which diplomas do I put in my office?

Question

I attended a community college for 2 years and earned an AA in liberal arts.

I attended a state university and graduated with bachelors degree in communication studies.

I am graduating from law school and opening my own practice.

Do I hang all 3? or just the bachelors and JD?

I want your opinion.

It seems to me that the AA may make people feel like I am more approachable in a way, but on the other hand, will they think I am less capable b/c I went to a community college first?

BTW- I dont buy that people who went to a community college are less capable...to the contrary, I went to one to save money so that I could later afford law school...smart move! :-)

WKCOE- I appreciate the advise on partnership. I should have been more clear. My father has an established practice which he is looking to retire from in the next 5 years, so we will make the gradual change from him to me as the practicing atty....so I have less to worry about than the average fresh out of school law student, thank goodness :-)

Answer 1

Go with the BA and AA and a lot of depends on the amount of wall space :)
Getting ready early?????

Answer 2

Coming from a former degree holder of an AA: Liberal Arts who wants to pursue law school too, I advise against posting the AA and maybe the B. I would really ask any attorney you may know what they suggest, and where you live. Some people think that having an AA is bad, but most of these undergrads aren't even capable of the jobs they're trained to do let alone the ones they have to go through because many lack acceptable work experience.

I was able to do 16 credit hours, work about 40 weeks as an intern for the government in my career choice (IT at the time, although I ranked up there with the rest and sometimes higher) and managed a 4.0, all at a private college in a big city.

Majority of undergrads in college towns are working at blue-collar jobs now given to anyone who wants them. Some work harder than others and do what I did.

From what I have read about law students, you probably might want to rethink starting a private practice and just find a partner or work for an existing firm, then later start a practice.

I also subscribe to a newsletter from the ABA which usually tells lawyers how to use technology, most of which I already know.

I would think you would have access to way more than I can dream, but dunno. I have had prior access to the Lexis Nexis system, although its search features seemed pointless if you had no clue what case you were looking for. Luckily I was told but that didn't help too good, and I have better research skills than most students, and especially than my aunt who has a Masters degree from a traditional university, which is going to waste as her BS degree is being used. I do not think she makes enough for her job: She's a Major in the Air National Guard, has a BS in Computer Science, and works for the federal gov but in a poverty-stricken area.

I also have a link to a guy who is famous for telling big businesses on how to make their web sites usable and appeal to other big businesses.

If you need more help, email me, although you are really more professional than I am.

Answer 3

Depending on your practice, those undergraduate alma maters may be worth some clients. I'd hang them all - why not, you earned them.

I tend to use businesses/professionals who are graduates of my alma mater. Having that degree from state on the wall may be a help.

Answer 4

whats a smart move on your part will be snubbed by lots of people - because people are a whole are pretty darn stupid. i would hang the jd and some office art. nobody is going to be that interested in your past unless they are snoopy ocd freaks looking for a reason not to hire you.

Answer 5

It's just my opinion. I would put up the law school diploma and the board license...anything else is a clutter.