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I am currently a 0L who will be starting at CLS in the fall. I'm a K-JD and am terrified about my lack of work experience. This summer I am just looking to work a menial job and enjoy freedom while I still can, and I have been very laid back about my job search. Currently I work as a valet, but I'm thinking of finding something else. However, I'm terrified if I won't have much to put on my resume for this summer. How important is the 0L summer in terms of legal employment? I know that I will be at a disadvantage for not having at least a years worth of WE. How much of a disadvantage will I be at for not having something meaningful for this summer?

No disadvantage at all., compared to people who may have worked 0L summer. People with actual work experience, or who had relevant internships might have something more to talk about in interviews, but probably not a huge issue. Do whatever you want, knowing this is likely your last free summer.

yea, its unlikely just a summer is going to make any difference so whether its meaningful or not meaningful is inconsequential.

I agree with the above posters. When people say work experience, they mean full-time, year-long grinds complete with a whole mess of office politics and shenanigans. You're not going to get that working a part-time job. Fortunately, it does not matter much.

I run into more K-JDs than students with experience. From my experience with 1L hiring, the employers did not distinguish by work experience, they distinguished by relevant work experience. The only time work experience becomes relevant is when a student worked certain jobs that are related to what that law firm does. For example, if a law firm specializes in education, they might hire a former teacher to give them some knowledge to draw on. Same thing for real estate or construction management.

These types of students are not that common in law school. I know of maybe 3 in my class who got a job related to their previous employment.