2 answers
Juliana
Student
Great Barrington, Massachusetts
3
Questions
Asked
513 views
Where should I go after law school
#law-school #lawyer #school
Login to comment
2 answers
Desiree Giler Mann
Attorney
166
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Desiree’s Answer
Somewhere you where you can focus all your attention on studying for the Bar Exam!
Seriously.
From the day you graduate Law School (typically, May in the US) until you sit for the Bar Exam (typically, July -- COVID postponements notwithstanding), you need to cram a lot of info into your brain and have almost instant recall. Bar review becomes like a full time job and requires numerous hours of study. Most humans cannot do this well whilst playing at the beach, traveling the world, training a new puppy, etc. Plan to have a boring summer of study, but know that if you do it right the first time, you'll never have to do it again and your job security will be much improved!
If you are asking about job prospects after law school, I'll share the advice that was given to me: land a job a the biggest law firm you can, because from a large firm, one can go everywhere else - to a smaller firm, private practice, in-house, govnt, etc. (The one exception to that rule is a federal clerkship. If you're offered a federal clerkship take it!!!! Most large firms will defer your start date to accommodate a clerkship. They are rare and prestigious.) However, that job search should start no later than your second year of law school - don't wait until you are about to graduate!
Visit the career office and start your job search no later than your 2nd year of law school (ideally, lining up a summer associate position between 2 & 3 years).
Plan to study hard for the Bar Exam
Seriously.
From the day you graduate Law School (typically, May in the US) until you sit for the Bar Exam (typically, July -- COVID postponements notwithstanding), you need to cram a lot of info into your brain and have almost instant recall. Bar review becomes like a full time job and requires numerous hours of study. Most humans cannot do this well whilst playing at the beach, traveling the world, training a new puppy, etc. Plan to have a boring summer of study, but know that if you do it right the first time, you'll never have to do it again and your job security will be much improved!
If you are asking about job prospects after law school, I'll share the advice that was given to me: land a job a the biggest law firm you can, because from a large firm, one can go everywhere else - to a smaller firm, private practice, in-house, govnt, etc. (The one exception to that rule is a federal clerkship. If you're offered a federal clerkship take it!!!! Most large firms will defer your start date to accommodate a clerkship. They are rare and prestigious.) However, that job search should start no later than your second year of law school - don't wait until you are about to graduate!
Desiree recommends the following next steps:
Ron S
Federal Prosecutor
23
Answers
Updated
Ron’s Answer
The answer to your question truly depends on your answer to this question: Why do you want to go to law school?
A passion in a specific field? Money? Fame? Power? Your goal will determine your path. If going for a cookie-cutter legal job makes you happy, then by all means. Many people regret being a lawyer because they're unsure why they went to law school in the first place. You can say this about any career.
Once you pick your goal, you should research it and speak with a career advisor on campus.
A passion in a specific field? Money? Fame? Power? Your goal will determine your path. If going for a cookie-cutter legal job makes you happy, then by all means. Many people regret being a lawyer because they're unsure why they went to law school in the first place. You can say this about any career.
Once you pick your goal, you should research it and speak with a career advisor on campus.