Law School and the Economy.
As our nation's economic struggles continue, I keep seeing articles addressing the effect the economy has on the legal profession:
The Maryland Daily Record's Caryn Tamber profiles lawyer jobs for non-practicing attorneys.
The ABA Journal gives advice for seasoned lawyers who suddenly find themselves back in the job market.
Above the Law is a running chronicle of layoffs, non-offers and discontinued summer programs in the Biglaw world.
Dan Slater in the New York Times posits that part of the problem is that law schools are simply admitting more new students than the legal job market can bear. HT- Walter Olson at Overlawyered.
I originally went to law school because I had always had a sense that a legal career would be a good fit for me, despite my complete lack of knowledge of what working as an attorney actually involved. And because I had a liberal arts degree and an utter lack of mathematical aptitude. Add in a college GPA in the "what time is happy hour" range and the ability to score well on standardized tests like the LSAT, voila- law student.
So basically, I did what every reasonable commentator is telling prospective law students not to do. I went to law school because it beat my other options, which consisted of 1) being a bum and 2) construction work. Luckily, I ended up as the rare round peg in a round hole. I love being a personal injury lawyer, and it fits my skill set very well. I can't imagine doing anything else for a living.
Having made my decision exactly the wrong way, and having had it turn out to be exactly the right decision for me, I have some advice for prospective law students.
Take some time off after college. Use that time to get real-world experience in something. Anything, really.
Find out what lawyers do. Work in a law firm, or set up some informational interviews with practicing attorneys. Your college career center should be able to help with this.
Figure out what you would do if you didn't go to law school. Then compare it with what you have learned about being a lawyer. Decide what sounds better.
Be aware that the school will lie to you. Out of your class of 300, about 5 people will get those Biglaw jobs paying 160k a year. And 3 of the 5 will be doing something else in 3 years because they hated Biglaw. Consider that when you decide to take loan money.
Think about being a night student, and working during the day. Not having loan obligations widens your career options upon graduation.
Finally, become a lawyer because you want to be one. It's a great career choice if you have a passion for what you're doing and a drive to excel at it.
