<p>If someone is interested in a career in Government service…say on House/Senate committee staffs or at public policy institutions…are there law schools whose programs/faculties would be better than others?</p>
<p>Seems that this is a far different tack than wanting to go off to law school with the aim of being a corporate litigator or whatever.</p>
<p>One aspect is simple - location location location. You want to work in Washington, then it may be helpful to go to school in Washington. I.e. Georgetown, GW, etc.</p>
<p>Exactly, what sakky said, but I would add that there really is no LS curriculum that would prepare you for such work, as the whole point of LS is to turn out a “generic” lawyer. Area focus is something that happens in practice. What I would recommend is taking several courses that are considered “statutorily” based, such as tax, bankruptcy, environmental law, etc. This is will give you an opportunity to spend plenty of time with the CFR (Code of Federal Regulation), plenty of time parsing complex statutes, and plenty of time studying legislative intent. Thesse are all skills that would be useful in doing legislative work.</p>
<p>I’ll echo Sakky - look for schools in or around DC. Some schools (such as William and Mary) are not near DC but have their highest placement rates there. There is an advantage both in alumni being in the area and proximity - it’s easier for recruiters to wander over.</p>
<p>Georgetown, GW, George Mason (though I suspect that TheDaughter would not like it - reputed to be quite conservative and almost anti-woman), American/WCL (only l.s. founded by women), UVA, and W&M might be good choices.</p>
<p>Thanks. Just acquiring data for the future. AriesAthena knows me all too well. 
Will have to see how the Great Wheel turns in any event…a lot can change in four years. (Of course, that’s what I said with some hope four years ago. But I digress.)</p>
<p>AriesAthena, I think a good part of D’s hypothetical recruitment would take place not via traditional recruiters but the traditional Old Girl/Old Boy network.</p>
<p>Some of the reason that I mentioned W&M - very strong alum connections. Also, both undergrads and law students there tend to be liberal, which would work better with her ideology (than, say, my l.s.). </p>
<p>Harvard Law has a joint degree programme with Tufts Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. It takes four years to get the MALD and JD. Might be something for her to look into (and she can attend Tufts!). </p>
<p>Pick up a copy of “A Woman’s Guide to Law School,” by Linda Hirsch. My copy is at school, and not here to consult - but I believe that both George Mason and GW were singled out as being schools which are bad for women. NYU and Arizona were noted for their female students being quite successful. After her run at Smith, an old-boys school might be a little rough. </p>
<p>Also - graduate USNews is, unlike the undergrad edition, actually useful. The back section has a list of schools by state (or district, i.e. DC), and, among other things, a percentage of grads who go into government work.</p>
<p>AA, this is incredibly helpful. I will track down, read, and then bury the info for three years.</p>
<p>Yeah…I cringe a bit at the thought of the D rubbing up against the Old Boys network. Will need to choose her words more carefully before that happens.</p>
<p>If I were to cringe at the thought, it would be for their sakes, not hers. :)</p>
<p>LOL. I read the message to her. She is bemused. I don’t think she quite “gets” Old Boy networks on a gut level.</p>