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Are you making choices that will keep you competitive in the job market? Legal employers are calling for “practice-ready” graduates who can hit the ground running when it comes to performing on the job. The economics of practice disfavor past-used training structures where new attorneys tagged along to depositions, meetings,
Laura D’Angelo is smiling in the winners’ circle at the Kentucky Derby as the news cameras roll. Paul Levine is walking along the Venice Beach, California, boardwalk in shorts and sandals, talking to someone about a new book. Mary Grieco is at a private fashion show in Manhattan, getting a
American Bar Association data show that in 2012, out-of-state tuition at public law schools averaged $36,202 per year and private law school tuition averaged $40,634. Factoring in “indirect costs” such as books, housing, board, and health insurance (which can cost between $12,500 and $25,000 per academic year), the
While you’re on pins and needles this semester, awaiting word about the permanent job offer you’re hoping for, you can’t help but wonder: What’s taking so long? “Waiting is a source of tremendous stress for students. It can be a long, lonely wait, especially if your classmates already have jobs,” said
Sometimes, you just know. And for some in law school, what you know is that practicing law through a typical legal employer would never make your heart sing. At the same time, you know the value of a legal education, which is why you chose law school in
Married couples with student loans should also consider how marriage, family size, and tax filing status affect student loan payments. Here’s how you can begin talking about how student loan debt fits into your life and your plans. “Joint” or “Separate” Student Loans?
If you borrowed student loans to finance your legal education, you’ll need to make some decisions about your student loans soon after graduating. Follow these four steps to keep your payments affordable, protect your credit rating, and avoid paying too much. Give your loan servicers
By Erin Binns. Grab your wallet . . . it’s time to invest in your career. Qualifications and academic accomplishments alone don’t generate offers. You need to look the part, too. Legal employers value appearance and will judge you for it. If you opt not to wear a business suit to
By Erin E. Rhinehart. Picture this: Tom, an eager 2L, scores an interview at a reputable mid-sized law firm for a summer associate position. This is it. This is the opportunity for which Tom has been waiting. Sporting a freshly pressed navy suit with a starched white shirt and red power
You know the feeling. You take an exam and walk away feeling fairly confident. Then when you get your grade, your first thought is confusion, perhaps even denial: “This can’t be right!” That series of events likely happens hundreds of times each year at law schools across the country. With the
The semester’s halfway point is fast approaching. Students need to take stock now and begin serious exam preparation. First, analyze three aspects of your academics to gather information for planning your studies. Then, determine the study priorities for each course and choose appropriate study strategies to accomplish those priorities. Analyze your
Misunderstanding the key differences between student loans. Not all loans are created equal. Most law students have several different kinds of student loans. The cost of borrowing and options for loan repayment and forgiveness depend upon which loans you have. Today’s
Compare Danielle Blevins and Shannon Kelly, who were polar opposites when it came to law review. Blevins believes her work as publicity and website editor for the Alabama Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law Review at the University of Alabama School of Law in Tuscaloosa bolsters her credibility today in her
This article provides tips for student loan borrowers considering mortgages. Begin by making sure that everything on your credit report is accurate because it takes time to correct any mistakes. Three months should be sufficient time to detect and correct mistakes. Save for a Down Payment Different mortgage loan programs require different
Grades—they don’t matter as much as you think they do. Despite all the hype (especially at this time of year for 1Ls) most employers don’t rely exclusively or even heavily on academic achievement when making hiring decisions. Yes, some employers are persnickety about grades and use class rank as a
Many law students never outlined courses when they were undergraduates because tests were frequent and noncumulative so cramming from class notes worked well. Infrequent law school-style exams make cramming from class notes and briefs unwise. First, one exam covering 15 weeks of material translates to
First, let’s recognize that all job searches are stressful. The closer you are to graduation, the more pressure you likely feel. Along with pressure, you will probably experience a range of emotions including nervousness, intimidation, being overwhelmed, frustation, and—hopefully—elation at the end. Here are some tips to help you through
Nikki Johnson-Huston always wanted to get a master of business administration (MBA) degree, but her ultimate dream was a law degree. She didn’t think she could do both, so she opted for law school. One of the first things Johnson-Huston learned in law school was that her assumption was wrong. She
By Barry Malone. Law students get a lot of advice. Most schools have departments dedicated to giving career advice and assign students faculty advisors. Some schools give students an alumni mentor. Most students develop relationships with 2Ls and 3Ls to get tips on professors and exams. Some of the best advice
Many non-lawyers don’t know that the bar admission process requires new lawyers to pass a character and fitness test before they can practice law and to adhere to high professional standards once admitted. In theory, the character and fitness requirement protects the public from individuals whose past conduct
Information about your student loans is reflected on your credit report and will influence your credit score. A high credit score based on a positive credit history helps you qualify for favorable terms on mortgages and other loans. A low credit score can make it hard to get
Students listen to lawyers present on career panel. The end. Students attend class with lawyer as guest presenter. The end. Students attend a Student Bar Association event and mingle with lawyers. The end. Does your story end with being in the same room as a lawyer and never following up? Ignoring chances to
Law school is a social and cultural world unto itself. Like all societies and cultures, it has its own set of norms and rules. Understanding and employing proper etiquette will help you succeed. “We had an incident in a student’s first week at school,” recalled
The stereotypical career trajectory for an in-house lawyer begins at a midsize to large law firm. As corporate legal departments have not traditionally been equipped to tackle the intensive training and development that new attorneys require, many are happy to leave associate training to the firms. The corporations
Although law school is expensive and most law students graduate with significant student loan debt, reducing the costs that are within your control, choosing federal over private loans, and understanding your repayment options will go a long way toward successfully managing your debt. Ideally, your total debt would be less than
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