<p>In California, you really needed to get practical – I think it probably started in the early '80’s when the Bar Exam format changed from 2 days of essays and 1 day of multi-state to 1/2 day of essay; 1/2 day of “performance” tests x 2, plus multi-state. It was the performance portion with tasks that a “real” lawyer might face that really changed the face of the exam.</p>
<p>For me, it made it that much easier. Because it is designed to test an applicants ability to understand and apply a select number of legal authorities in the context of a factual problem.</p>
<p>As for the comments of “nothing else to do”, don’t pooh pooh them. I was one. I wanted to be a writer. Well, I am one. I just write lots and lots of briefs. My dad was a lawyer. My mom was a lawyer. My husband is a lawyer. My cousins are lawyers. I guess it was in my blood, and the little field I got myself into nearly 30 years ago I LOVE – it is still absolutely fascinating and interesting to me. I wake up in the morning, and can’t wait to get to work!</p>
<p>I think the fact that law schools are getting “practical” is fantastic! I mean, you really need to know theory; you need to know how to analyze and dissect the info – but the nuts and bolts are the practical aspects – how to communicate with clients, from whatever backgrounds; how to respond to motions; understanding what the technical stuff is and not get sued, like deadlines. I remember the first time I transitioned from transactional to litigation, I was hit with a demurrer. And I asked my husband what the hell that was! And he said, “it’s the ‘so what’ motion”.</p>