Law School

I posted about this a long time ago. I am really looking for a change and Law has always been on the back of my mind.
I am most interested in law practice where I can utilize my language skills (Spanish, French, Italian). I keep thinking of corporate law (international corps doing mergers, aquisitions stuff like that) but also immigration law.

Another question: Can you only focus on one type of law?

Yes, you can focus in one area. Most attorneys eventually pick a focus area or two. But you will have to take all of the general classes. There aren't majors in law school the way there were in undergrad, however some schools offer concentrations (where I went you earned a 'certificate') in an area. I would bet that there must me a few schools in the NYC area that offer a concentration in immigration law.

Good luck

Thanks Ladies.
I am going to start studying for the LSAT's after March.
Did you take a course and did you find it good?
I want to take a couple of classes at Nassau to freshen up my reading comprehension and writing skills.
I feel like my brain has shrunken to a 5th grader's education level.
Any suggestions for someone that hasn't been in school for over 5 years? What should I do to prepare before I go to Law school, books to read, classes to take...

Thanks again.

I didn't take any LSAT prep course, I bought a bunch of books and did the practices which worked okay for me and i saved $$. Who knows if I would have done better with the course but I wasn't planning on going to Harvard.

Please think very hard about law school. I graduated in 2001, passed the bar first time and am working at an ins. co. I do not like my job and wish I never went. I am so in debt right now and it's a heavy burden for both me and DH now. Law was never somethign I was dying to do, it was in the back of my mind also when I graduated college. If you're able to pay for it great, and if its what your eally want to do. I wish somebodywould have really made me realize the debt and loan payments I would have once I was finished. I guess I jsut thought I'd be making the big $$$ and wouldn't have to worry about it. Which is not true. The big $$ jobs go to the top 5% of the class and law review. It is so competitive out there. Not to be a downer, just what my reality is. Of course everybody is different and has their own experiences.

Good luck on everything, though!!

I second EVERYTHING starhead just said! I just graduated and am studying for the bar. I am so miserable-I can't sleep, im broken out, and don't have any free time. (I sneak on here about 1-2x a day). People keep saying it's worth it but I don't enjoy practicing law, so to me, it's not worth it at all! There are no jobs out there, and if there are-they either 1) goto the top of the class 2) pay less than $40,000 a year starting, or 3) make you work 70 hour weeks!. Many more people are applying to law school now then they were when I applied, so it is more competitive and will be even harder finding employment! Some of my friends in their second year couldn't even find a summer position working for FREE!
Anyway, that's just my opinion. I know tons of people that loved law school and are eager to practice, but if I could go back 3 years I never would have gone! Make sure you really want to do it-and i recommend Kaplan for LSAT prep. Good luck!!!

Starhead the $$ isn't even the issue for me. Its the concept of doing law work that intrigues me. I have felt this way for a long time but never considered going back to school to pursue it. The biggest step for me is getting back into the study mode mentality. I graduated 5 yrs ago! AHH seems so long agoooo. This is why I need to take basic courses to freshen up my writing skills.
The market is difficult everywhere. Its horrible. I know a few people that graduated with a BS/BA this year and haven't found a job yet!

i agree that you really need to consider why you want to go to law school before you go - especially since most law school tuitions are around $25K per year (not counting books, living expenses, etc.). however, there are many other areas of law besides working at a law firm or corporation. for the past two years i have been a law clerk for a federal judge and it has been an incredible experience. i have also worked at the us attorney's office, the new york city corporation counsel, and a washington dc law firm and all have been great experiences. i have also volunteered for a few non-profit organizations and have really enjoyed that kind of work as well.

when i was first considering going to law school, i had some doubts and questions. my mom said, what is the worst that happens if you go for a year and hate it? the worst that i could think of was the money. she told me that $25K is worth finding out if the law is 'your calling.' i'm so glad i listened to her advice.

feel free to FM me if you want more information. good luck with your decision.

(edited to correct spelling)

FH’s cousin does the type of law I am interested in. He is always at work. He did tell me about the long hours, and tons of work. My father has told me as well as FH’s cousin that ya it’s a sacrifice. It really is. But nothing comes for free. Nothing comes on a silver platter. You have to make the best of what you have with whatever career you choose. The cousin did tell me something else. Regardless of the amount of time he puts into work, he never forgets his family. His family is first followed by work. At first it was difficult to balance both but as a parent with a full-time career, you have no choice. The one thing he does is not live for working. He has told me many of his partners live to work. No family vacations, outings, PTA meetings. More like troubled kids and divorced. He has been in the field for so long he sees the trend. And he refuses to let his work come before his family.

cw - I'm not sure what you meant about $$ not being at issue. If you have the $$ to go for it then great. But if not and you'll be in debt when you finish like me, then $$ really is an issue. I pay about $700 a month in just law school loans (and that's on like a 30 year repayment plan). Even if I wanted a job doing what I wanted to do, I can't because I'm so strapped for $$ there is no way I could take a lower paying job - and this one doesn't pay that well in the first place. DH makes good money, too and it's just not possible. I have nightmares about my debt.

And it is much easier for men than women in firms - it ****s but its true. THe percentage of women partners is so small. Women are looked down upon for having to leave early for kids, etc. And thus, not many are on the partner track. It's harsh and maybe some firms are better than others but not that I've seen.

Most of my friends from law school are equally unhappy and equally in debt. I had such a rosy outlook when I first started. Just trying to give my perspective and others who are like me. Like I said, in no way if this is your true dream, follow it.

If the Law is what you love, go for it! Yes, it's a lot of work, long hours, etc but if you love it, it's worth it - I worked for the gov't for 4 1/2 years and (contrary to popular beleif) worked long and hard hours for medicore pay but I loved it - it was a fantastic experience and now I am at a private firm making more money - work is just as demaning but now I am getting paid for it. I do not work 10 hours a day every day and have yet to work one weekend. You have to find the place that's right for you and have your priorities. Then again, I am one of those geeks that loved law school....FM me too if you want any more info.....good luck with whatever decision you make.

Starhead I was talking about the debt issue. I totally understand what you are saying. To me I look at it like this: in the long run the education I receive will be worth every penny I have spent. I am still paying off my college loan now and it is a pain in the butt, but it doesn’t faze me b/c its for something that I needed and wanted. Schools are ridiculous when it comes to how much they charge. But I don’t think you can really put a price tag on education since in the long run it is to your benefit.
In every field there is some type of favoritism between men and women. I see it in this freakin’ place all the time. You have to have something dangling between your legs in order to become Senior Manager here. But it is all over the place. Not just in the law field. Out of 69 Chairmen we have had in this organization, 2 were women. The second just being announced 3 weeks ago.

I'm not sure how I feel about everything yet - ask me again in a year - at this point I'm not even sure I want to practice.

I can tell you that my father, cousin, and other family members are all attorneys. My father has worked the gamet (sp?) from sherman and sterling to being one of the heads of the legal department of a world wide insurance company. He has been the only supportive attorney that I know - all the rest of my friends and family have work very hard to dissuade me from going to law school. Telling me the horror stories and about the problems of women in the law. I will say I was positive that this was what I wanted - but 3 years later - I'm not so sure.

I have managed to convince other TO GO to law school though and who weren't sure it was for them. I think you really need to do some research and see IF it really is for you.

I will tell you that this is one of the worst times to be graduating - there is simply not enough jobs for the number of graduates out there. With I think 13 law schools in NY and MANY graduates who left NY who want to return - the field is completely flooded.

My friends who are coming out the top of their class from top schools are being offered considerable less for their services than there friends were offered 5 years ago for the same position. Many companies and firms are on hiring freezes.

cw, I wish I could be like you and not worry about the debt!! You have a great positive outlook and I applaud you for that.
My view has changed since I graduated. Ask me last year if it was worth it to go to law school and i would have said 'of course, I'm better educated, blah blah blah, nobody can take away my degree and all I've learned'
Since then, I don't feel that way at all. It was not worth the time or money to be stuck doing something I don't want to do b/c there are no opportunities out there because I have to pay so much back. I'm hoping in the future I can do the kind of law I want. But my hopes are dwindling. DH keeps telling me that this is only temporary but its discouraging when I worked my butt off all through law school to gain experience (even my first year) and then have it not pay off at all. Sorry, I'm just using this space for my own venting now.....I'll stop the negativity

Mary
I sent you FM

I have days where I think 'why did I ever do this to myself?' The debt is astronomical. But most of the time I remember that I am in debt becuase practicing law is the only thing that I have ever wanted to do with my life. I work for a wonderful firm and my co-workers (including the partners) are like my family. I do not worry about having children and being an attorney becuase the partners (all male) are so involved with their children that I frequently see them around the office. One of our paralegals was in last week with her one month old working and this was encouraged.

Yes, there are bad situations, but you can find a firm where you are not working 70 hours a week for $38,000/year. My first job practicing was a NIGHTMARE and I ended up here through a friend. I am so happy here that the hours (usually 7ish to 6ish) don't bother me. I work on the weekends to catch up, not because of partner pressure. Oh and, there is no billable requirement. So it is possible to find exactly what you are looking for in the legal profession.

Don't get me wrong, law school is tough and the bar exam is its own animal. But don't let anyone else's horror stories sway you. If this is what you want, go for it. There are moments that are incredibly rewarding. And if you really want it, the debt will be worth it.

The first semester of law school is very difficult, but HONESTLY, after that first year it was SMOOTH SAILING. THe professors are not so demanding after that first year, I definately had a life...but everyone is correct about the BAR Exam, but it can be done, and once it's over, you have this amazing feeling of accomplishment.

Best of luck to you!