Law School

[michigancat]

I considered not posting this, thinking it wasn't related to the topic at hand, but it is a fair example of some decisions that come alongside getting into law. Is that the type of practice you want to be involved in? There are various paths law allows an individual to travel, whether its being handed down files from 'big shots' and trap yourself in mounds of research or legal writing by joining a larger firm, engaging in a practice that allows you more control of your legal work, or utilizing your degree to pursue other oppy's like running a business.

I will say that my company(non law) is a shitshow in a lot of ways but I honestly kind of enjoy it and we make shitloads of money so who really cares. I don't have to read boring stuff, but I have to fix other people's messes (and my own) in short time frames and and get silly deadlines for things but I kind of thrive in that type of environment.

not saying I don't enjoy the hustle and bustle as the next guy, but i assume, and this is just a shot in the dark, you don't have the personal exposure that a lawyer would carry? also guessing there aren't near the ethical limitations placed upon attys. those types of things severely alter the way some decision can or should be made.

I really don't have personal exposure, that's what our legal department is for! ha! But really the associate thumbing through that crap doesn't have the "personal exposure" either.

And yeah, I have clear ethical implications all the time. sure, they're different from attorneys, but people can legitimately die if an engineer fucks up certain products. (I may not be sure exactly what you mean here)

definitely understand those type of ethical implications. talking specifically about malpractice exposure or repercussions (such as disbarment, fines, etc...) associated with violating ethical codes set forth by the bar association. 

Someone could die. I could get fired. But fines would be pretty bad, too.

[asava]

I considered not posting this, thinking it wasn't related to the topic at hand, but it is a fair example of some decisions that come alongside getting into law. Is that the type of practice you want to be involved in? There are various paths law allows an individual to travel, whether its being handed down files from 'big shots' and trap yourself in mounds of research or legal writing by joining a larger firm, engaging in a practice that allows you more control of your legal work, or utilizing your degree to pursue other oppy's like running a business.

I will say that my company(non law) is a shitshow in a lot of ways but I honestly kind of enjoy it and we make shitloads of money so who really cares. I don't have to read boring stuff, but I have to fix other people's messes (and my own) in short time frames and and get silly deadlines for things but I kind of thrive in that type of environment.

not saying I don't enjoy the hustle and bustle as the next guy, but i assume, and this is just a shot in the dark, you don't have the personal exposure that a lawyer would carry? also guessing there aren't near the ethical limitations placed upon attys. those types of things severely alter the way some decision can or should be made.

I really don't have personal exposure, that's what our legal department is for! ha! But really the associate thumbing through that crap doesn't have the "personal exposure" either.

And yeah, I have clear ethical implications all the time. sure, they're different from attorneys, but people can legitimately die if an engineer fucks up certain products. (I may not be sure exactly what you mean here)

definitely understand those type of ethical implications. talking specifically about malpractice exposure or repercussions (such as disbarment, fines, etc...) associated with violating ethical codes set forth by the bar association. 

Someone could die. I could get fired. But fines would be pretty bad, too.

Someone could die if the right lawyer slept with the right client.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is that if you don't want to be told who you can and can't bone, don't be a lawyer.

[ChiComCat]

I considered not posting this, thinking it wasn't related to the topic at hand, but it is a fair example of some decisions that come alongside getting into law. Is that the type of practice you want to be involved in? There are various paths law allows an individual to travel, whether its being handed down files from 'big shots' and trap yourself in mounds of research or legal writing by joining a larger firm, engaging in a practice that allows you more control of your legal work, or utilizing your degree to pursue other oppy's like running a business.

I will say that my company(non law) is a shitshow in a lot of ways but I honestly kind of enjoy it and we make shitloads of money so who really cares. I don't have to read boring stuff, but I have to fix other people's messes (and my own) in short time frames and and get silly deadlines for things but I kind of thrive in that type of environment.

not saying I don't enjoy the hustle and bustle as the next guy, but i assume, and this is just a shot in the dark, you don't have the personal exposure that a lawyer would carry? also guessing there aren't near the ethical limitations placed upon attys. those types of things severely alter the way some decision can or should be made.

I really don't have personal exposure, that's what our legal department is for! ha! But really the associate thumbing through that crap doesn't have the "personal exposure" either.

And yeah, I have clear ethical implications all the time. sure, they're different from attorneys, but people can legitimately die if an engineer fucks up certain products. (I may not be sure exactly what you mean here)

definitely understand those type of ethical implications. talking specifically about malpractice exposure or repercussions (such as disbarment, fines, etc...) associated with violating ethical codes set forth by the bar association. 

Someone could die. I could get fired. But fines would be pretty bad, too.

Someone could die if the right lawyer slept with the right client.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is that if you don't want to be told who you can and can't bone, don't be a lawyer.

Well you sure took the long way around

[steve dave]

asava, what in the eff are you talking about? jfc

[Asteriskhead]

I worked for a very successful firm for a few years, while I was in undergrad. At the time I was pondering the same decision as you (law school or no?). I'll give you the same advice each attorney and law school student I came in contact with gave me, DON'T rough ridin' DO IT.

[puniraptor]

how many credits are you from an engineering degree?

[DQ12]

I worked for a very successful firm for a few years, while I was in undergrad. At the time I was pondering the same decision as you (law school or no?). I'll give you the same advice each attorney and law school student I came in contact with gave me, DON'T rough ridin' DO IT.

how old are you?

[XocolateThundarr]

Switch to engineering? 

Was going to post this earlier.  Make $100k +, work around 40 hrs/week, and have plenty of time to BBS.  Just make sure to get your license.  You get to play lots of golf and drink too. 

[hurtsogood]

This might have already been posted (haven't read all six pages of thread), but law school apps are way way down right now. Mostly because there aren't any jobs, but still... Getting into law school won't be the problem.

I work in legal marketing for a big firm and read a lot of stuff daily about the job prospects in the industry. The best advice I have heard came from a law school dean. He said don't go to the highest ranked law school that accepts you; go to the law school where you can graduate with the highest rank. In short, don't go to yale and graduate in the middle of the class. Go to KU and graduate in the top ten.

Looking at my firm's most recent class of associates, that advice rings true.  We hired graduates from washburn, cal-berkeley, ku, umkc, and mu (all of whom make six figures now easily) and they were all in the top ten of their class, law review editors, and had experience as summer associates at firms in the area.

Also, if you decide on law school, that premed experience will be super attractive. Biotechnology is big right now, as well as pharmaceutical litigation.

[michigancat]

Switch to engineering? 

Was going to post this earlier.  Make $100k +, work around 40 hrs/week, and have plenty of time to BBS.  Just make sure to get your license.  You get to play lots of golf and drink too.

This obviously depends on the type of engineering and company you work with. For many, licensing is useless. I also wouldn't count on making six figures.

[hurtsogood]

That being said, go to med school.  90 percent of the attorneys at my firm are rough ridin' miserable and the industry is struggling as a whole. 

[Dr. Feelgood]

I wish I would have been a pharmacist.  Super pud.  Great money right out of school.  Plenty of jobs not in retail, too, if that's a concern.

I'll add this to my possible career choices.

Sundance, if you're having reservations or second thoughts about med-school you really need to take some time and do some soul searching.  You've undoubtedly been through some advising, shadowing, observations, etc. if you're taking the MCAT this summer...and if your mind/heart aren't totally made up then it's going to be an enormous struggle to make it through school.  yrs1&2 you can probably deal with the didactic, but 3Y....man, that's some seriously daunting stuff.
If medicine is what you really truly want to do, but maybe you have reservations about the enormity of time, finances, and your life as you know it....then strongly consdier PA school or Pharmacy.  Especially consider a PA program.  You still get freedom to practice and perform specialized procedures on your own, but work a (mostly) normal schedule and work under a Physicians malpractice coverage. 

[kim carnes]

That being said, go to med school.  90 percent of the attorneys at my firm are rough ridin' miserable and the industry is struggling as a whole.

It's a lot harder to get into med school than law school.

[XocolateThundarr]

Switch to engineering? 

Was going to post this earlier.  Make $100k +, work around 40 hrs/week, and have plenty of time to BBS.  Just make sure to get your license.  You get to play lots of golf and drink too.

This obviously depends on the type of engineering and company you work with. For many, licensing is useless. I also wouldn't count on making six figures.

You have to go to work for a contractor and not be a dumbass.  Also, you might not need the license but why not get it?  Gives you many more options for the future and leverage with your current employer. 

[DQ12]

He said don't go to the highest ranked law school that accepts you; go to the law school where you can graduate with the highest rank. In short, don't go to yale and graduate in the middle of the class. Go to KU and graduate in the top ten.

This is absolute atrocious advice. 

Everyone plans on graduating in the top 10% of their law school class.  You would have to be absolutely crazy to choose KU over Yale with the idea that you're "going to graduate in the top 10%." 

[hurtsogood]

don't go to yale and graduate in the middle of the class.

THIS IS VERY, VERY BAD ADVICE.

There are about 110 partners at my firm who think that is great advice.

[kim carnes]

don't go to yale and graduate in the middle of the class.

THIS IS VERY, VERY BAD ADVICE.

Not really.      I mean if you want to work at a shitty firm, sure, go ahead and graduate in the middle of your class. 

[DQ12]

don't go to yale and graduate in the middle of the class.

THIS IS VERY, VERY BAD ADVICE.

There are about 110 partners at my firm who think that is great advice.

Well, they're completely out of touch then. 

[hurtsogood]

don't go to yale and graduate in the middle of the class.

THIS IS VERY, VERY BAD ADVICE.

There are about 110 partners at my firm who think that is great advice.

Well, they're completely out of touch then.

Rich lawyers tend to be out of touch.

[hurtsogood]

don't go to yale and graduate in the middle of the class.

THIS IS VERY, VERY BAD ADVICE.

There are about 110 partners at my firm who think that is great advice.

Well, they're completely out of touch then.

Rich lawyers tend to be out of touch.

Which is another reason to forego law school.

[michigancat]

Switch to engineering? 

Was going to post this earlier.  Make $100k +, work around 40 hrs/week, and have plenty of time to BBS.  Just make sure to get your license.  You get to play lots of golf and drink too.

This obviously depends on the type of engineering and company you work with. For many, licensing is useless. I also wouldn't count on making six figures.

You have to go to work for a contractor and not be a dumbass.  Also, you might not need the license but why not get it?  Gives you many more options for the future and leverage with your current employer. 

"Contractor" can mean lots of things, and even then I would guess the number of six-figure jobs available at "contractors" is smaller than the number of non-dumbass engineers.

And licensing would not have any more options or leverage in the industries I have worked in. No one cares. (But like I said, this doesn't apply to everyone, especially those in construction-related fields).

[DQ12]

don't go to yale and graduate in the middle of the class.

THIS IS VERY, VERY BAD ADVICE.

There are about 110 partners at my firm who think that is great advice.

Well, they're completely out of touch then.

Rich lawyers tend to be out of touch.

The dean who gave you that advice was intentionally giving bad advice or is a complete idiot.  Given that he's a law school dean, it's probably the first.  It's an absurd philosophy for an applicant to bank on getting in the top 10% at any school when he has no idea about what law school classes are like and whether or not he's any good at them in the first place. 

The odds are against them.  9 out of 10 law students who all did well enough in undergrad and on the LSAT who hope they get in the top 10% end up not being in the top 10%.

If some one ever tells an applicant to go to KU or Illinois or tons of other schools over Yale (or a number of other schools) for any reason at all, they do not have the applicant's best interest in mind.

[XocolateThundarr]

   Worked for me in KS.

[sys]

be a union electrician or lineman.

[michigancat]

be a union electrician or lineman.

yes, bro-in-law does this, makes great bank. Crazy hours, though.