When I decided to go to law school, I received a lot of advice. Some of it was helpful, but some of it was downright misleading. Some people encouraged me, while others thought it was a terrible idea, especially considering I had a new baby on the way and plenty of bills that needed to be paid. Here are the top five things people told me to expect about law school that turned out to be completely untrue.
1. "You'll have no free time at all."
People warned me that law school would consume my life and that I wouldn't have a minute to spare for anything fun. They painted a picture of endless nights in the library, surviving solely on coffee and legal jargon.
Reality: While law school is indeed demanding, I have more free time now than I ever did as an employee—both as a soldier and as a federal employee working a standard 9 to 5. In fact, I have significantly more free time now than I ever had in my adult life. Full disclosure, I rank about average in my class, right around the median. Maybe if I put in the same hours I did as an employee, I’d be higher ranked, but my family and mental health are my priorities. It makes no difference if I’m ranked number one or last in the class; I'll get the same degree, take and pass the same bar exam, and my plan to start my own firm will not be affected.
2. "Law school is full of cutthroat competition."
I was told that law school would be like a scene from a legal drama, with classmates sabotaging each other and intense rivalries.
Reality: While there is certainly a competitive aspect to law school, I found that most of my classmates are supportive and collaborative. Study groups are common, and sharing notes or discussing difficult concepts is the norm. There’s a real sense of camaraderie, and I've made some great friends who are always willing to help out. It's more like a team sport than a battlefield. Of course, this experience can be school-dependent and also depends on the makeup of your particular class. Some environments might be more competitive, but my experience has been largely positive and cooperative.
3. "You have to dress up every day."
I was told that law school would for the most part require business casual, with the occasional event requiring more formal attire.
Reality: The reality is the dress code is insanely relaxed, with some people coming in wearing things that appear to be pajamas. Personally, I think that the way someone looks and presents themselves is an important aspect of professional demeanor, but it seems the younger generations care less and less about this. While it's good to have a few business casual outfits for presentations or networking events, most days you can find students in jeans, hoodies, and the occasional pair of pajama pants. I won’t ever come in in anything that wouldn’t pass as business casual at a minimum. I understand the increased effort and time it takes, and the people who invest the time and effort are likely the types that I would look to hire if I needed a lawyer.
4. "You need to know exactly what kind of law you want to practice from day one."
Some people insisted that having a clear, unwavering career path was crucial, and that I should know exactly what kind of law I wanted to practice before even setting foot in a law school classroom. To be fair, this was something I heard far less often than the other points, and I already had an idea that it wasn't true.
Reality: It's perfectly normal to be unsure or to change your mind. Law school is a time for exploration. While students who have parents who are lawyers might be better prepared to know what they plan on practicing, as a first-generation law student, I didn't even understand all the various areas of law there were to practice. I've met classmates who started out wanting to be criminal defense attorneys and ended up falling in love with environmental law. My own interests have evolved as I've learned more about different areas of the law. Flexibility is the name of the game.
5. "Law school will teach you everything you need to know to be a lawyer."
The idea that law school is a comprehensive training ground where you'll learn everything required to practice law is a comforting.
Reality: Law school teaches you how to think like a lawyer, but there's still a lot to learn on the job. Having finished my first year, it's very apparent that many of the practical skills needed to work as a lawyer aren't taught in school. Practical skills, courtroom etiquette, and the intricacies of legal practice often come from hands-on experience. I think schools should focus more on the practical types of things a lawyer needs to do to function. It turns out that real-world law is a bit different from what you learn in textbooks—and that's okay! It keeps things interesting.
So, if you're heading to law school or thinking about it, take the advice you hear with a grain of salt. Expect hard work
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