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| | As we have often discussed, the practice of law is quickly changing in terms of becoming more international, outsourcing, etc. How can we best prepare in law school for the changing nature of the practice of law? (JustinColannino) |
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> | What is a new and upcoming area of the law? (Other than IP, because I don't have that background.) (JosephMacias) |
| | How can first year students best experience different aspects of the law and decide for themselves their career paths before the rat race consumes the decision making process and makes their choices for them? |
| | If law school teaches us nothing about being a lawyer, then what exactly are we supposed to get out of law school? (ChristinaYoun) |
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> | Is law school a good choice to prepare me for politics? What intermediate steps should I be making to become involved with California politics? Is prosecution still a golden path to elected office? (JosephMacias) |
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Selecting Classes and Activities |
| | What are the benefits and drawbacks of taking classes at other schools (journalism, business, etc)? (AmandaRichardson? ) |
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> | How important are journals? I have no desire to be involved with one. (JosephMacias) |
| | How should we go about fulfilling or minor and major writing credits? It addition, once we finish them, should we take the time to shop it out to prospective journals? Is it worth it if academia or clerking is not a goal? |
| | - Adam- I am currently working for the City Attorney in Los Angeles. We have a couple of firm attorneys that are visiting our office to get experience doing trials. So perhaps you'll be at a firm where you will do a stint in a prosecutor's office? Its a fast and dirty way to get experience in front of a jury while still going the firm route. (JosephMacias) |
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> | -Adam- I am currently working for a legal services organization called Legal Assistance Foundation in Chicago where we asked to do exactly the things you have mentioned. One way to get that expirience before you graduate is to work/ volunteer to one of these organizations durig the school (if you dont want to commit a summer to it). (BetreGizaw) |
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-Adam- I am currently working for a legal services organization called Legal Assistance Foundation in Chicago where we asked to do exactly the things you have mentioned. One way to get that expirience before you graduate is to work/ volunteer to one of these organizations durig the school (if you dont want to commit a summer to it).
-- BetreGizaw - 21 Jun 2008 |
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Finding Mentors |
| | I keep getting the feeling that if law school was Ben & Jerry's, the only flavors within my sight are vanilla (corporate law), chocolate (public interest) and maybe strawberry (clerkship). I hate feeling like there's Chubby Hubby, Cherry Garcia and a whole host of other flavors out there that are more interesting and complex and might fit me perfectly, yet I can't even see them. Where can I find out about all these other flavors and get away from the two plain options that I'm presented with right now? (WhytneBrooks) (JonathanBoustani) |
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> | -Whytne-Jon- Firms are not the only route. Look at other law students who graduate from 4th tier schools. They hustle and find that there are lots of options out there. They find out where legal classifieds are posted and respond to those that are interesting. (JosephMacias) |
| | How do I go about finding what areas of law I really care about between now and when I have to find employment? (WendyHuang)
At what point do I have to start specializing (or pick) the area of law I want to go into? Do I have to choose while I'm in law school? (AmandaHungerford)
Is the document-heavy, detail-specific, drudgery of civil litigation too debilitating for me to actually enjoy it? (AdamCarlis) |
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> | -Adam- Wouldn't you have to try it in order to find that out? (JosephMacias) |
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Predicting The Future |
| | Can a solo practitioner hang a shingle directly after law school without taking over a family practice? (DanielHarris) |
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> | How can I get information regarding where there is a market for legal services? The yellow pages? I don't want to open an office where there are 15 others nearby. (JosephMacias) |
| | What are the typical challenges faced by solo practitioners? How does their daily life compare to life at a law firm? (JustinKim)
I eventually would like to start my own practice, in which I hope to provide legal services to those who can least afford them. What steps do I need to take in order to build the necessary connections and gain the proper resources to undertake such a venture? Relatedly, how long do you think I will have to practice "under someone" before I can break off on my own? (AndrewHerink) |
| | What changes are in store for lawyers practicing internationally and how can I be prepared for those changes? (KalebMcNeely) |
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> | What language should I be learning for the future international economy? Spanish? Japanese? Chinese? (JosephMacias) |
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| | How great is the danger of becoming "pigeonholed" in one area of the law (such as criminal defense)? (DanielButrymowicz) |
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> | -Daniel- At the LA City Attorney's Office there are many prosecutors who spent many years in criminal defense. At the very least, criminal defense will adequately prepare you for prosecution if you ever want to change sides. (JosephMacias) |
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Preparing For the Future |
| | How can I best prepare to start a practice/business on my own? (JonathanBoustani) |
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> | How much start up capital do I need to start my own practice? How much experience? How old do I have to be before people take me seriously? I will be 25 when I graduate. (JosephMacias) |
| | How are technological advances going to change the legal profession, and how can I be prepared for those changes? (JuliaS)
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