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The most recent reports on the future of the legal industry show law firms are in a dire need of fresh talent, and new skills. However, the big question is: Are law schools preparing students for the future of law, and the changes already taking place?
Substantive knowledge is generally not a condition of employment for entry-level lawyers. Employers typically don’t expect current law school students and recent graduates to have much substantive or working knowledge of practice areas, especially those entry-level lawyers who have had little or no work experience. Your first challenge isn’t to sound more qualified; it’s to become more qualified!
Recent law school graduates and experienced interviewers led a discussion of interview skills and pitfalls at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego during the American Bar Association's midyear meeting in February 2016. They demonstrated common mistakes and shared a few of their own unexpected interview experiences.
The second part of the title is the trick. I’ve seen plenty of lawyers come and go. They tank their first shot on the tube then are never asked back. TV is a cruel, cruel, world. Understand that before reading any further. How to get on television for the first time I
Developing working relationships with attorneys at your internship can make a real difference in your success after law school. Attorneys operate at the center of the robust legal industry. They are walking, talking small businesses regardless of whether they are self-employed, employed by the government, in- house at a company,
When we talk about professionalism, we’re talking about a few things, all of which work together to demonstrate that you are trustworthy and competent.
One of the best ways to stand out among your peers is through demonstrated practical ability. As a law school graduate, you will be highly marketable if you can “hit the ground running.” You can fit this description by acquiring as many practical legal skills as possible during school.
Some attorneys knew what kind of law they want to practice long before law school. Others may be well into their career and still trying to figure it all out. For the latter, we've got a new tool for you. ABA Legal Career Central has teamed up with
For most people, few things are more stress-inducing than having to speak in front of a group. We all know the old adage that most people fear public speaking more than death. Unfortunately, law students are not immune from these nerves. Whether it is the proverbial 1L oral arguments or
You want meaningful employment and career advancement. The question is how to use your time in law school most effectively to achieve your goals. In the current period of challenging market changes, law students secure meaningful employment by differentiating themselves from other law students. The problem, Indiana law professor Bill Henderson
So, you're a law student looking for an alternative career path. Your mindset isn't the problem — in fact, you're pretty darn sure that if you made it through law school, you can excel in just about any industry. The only problem being, you're not sure where to start. How do you
It is a bit hard (for me, at least) to believe that I’ve already been out of law school six years and counting. I feel fortunate to have gone to a law school that emphasized legal research, writing, and advocacy skills and that did, in fact, teach me a lot
The job market is still tough. It has been a little over a year since I got my pass results, and I am still job hunting. As such, I wanted to share with you some tips I have for bar takers while on the hunt for work. I spent the first three months
I have heard this question a million times. I am still less than five years out of law school, and it still puzzles people that I do not practice law. Yes, I was willing to go through 3 years of tortur- ahem, I mean law school to not practice. I also
Law school was a funny time for me. As I look back, it really happened almost by accident. A series of events that seemed unconnected and random at the time, but as I reflect, I noticed it was all allowed to happen so that I could face a longstanding fear
What will your resume look like in four years' time? Ron Marmer, past chair of the Section of Litigation, says what you do now can help you build your track record — and help define your sphere of expertise on your resume. "Think about how the total resume will look," Marmer says
By Courtney O. Carroll COURTNEY O. CARROLL is a 3L at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. In recognition of his scholastic accomplishments, James Greenwood, a 3L at Drake University Law School, was awarded the Iowa Taxpayers Association 2014 Linda S. Weindruch Scholarship. The annual scholarship recognizes outstanding accomplishments and educational pursuit
ByErin E. Rhinehart ERIN E. RHINEHART is a partner with the commercial litigation firm Faruki Ireland & Cox P.L.L., which has offices in Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s not breaking news that, since the inception of social media over a
Well, anytime, really—but these tips might especially help you if you’re headed off to a summer associate position or your first “real job.” What behaviors help you seem smart—and which ones will sabotage your efforts to
When Shawn Askinosie entered law school at the University of Missouri in Columbia, he wanted to become a criminal defense lawyer just like his father. When he graduated in 1989, Askinosie joined a large Texas firm and handled white-collar crime cases. Three years
So you have decided to look for opportunities beyond your current law school’s typical geographic footprint. Or you’ve become so passionate about a practice focus that you are willing to go anywhere to practice. Here’s some practical tips for helping you figure that out. The first thing you need to do
By Rosa Sosa-Vargas Rosa Sosa-Vargas, a 2L at Arizona Summit Law School in Phoenix, is 15th Circuit Governor and Diversity Committee Chair of the ABA Law Student Division. The legal profession is constantly improving its efforts to recognize diversity in the different legal communities around the country. The Law Student Division also
Vol. 42 No. 3 Do you pursue opportunities just because they ‘look great on a résumé’?If so, you’re not alone—but you might want to stop doing that, says law firm partner and blogger Adam Gropper. Why? What legal employers are really looking for is commitment to a particular practice area, he wrote
The truth about Big Law, the incredible shrinking law class, and tips from a student-parent. Encouraging words if you didn’t land that summer internship Conventional wisdom has it that to succeed as a lawyer—even if you plan to go into solo or small-firm practice—you have to work for a big law firm
Chances are, sometime during your law school career, you’ll need letters of recommendation to accompany a job application. When a potential employer requests recommendation letters, don’t be shy about asking professors and current or past employers. Most expect to support students in their job searches by providing them. But when requesting
Before the Bar is the blog of the ABA Law Student Division. It brings together a diversity of opinions, experiences, and voices from those associated with the law anywhere in the world and is targeted to law students, current, past and future.
Unless stated, the opinions shared by our writers do not reflect the official position of the American Bar Association.
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