Not sure where to begin looking (space/nuclear law) Forum

[Aeon]

Your profile doesn't seem to be very science-oriented, to be honest. The number of corporations (and law firms with which they deal) that primarily engage in space or nuclear activities is not large, and I imagine that they would prefer to hire an attorney with advanced prior knowledge in the field, such as a Ph.D. in engineering or nuclear physics. I suppose that you could also look into working with the federal government in its role as a regulator of space and nuclear activity. You might also consider aiming for an energy provider that uses nuclear power plants; you would likely not start out working on matters dealing with its nuclear operations, but as you gain seniority, you might get that chance.

Regardless, you would be best served by attending the best law school that you can get into. Try to raise your GPA as much as you can and ace the LSAT. Consider that the field of space/nuclear law is a very specialized and small one and the likelihood of actually practicing full-time in it is minute. Attending a top law school increases your chances, though. Good luck.

This is false. There are several biglaw firms that deal with defense/nuclear issues. I have a good friend with two masters in nuclear related fields and extensive work as a government expert on nuclear weapons and nuclear terrorism. You know what biglaw told him when he came knocking with his T14 degree? "We'd rather have someone with top grades and no experience than medium grades and a ton of experience."

Go to the best school you can get into and go from there.

So you would argue that all other things being equal, a firm focusing on nuclear issues would rather hire someone with no background in the field over someone with an advanced degree therein?

[vanwinkle]

So you would argue that all other things being equal, a firm focusing on nuclear issues would rather hire someone with no background in the field over someone with an advanced degree therein?

If all other things are equal they'll probably take the person with the advanced degree over someone without. However, what the above poster is saying is that if a firm gets to pick between someone with the advanced degree and someone with higher law school grades, they'll take the person with higher grades. Those people aren't otherwise equal, and higher grades is the first tiebreaker, not advanced degrees.

In the law, what matters most is legal experience. Attending a better law school and getting better law school grades will trump most other qualifications. A law firm would rather have a lawyer that understands how to win the case over a lawyer that understands the science motivating the case.