Before you graduate law school, it is important to know what kind of law you want to practice. There are numerous kinds of law, countless claims, and an endless array of clientele. You also only get three years in law school to figure out what you might be good at. This is further complicated when you have to meet certain requirements to graduate and you take certain classes in preparation for the bar. So what is law student supposed to do? Once you are finished learning the basics of the law in your 1L year, you have the chance to get your feet wet in other specific types of law. One of my courses in my 2L year was Evidence. Here is a quick overview of this course so you have a general understanding of evidence before you take it. [Read more…] about Evidence 101 – A Quick Look at Upperclassmen Courses
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How to Use Technology in Your Law School Study Group
For many law students, a study group is an important resource. A lot of concepts that are taught in law school are completely new to most students, and they often find it helpful to talk through rules and cases with their peers. Study group members can also help each other cover notes when one person is unable to attend a lecture. In addition to serving as a healthy outlet for commiseration, a study group can help you stay motivated and avoid procrastination on important assignments, outlining, and practice exams. [Read more…] about How to Use Technology in Your Law School Study Group
Podcast Episode 167: Do You Have to Join a Study Group in Law School?
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking about law school study groups and how to make the most of them (or if it’s okay to skip them entirely). This topic came from a listener question so don’t be shy. Send us your questions – they might end up inspiring an episode!
In this episode, we discuss:
- The law school mythology of the study group and why you don’t actually have to join one
- Some common pitfalls to study groups, such as group anxiety
- Why you shouldn’t be afraid to leave a study group if it is not working for you and is a waste of your time
- Whether a study group is actually the best way to learn the material – after all law school exams are not a group test and the other people in your study group are just students who likely don’t know any more than you do!
- Things that your study group might be able to help with
- Useful tips for organizing a productive study group – including lots of technology tools that can help you collaborate more efficiently
- Alternatives to a full study group, to get some of the benefits without all the hassles!
Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 167: Do You Have to Join a Study Group in Law School?
What is it Really Like to be a Judicial Clerk?
Judicial clerkships are often described as a feather in the cap for any young lawyer. Read the bio of many successful lawyers, and you will find a prominent mention of their time as a law clerk. But what does a law clerk actually DO every day? Is it something you would enjoy, or just another box to check? [Read more…] about What is it Really Like to be a Judicial Clerk?
Podcast Episode 166: How to Frame Your Job Search Story (w/Sadie Jones)
Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today ex-BigLaw recruiter, Sadie Jones, joins us to talk about how to frame your job search story. You may be thinking that you don’t have a story, but we all have a story! So we’re exploring how to make sure your story makes sense.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What do we mean by your “job search story”?
- Tips on how to make sure your materials are telling your potential employer the story you want to tell – one that’s relevant AND truthful
- Cover letters – and why they’re a golden opportunity to craft your story that you should never pass up
- How to deal with non-linear career paths
- Dos: get a LinkedIn profile, get feedback on your resume, proofread
- Don’ts: put a language you’re not truly fluent in, be defensive when getting feedback, make mistakes or typos in your materials
Thanks for listening!
[Read more…] about Podcast Episode 166: How to Frame Your Job Search Story (w/Sadie Jones)
Using ABA Employment Stats to Help You Choose a Law School
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a law school – but one that should definitely be on your list is employment outcomes. People are motivated to pursue a legal education for all types of reasons, but when it comes right down to it, most prospective law students expect that a law degree will make it possible for them to land a decent legal job. The legal job market – while perhaps improving slightly in recent years – is still highly competitive, and a law degree doesn’t necessarily guarantee that a plum associate position will be waiting for you at graduation (or when that first student loan payment is due.) Which is why evaluating a law school’s employment data is so important when choosing a school – if you’re going to law school with the hope of obtaining a legal job you want to make sure you attend a school that will meet your expectations.
The American Bar Association maintains detailed employment statistics for each accredited law school, but sifting through the data can be a little overwhelming if you’re not familiar with all the terms and formats. To help you make an informed decision when selecting a law school, here is an overview of what’s available, how it’s compiled, and what all this data means.
[Read more…] about Using ABA Employment Stats to Help You Choose a Law School