To go or not to go: Is Law School Right For Me?

To go or not to go.

Is law school right for me?

Tracie Thomas, MA, MS Mary Lou Taylor, MA Christina Siders, MA LAW SCHOOL

WEEK

Things to consider before any graduate level work

Group discussion   

Why are you considering law school?

What is your understanding of law and law school?

Where are you stuck?

Top reasons for not going to law school         

You are not ready to work in the "real" world.

Everybody else is doing it You don't know what else to do You are sure a bachelor's degree just isn't enough any more You want to seek shelter from the bad economy You are sick of school and want to get graduate school over with You are certain an advanced degree will guarantee you a good job and a much higher salary You can't face moving back in with your parents You missed all the on-campus interviews

What makes a good lawyer?

Necessary Skills      

Reading and Writing Active Listening Persuasion Judgment and Decision Making Creativity Debating

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Time Management Negotiation Speaking Critical Thinking Analysis Logical reasoning Adaptability

What makes a good lawyer?

Necessary Characteristics     

Integrity Attention to Detail Dependability Stress Tolerance Initiative

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Persistence Achievement/Effort Analytical Thinking Independence Leadership

What makes a good lawyer?

Necessary Values     

Recognition Advancement Achievement Independence Autonomy

Where are lawyers working?

What do lawyers do?           

Advise clients Interpret laws, rulings and regulations Analyze the probable outcomes Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.

Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.

Gather evidence to formulate defense Represent clients in court or before government agencies.

Examine legal data Research and review large quantities of documents for evidence and legal rulings Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges and question witnesses Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants

Types of Law There are many specialties that exist within the legal profession.

Here are some of the most common specialty areas:      

Civil Rights Corporate and Securities Law Criminal Law Education Law Employment and Labor Law Environmental and Natural Resources Law

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Family and Juvenile Law Health Law Immigration Law Intellectual Property Law International Law Real Estate Law Sports and Entertainment Law Tax Law

How is law school organized?

3 years of full-time attendance, or four years of part-time study  Typically rely on the “case method” or Socratic style of teaching  First 1-2 years consist of mandatory coursework, final year allows for more electives  Practical training or Internships are completed in either/and first summer and second summer 

First year tutorial: http://www.law.smu.edu/firstday/ 

Sample 1st year curriculum         

Civil procedure Constitutional law Contracts Criminal law and criminal procedure Legal method Legal research and writing Property law Torts In addition to attending classes, you may be required to participate in a moot court exercise in which you take responsibility for arguing a hypothetical court case.

Required coursework in most legal programs:

Common electives and additions:    

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Administrative law

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Civil litigation

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Commercial law

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Corporations

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Evidence

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Family law

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Professional responsibility

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Taxation

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Wills and trusts

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International law Environmental law Conflict of laws Labor law Criminal procedure Jurisprudence Bankruptcy Employment law Entertainment law Human Rights Intellectual property Public Health

Years following

Dual Degrees Pros  Less time and less expensive than getting degrees separately  May provide a backdoor for getting into a top tier business school/law school (if apply to other during first year of either school) Cons  Doubles the degree of difficulty in getting in  You will be increase your student debt load while not necessarily raising your earning potential  May not be any more marketable than you would with the single degree; depending on your career goals (very few careers require both degrees)

Dual Degrees 

Some common combinations:

◦ JD and MA/PhD: Variety of possible combinations and specialties. ◦ JD and PharmD: 5 years, leads to careers in biotechnology, intellectual property, and pharmaceutical industry. ◦ JD and MBA: 4-5 years ◦ JD and MPH/MPP: 4-5 years, Applies public policy, law, regulation, and the courts as tools in the formulation of effective public health and public policy interventions. ◦ JD and MSW: 4 years, family law, family policy, social policy, or social welfare. Careers in juvenile courts, mental health policy reform, child custody matters, and social welfare agencies.

How to find out more 

Read ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

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Visit the Career Services Library resources (lower floor) www.lsac.org www.wcas.northwestern.edu/advising/prelaw.html http://www.abanet.org/legaled.html

Talk and Do ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

Schedule an individual appointment with a Career Counselor: (847)491-3700 Join Phi Alpha Delta or Minorities in the Pursuit of Law Do an informational interview lawyers in differing specialty areas Shadow a lawyer or law student for a day Audit a law school class at NU (312-503-8465) Enroll in the NU Prelaw summer institute: http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/summernu/programs/prelaw.cfm ◦ Attend Diversity in Law