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Category: Law School 101



How to Survive Your First Year on the Job

March 16, 2015

You’ve landed your first job out of law school . . . congratulations! Now you’re all set to start working, but you may be a bit nervous about making a good impression as you launch your legal career. What can you do to start off on the right

Which Practice-Ready Courses Should You Take?

March 13, 2015

Law students need to take courses that develop skills related to the daily practice of law, whether their legal careers will involve private clients, agencies, courtrooms, or corporations.

Live in X but Want to Work in Y? Here’s How to Make the Leap

February 01, 2015

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

Law students networking.

How to Network Effectively in Different Scenarios

February 01, 2015

By Katherine A. Erwin Some people are natural networkers, and basically network all the time: in line at the grocery, at the airport, on the sidelines at a softball game. For those who don’t do it automatically, I want to touch on three different categories

law student researching an employer

Getting the Backstory: Tips for Employer Background Research

December 14, 2014

By Markeisha J. Miner. You are just beginning your job search. You know you are interested in a certain practice area, but do not know how to go about finding prospective employers in your preferred location. Or, like many lawyers in this country, you want

How to Choose Your Courses Wisely

November 01, 2014

Wise choices of law school courses can optimize grades and increase preparation for the bar exam and future legal practice.

Stand Out in the Job Market with Practical Training

November 01, 2014

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

The Perks of Specializing

November 01, 2014

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,

Heads Up 1Ls: How to Finance Your Legal Education the Smart Way

October 20, 2014

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

law student interview handshake

The Waiting Game - Understanding the Interview Process in Law School

October 01, 2014

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

Finding Your Nonlegal Niche

September 01, 2014

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

For Love or Money - How Marital Status Affects Student Loans

April 01, 2014

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?

Four Things Every Student Loan Borrower Must Do

April 01, 2014

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

professional interview attire for law students.

Interview Attire - Spend Smart to Look the Part

April 01, 2014

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

Defeating the Dreaded Interview Questions

April 01, 2014

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

Law Student Complaining About Grades

When to Gripe About Grades

April 01, 2014

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

Study Tips for Law Students

Determining Your Study Priorities and Strategies for Exam Preparation

March 01, 2014

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

Avoid These Student Loan Mistakes

March 01, 2014

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

Law Review: Will It Open Doors for Your Career?

March 01, 2014

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

What Student Loan Borrowers Need to Know About Mortgages

February 01, 2014

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

What employers value in law students.

What Employers Really Value

February 01, 2014

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

Outlines and Graphic Organizers: Making Sense of a Course

January 01, 2014

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

10 Job Search Tips for Law Students and New Graduates

January 01, 2014

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

Litigation Costs

Are Joint Degrees Worth It?

January 01, 2014

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