CRYINGWOLFOWITZ
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Sun Mar-27-05 03:26 PM
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I am thinking of law school. need suggestions |
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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?
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Lucky Luciano
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Sun Mar-27-05 03:33 PM
Response to Original message |
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Do whatever the hell you want.
As far as law schools go, I would recommend Harvard. I heard they are pretty good. :P
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Floogeldy
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Sun Mar-27-05 03:42 PM
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2. You are kind of putting the cart before the horse |
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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.
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CRYINGWOLFOWITZ
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Sun Mar-27-05 03:49 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
3. network, network, network |
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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.
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RPM
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Sun Mar-27-05 06:15 PM
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3L here - nothing but school your first year; and for many, even that isnt enough.
Nose to the grindstone first year, then branch out.
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Floogeldy
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Sun Mar-27-05 10:20 PM
Response to Reply #11 |
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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-)
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CRYINGWOLFOWITZ
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Sun Mar-27-05 10:36 PM
Response to Reply #17 |
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What size firm do you work at now? Where did you go to law school? Do you like being a lawyer?
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Floogeldy
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Sun Mar-27-05 10:43 PM
Response to Reply #18 |
20. I am a sole practitioner |
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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-)
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CRYINGWOLFOWITZ
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Sun Mar-27-05 11:31 PM
Response to Reply #20 |
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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?
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Floogeldy
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Sun Mar-27-05 11:52 PM
Response to Reply #21 |
23. It is like any other business |
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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-)
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Catchawave
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Sun Mar-27-05 03:49 PM
Response to Original message |
4. Congratulations! We need more of you!! Here's a website |
CRYINGWOLFOWITZ
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Mon Mar-28-05 09:20 AM
Response to Reply #4 |
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useful website, thanks again.
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Coyote_Bandit
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Sun Mar-27-05 03:51 PM
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5. If I Had It to Do Over Again |
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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.
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Floogeldy
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Sun Mar-27-05 04:00 PM
Response to Reply #5 |
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Excellent advice, Coyote.
B-)
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Flaxbee
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Sun Mar-27-05 04:28 PM
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7. do everything humanly possible to avoid a lot of debt |
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..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.
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CRYINGWOLFOWITZ
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Sun Mar-27-05 10:10 PM
Response to Reply #7 |
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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.
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Broadslidin
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Sun Mar-27-05 05:21 PM
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8. Tis Also Very Important To Take Courses In Acting.......! |
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Edited on Sun Mar-27-05 05:35 PM by Broadslidin
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.
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Floogeldy
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Sun Mar-27-05 06:03 PM
Response to Reply #8 |
9. Get ooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuutta here! |
elehhhhna
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Sun Mar-27-05 10:41 PM
Response to Reply #8 |
19. Improv classes help, too. |
Cuban_Liberal
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Sun Mar-27-05 06:06 PM
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10. "...Is the power, money and respect worth being hated?". |
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I fully intend to find out in about 2 years!
:evilgrin:
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CRYINGWOLFOWITZ
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Sun Mar-27-05 10:14 PM
Response to Reply #10 |
14. are you in law school? |
Tesibria
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Sun Mar-27-05 06:34 PM
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12. Congrats! A few thots and concurrences... |
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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.)
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CRYINGWOLFOWITZ
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Sun Mar-27-05 10:19 PM
Response to Reply #12 |
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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.
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Goathead
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Sun Mar-27-05 10:18 PM
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15. University of Virginia |
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Jefferson designed and built the school. Poe went to school there and Faulkner taught there. Tons of history. An amazing campus.
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philosophie_en_rose
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Sun Mar-27-05 11:39 PM
Response to Original message |
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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.
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Sun Jun 16th 2024, 09:31 AM
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