I've been trying to find legal work for the past month but it seems that this is a "limbo" stage.
Attorneys looking for help have responded that they are interested but don't want to hire someone in this situation in a clerk capacity because (rightfully so) they probably won't stay on when they become licensed. They say they would rather hire someone still in school.
Also, I cannot do serious attorney work because I am obviously not an attorney. I also don't like "spamming" firms with resumes.
I am wondering if I should continue to pursue legal work in the next 4-6 months (i.e. there are options I just haven't found them) or better spend my time doing non-legal work (restaurant, bar) until I am (hopefully) licensed and then seriously look for legal work.
2006-08-16 08:29:24 · 9 answers · asked by ? 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
welcome to our world :) i worked for the state legislature while i was waiting for my results. i stayed there for about six months and REALLY liked it, but since i was very afraid that i may never leave and get other experience, i left. during my transition, i picked up a contract job with an agency. it paid $20/hr and was just document review. we even had overtime on the weekends for $30/hr. it was boring as hell, but a great resume builder. so i suggest trying a contract service. also, it is campaign season. if you are a political person, a lot of organizations/affiliations are looking for temporary help that expires...guess when?...in November? :) but i say, just have fun and do whatever makes your heart happy. there is PLENTY of time to work. if you want to wait tables, or bartend, please do. i am getting to the point in my career when i realize that this mess is overrated. i may look up one day and life has passed...while i was trying to argue the best motion. and i'm a government lawyer! life is supposed to be slow for us :)
god bless. and i'll be welcoming you in November! '-)
2006-08-16 09:08:54 · answer #1 · answered by sexy law chick 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Waiting For Bar Exam Results
2016-11-16 14:28:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. As one, I can speak from experience.
First, you can always be hired now by a law firm or corporation, and work under the supervision of an attorney until you get your license. If you're grades are good enough, many firms or companies will hire you now on the assumption that you will pass.
You can also do independent work for attorneys. I'm helping several attorneys right now doing legal research, motion drafting, discovery, etc. I probably won't do this forever, because I really don't enjoy litigation. Even though I keep getting sporadic offers.
But it keeps me in practice while I'm looking for a corporate counsel position somewhere in northern California or Oregon (mentioned just in case anyone out there is looking for someone).
2006-08-16 08:32:47 · answer #3 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some entry-level attorney positions WILL take somebody awaiting bar exam results. There's a lot of entry level stuff you can properly do under the supervision of a licensed attorney while awaiting licensure. (You can do research, you can draft pleadings and briefs, you can interview clients for facts, etc. etc. etc....You cannot give legal advice, and you can't appear in court or sign the papers that get filed in court, but there's plenty of work a new law grad can do under someone else's supervision....It's hard to give you specific pointers on job searching since I don't know what state you're in, and I don't know what area of law you're interested in.... But I know that in my recent job search (I'm not a new lawyer) I used my law school placement office, and also I don't know if your state Department of Employment Security/Workforce Commission/Employment Development Dept./ or whatever they call it there, has got an online job database? My state does and I used that, a lot. One thing I applied for that I know sometimes takes new law grads was document review with a temporary-lawyer agency, so you might look at that. You may or may not find a job before you're licensed since job hunting can just take awhile....Don't "spam" firms with resumes; find places that are actually looking for an entry-level attorney. The job ad will certainly say what type of work the firm does. Try to customize your cover letter enough to say why you'd like to learn to do the type of work they do. Best of luck to you. Your law school career services office is probably the best place to look for help in finding a job; that's what they are there for.
2006-08-16 08:49:03 · answer #4 · answered by kbc10 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your pursuit of legal work at this time will be fairly futile. Why not just take a break and do something different for a short time? Just make sure to keep studying!
If you do want to do the legal work, what about a paralegal service? They might be interested in someone with your education. You might search online and see if there are any non-profit organizations looking for legal assistance (pay won't be great but it could be good experience). What about LegalAid or some other place like that? Just a few suggestions... you may have already thought of them but its all I've got!
2006-08-16 08:43:02 · answer #5 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best place for you to get a job at to give you the best experience with the law is try being a paralegal... its the best midway between a legal secretary and a lawyer... you have the ability to do all of the research for the attorney you work for and also sit in on a lot of the clients... besides you dont have to be a a full fledged attorney to have that job, youre still involved in the legal arena, and you never know who you could get a good resume from when you work with an accredited firm
2006-08-16 08:43:57 · answer #6 · answered by rage ( V ) 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What country are you in? My husband was in the same position in Canada. After he finished articling (and was called to the bar), he had difficulty finding a job. (He didn't want to stay in private practice.) He is now legal council for a company, but while he was looking everyone advised him NOT TO TAKE A JOB OUTSIDE THE LEGAL FIELD. They said firms look down on this. It makes it seem like you couldn't get a better job.
2006-08-16 08:47:13 · answer #7 · answered by cleeps 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all, don't call a psychic, lol. Trust me they are fake I used to work on a psychic hotline, lol. Next even if you did fail, so what. 89 percent don't pass on their first try right? You have worked way too hard to give up now. Law school is tough. You made it this far, keep going. what are you going to do if you drop out now. HMMM... my client is innocent or would you like fries with that? tough choice, lol!!
2016-03-16 23:00:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to the closest outdoor working job and work there cuz, in my experience, they pay the best especially construction or landscaping then you can go on to be a johnny cochran jr.
2006-08-16 08:35:53 · answer #9 · answered by a_playa04 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋