Should I get work experience @ law firm before law school? Forum

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

[Rigo]

Sure.

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

OK. I ask because I got a job offer at a law firm. The pay is $15/hour.

[bluchai]

OK. I ask because I got a job offer at a law firm. The pay is $15/hour.

Hmm. Are you currently in college?

I have no idea how much money you're "supposed" to make nowadays.

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

noope. graduated.

[bluchai]

noope. graduated.

Hmm. How long are you planning to work in between?

I would take it. There are some law firms here that only pay $8.50 to $9.00. Your rate was how much I made an hour when I was doing a paid internship, which led to a titled job. Not at a law firm though.

[fats provolone]

do you get free scholarly sweets

[banjo]

I think you should ask for at least $18-20.

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

bluchai, do you earn more than $15/hour now?

[bluchai]

bluchai, do you earn more than $15/hour now?

Yes. I don't make a lot of money but the bulk of what I have made the past 14 months went to paying $29K in undergrad loans. I've done other things on the side though, to include waitressing at night and copywriting.

But again, I don't work at a law firm.

Keep in mind I live in a part of the country that is incredibly cheap.

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

OK. I'd be doing this for 2 years since everyone here recommends 2-3 years of work experience before law school.

But do you think this is a nice gig? The firm would be considered a "boutique" or "mid-law."

[bluchai]

OK. I'd be doing this for 2 years since everyone here recommends 2-3 years of work experience before law school.

But do you think this is a nice gig? The firm would be considered a "boutique" or "mid-law."

If you don't mind me asking, what other financial obligations do you have? Do you want to pay off undergrad debt before law school or would it not bother you if you are not paying that off right away, if you have any?

Because I would also advise trying to save for living expenses wherever you do go to law school.

But that's if you need to.

I really don't think it matters as long as you have a solid GPA, LSAT, personal statement (and other "optional" essays), good recs, and actually worked during this 3-year gap.

I don't know exactly what weight softs have and what softs even are in the law school game.

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

I have some student loans, but will be getting on dat PAYE. Most likely, I will be living with my gf and she earns big bucks, so the rent is covered.

And if I accept this job offer, I won't be doing it to "boost" my resume. I'll be doing it to "get a feel" for the life of a lawyer.

[bluchai]

I have some student loans, but will be getting on dat PAYE. Most likely, I will be living with my gf and she earns big bucks, so the rent is covered.

And if I accept this job offer, I won't be doing it to "boost" my resume. I'll be doing it to "get a feel" for the life of a lawyer.

Okay, that's a good reason. I am actually looking for work elsewhere, preferably in a law office. I graduated last May though and want to attend law school next fall, but at the same time, I think I just want a different job. It would be a matter of finding a firm that would accept me either leaving Fall 2015 or 2016. When I graduated, I interviewed at a handful who were rather interrogative in regards to how long I was honestly willing to stay with them.

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

I just graduated this May. Currently working at a school, so this would be my first job at a law firm.

When will you apply?

[chuckbass]

If you won't have to pay rent I guess it's fine, but I'd try to find a job that pays more than $15/hour.

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

scottidsntknow, what would you consider decent pay for working at a law firm with only a college degree?

also, $15/hour was the average pay for this position (at least based off of craigslist)

[chuckbass]

scottidsntknow, what would you consider decent pay for working at a law firm with only a college degree?

also, $15/hour was the average pay for this position (at least based off of craigslist)

I'm K-JD so not sure, I just know I made $15/hour at my old summer job at a tennis camp during college so I would shoot for more considering you have a college degree. But again, if you don't have to pay for rent, then that makes the pay better relatively.

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

This is the average most law firms are paying. Just look up craigslist at your area and see for yourself.

But yeah, I'd be living rent-free. I am also planning on doing PAYE for my loans.

[chuckbass]

This is the average most law firms are paying. Just look up craigslist at your area and see for yourself.

But yeah, I'd be living rent-free. I am also planning on doing PAYE for my loans.

I mean I wouldn't be thinking about PAYE if you're still 2 years out from law school at least, you have no idea what could happen in those two years. PAYE can be a great program but it's not a good idea to rack up debt in the interim.

Are your grades good? Because you could mass mail biglaw firms and try to get a paralegal/legal assistant position, and those pay much better. Not that money is everything, especially if you're not interested in biglaw, but idk I'd be shooting to make more than 30k/yr as a college grad.

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

explain why PAYE is a bad option for a recent college graduate.

[chuckbass]

explain why PAYE is a bad option for a recent college graduate.

I interpreted your post to mean you're ok with more debt because you'd plan on paying everything off with PAYE after law school?

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

Lol no. I meant I'll do PAYE right now and pay off some loans right now before law school.

After law school, I'll get on PAYE again and continue paying loans.

[chuckbass]

Oh ok. And yeah I mean if you like the firm and think you'd enjoy working there go for it.

[I<3ScholarlySweets!]

The firm seems like a cool place to work. The people there are relaxed and outgoing (at least when I got interviewed).

Can I ask you why you didn't get work experience before attending law school?