 PM

Can anyone at SMU give us more info about this guy?

avatar
108 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:40 PM

SMU is great. This tool is not. Glad he was asked to leave.

avatar
109 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:46 PM

26=71=Lighten up, Francis.

avatar
110 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 12:47 PM

87 -

His profile features nothing but a picture of a sail boat and you immediately assume he's white?

Ludicrous, Ridiculous, and Preposterous.

avatar
111 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:07 PM

Did SMU verify he even exists? I smell HOAX. 180 friends? Oh hai xoxo. Elie, please confirm if any verifications were done. Also the tipster appears to be trying to insulate himself by saying he got info second-hand. He therefore can deny personal knowledge of the deception.

112 Posted by Partner Emeritus | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:09 PM

I find it somehow appropriate and poetic that SMU's law school is named "Dedman" since in my eyes its graduates' careers are already dead before graduation.

avatar
113 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:11 PM

nice one 34

avatar
114 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:13 PM

Well I know dude, and yes he is White, no affirmative action in that regard. Seemed relatively sane for the most part. This is not a joke. He's only about 5ft2, so maybe that explains it, who knows. But I have been laughing my a$$ off since I read the emails on fb.

avatar
115 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:33 PM

Hey Dipshits! SMU is a tier 1 law school. Hey Biggots! Eakman, is white, I can vouch for that. In his defense, no one saw this coming.

avatar
116 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:34 PM

Hey Dipshits! SMU is a tier 1 law school. Hey Biggots! Eakman, is white, I can vouch for that. In his defense, no one saw this coming.

avatar
117 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:34 PM

79 - haha, serious? SMU is a top tier law school, ranked #47 last time I checked.

This guy - wow. Loser

avatar
118 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:36 PM

firstly, the words "secondly" and "thirdly" are improperly used adverbs in his explanation.

good try, legal writing!

avatar
119 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:37 PM

Incredibly funny, especially because it is real. Alas, I think the rest of the week will probably go downhill from here after this glorious start.

avatar
120 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:45 PM

117 -- that's just an ATL meme. Posted every time any thread ever mentions a law school. Relax.

But for the record, #47 is not "top tier." Just sayin'.

avatar
121 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:52 PM

He is rude but he does have a point. They don't like him -- so what? Why should his status be revoked because they don't like him?

He actually would make a great attorney.

avatar
122 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 1:54 PM

121 - Shut up Eakman

avatar
123 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 2:01 PM

96=121=Eakman

avatar
124 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 2:16 PM

This is the first legitimate Res. 90 claim I have seen on this site.

avatar
125 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 2:20 PM

Fellow SMU'ers (116=117, 118),
Come on... We are at the bottom of T1. There are arguments to make about the value of SMU, but overall rank sure as fuck isn't one of them. We place pretty well in Dallas, maybe there's an argument there... But we all know what SMU is... A place you should only consider going to on a significant scholly. Also, if I see Eakman on campus, I'll gladly uppercut him in the scrotum - for the good of the community.

-SMU1L

avatar
126 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 2:24 PM

121- you might have noticed from the story that he failed to take the tests necessary to be a student at SMU. The fact that he is not likeable is meaningless with respect to his revocation.

avatar
127 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 2:39 PM

Jonathon Eakman a/k/a JaKe Emeritus

avatar
128 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 2:45 PM

I agree with 125.
SMU is the place Texans go if they can't get in to UT. UT is the place people go if they're cheap and can't get into HYS.

avatar
129 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 2:46 PM

No, top 50% at SMU does not get you V&E. They do not talk to anyone outside of the top 25%. and yes, SMU is accredited, a tier 1 school, albeit toward the bottom.

avatar
130 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 2:50 PM

He notes, tho, that some other students didn't take the tests either without a problem. IF that is true, then it appears the school is revoking his status because he is rude. Is that appropriate?


avatar
131 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 3:03 PM

"The law school on the other hand, had no problems with my behavior, and welcomed me back to the law school."

Seems to say more about law schools than business schools.

avatar
132 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 3:11 PM

130-eekman. And the answer is yes. You played chicken and lost. And you had more to lose than them.

avatar
133 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 3:14 PM

I can see his facebook because I am an SMU student--I guess he has it so that friends of friends or SMU people or something can see his page. He is white. Has a beard. Age 30. Member of Republican party organizations. Not a hoax because he indeed discusses it in his status updates and notes.

His parents are apparently pissed. A few days ago: " I didn't explain my last post. They kicked me out for being rude. Some people didn't set up their email and therefore didn't do the "prerequisites" and are sitting in class. Why does my family seem to take the other side?"

avatar
134 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 3:22 PM

This Jonathan Eakman seems like an unfathomable tool.

avatar
135 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 3:23 PM

he should sue

avatar
136 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 3:35 PM

Anyone notice he looks like a young Billy Mays?

avatar
137 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 3:53 PM

http://tinypic.com/r/71mfkn/4

avatar
138 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 3:59 PM

This is unfair that the school should reject him. It is unfair to the other students who this school is swindling with its toilet-quality education. Why kick this guy out and let him walk away debt free while the students who stay enrolled get themselves into 6 figure debt which they will never repay?

avatar
139 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 4:09 PM

SMU's night school program is a nightmare.

avatar
140 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 4:24 PM

Wow, what a phenomenal jerk. Good for the school for booting him out and calling him on his behavior.

26 - you are a racist jerk.

avatar
141 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 4:28 PM

He looks like a young Billy Mays on a cocaine binge, at least in the photo posted by 137...

avatar
142 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 4:30 PM

I've enjoyed this blog and (some of) its commenters for some time now but never felt moved to comment myself. Until now.

This guy is possibly the grandest douchebag ever to walk the earth. His douchetude is so massive it must have its own gravitational pull. Seriously, I want to make sure we all fully explore this issue because it seems clear this loser is monitoring the comments here, and he ought to understand the full magnitude of his jackassery. So, to Mr. Eakman:

Listen, fucknut, you have just aborted the fetus of your professional career. You might consider being an independent subsistence farmer or hunter/gatherer because those are about the only career choices left to someone with your social skills. While your antics have brightened my day considerably, they reveal you to be a festering pimple on the taint of the legal community. So do us all a favor now and fuck off back to the planet moon of Endor where you belong.

Thanks for a great post, ATL.

avatar
143 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 4:42 PM

The sad thing is that Eakman apparently went public with this story intentionally. As if upon seeing his plight, the world would jump to his defense. Eakman, what do you think is going to happen when you try to get a job and your prospective employer googles you? "Independent subsistence farmer" indeed. Personally, I'm glad you're no longer polluting our school.

avatar
144 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 4:43 PM

more like a cock and bullshit story

avatar
145 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 4:52 PM

@52:
Your wife is 3500 square feet?!? Damn, that's one huge ass woman.
And is your Lexis on a monthly plan or hourly?

avatar
146 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 4:57 PM

142 has seized the lead from 34. I laughed out loud.

avatar
147 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 5:05 PM

guys at my high school used to email administrators there to ask for extensions and other stuff all the time -- it was no big deal

avatar
148 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 5:12 PM

Hunter gatherer is close.

Check out the similarities in the before plastic surgery photo here:
http://www.fif3.com/pics/people/batboy.jpg

and the after photo posted above:
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=71mfkn&s=4

avatar
149 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 5:48 PM

I can say from experience that tests from ivy software were required before beginning my MBA program at another school. So that detail makes it sound like a somewhat more legitimate story.

avatar
150 Posted by JoeInLA | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 5:56 PM

Holy crap. He really does look like an Ewok.

avatar
151 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 6:01 PM

Eakman you are a doucebag!

avatar
152 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 6:02 PM

The guy is a douche, but bashing SMU law school and the students that go there is unecessary. Yes, it is a 'Tier 1' school that is VERY close to the bottom. But If you plan to practice in the DFW area, going to SMU is, for most, a better choice than UT due to the sheer strength of the SMU law alumni community as well as access to the tons of Dallas networking opportunities. Obviously, it's much easier to get your name out there, intern in Dallas, and meet your future employer if you actually live in Dallas. So, if you're on that road, SMU is the way to go.

avatar
153 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 6:14 PM

142 - very well stated. SMU tried to tell him that in a nicer way, but he didn't get it. Maybe he will understand it better from you. But I wouldn't count on it...

avatar
154 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 6:46 PM

I was in a similar situation years ago when starting the MBA portion of my JD/MBA. We were required to read a certain book and write a book report before school started. I guess the B-school wanted to make sure we could write a coherent paragraph (after a whole year of law school!). Incredibly lame. Anyway, I was in Europe all summer and never got the message to do the assignment. So, they asked me to write a short piece on why I was unable to read the book. What did I do? I wrote the damn paper. It was ridiculous, but what was I going to do - get upset with the knuckle-draggers in the admissions office? It was the dumbest paper ever, but so what? Just suck it up and do it. Why argue with those people who can only make your life difficult. To prove that you are smarter than them? I thought a JD/MBA student already proved that just by being in the program. He got what he deserved.

avatar
155 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 6:58 PM

sounds like he was having a bad day(s). every single one of us has had bad days and done stuff we regret. I think the school should give him another chance.

avatar
156 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 7:48 PM

155, he was not having a bad day. They basically said just do it anytime before school starts, and he was soooo insulted that he, with an econ major no less! would have to do such a thing

avatar
157 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 7:52 PM

Check the dates; more like a bad two weeks. You don't need a bylaw to toss a rude dick out on his pompous ass, just some guts and common sense. Apparently those at the helm of Dedman have neither if they've gone and reclaimed this slime-weasel. Kudos, Marci Armstrong!

avatar
158 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 7:52 PM

155 - While I admire your charitable spirit, you have to realize (and Eakman should have realized) that life can be unfair that way. Remember that old trope:

Writing one poem doesn't make you a poet;
Cooking one meal doesn't make you a chef;
But fuck one, just one, goat and, hey, guess what?
You're a goatfucker. For life.

Eakman fucked the proverbial goat and will have to live with the consequences.

-142

P.S. That should have read "forest moon of Endor" above. Don't know what I was thinking.

avatar
159 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 9:39 PM

Alumni include, both in the U.S. and abroad, three justices of the Supreme Court of Japan, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Indonesia, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and several justices on the highest courts of Egypt, Brazil, and Columbia. Recently, five of the alumni were justices of the Supreme Court of Texas and another was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri. Currently nine alumni serve on federal courts in addition to over 100 judges on various other courts in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas, which includes the Presiding Judge for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Chief Judge for the Oklahoma State Court of Civil Appeals.

Three Fortune 50 CEO's are graduates of SMU Law - the most of any law school in the nation, including HYS.

avatar
160 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 9:41 PM

159,
You're trying too hard.
-SMU1L

avatar
161 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:16 PM

159, don't forget SMU alum Harriet Miers, the would-be judicial superstar!

avatar
162 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:24 PM

124 - WTF's a "Res. 90 claim"?

avatar
163 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:25 PM

159,

I agree with 160. You have to be either Attanasio or Sargent.

-SMU3L

avatar
164 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:31 PM

Supreme Court of Missouri? WOWOWOWOWO!

avatar
165 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:33 PM

SMU3L,
If it was Attanasio, it would have been a 2 page list of pointless credentials that needed to be read before he spoke, or for that matter, before he'd pass gas in your general direction. I'd go with Sargent, or a classmate in denial.
-SMU1L

avatar
166 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:39 PM

Google footprint FAIL - good luck with the background checks, jackass.

avatar
167 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:51 PM

75...enough with the commas.

avatar
168 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 19, 2009 10:53 PM

Eakman rocks. He's paying these idiots over 40k per year. They don't deserve "respect" for gouging him out of his cash in exchange for a degree that may or may not (probably not) get him a job. These folks make their living out of him. They're just lousy paper-pushing administrators, people. Just because your title is "dean" doesn't entitle you to "respect".

avatar
169 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 12:03 AM

What is wrong with some of you people? You take one twit from the SMU law school and you just project hate about the entire university. I went to SMU Law and am doing just fine. I would challenge some of the negative responders on this forum to tell me what I missed out on by not attending an Ivy league school. I am partner at a mid-sized firm and make more money than I care to spend and do not live like a rat in some New York apartment. I worked the big-firm life after law school in Houston and then worked for an agency in DC for almost a decade after that. What else does one with a law degree really hope to do?

avatar
170 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 12:52 AM

68- Just because your title is "dean" doesn't entitle you to "respect." ??

Umm, yes it does. You should respect everyone you deal with. Even if her title was "janitor." It is just common decency. It gets you further in life than this kind of B.S.--just look where it got him.

avatar
171 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 1:02 AM

169,

SMU is a fine school, but it's not Yale and that's going to get it railed on here. The same thing would likely happen to georgetown or cornell.

avatar
172 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 1:57 AM

or duke or northwestern or michigan or uva or basically any school not named yale or, to a lesser degree, harvard or stanford.

avatar
173 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 3:05 AM

The Ick Man has a problem with women. It's doubtful he would have opened with this salvo if he thought he'd been talking to a man. The only fun thought is that I can't wait for a few female partners at law firms to get to evaluate his work. I'm guessing he will have met his match. Welcome to adulthood, Ickman.

avatar
174 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 3:26 AM

152 - While I agree SMU is getting bashed way too much on here, and is a fine school, to say it is a better school for DFW bound law students than UT is patently ridiculous. You and I both know you would have been at UT in a second if you'd been accepted. There's nothing wrong with being proud of SMU law - it's a good school - but to delude yourself and others into thinking it's a better school for the Dallas area than UT is crazy. We don't need to meet our employers in Dallas . . . they happily come to Austin.

avatar
175 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 3:57 AM

Laughed so hard pooped my pamts. Had to buy new ones. Or take them to cleaners.

avatar
176 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 8:52 AM

what does SMU stand for?

avatar
177 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 8:59 AM

174 = bitter UT student paying sticker

avatar
178 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 9:30 AM

I'm an SMU law student, and one of our profs mentioned "a facebook post bashing a dean" that made it to the blogs, and several other people I know have confirmed it's him they were talking about.

Oh, and the comment about avoiding a billion dollar budget's going to be so reassuring to future clients.

avatar
179 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:00 AM

SMU may not be the best law school in the country, but no city in America is more full of opportunity than Dallas right now.

avatar
180 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:36 AM

SMU should get rid of its night school program. The day school program is fine, but the night school lessens the value of a day school degree.

avatar
181 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 1:24 PM

180--Agree with that statement completely

avatar
182 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:23 PM

180 & 181 - there's plenty of SMU night program alum that work at big prestigious firms. If that program somehow devalues an SMU degree, why are big employers so willing to hire them?

avatar
183 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:23 PM

180 & 181 - there's plenty of SMU night program alum that work at big prestigious firms. If that program somehow devalues an SMU degree, why are big employers so willing to hire them?

avatar
184 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:25 PM

180 & 181 - there's plenty of SMU night program alum that work at big prestigious firms. If that program somehow devalues an SMU degree, why are big employers so willing to hire them?

avatar
185 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:38 PM

182-184: Because Attanasio has made it his life's mission to push the night program.

But that doesn't mean night students proudly proclaim the night program too. I have seen a night student, with whom I was clerking at a Big Law firm, lie to a partner when asked if he was a night student.

avatar
186 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:27 PM

Wow. I am a night student at SMU, this is really depressing. I had no idea there was such disdain for evening programs.

avatar
187 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, October 21, 2009 2:39 AM

FYI Eakman was a night student, us day-Ls have a little more sense than to go off like that

avatar
188 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, October 21, 2009 11:37 AM

In all seriousness, I would actually hire this guy. I have enough cases that I have to take for my firm for ethical reasons that I really would rather not take at all. I would be willing to give him a shot with those. If he turns out a good product, but these clients dump me anyway, I am off the hook. I can't dump these jokers and I can't raise my fees in this economy. I only pay 55-65% of Dallas Mkt, though. he probably thinks he's too good for that.

avatar
189 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, October 21, 2009 2:21 PM

I am sitting in a room with 6 fellow SMU law grads and we took a vote: Jonathan Eakman deserves every single negative consequence of his heinous behavior.

avatar
190 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, October 21, 2009 2:24 PM

187- I think MOST people have more sense than to go off like that day or evening student law or business student.

avatar
191 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, October 21, 2009 2:29 PM

187- I think MOST people have more sense than to go off like that; day or evening student, law or business student.

avatar
192 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, October 21, 2009 2:30 PM

187- I think MOST people have more sense than to go off like that; day or evening student, law or business student.

avatar
193 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, October 21, 2009 6:23 PM

this is fake

avatar
194 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, October 21, 2009 6:50 PM

As a current SMU Law student, I want to assure everyone this type of attitude is atypical. I also want to address 78's comment. We are proud to be tied for Last Place in the 1st Tier, thank you very much. Dallas is also fortunate enough to have avoided much of the recessionary blow.

Oh yeah, and what a douche (not you 78)

avatar
195 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, October 21, 2009 7:34 PM

193 & Co. - I'll assure you this is very much NOT fake, although J. Dickman probably wishes it was.

avatar
196 Posted by JoeInLA | Permalink Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:31 PM

"Wow. I am a night student at SMU, this is really depressing. I had no idea there was such disdain for evening programs."

186, ignore the snarky comments. I was a day student at a school that also had a night program and I am firmly convinced that I did NOT somehow get a better legal education than students in the night program just because I was a day student. A great many law students (and a great many attorneys) are constantly looking for ways to feel better about themselves and the easiest way to do that is to make someone else feel bad about themselves. The fact that you're in law school at all means you're probably in the top one-half percent of Americans in terms of brains and education, so any distinctions among those in that relatively tiny group are pretty much meaningless when you look at the big picture. BTW, your best F.U. to the haters is to study your ass off and pass the bar exam on your first try. There are plenty of first-tier grads who are on their second, or third, or fourth attempt.

avatar
197 Posted by guest | Permalink Thursday, October 22, 2009 1:35 AM

"In my last job, I dodged having to take responsibility for a billion dollar budget, so I know what I’m doing."

This guy has a bright future in the Obama administration ahead of him.

avatar
198 Posted by guest | Permalink Thursday, October 22, 2009 1:41 AM

SMU has the highest passage rate in Texas for first-time takers of the state bar exam (and that includes the night schoolers).

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/111208dnmetsmulaw.1a5db55b1.html

avatar
199 Posted by guest | Permalink Thursday, October 22, 2009 1:10 PM

Who is a bigger douche, Eakman or #26? Now ole John is definitely a douche, but he's just a garden variety law/mba douche, impressed with his own imaginary magnificence. #26 is certainly the larger douche, possibly a douchenozzle and definitely a drinker of the post-douche liquid, since he's not only an anonymous bigot but he's also the type of Foxnews-type loser who imports politics into issues that have nothing to do with politics. Hey 26! Do us a favor and cut your balls off (so you can't reproduce), slit your throat (so you can't speak) and dip your hands in acid (so you can't type any more). Also, Obama didn't win by affirmative action, idiot. You may not like that he won (I personally don't) but he won fair and square. Cumb Dunt.

avatar
200 Posted by JoeInLA | Permalink Thursday, October 22, 2009 2:00 PM

"SMU has the highest passage rate in Texas for first-time takers of the state bar exam (and that includes the night schoolers)."

Nuff said. BTW, my comment that "there are plenty of first-tier grads who are on their second, or third, or fourth attempt" should have read "there are plenty of day students who are on their second, or third, or fourth attempt."

avatar
201 Posted by guest | Permalink Thursday, October 22, 2009 4:32 PM

Highest rate in Texas, AND SMU isn't known as a "boot camp" like Baylor.....

Baylor.... now that place sucks. Who the hell wants to pay private tuition to live in Waco?

avatar
202 Posted by guest | Permalink Thursday, October 22, 2009 4:32 PM

Highest rate in Texas, AND SMU isn't known as a "boot camp" like Baylor.....

Baylor.... now that place sucks. Who the hell wants to pay private tuition to live in Waco?

avatar
203 Posted by guest | Permalink Thursday, October 22, 2009 10:22 PM

#199, I love you.
Eakman, I loathe you.
#26, You are a walking abortion.

avatar
204 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, October 23, 2009 2:35 AM

Now that he is utterly unemployable, he will be unable to pay his loans, unless he had a full scholarship. I would love to see transcripts of the debt collection calls. You cant threaten me with that shit, Im not an undergraduate........

avatar
205 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, October 23, 2009 12:47 PM

I think law students are very pretentious anyway. Most of them are rich pricks that have never held a real job anyway, then they think they're smarter than everyone else just because they've read a few court cases. And do you really need an MBA? Can you really teach someone "business"? Good business people either have "it" or they don't - look at Michael Dell and several other examples who don't have MBAs but yet are far richer than the MBAs they have working for them. This will probably turn out to be the best thing that's happened to Eakman - he can laugh later at all you high-and-mighty oh-so-smart lawyers and MBAs that end up working for HIM.

avatar
206 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, October 23, 2009 4:06 PM

Jonathan Ellison Eakman is my new HERO!

All you people are just scared to stand up to 'the man' like he did - you all live in your little fearful lives of sitting at home and watching the O'Reilly factor. The same people criticizing Jonathan Ellison Eakman are also the same people who drive around in gas guzzling SUV's and pretend they are environmentalists by buying recycled toilet paper (thats packaged in a plastic bag).

Have any of you ever been to business school? If so, you should know that you hardly learn anything - so he was surely right about the lack of usefulness of taking those stupid little 'pre-tests'. Anybody who says they learned anything at business school is surely more dumb than most admissions departments at business schools.

Jonathan Ellison Eakman, YOU ARE THE STRONGEST LINK!

GOOD JOB JONATHAN, KEEP THE HEAT ON THESE FREAKING WEIRDO CONFORMIST, BORING, ESTABLISHMENT PEOPLE.

avatar
207 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, October 23, 2009 5:02 PM

#206 - I completely agree. All these lawyers and businesspeople who think they know better than everyone and think they're smarter than everyone else (yet their the same people who got us in our current economic mess - thanks a lot lawyers and MBAs) need a good dose of someone like Eakman to shake them up a bit.

avatar
208 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, October 23, 2009 5:13 PM

Hey SMU1L - why are you making smartass comments about people at SMU? Your a 1L - you haven't even taken your first law school final yet, you haven't done your first major legal writing assignment yet, and you're barely halfway through your first semester of law school. So instead of making stupid remarks about the Dean or other people at SMU law school, why don't you shut the hell up and focus on your studies? Seems to me like you're one of those 1L's that thinks you're all that just because you're in law school, then you get your first semester grades and shut up because you realize what a dumbass you are.

avatar
209 Posted by guest | Permalink Saturday, October 24, 2009 4:49 PM

Texas lawyers and Texas law students all suck anyway.

avatar
210 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, October 26, 2009 3:17 PM

Wow--I don't even know what to say--the guy is a bully and didn't get away with it. Poor baby. Ha!

avatar
211 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 27, 2009 1:15 AM

pathetic undergrad, wannabe trans-elite law school and a joke of a business school.

Smu or UT , same applies to both

avatar
212 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 27, 2009 3:14 AM

eackman? he's sounding cool-smu & marci on the other hand-its not a top school-how are they equals?

avatar
213 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 27, 2009 8:47 PM

Poor dear, there's nothing between his ears.

avatar
214 Posted by guest | Permalink Tuesday, October 27, 2009 8:48 PM

Word on the street is that there are pictures of this guy around campus with the phrase "if you see this man, contact the authorities."

-1L @ SMU who should be reading cases instead of this, but damn, it's just too funny

avatar
215 Posted by guest | Permalink Wednesday, October 28, 2009 1:58 PM

206 and 207 = eakman. Good call though on dropping out of law school. Now you have a shot at making more money from the publicity of this...you can be a reality show contestant...good move. Funny how stupidity in our society gets rewarded.

avatar
216 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, November 2, 2009 3:36 PM

206 and 207 are not Eakman, "their" [sic] more like Eakman's mommy and old aunt Edna who are neither lawyers nor MBAs, but who fell bad dat dewr witty eaky-poo is being picked awn.

I have to admit, I've seen a lot of bashing on this website, but all "lawyers and MBAs" is the widest net I've yet.

avatar
217 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, November 2, 2009 3:36 PM

206 and 207 are not Eakman, "their" [sic] more like Eakman's mommy and old aunt Edna who are neither lawyers nor MBAs, but who fell bad dat dewr witty eaky-poo is being picked awn.

I have to admit, I've seen a lot of bashing on this website, but all "lawyers and MBAs" is the widest net yet.

avatar
218 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, November 2, 2009 3:38 PM

fell=feel

Edna did in fact also have a nasty spill, but the hip resurfacing has changed here life.

avatar
219 Posted by guest | Permalink Sunday, November 15, 2009 7:43 PM

I came across this sight as I was looking for a support group of people who have been kicked out of graduate school. I have a disability (ADHD) that makes it difficult for me to complete tasks efficiently. Somehow I made it all the way through high school and college, and I got accepted into a Ph.D. program before I got diagnosed. To make a long story short, I did not receive accommodations and, while trying to keep up with program demands and staying up all night for several nights, I ended up sick in the hospital. I was later forced by my program to withdraw and I am still not exactly sure why. I am grieving, hence the search for a support group. The only comments that appear relevant are from people failing out. I had a 3.7 GPA and I was on track with my thesis, despite my limitations. After reading this man's story, I started to wish I could share my story with him. I can't believe people can be so unappreciative. I would give anything to get back into a program and I am applying again this year.

avatar
220 Posted by guest | Permalink Sunday, November 15, 2009 7:47 PM

I came across this site as I was looking for a support group of people who have been kicked out of graduate school. I have a disability (ADHD) that makes it difficult for me to complete tasks efficiently. Somehow I made it all the way through high school and college, and I got accepted into a Ph.D. program before I got diagnosed. To make a long story short, I did not receive accommodations and, while trying to keep up with program demands and staying up late, I ended up sick in the hospital. The program's faculty forced me to withdraw and I am still not exactly sure why. I am grieving, hence the search for a support group. The only comments that appear relevant are from people failing out. I had a 3.7 GPA and I was on track with my thesis, despite my limitations. After reading this man's story, I started to wish I could share my story with him. I can't believe people can be so unappreciative. I would give anything to get back into a program and I am applying again this year.

Post Your Comment