Hello current bbs members who are also lawyers. I'm a political science student who is thinking about going into law. I just wanted to hear your advise or experiences on certain things. 1. Law School- where did you go and why did you go there? 2. LSAT- how did you do on it and how did you prepare? 3. Field- what kind of law did you study and how do you practice it now? Which field is lucrative and which makes you feel good about yourself. misc.- What do you guys think of may plan. After I graduate, in 2005, if teach for america hasn't been slashed I'd like to put in my two years to help out Houston schools and relieve myself of my student loans. I guess during that time I can study for the LSAT and apply for schools. I just don't know what kind of law i want to do. I'm a liberal guy, so I wouldn't feel good about helping defend big companies accused of polluting or selling unsafe products. Maybe sports law, is that even a real field? Please, any info would helpful and I would appreciate it as well.
i also have a question for all the HOT lawyers out there... marry me? or adopt me!! [insert very big smile here]
Oski, I graduated from the University of Houston Law Center in May 2000. UH was a top tier school at the time of my application. After the flood the school has had setback after setback. It will get back where it needs to be but will take a few years. I scored a 164 on the LSAT. I bought 2 books and read them and did the computer practice questions that came with the second book. Now here's the part you REALLY won't like. If you are in the top 10% of your class, you can go pretty much where you want. If not, you really don't have the luxury of choosing a specific practice area and side of the table. You will need to take whatever job comes your way. It's a tough market and it is a saturated one. Most law firms that hire associates are defense firms. That means you'll be representing corporations. They pay their legal bills and those firms have more capital to expand their attorney base. Just remember that everybody deserves a defense, and without these corporations none of us would be enjoying this BBS right now. If I can be of further help, please let me know.
Oski, I'm about to start my third year at South Texas. I, too, scored a 164 on the LSAT...I chose South Texas because of the advocacy program's reputation (moot court/mock trial competitions). The only downside is the tuition rates...I'm wanting to do trial work when I get out....I'm clerking for a judge right now so I get to sit in on the hearings and trials...I also get to work with the judge on various motions, so I really like it. I agree fully with Refman's assessment of the market saturation in the legal field. He's exactly right about the demarcation line of class ranks. If you are in the top 10%, you can write your own ticket with the big firms and the type of law that interests you. If you fall below that, you just hammer away at it and take what you can get. Hopefully, somewhere along the way, you will get the opportunity in the field that interests you. Oh, for LSAT preperation, I just went to Barnes & Noble and picked up some of the review courses...you can splurge for the Princeton Review type courses that cost upwards of $1K, but I just used the books. Good luck.
yeah...what he said! I actually went to law school with refman! He's a good guy...particularly when he's buying at SRO! I can't count how much time we wasted on whether or not the Rockets would get Shandon Anderson or Houston would get a new NFL team when we should have been studying! I went to UH because I wanted to come home to Houston after getting married and at the time it was ranked higher than S. Texas and was cheaper. I have my own practice with one other guy...we primarily represent companies (non-polluting ones right now, if it makes you feel better). A publicly-traded acquisitions company and a few banks are among our larger clients. At this point, I'd be hard pressed to say I'd like to do anything different...I'd have a very hard time working for a firm, at this point, after so much time of having such control over my practice. Don't think I could do it. When I decide this practice isn't the way to go anymore, I'd likely find another career in another field altogether...if anything kept me from my current practice, I doubt I'd go practice law elsewhere. Keep this in mind...I had many liberal friends from law school who quite quickly sold their views down the river...one guy claimed to be a socialist...last I heard he was representing the big bad banks he said he hated so much. Another guy who was fiercely liberal is now working for a large firm specifically helping energy companies navigate administrative regulations. They were all very smart guys...turns out representing the little guy didn't pay as well....enter market economics...so much for "workers unite!"
Here, here MadMax. I've got a 20 in my pocket and a thirst for some suds. Anytime you're ready I'll buy the first pitcher. By the way, do you have my resume yet?
Oski, Whatever you do on this, follow your gut. I made a 168 on my LSAT (thanks to Kaplan's prep course, although I think it was more the exposure to the LSAT that boosted my score than any particular instruction) and was fortunate enough to be accepted to Georgetown Law Center in DC. I was also fortunate enough to be accepted to some other good schools, who offered me scholarships. However, the lure of a big name school was too great (even though I hated the school during a visit and they gave me NO financial assistance) and I went to Georgetown. Big mistake - I left after a year (believe it or not, Georgetown doesn't fail students, although I probably came as close as any student in its history). Looking back, I wish I had checked out the some of the other schools and picked one that was right for me. I was not totally sold on becoming a lawyer when I went to Georgetown, and surrounding myself with hyper-focused, ultra-studious and super serious students was a dumb decision. Not to mention I'm paying off a $40K loan now. However, if you are smarter than I am, here are some things that are a must for law school: 1) Be a thorough reader - That's what you do every day in law school and as a lawyer. If you hate reading, then you need to find another career. 2) Letters of recommendation - Take classes with department heads (i.e. the Dean of Social Science, the head of the English department) where you will have to write papers (see #3). Then offer to take these professors to lunch to discuss something (it doesn't matter what, although I have always found that "career advice" is a sure way to get them to join you). If you do well in class and can make a good impression on the professor, they will be happy to write recommendations for you later. And the papers that you wrote for them will be a good reminder of your academic abilities. 3) Be a great writer - If you have the high LSAT and GPA and good recommendation letters, your personal essay will be the difference between acceptance at a top tier school and settling for your "safety school". And once you're in law school, good writing skills will get you good grades. If you hate writing, find another career. 4) Pursue what you like passionately - Don't fill your resume with crap like "Treasurer of the Pre-Law Society." and "Volunteered twice at the local soup kitchen." Pick one or two substantial activities that you like and pursue them for at least two years. In my case, I played in a band for 4 years. At Georgetown, I met people who wrote for newspapers and TV shows, taught school, and even played college football. The acceptance committe wants to see success in unique situations, not the same old extra-curricular filler. BTW, Teach for America is a great idea, whether you go to law school or not. If you want to avoid working for big corporations, the best thing you can do is avoid accumulating student loans. If that means going to a lower ranked school, then it may be worth your while. If you can avoid loans and marriage before you graduate from law school, you will be able to pursue whatever field of law with greater freedom. Good luck with everything. You've got plenty of time so make sure to enjoy undergrad before you start worrying about law school.
MadMax--you are a gentleman and a scholar. Just have your people call my people. I can get you some people if you don't have any.
subtomic, I took a class a couple of years ago taught by a Dean and did really well. It was a small class and I got to know the Dean very well. The problem is I didn't keep in touch. What would be the best way for me to reintroduce myself? I was thinking of e-mail and setting up a meeting with her. I still have papers from the class. Also, what do I need to supply my recommenders? I was thinking a folder with a resume, personal statement, and an addressed stamped envelope to LSDAS.
The envelope with postage is a nice touch. the only problem is that the letter will likely go out on their professional stationary which already has an envelope. I would offer postage though. If they work at a university the school will likely end up paying the postage though. If I can offer any other advice, please let me know.
