I am thinking of law school. need suggestions

I am 23 and have been accepted to law school in, believe it or not, Texas. I was planning on doing some pro bono (volunteer) work during law school for the ACLU or Americans United for the Seperation of Church and State. What is everyone's thoughts on liberal democrat lawyers and law school? Would you do it if you had the choice? Is the power, money and respect worth being hated?

Do whatever the hell you want.

As far as law schools go, I would recommend Harvard. I heard they are pretty good. :P

Wait until you get through your first year. You should be spending most of your time studying.

In your second and third years, if you think you have the time to donate, check out your options and see if anything you are interested in is available with the organizations you mention. By that time, you will also have a better feel for how others will perceive and react to what you are doing.

unfortunately in law school, not only do grades matter when finding a job, but so does who you know. lawyers often find their first job through who they know, which means you have to be networking from day one. Many people do it in the form of going to club (American Constitional Society or University Democrats) meetings, or off campus (such as Dallas Bar Association) meetings.

3L here - nothing but school your first year; and for many, even that isnt enough.

Nose to the grindstone first year, then branch out.

I spent the whole summer after my first year working on my law review submission. Well, I guess I relaxed and rode my bicycle, too. :)

I had a two-afternoon-a-week internship with Legal Aid for a while during the second semester of my second year, but I got credit and a grade for it.

I finally went to work for a sole practicioner right after I took the bar exam.

I had to study hard to make decent/good grades in law school. Some people don't have to, so I guess they're smarter than me.

B-)

What size firm do you work at now? Where did you go to law school? Do you like being a lawyer?

I went to law school a little late in life - - - graduated from Oklahoma City University (private Methodist school) when I was 37.

I interviewed with a couple of firms, and heard "sweatshop" horror stories from recent grads. I figured out real quick that I wasn't a firm type of guy.

I started from scratch, officing with other attorneys who really helped me a lot.

I LOVE working for myself. I LOVE the challenge of practicing law. I especially like appearing before judges, researching and writing. I LOVE appellate work. I can't stand jury trials. I have no idea what jurors are thinking!

B-)

Is it tough going solo? I know you have to constantly have a string of clients, which means always meeting new people and getting referals. It is much more extroverted than working for a corporation (such as MBNA, a major GOP donor which would make me puke) where your work is handed to you. Does your firm do pretty well? Some people just have a knack for the business. A law degree is the second most self-employable degree one can have after a medical degree. What area do you work in? Real estate? Bankruptcy? Something else?

I've had $500 months, and I've had $30,000 months.

Even huge lawfirms in this country have had to borrow money from time to time to, for example, meet payroll. That is the nature of business.

I have a general civil practice. I've done very little criminal work. The three areas I have practiced in the most are domestic law (divorce, custody, adoptions, child support), workers' compensation and personal injury. However, I have represented clients in a myriad of practice areas.

Like I said, I LOVE the challenge.





B-)

that should be helpful:

Liberal Internship Database

http://www.princeton.edu/~pudems/interns/interns/hum.htm

useful website, thanks again.

I would forego law school. Just my opinion.

If you decide to pursue the practice then the best thing you can do while in school is to get a lot of practical experience. And that is best gained at a small to mid-size law firm. Unlike most other professional courses of study law school is long on teaching theory and often quite inadequate in teaching practical application of that theory.

Excellent advice, Coyote.

B-)

..and try to avoid much time in the huge law firms. I was in a big one in NYC and completely quit the practice of law after my fifth year.

I would have also learned a second language and tried to work overseas -- a legal degree can open up many, many opportunities, but be very careful about your selections. Really, really investigate your options before you make a decision about work.

I am set up to go part time at night (for four years), so I can work and pay off the tuition without loans. I have a large scholarship, so it is in total going to be very cheap.

As for "biglaw" yes I know. I would work there if I could but probably wont as those jobs are so competative. You start out making 100k at age 26/27 but the hours are insane and it is extremely stressful and conforntational.

I have long since realized.
how those few cherished acting classes have contributed
so significantly to a high success ratio
regarding my occasional court room appearances
in front of a jury.

As we all know,
our adversarial justice system is based solely on money.
Fortunately, to hurry everything along,
over 90% of criminal/civil cases are either plea bargained or
settled out of court (Tis of utmost 'lucrative' importance to have civil court records sealed for the purpose of protecting the sanctity of the corporation).

Also, by using your polished acting experience,
you will be able to give your prospective clients,
the ever glowing impression of confidence
that you actually might have trial experience.

B-)

Great for sales and law.

I fully intend to find out in about 2 years!

:evilgrin:

If so, where?

I agree with those who say DON'T plan on doing it your first year. Study Study Study.

I think that no matter WHAT you end up doing with your degree, you'll do it better for having been to law school.

I agree with those urging as little debt as possible. That - debt - is the great "pyramid scheme" of the law profession. Students graduate with 100K in debt and are forced (if they're lucky) to taking the big law firm jobs - and by the time they've paid off their law school debt, they're shackled with golden handcuffs.

(PS: I went to law school in Texas too (SMU - what can I say, that's where the scholarship was. And I was surprised at the number of liberal students there. Granted, I expected 0, so my expectations were low, but I found a good number of liberal friends there.)

Is a good school but insanely difficult to get into. Last year their average GPA was 3.9 and LSAT 163 (about the 90th percentile). They are also in talks to having the GWB presidential library there sadly.

Jefferson designed and built the school. Poe went to school there and Faulkner taught there. Tons of history. An amazing campus.

But jealousy of the insecure? :)

I'd suggest visitng a class or taking an early summer course to see how you deal with the workload.

Good luck in law school.