Wrapping Up the Semester at Dirtbag’s

November 20, 2025

Fall semester just ended for my Basic Trial Advocacy class, and I did what plenty of Wildcats have done after a long stretch of hard work. I wandered over to Dirtbag’s, ordered something simple, and let my brain take a breath. After weeks of coaching students on objections, witness control, and the art of telling a story in the courtroom, it felt good to step out of teacher mode and just be part of Tucson for a moment.

Dirtbag’s has been a U of A institution for decades. It is the kind of place where law students, undergrads, alumni, and professors can all end up in the same room at the same time. It is loud, unpretentious, and full of character. It also has a way of reminding me why I like teaching. Every semester I get to watch students discover their own voice. Every semester I see future lawyers take one more step toward serving their communities.

I grabbed a couple of photos while I was there. For anyone who has spent time near campus, these scenes will feel familiar.

If you are someone thinking about a career in law, or you are a former student of mine who still hangs out at Dirtbag’s, I hope the end of your semester brought a little time to breathe too.

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