Path to Being a Lawyer

If you want to choose a lawyer career path, forget everything you saw on TV (Suits, Law & Order, My Cousin Vinny). Most shows sensationalize the profession without giving credence to reality. Being a lawyer can be very fulfilling if you choose the subject matter and the industry you are passionate about. Especially in the beginning, lawyering involves long hours, high stress, unruly clients, and other counsel/judges.

Steps to Take

Soul Searching

• WHY do you want to be a lawyer?
  • Do you want to defend the rights of others?
  • Do you want to fight for a specific cause?
  • Are you financially interested in a big payday?
  • Are you following in the footsteps of people you know and look up to?
  • What industry or subject matter do you want to work with?

Advice: Spend time with other law students and lawyers. Get a sense of their work/life balance, expectations, compensation, and duties performed.

Resources:

• Legal Mentor Network
• MeetUp
• LinkedIn – Connect with people for a virtual coffee to pick their brains.

Career Options

Clerking for a Judge

Benefits:

• Legal Skills Development: Gain experience in legal research, writing, and analysis.
• Prestige and Credential: Enhances professional credentials and future employment opportunities.
• Networking Opportunities: Interact with judges, fellow clerks, and attorneys.
• Insight into Judicial Decision-Making: Understand how judges think and decide cases.
• Career Advancement: Opens doors to prestigious positions and enhances career progression.
• Enhanced Legal Writing Skills: Develop strong legal writing skills.
• Education Debt Repayment Assistance: Some judges offer loan repayment assistance.

Pay:

• Federal Court Clerkships: $60,000 - $80,000 per year.
• State Court Clerkships: Varies widely; can match federal salaries in some states.
• Supreme Court Clerkships: Over $100,000 for a one-year term.
• Benefits and Perks: Health insurance, retirement contributions, housing or transportation assistance.

Applying:

• Federal Courts
• State Courts
• Supreme Court

LLM – Masters of Laws

Benefits:

• Specialization: Specialize in areas like tax law, international law, etc.
• Global Perspective: Study abroad opportunities and international faculty.
• Career Advancement: Opportunities in specialized legal fields.
• Networking: Connections with diverse students and faculty.
• Enhanced Legal Skills: Intensive research, writing, and critical analysis.
• Credentialing: Valued additional credential for some employers.
• Academic and Research Opportunities: Opportunities for advanced research.
• Personal Development: Exposure to new ideas and cultures.

Pay: Consider the cost of the LLM vs. working right out of law school.

Law Firm

Most lawyers start at a firm to gain knowledge in a specific area of law or get a general sense of their interests.

Benefits:

• Professional Development: Continuous learning and skill development.
• Career Advancement: Structured career progression.
• Mentorship and Networking: Guidance and feedback from experienced lawyers.
• Variety of Practice Areas: Opportunity to explore different areas of law.
• Client Exposure: Experience with diverse industries and legal issues.
• Financial Stability and Benefits: Competitive salaries and benefits.
• Prestige and Reputation: Professional credibility and future opportunities.
• Challenging and Rewarding Work: Complex legal issues and client advocacy.
• Work-Life Balance (Varies): Flexible schedules and remote work options.
• Opportunities for Pro Bono and Community Involvement: Contribute to meaningful causes.

Pay:

• Starting Salary (Big Law): $190,000 - $205,000 in big metropolitan areas.
• Work/Life Balance: Varies; high expectations in high-paying firms.

In-house

In-house positions are harder to land out of law school; many transition from law firms.

Benefits:

• Deep Integration with Business: Directly aligned legal advice.
• Client Relationship: Focused relationship with one primary client.
• Predictable Work Environment: More predictable work hours.
• Specialization in Industry: Expertise in specific industries.
• Direct Impact on Business Decisions: Influence on business success.
• Variety of Legal Work: Diverse legal issues within the company.
• Job Stability: Generally more stable than law firms.
• Integration into Corporate Culture: Immersion in company culture.
• Work-Life Balance: Often better than law firms.
• Career Progression: Opportunities for advancement within the company.

Pay:

• Entry-Level (0-3 years): $80,000 - $150,000 per year.
• Mid-Level (3-7 years): $120,000 - $250,000 annually.
• Senior-Level (7+ years): $200,000+; can exceed $500,000 in major cities.
• Industry Variability: Higher compensation in certain industries.
• Bonuses and Benefits: Additional compensation and benefits.

Study Tips

Invest in a test prep course for the LSAT and Bar Exams. Courses teach the nuances of the format, questions, and pitfalls. Test scores set you apart from other applicants when applying to top-tier law schools.

LSAT

• Kaplan Test Prep: Kaplan LSAT
• The Princeton Review: Princeton Review LSAT
• Blueprint LSAT Prep: Blueprint LSAT
• PowerScore Test Preparation: PowerScore LSAT
• LSATMax: LSATMax
• 7Sage LSAT Prep: 7Sage LSAT
• Velocity LSAT: Velocity LSAT

Bar Exams

• Barbri: Barbri
• Kaplan: Kaplan Bar Exam
• Themis: Themis Bar
• Adaptibar: Adaptibar
• BarMax: BarMax
• Quimbee: Quimbee Bar Review
• PMBR: PMBR

Law Schools

Considerations:

• Areas of expertise
• Geographical area
• Cost (tuition vs. future salary)
• In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

Best Schools:

• Yale Law School
• Harvard Law School
• Stanford Law School
• Columbia Law School
• University of Chicago Law School
• New York University (NYU) School of Law
• University of Pennsylvania (Penn) Carey Law School
• University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall) School of Law
• University of Michigan Law School
• Duke University School of Law

Financing Law School

Scholarships and Grants

• Merit-Based Scholarships: Academic performance, LSAT scores, etc.
• Need-Based Scholarships: Based on financial need.
• School-Specific Scholarships: Offered by law schools.
• External Scholarships: Provided by private organizations.

Federal Student Loans

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Available to graduate students.
• Direct PLUS Loans: For additional costs not covered by other aid.

Private Loans

• Private Student Loans: Terms and rates vary widely.

Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP)

• School-Specific LRAPs: For graduates in public interest jobs.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Federal program for public service jobs.

Work-Study Programs

• Federal Work-Study: Part-time jobs for graduate students with financial need.

Military Programs

• JAG Corps: Financial assistance or loan repayment for service.

Savings and Personal Funds

• 529 Plans: Tax-advantaged savings for education costs.
• Personal Savings: Family savings for tuition and living expenses.

Income-Driven Repayment Plans

• Income-Based Repayment (IBR): Monthly payments based on income and family size.
• Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE): Capped monthly payments.