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Do you have any book recommendations for someone interested in law school ?

I am a junior in high school and I want to know if there is anything that can help with improving my knowledge about being a lawyer ? #lawyer

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DENNIS’s Answer

One book? Tough question! I guess if I was going to recommend one book for you to read to get a sense of being a lawyer then I'd suggest you pick up (I am sure your school library has it!) "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. Atticus Finch is the lawyer who is faced with defending a black man of a crime against a white woman. Atticus has to deal with a lot of issues not the least of which was racism. I do not want to give too much up about the book because then you won't read it. Read it - it gives you insight on some of the issues lawyers have to deal with!
I note you are from Massachutes. One of our Founding Fathers - John Adams- was from Boston and was a lawyer. Like Atticus he was asked to defend two British soldiers after they shot a local Bostonian. Like Atticus, John Adams had to deal with a lot of issues. He was a leader in the movement for Independence from England. However, in the end, Mr. Adams found that the law was more important then feelings and did his job!
Carolina, being a lawyer is a hard job. Hard because you need to help people in all different situations. Stay in school. get good grades, enjoy yourself and learn as much as you can - about yourself and others - that's how you become a good lawyer!
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Blake’s Answer

Hey Carolina,

If your high school offers it, I would consider the debate club. Also, I would ask around to local law firms and ask if they would allow you to shadow them work.

Thanks,
Blake
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Kimberly’s Answer

To specifically answer your question, one book I really enjoyed prior to law school was "One L" by Scott Turow. "One L" is the story of Turow's first year at Harvard Law School in 1977. He covers the emotional ups and downs of that first year and how and why he and his peers changed for the better. Granted, it was written long ago and relates to just one individual's perspective but it is still an interesting read. Law school has changed a lot since then but the basic tenets are the same...law school is rigorous and requires the utmost commitment. Best of luck to you!
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Fiona’s Answer

There are many many different types of law and they are vastly different. Usually books about lawyers will be about litigation (court cases). There are many other different areas you can practice in and these will not involve court work (for example I work in an investment bank as inhouse counsel looking after transactions on the trading floor). To avoid being misguided that all law is court work, I would suggest you talk to different types of lawyers to understand this better.
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Jennifer’s Answer

Law School opens a lot of doors, both expected and unexpected. I majored in English Literature and Music for my undergraduate studies, and I then went to law school. If you think you're interested in becoming a lawyer, then I would try and grab lunch with every lawyer that you know: some young, some not-so-young. Go to Court and see if it's for you. It's free! You can go see a criminal case or a civil case - just call the clerk of the Court to see what's on the docket.

Most of a young lawyer's experience does indeed come from a law firm, and in order to score great law firm opportunities, you really need either great academics or great networking (or both). You do not necessarily need intern or paralegal expertise this early in the game. Instead, I would focus on reaching for an Undergraduate School that really suits you - a place where you can attain excellent academics in subject matters that you enjoy. Join pre-law and really work on technical writing/cognitive task analysis. Towards your 3rd - 4th year in University, then focus on those LSAT scores. Your academics, LSAT score and writing samples will dictate your law school opportunities. A great school leads to terrific opportunities either in-house or at a law firm. Have fun!
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