Why is it better to go to law school in the state you plan on practicing?

Question

If I go to a school like Pace or New York Law School, would it be possible or at all useful to try and get licensed in Illinois (my home state) after getting licensed in New York?

Thanks for your responses. So it's a good idea to stay in the state which you attend school because you'll spend a lot of time in the part time jobs or clerkships learning the laws of that particular state? How exactly is the education better or more useful in a "tier 1" type school as opposed to a 2 or 3? Also what is reciprocity? Thanks if you would help further.

Answer 1

Almost all law schools will teach you how to approach the law as opposed to teaching you the law of a particular jurisdiction, so in that sense it does not necessarily matter where (location-wise) you go to law school. The reason it is advisable to attend law school where you would like to pratice is simply for recruitment and career purposes. Law schools like Pace of New York Law will place better in NYC than they will in Illinois. A T3 or T4 is Illinois would probably better serve your purposes than a T3 or T4 outside of where you would like to practice.
As far as T1 and T2 schools most with the exception of the top 25 are not considered national schools. Therefore, my advice would be to go to law school in the general location you would like to practice in order to maximize your recruitment opportunities...unless of course you can get into a top 25 school.

Answer 2

I have found that the majority of my law school classes teach federal law or basic (most common) state laws. Very few of my classes have been state specific. (Let's face it, that is what bar review is for!)

The main benefit I see is getting your foot in the door with potential employers via internships and part time work during law school. (I moved for law school with the intention of staying in the new state but I hate it here so I am moving elsewhere.) It is also an added challenge to find part time work in the city you are going to school in if you know you do not wish to stay there (since they would be helping someone learn who has no intention on staying.)

Bad idea to become "licensed" in two states out of law school because that would mean 2 bar exams in most places. Most states have a 3-5 year practicing requirement before allowing reciprocity. You should pick a place you can stand to live and work in for at least 5 years and know that you can leave and get reciprocity elsewhere (check the individual state bar for the exact amount of time needed).

Answer 3

Law schools teach classes in both state and local law. Law in NY and IL are similar -- but different. You will have more to learn for the Bar Exam if you go out of state.

That being said -- you are better off at a good law school from a different state than from a mediocre school in your state.

Most people take a law review class in the state where they want to practice -- where you will learn many of the state specific rules that you need -- so going out of state shouldn't hurt you too much.

There may be an advantage to staying in state if you want to practice in Louisiana -- since the state law is based on the Napoleonic Code -- where the law in other states is based on British Common Law.