What would be best for an aspiring attorney?

green26knight
Fri, 23 Feb 2018 06:18:26 +0000

I agree with @evergreen5. Major in something you enjoy and that gives you options. Options if you don’t go to law school and options if you practice for a few years and want a change.

I graduated from a small LAC with a History BA and a Philosophy minor before going to Vanderbilt Law. That didn’t give me a lot of options until I had practiced for a few years. But it served me well and was a fine way to go.

I was a litigator for 10 years at a regional firm before jumping into the business world. I was also on the hiring committee at the firm.

Things to keep in mind for undergrad: You will need good grades. You will need to know how to write well. All lawyers write a lot. You will need to know how to talk to people. All lawyers deal with people (clients). Far too many lawyers lack basic people skills. And you will need to know some basic business and accounting concepts. All civil law, and a fair amount of criminal law, involves money. You need to understand your clients’ businesses at a minimum. Beyond those things, have at it. I wouldn’t worry too much about mastering the Constitution and government. If you like it, that’s great. But you will learn all you need to know, and then some, in law school.

Things to keep in mind for law school: Good grades are a big deal. Most of the people on the hiring committee cared more about gpa and class rank than the school ranking. At least once you are in the top 35 or so schools. Debt sucks. If you have a state school option, or a lower ranked school offering nice scholarship money, think long and hard about it. ECs and/or work matter. Law review, moot court, or working for firms, even part time during the year, will make you a better candidate after graduation.

Also, follow your gut. If 20 people respond to your post, you are apt to get 20 different takes on what is the best route. This is one guy’s opinion, and I’m no expert. And don’t give up if you don’t get in a top 10 school. I’ve worked with and against truly great lawyers who went to schools outside of the top 20, and a few outside of the top 50. Good lawyers come in all forms.