Thinking about law school?

Question

I'm thinking about going to law school. Anyone think it's a good idea, bad idea, reasons why?? I've heard that law school graduates have a hard time finding employment after they graduate. Is that true? Are there any areas of law to specialize in (tax, property, personal injury, corporate law etc) that would increase the odds of finding employment because there's more of a need for a certain type of lawyer? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Points to ponder
1. It's really, really expensive. Private schools charge about $30,000 a year in tuition. Multiply that by 3, then add living expenses, etc. Most people who go end up graduating with a huge amount of debt which can really limit your options.
2. You might read about huge salaries being paid to recent law school grads at big-city firms, but those jobs go to approx. the top 10 percent of the class at high-caliber schools. For everyone else, there is tons of competition for jobs, which means you might end up in a job with so-so compensation--this can be a problem if you have a lot of debt.
3. For new lawyers, there can be a huge amount of pressure to work long, long hours, nights and weekends. Is this how you want to spend your twenties, when you're still young and good looking and might want to do fun things at night?

Answer 2

Quick answers:
(1) Law school grads do not have difficulty finding jobs, so long as you go to a reputable law school (i.e. top 100 or so). My law school had 93% job placement rate at graduation and 99% placement within 18 months of graduation. Even the worst schools have something around 80%. Now, that depends upon the economy -- bad economies mean less hiring (but may mean a little burst at the beginning for litigators, as people are doing fewer deals but engaging in more litigation) but not that much.
(2) Most lawyers do not specialize in law school (except maybe broad general areas like intellectual property, litigation, corporate, or public interest/international/human rights). Almost everyone takes 80% of the same courses -- (everyone takes about the same first-year courses across the country!) and the last 20% are topics you're just interested in. Most people don't develop a specialty until you're out of law school and practicing. There are some exceptions -- IP lawyers (trademark, copyright, trade secret, patent) may do more IP work in law school. If you have a hard science degree, you can sit for the "patent bar" to be a patent prosecuting attorney (don't worry, you can still do some patent work even if you don't have a hard science degree). Some places are offering more "concentrations," but that hasn't caught on most places yet.
(3) Your undergrad grades, your life experience, and your LSAT sources really determine where you get to go to law school. And going to a quality place can mean a lot -- what your experience is like, what connections you make, what job opportunities await you after graduation.
(4) Law school is NOT like the practice of law hardly at all. Some people love law school and hate being a lawyer; most of the people are just the reverse. Some have recommended that you work as a file clerk -- that's an OK idea if you want to.
(5) Remember, there's a lot you can do with a law degree even if you don't want to practice... so it's probably worth going (provided that it doesn't put you in debt forever... a good public university or a scholarship can really help!)
(6) Law school is not really that hard -- it's mostly a myth. It's not like med school (but then again the atmosphere is very different from something like business school or grad school, too.) If you just pay attention and do your work, you'll do fine. I don't think there were too many drop outs in my class (maybe 10 out of 200)-- that's why there are high admissions standards at most places.

Answer 3

I am a recent law school graduate from two years ago. I have recently found the perfect job for me in the area of criminal law. I am a prosecutor and it took me awhile to find this job. Law school was great. It depends on whether you want to go to law school or not. I always knew, so going was not a difficult decision. Also getting a law degree does not mean you have to become a lawyer. With a law degree you can basically do anything in the areas of law or business. Getting a job can be difficult just like with anything it's who you know nowadays.
When you go to law school you really don't specialize. You don't do that until you get out into the real world. however you can focus on an area i.e criminal law, business law and etc. Where you live might have an impact. For instance out west here water is a huge commodity and so dealing with land, water rights and natural resources is very big out here. Immigration law is another expanding area of law. And of course criminal law will continue to grow.
I probably didn't give you what you need to know, but going to law school was what I wanted to do and working as a prosecutor is what I love doing. Just like with any job if you find what you are doings is what you love then you are there. Don't get into a position and then dread it because then things will be miserable.

Answer 4

As a law school grad, I have never found it difficult to find a job. It is difficult to find a GOOD job, but I think that is the case for a lot of professions. I am a corporate oil and gas lawyer, and because of my location, I am in pretty high demand. Do a little research into the places where you want to end up living, and find a niche that suits that area.

Law school is not particularly easy, and quite a few people end up dropping out. If you can, do an internship with a law firm for about a year, that way you will know what you are getting into. If you have more specific questions about law school, let me know.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Hello. I think law school is a great idea. I'm probably biased, since I am applying to schools now. Going to a good law school can net you a great income. Most top law school's have 99% of graduates employed within a few months after graduation. In addition, top law schools average starting salaries of 125,000+ for 1st year graduates going to private firms. And yes, you will be able to specialize during law school. Surf the web for info.

Answer 6

If you don't like to read, study, put up with nonsense and lots of paperwork, then don't go to law school. If you don't believe that everyone deserves a fair trial and if you don't think the law should be fair and impartial and that justice should be blind, don't go to law school. In this litigious society, there will always be a need for lawyers. Good, willing lawyers, and lawyers who believe in truth, justice and the American Way and who are willing to do what it takes to ensure that justice is done, and who put justice above income, will always be able to find work.

What do you want? What are you willing to invest? How hard are you willing to work? How much will law school cost you and will you have to sell your soul to the devil to pay for it? Only you can answer.

Answer 7

I don't think you could ever go wrong, or have trouble finding employment after Law School.
Here's my answer: Take the LSAT, finish school, start out in public service, such as a Public Defender or Asst. DA, and shoot for politics and clean up some of the idiots in the House of Reps.

Answer 8

many faculties have a "mature" applicants type - and your existence reviews may additionally depend for some holistic faculties. have you ever written the LSAT yet? which would be a brilliant indicator of which faculties might settle for you - that plus your GPA. That being stated, my comments are as follows: a million. it is under no circumstances too previous due - yet are you confident what you have become your self in to? if i could do over, i does no longer pick regulation - and that i'm in easy terms 2 years out (previous due 1920s) 2. tax regulation is very great - maximum require an accounting or finance history 3. actual sources is standard prepare - no longer super suitable now by using marketplace, yet assuming you graduate in 3/4 years - you're able to suitable on the upswing. that being stated, RE is uninteresting as hell - so i could advise commercial incredibly than residential 4. in case you prefer to become a choose - you're able to do litigation, or something like family contributors regulation (something that demands countless time in courtroom) - additionally, undecided approximately your meant jurisdiction, yet in mine, there's a 10 3 hundred and sixty 5 days min. of energetic prepare requirement in case you even desire to attempt to become a choose 5. finally, i might stay far far far off from ethical matters - until eventually you prefer to be a unfavorable lawyer. regrettably, regulation is employer. it is no longer approximately justice, or equality. dont be fooled. and on the off be conscious- in case you have a classical song education, why no longer attempting coaching, or doing gigs? in assessment to the attempt and time, I made way additional money coaching my tool than my salaried place as a company commercial lawyer.

Answer 9

Go for it. And getting a job after school is not going to be hard if you really look. And you can get into Law enforcement of you can become an attorney it is all up to you and what interests you more.

Answer 10

definitely go to law school. it will never hurt you, nor decrease your employability. A lot depends on your undergraduate degree and where you go to law school. Lawyers with technical, business, and financial backgrounds are in high demand.