Career Questions - Any Attorneys Here?

[polykarp]

I want to go to law school and either work a court room or the polar opposite in trusts/estates (no Form 1 requests yet please).

I'm a business banker at a large national bank with 3.5 years of service there. Have a B.A. and part of a MDiv and could use some more classroom abuse.

Wife, son and I'm 27.

I've asked all the attorneys I know, but thought someone who didn't have any connection to me might be able to give some unbiased advice...

Am I crazy?
What is your opinion on night programs (4 years instead of 3)?
-How are they viewed in the job market?
Top choice school (mid to low top tier) v. Scholarship?
-Chances of higher class rank at lower ranked school?
Thoughts on the LSAT?
Ideas for application?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thanks,
-polykarp

[Carnivorous]

So, litigation vs. document work? Very different. At least you know which field you like for the doc work, but be warned that trust estate work is very cerebral, followed up with lots of crying. End-of-life decision-making is fine when you're alive, but when the person actually passes, you then deal with the family members, who may (or mat not) be as straightforward and business-minded as the deceased.

Which area are you thinking for litigation? I'd strongly recommend against family law litigation---yes, it's aligned with estate work, but it's (a) depressing, (b) doesn't pay well, and (c) more likely than a prosecutor's job to get you shot. (True story.) I worked in a domestic relations court for a while, and people cried EVERY DAY. It was awkward at first, then annoying, and finally just depressing.

Litigation can be very fun, but it's high stress. If you like doc work, you may want to consider doing business transactions: still fairly cerebral, and you'll end up dealing with a lot of trusts anyway. Your financial background will definitely help, especially with mergers/acquisitions, buying and selling companies, and general business planning.

Night school does not get a different reputation than day classes. Simply doesn't matter. The school sometimes does; for your area, it matters. If you move (like I did) nobody really knows enough to make a distinction. Higher tiers = more pressure, but also = more job opportunities. Scholarships, if available to you, would be invaluable considering that your family is coming along for the ride. Do NOT go to an unaccredited school. Simply a waste of time and money, no matter how many promises they make. As long as you are comfortable with the money commitment, and the quality of your education, then the name of the school is really irrelevant. Five years out, nobody cares. It's all about the first job. (And if you want to practice in anything financial-related, your work experience will already give you a head-start on positions, since there'll be less of a learning curve. Go with the scholarship. Unless you want to be a maritime litigator, or something.)

One thing you'll miss out on for night classes is the socialization; you'll pick up good contacts and referrals from fellow class-mates. (Although, you probably have plenty right now.) You also get a broader base of people with whom to study, but that's a personal decision, since I could never effectively study in groups.

Another thing you'll miss is the "glamor"-type clubs: moot court and law review. You really don't have the time for either unless you're full time, and they're the key to getting into the stereotypical "big" law firms. If you're a big-firm guy (long hours, big money, high stress, ladder-climbing) then you should bite the bullet and try to do day classes to get the resume bullets. For a good mid-size or small law firm, those don't matter as much. (Moot court will still matter if you do litigation, but more from an "invaluable practice" standpoint than a "this will get me hired" perspective.)

Personal note: be VERY aware of your family. I know, it doesn't seem like it would be hard. Lawyers have a very high rate of depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse. Big-firm work (and any firm with hefty billable hour requirements) will kill your family, unless you have an amazingly understanding wife. You won't want to hurt them, but if you're at the office for fifteen hours a day, trying to satisfy your workload and/or make your billable minimums, then you're probably going to get divorced. I've seen it way too much to take lightly.

If you have a good contact in a firm that practices what you want to do, you may want to start laying the groundwork for an internship position---that'll get your feet wet, without a long-term commitment, and work experience definitely helps. It also may make or change your mind about your chosen field. And if they're willing to be your first "real" job, then so much the better!

[Bullet Boy]

Originally Posted by polykarp

What is your opinion on night programs (4 years instead of 3)?
-How are they viewed in the job market?
Top choice school (mid to low top tier) v. Scholarship?
-Chances of higher class rank at lower ranked school?

I myself am not a lawyer. I have worked with plenty.

Being candid! Night programs are sub-par. If you want to compete for the high paying jobs you have to go for big recognized names. You may sacrifice class rank but that does nothing except build up your personal ego. When you have a big name university/law school on your resume you will be more competitive than being number 1 at Smith Night School.

Because most hiring managers are not lawyers their eye will be caught with big names vs. others. But... With contacts you can overcome that. No matter what you still have to take the same test to be a lawyer and in the end you will have JD in your signature which matters most.

Career advice from a Bullet Boy. Do what is best for you and your family. Life is too short. Do what makes you happy.

[Bill in San Jose]

Are you crazy, you ask?

To make those family sacrifices while you have a young family, and then work for the courts instead of private practice and make some real bucks?

My best friend in high school went to law school nights while working, with an undergrad in landscape design but with his interest in land use planning and he's on the NJ governor's staff now- so night school can work out.