Law Students, Lawyers, Paralegals, and Legal Professionals Thread

[M. Steng]

I searched but couldn't find any thread for those involved in the legal profession one way or another. Thought we might enjoy a place to discuss our daily trials and tribulations in trying to learn, interpret, and apply the law.

Currently I'm a 2L at Villanova. I'm liking law school for the most part so far, but damn did my 1L year kill me. I'm having a much easier time this year, though.

This also might be a good place to bring up any legal issues other Ants are having or to discuss the law in general.

[ExistenceNow]

Will ban the first person that makes the joke.

[Rodey]

Originally Posted by ExistenceNow

Will ban the first person that makes the joke.

[M. Steng]

Have inside jokes on Ants gotten the best of a thread I've made yet again?

[ExistenceNow]

Originally Posted by M. Steng

Have inside jokes on Ants gotten the best of a thread I've made yet again?

There are several lawyers and law students on these boards, and certainly no lack of message board lawyers. Should be a good thread.


I was just trying to head off the inevitable Ants joke with a joke of my own, which I'm glad Rodey got.

[jordanbball17]

There's a law school thread somewhere, search function sucks though (not being sarcastic)

[clayj41]

Sworn in two years ago yesterday. Every day has been worse than the one before.

[M. Steng]

Originally Posted by clayj41

Sworn in two years ago yesterday. Every day has been worse than the one before.

Can't wait to graduate and pass the bar, then!

What kind of law do you practice? Obviously, some areas of law lend themselves to more misery than others.

[clayj41]

Originally Posted by M. Steng

Can't wait to graduate and pass the bar, then!

What kind of law do you practice? Obviously, some areas of law lend themselves to more misery than others.

It was more of a nod to Office Space. The real world in general irks me more than my job.

I mostly practice criminal defense, with some family law and CHINS sprinkled in.

[M. Steng]

Originally Posted by clayj41

It was more of a nod to Office Space. The real world in general irks me more than my job.

I mostly practice criminal defense, with some family law and CHINS sprinkled in.

I interned at a small criminal defense firm in Philly this past summer. Definitely would not be my first choice, but I guess it really all depends on what types of criminals you're defending. We did a lot of street crime and gang-related stuff at the firm I was at. These clients were such scumbags, but the attorney I worked for made an absolute killing (no pun intended but kind of intended) trying to get their sentences reduced.

[DMBzilla]

Originally Posted by ExistenceNow

There are several lawyers and law students on these boards, and certainly no lack of message board lawyers. Should be a good thread.


I was just trying to head off the inevitable Ants joke with a joke of my own, which I'm glad Rodey got.

I'm sure I'm gonna look like an ass here, but what's the joke?

[cazzie34]

Originally Posted by M. Steng

I interned at a small criminal defense firm in Philly this past summer. Definitely would not be my first choice, but I guess it really all depends on what types of criminals you're defending. We did a lot of street crime and gang-related stuff at the firm I was at. These clients were such scumbags, but the attorney I worked for made an absolute killing (no pun intended but kind of intended) trying to get their sentences reduced.

That sounds horrible.

I'm at a small 4 person law firm doing mainly personal injury/worker's comp with some Trust Administration and Probate thrown in on the side. It's decent work and not very stressful. I live in a small town right now which sucks but I'll be moving to Madison in 2 weeks which should help with my mental state in general.

[jray1823]

Any Attorneys here work in White Collar Defense or service corporate/industrial/financial entities? My company provides forensic accounting and business advisory consulting services, mostly working as an niche extension of these legal teams.

I do enjoy my profession, and have been putting in a lot of work to get my CPA, but I almost feel as if law school is the next step. I don't think Attorneys with accounting backgrounds are really all that common, hence the huge demand of our services, but it seems to be a perfect combination for someone that wanted to differentiate themselves. Any thoughts?

[M. Steng]

I know it's so cliche to say, but having a good professor in law school can make all the difference in your learning experience. For example, last year for Con Law I, I had the biggest bitch of a teacher I've ever had in any course, ever. She was unnecessarily condescending, bland, boring, dry, and just overall rude to her students. She was thorough, but in a way that made an otherwise interesting subject very monotonous and tiring. This semester, for Con Law II, my professor is absolutely awesome. He's a charismatic, outgoing, friendly, engaging professor and it's honestly making this semester a million times more enjoyable than last semester was. It's unfortunate, because I'm paying out the ass to go to this school and I wish all the professors could have such enthusiasm and vigor in their presentations because it makes class much, much more bearable.

[Dramageek]

Originally Posted by jray1823

Any Attorneys here work in White Collar Defense or service corporate/industrial/financial entities? My company provides forensic accounting and business advisory consulting services, mostly working as an niche extension of these legal teams.

I do enjoy my profession, and have been putting in a lot of work to get my CPA, but I almost feel as if law school is the next step. I don't think Attorneys with accounting backgrounds are really all that common, hence the huge demand of our services, but it seems to be a perfect combination for someone that wanted to differentiate themselves. Any thoughts?

The first firm I worked for had a decent whit Collar Criminal Defense practice. It's not a bad niche field to get into.

[rconverse]

I've got a case for you...

One time a girlfriend asked me to watch her cat while she was on vacation. I may have forgotten and the cat died. First, you can't prove that the cat died because of me. Second, I offered to get her a new cat but she wanted me to pay for it. I told her, honey, I can get you a cat at the shelter. I shouldn't have to shell out for a new cat.

[ExistenceNow]

Originally Posted by DMBzilla

I'm sure I'm gonna look like an ass here, but what's the joke?

"I am not a paralegal."

It's an Ants meme that came out of a thread some dickhead started asking for info on paralegals.

[thestand]

I'm a 1L at Cardozo in the middle of Manhattan. My post history tells the story of my 1L year. To be fair, it has more to do with living in Manhattan than the 1L work load. Apparently, living in a great city with great people means sitting on the internet less. Who knew!

If you know anything about Cardozo, you'd be right to assume that I'm focusing on IP law. Or, at least planning on doing so, because lol 1L.

[clayj41]

Originally Posted by rconverse

I've got a case for you...

One time a girlfriend asked me to watch her cat while she was on vacation. I may have forgotten and the cat died. First, you can't prove that the cat died because of me. Second, I offered to get her a new cat but she wanted me to pay for it. I told her, honey, I can get you a cat at the shelter. I shouldn't have to shell out for a new cat.

That'd make a great case for L.A. Law.

[rconverse]

Originally Posted by clayj41

That'd make a great case for L.A. Law.

If only I was ever going to be near, say Corbin Bernson.

[DrewD55]

Originally Posted by thestand

I'm a 1L at Cardozo in the middle of Manhattan. My post history tells the story of my 1L year. To be fair, it has more to do with living in Manhattan than the 1L work load. Apparently, living in a great city with great people means sitting on the internet less. Who knew!

If you know anything about Cardozo, you'd be right to assume that I'm focusing on IP law. Or, at least planning on doing so, because lol 1L.

Originally Posted by M. Steng

I searched but couldn't find any thread for those involved in the legal profession one way or another. Thought we might enjoy a place to discuss our daily trials and tribulations in trying to learn, interpret, and apply the law.

Currently I'm a 2L at Villanova. I'm liking law school for the most part so far, but damn did my 1L year kill me. I'm having a much easier time this year, though.

This also might be a good place to bring up any legal issues other Ants are having or to discuss the law in general.

1L year is designed to be the hardest of the three. They want to make sure that you're in it for the long haul. Mine was pretty brutal, too. I think we lost close to 40% of the people who had been in my 1L class by the time 2L year started.

I've been doing this for awhile now (finished school in '03) and have worked at 3 different firms doing three different types of law. The current gig is by far the best, although I wouldn't be as good at it if it weren't for what I learned on the second one, so as badly as that one ended, it taught me everything I need to know, as far as being a kick-ass litigator, so I'm grateful for the experience all the same.

Clay, I'm curious. While you said that it was more people in general than your work, is there anything about the work that sticks in your craw too much? That goes for any other working JD's posting here: are you able to stick to the zealous representation part of the canons and distance yourself from the people/things that involves, or do you find yourself sometimes feeling that while you might be making a sound legal argument that's in your client's best interest, morally you feel like it's not exactly right?

[rconverse]

What is 1L, 2L, etc...First year litigator?

[ExistenceNow]

1st year law student, 2nd year law student etc...

[rconverse]

Originally Posted by clayj41

Sworn in two years ago yesterday. Every day has been worse than the one before.

That means every day is the worst day of your life.

[rconverse]

Originally Posted by ExistenceNow

1st year law student, 2nd year law student etc...

Okay. More obvious than I thought. Thanks!

[clayj41]

Originally Posted by DrewD55

Clay, I'm curious. While you said that it was more people in general than your work, is there anything about the work that sticks in your craw too much? That goes for any other working JD's posting here: are you able to stick to the zealous representation part of the canons and distance yourself from the people/things that involves, or do you find yourself sometimes feeling that while you might be making a sound legal argument that's in your client's best interest, morally you feel like it's not exactly right?

Again, I was referring more to my distaste for adulthood and yearning for the days when I had less responsibility. Clients are definitely the worst part of the job though. But I have no moral qualms in representing criminals.

Originally Posted by rconverse

That means every day is the worst day of your life.

Roger gets it.

[M. Steng]

Originally Posted by DrewD55

1L year is designed to be the hardest of the three. They want to make sure that you're in it for the long haul. Mine was pretty brutal, too. I think we lost close to 40% of the people who had been in my 1L class by the time 2L year started.

I've been doing this for awhile now (finished school in '03) and have worked at 3 different firms doing three different types of law. The current gig is by far the best, although I wouldn't be as good at it if it weren't for what I learned on the second one, so as badly as that one ended, it taught me everything I need to know, as far as being a kick-ass litigator, so I'm grateful for the experience all the same.

Clay, I'm curious. While you said that it was more people in general than your work, is there anything about the work that sticks in your craw too much? That goes for any other working JD's posting here: are you able to stick to the zealous representation part of the canons and distance yourself from the people/things that involves, or do you find yourself sometimes feeling that while you might be making a sound legal argument that's in your client's best interest, morally you feel like it's not exactly right?

Yeah, I believe the phrase goes: "1L year they scare you to death, 2L year they read you to death, 3L year they bore you to death". Makes sense, because I've been reading my dick off so far this semester.

As far as zealously advocating for criminals, I think you just kind of have to put it in the back of your mind. There were times this summer, though, when I would be calling a courthouse or writing a letter to a judge about a client's case and couldn't help but thinking, "Damn, this guy is a convicted criminal, and no matter how hard I work at getting this guy out of jail or getting him a reduced sentence, he's still gonna fuck up again and this will be for nothing." Although, I guess when you're the attorney and not the peeon intern that I was, and you're charging for all these billable hours, you kind of hope the guy keeps fucking up and needing your help

[gravedigger07]

I work for a prominent lawyer where I live, and he says he would not recommend his worst enemy to go to law school. Is the job market for law school students really that bad? He sure makes it seem that way.

[DrewD55]

Originally Posted by gravedigger07

I work for a prominent lawyer where I live, and he says he would not recommend his worst enemy to go to law school. Is the job market for law school students really that bad? He sure makes it seem that way.

Job market for new grads is awful. There have actually been class action suits against law schools for misrepesenting their post-grad placement rates. Plus, school costs a fortune. It wasn't cheap when I went ($22K a year), but that's nothing compared to now. So, you have no job and no cash to pay back six figures in debt.

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk 2

[cazzie34]

Originally Posted by gravedigger07

I work for a prominent lawyer where I live, and he says he would not recommend his worst enemy to go to law school. Is the job market for law school students really that bad? He sure makes it seem that way.

One of my friends went to a tier 3 law school, graduated in May of 2012, and didn't find employment until September of 2013. And that employment was a 1 year clerkship with a state district judge.

An associate that our firm just hired graduated in 2010, worked for a non-profit for 2 years in a non legal job, then basically temped for $15/hr for a year before finding a job.

So yeah, it can be rough.