I'm about to graduate from Law School - Ask me Anything!

[Taylor Mason Powell]

Except: "What are you going to do after law school?" I just don't know the answer to that yet. But if any of you want to offer me a job, I'm oh so smart and hardworking! And, of course, a proud liberal.

(note: not qualified or authorized to give legal advice.)

[DAGDA56]

1. Äsk me anything...you mean....

...while it's still free...do you think everybody in your class (top to bottom) will still be practicing law in 5 years?

[Taylor Mason Powell]

4. I would guess about 80 to 90 percent of them, yes.

I don't know what I base that on though. Surveys show Lawyers are notoriously unhappy in their professions (a fate I hope to avoid, of course)... with each passing year that goes by, a few more will go into other fields. But I suspect 5 years is too short a time period for burnout or disillusionment. Maybe not though! Good question!

[mr_hat]

2. What kind of job will you get?

[Taylor Mason Powell]

5. Don't know yet.

I'll be happy with anything that isn't too evil, or too corporate or tax-oriented. Criminal defense interests me, but so do many legal areas. I just want to help people, not work myself to death, and maintain my ability to moonlight as a professional musician (I play piano).

[Canuckistanian]

3. Are you desperately in debt?

Or just seriously in debt?

[Taylor Mason Powell]

7. Yes.

:-)

I would say "Seriously." I don't know if I'd go as far as to say "desperately." Ask me again in about a year!

[UrbScotty]

6. A couple comments and a question

First of all CONGRATULATIONS! :party::bounce::hippie::toast:

Second, sonme advice: reach for the stars, but stay away from Uranus.

Finally - what's the differfence between a venomous snake and a lawyer? You've witnessed both of them in action; now give your best testimony with regards to the differences between the two.

[Taylor Mason Powell]

8. Thank you.

Ah yes, in the seminal Fourth Circuit case of Snakes v. Lawyers (1956), the court noted as follows:

"We place great weight on the fact that at the scene of the accident, the witness was able to discern one set of tire skid marks forming a distinct line approaching the location of the snake, yet no such set of tire marks with respect to the lawyer. From this we must conclude that no attempt was made by the defendant to avoid running the lawyer over with his automobile. Lest this honorable Court be accused of explaining an obvious joke, the Court notes in its defense that all the parties have stipulated to having heard this particular joke many times already."

:-)

And thank you so much for the congratulations and the icons and whatnot!

[chelsea0011]

9. Congrats......and about that alumni donation?

will that be weekly or monthly?

[Taylor Mason Powell]

10. LOL!

I'm not even out the door yet and I'm being asked for donations?!

(Well, it is the University of California, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised - they're pretty strapped these days.)

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

11. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

As a 2L who will finish that year next week, I know how hard you have worked for the last three years.

How's the job market in your area? I can't find a summer job to save my life. I'm not law review, but I am on a journal - that seems to count for nothing, however. Oh, well. At least I don't have any loans to pay off.

Again, congratulations on your achievement!!

[Taylor Mason Powell]

15. Thanks!

Supposedly they say the job market here is picking up. It's been somewhat dismal for a while. (I'm in San Francisco).

I didn't get a summer job until right after school let out my 2L year. It was nerve-wracking - I know exactly how you feel. My advice would be to network - ask around to any friends you might have who know lawyers, etc. etc. That's how I got my summer job, and I've been working here ever since (part time during the school year of course). It's not bad - a mellow clerkship in a very small firm, doing legal research and writing memos and whatnot... (but today I'm just goofing off on DU!)

I'm envious that you don't have loans - that's going to give you lots more options than many of your colleages.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

17. Taylor Mason Powell - that explains it

You're in San Francisco - aha!

I'm in Pittsburgh. I'll probably end up working for free as a CASA law clerk (I've used up all my externship hours and didn't get public interest funding from school because I'm married to a doctor and they thought I didn't need the money). He's paying my tuition, so that's why I don't have any school loans. He really doesn't care if I even get a job, which also takes the pressure off, but I still want to work! Why put yourself through three years of slogging for nothing?

[Taylor Mason Powell]

19. Now I'm REALLY envious!

You're married to a doctor who's putting you through law school and doesn't care if you get a job afterwards? Nice! :-)

I say, take advantage of the situation and go for some really meaningful public interest job, something that lets you work on causes that are important to you. You may not make much money but to my mind you can't put a price on fulfillment in your job.


P.S. Good on you for getting my DU handle! As far as I know you're the first one.

[neverborn]

12. Hrm...

Is 1st year as bad as I've heard?

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

13. Urm, neverborn...

With all due respect, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

[Taylor Mason Powell]

18. It all depends on your attitude.

Like everything else. I think there's a lot of hype surrounding first year of law school. Yes, you'll do a lot of reading. Yes, you may be surrounded by ultra-competitive people who are freaking out. But remember: you don't have to let it get to you! Find friends who are laid back and reasonable. Don't neglect your hobbies or your loved ones. In the end, it's just classes, for God's sake. Keep some perspective, and good luck!

I personally really enjoyed my first year - but that probably had a lot to do with the fact that prior to law school I was an office drone with little in the way of intellectual stimulation. The transition back into the academic environment was just what the doctor ordered.

[jbfam4]

14. Best of Luck

Congrats and all good wishes.

How about a class action law suit against * Bush?

[Taylor Mason Powell]

16. Wouldn't that be nice?

It's going to take thousands of lawyers to get to the bottom of all the devastation that asshole has wreaked upon this country. Damn sovereign immunity!!

By the way, anybody know what's going on with the Ellen Mariani 9/11 lawsuit?


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EDIT: (spelling)

[Aunt Anti-bush]

20. Congratulations! Do me a favor.

When you've graduated, please don't take any calls from Bush/Cheney when they're seeking a defense attorney.

[Taylor Mason Powell]

21. Or, I could take their case...

...and screw it up badly on purpose!

[Gothmog]

22. Congratulations and good luck

I was in the last group that only had a two day bar exam. The practice of law has really changed in the 20+ years that I been at it.

Good luck and congratulations.