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UGA for Floirda Legal Market?

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:15 pm
by thecap91
I want to see if anyone can share some insight as to how well UGA places in Florida. I am not asking about Biglaw specifically. I just want to see from current Florida lawyers and UGA grads that are working in Florida as to how well the degree carries in the state. I've been accepted to UGA and UF.

UF is offering me 12.5K (1L), 10K (2L), 10K (3L).

UGA offered me instate first year plus 5K every year after that.

I was also accepted to Wake with 35K per year and Miami with 32K per year. My numbers are 164/3.51. I have very strong ties to Florida, born and raised. I've just heard that Athens is really nice place to live so I am considering attending UGA.

My plan is to work in Florida.

Re: UGA for Floirda Legal Market?

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:21 pm
by Ron Don Volante
If your plan is to work in florida it doesn't make sense to leave florida, especially for a school like UGA (It's a fine school for working in GA though). As you don't care about biglaw, I don't see any of the T14 on a retake (or something like Vandy or Emory) being a good option, either.

Stay in Florida. Go to the school with the best nexus between placement in the specific market you want to be in and lowest cost of attendance.

Re: UGA for Floirda Legal Market?

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:25 pm
by Nomo
At any of these schools you're going to want to spend most of your 2L and 3L years interning, externing, working part time, networking, etc. If you are at UGA you won't be able to do that in the market you wish to practice in. Doesn't make sense to me.

Re: UGA for Floirda Legal Market?

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 1:31 pm
by thecap91
Nomo wrote:At any of these schools you're going to want to spend most of your 2L and 3L years interning, externing, working part time, networking, etc. If you are at UGA you won't be able to do that in the market you wish to practice in. Doesn't make sense to me.
In that case would Miami be a better option than UF in your opinion?

Re: UGA for Floirda Legal Market?

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 6:03 pm
by AT9
I worked at a mid-sized firm in the Florida panhandle and UGA is well respected there (and I suspect elsewhere in Florida). That said, if UF/FSU/Miami are available at a reasonable cost, there's no reason to choose any other school other than maybe a few of the T14 if you know you want to work in Florida.

Between UF and Miami, I would probably do Miami if that's where you want to work (and if it's not substantially more expensive) and I'd do UF if you think you may want to practice anywhere else in Florida. UF is the most "prestigious" school in the state, though UF/FSU/Miami are all pretty equal in quality and career prospects. Just know that if you do poorly at these schools, dropping out after the first semester or year may be your best option.