Pitt, W&L, Lewis and Clark Forum

[HeavenWood]

My question was more like this: I want to move to Oregon. Is it better to go to law school there now, or go to Pitt, work, then try to move?

Then I'd go to L&C if it's cheap enough.

Or move out there now and reapply to Oregon as a resident.

Pitt will be you nowhere outside of Pittsburgh.

Outside of the T14, go to where you want to work.

Is it reasonable to think once you have several years of work experience, like in other fields, that matters more than the school? As in, if I have a solid job for 5-9 years, would that be enough to move to a different city?

It can be, but you're counting on a number of conditionals here. If Oregon is what you really want, I'd work like mad to establish ties there. Moving out there and working for a year or two before starting law school could do the trick, especially since (like tfleming said) you could establish residency

[flem]

My question was more like this: I want to move to Oregon. Is it better to go to law school there now, or go to Pitt, work, then try to move?

Then I'd go to L&C if it's cheap enough.

Or move out there now and reapply to Oregon as a resident.

Pitt will be you nowhere outside of Pittsburgh.

Outside of the T14, go to where you want to work.

Is it reasonable to think once you have several years of work experience, like in other fields, that matters more than the school? As in, if I have a solid job for 5-9 years, would that be enough to move to a different city?

You're going to build a client base and reputation in one area, so not really.

[1776]

My question was more like this: I want to move to Oregon. Is it better to go to law school there now, or go to Pitt, work, then try to move?

Then I'd go to L&C if it's cheap enough.

Or move out there now and reapply to Oregon as a resident.

Pitt will be you nowhere outside of Pittsburgh.

Outside of the T14, go to where you want to work.

Is it reasonable to think once you have several years of work experience, like in other fields, that matters more than the school? As in, if I have a solid job for 5-9 years, would that be enough to move to a different city?

You're going to build a client base and reputation in one area, so not really.

I see a lot of different fields in which people completely rellocate after a couple of years of good experience. They get recruited, new job openings, etc. Is law not like that? Are people stuck in one city their entire career?

[romothesavior]

I see a lot of different fields in which people completely rellocate after a couple of years of good experience. They get recruited, new job openings, etc. Is law not like that? Are people stuck in one city their entire career?

You're not "stuck." You could move if the opportunity was right, particularly if it was private practice ---> in-house, moving among public interest employers or government agencies, etc. But jumping from firm to firm isn't nearly as easy. You build a reputation, build a client base, become familiar with local rules of practice, etc. and that makes moving a more difficult task.

[1776]

I see a lot of different fields in which people completely rellocate after a couple of years of good experience. They get recruited, new job openings, etc. Is law not like that? Are people stuck in one city their entire career?

You're not "stuck." You could move if the opportunity was right, particularly if it was private practice ---> in-house, moving among public interest employers or government agencies, etc. But jumping from firm to firm isn't nearly as easy. You build a reputation, build a client base, become familiar with local rules of practice, etc. and that makes moving a more difficult task.

I'm interested in PI and gov work. I know gov agencies find openings elsewhere regularly.