Florida Forum

hoogs23 · Post by **hoogs23** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:09 pm

I want to work in Florida, but the saturated market combined with the lower ranked schools and low mobility of those schools scares me. Is there any options outside of the state for law school that would give me a good chance of working in Florida or in that state if I cannot find a job there?

nebula666 · Post by **nebula666** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:19 pm

hoogs23 wrote:I want to work in Florida, but the saturated market combined with the lower ranked schools and low mobility of those schools scares me. Is there any options outside of the state for law school that would give me a good chance of working in Florida or in that state if I cannot find a job there?

T14 or Vandy or UF / FSU

hoogs23 · Post by **hoogs23** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:24 pm

I have gotten into UF & FSU (no word on money). Waitlisted at UVa. And have not heard from Vandy

elterrible78 · Post by **elterrible78** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:29 pm

Tagged, because this is relevant to my interests. I was born and raised in the northeast, grad school in New Mexico. BUT, my wife's entire family lives in South Florida, and she is much closer to her family than I am mine (additionally, any place I have "ties" to doesn't have a legal market to speak of). I'm trying to figure out where to go to school as well. One of the Florida schools would make sense, I guess, but I'm in at most of the T14 with significant money at a few, so I didn't think it would be smart to forego those opportunities, despite being sure I want to work in Florida.

framboozer · Post by **framboozer** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 8:00 am

There seem to be a good number of Florida residents at Duke. Many Floridians who want to head back home, but who want T14 with HYS out of reach choose between Duke and UVA.

bld2414 · Post by **bld2414** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 8:58 am

The Florida firm I'll be at this summer is half UF, half T-14.

nebula666 · Post by **nebula666** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:49 pm

framboozer wrote:There seem to be a good number of Florida residents at Duke. Many Floridians who want to head back home, but who want T14 with HYS out of reach choose between Duke and UVA.

I would say about 5% of my section at UF went to Duke. I guess it goes both ways.

Post by **romothesavior** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:35 pm

Vandy/Emory are decent options for Florida, and the T14s obviously, particularly UVA and Duke.

hoogs23 · Post by **hoogs23** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:14 am

How much debt do people think is acceptable at Florida?

nebula666 · Post by **nebula666** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:07 pm

hoogs23 wrote:How much debt do people think is acceptable at Florida?

I would say ~$70k but some people might say less

usfvictor · Post by **usfvictor** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:24 pm

UF/FSU being in-state are fine choices and can help you anywhere in the state w/"acceptable" debt. Outside of FL, its as most people have stated Vandy/Duke/T14 . I have seen alot of Emory alums on "big" law firms websites, but def more Vandy/Duke/T14. Hell i think i've seen more ND alums than Emory.

alwayssunnyinfl · Post by **alwayssunnyinfl** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:41 pm

nebula666 wrote:
hoogs23 wrote:How much debt do people think is acceptable at Florida?
I would say ~$70k but some people might say less

Most UF grads I know say less.

badaboom61 · Post by **badaboom61** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:56 pm

alwayssunnyinfl wrote:
nebula666 wrote:
hoogs23 wrote:How much debt do people think is acceptable at Florida?
I would say ~$70k but some people might say less
Most UF grads I know say less.

70k is pushing it for UF. From UF, I wouldn't take on more debt than I would be comfortable paying back on whatever job I could find in a non-legal field, because tons of UF law graduates these days don't find legal work at all. I would put this number at about 40k personally, but it would vary.

From UF and FSU, the top 10% or so have a very good chance at FL biglaw, and the top third or so has a very good chance at some decent legal work in Florida, although at much lower pay than biglaw. The rest will mostly end up in shitlaw or a non-legal job, if any.

Vandy gives you a much better chance at FL, although by no means a lock. T14 will give you an even better chance, with perhaps Duke and UVA being best chances other than HYS. But FL legal work is never a lock, from anywhere. The great thing about these top schools is that if you can't find FL legal work, you'll have a much better chance of finding work in a different market. The same can't be said about the FL schools.

alwayssunnyinfl · Post by **alwayssunnyinfl** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 12:58 pm

badaboom61 wrote: Vandy gives you a much better chance at FL, although by no means a lock. T14 will give you an even better chance, with perhaps Duke and UVA being best chances other than HYS. But FL legal work is never a lock, from anywhere. The great thing about these top schools is that if you can't find FL legal work, you'll have a much better chance of finding work in a different market. The same can't be said about the FL schools.

This is exactly why I'm not looking at going to school in Florida even though I'd be happy staying here. And I agree, ~$40k is a good target for UF/FSU, especially since a 165+ gives you a decent chance at landing great scholarship money from both schools.

rad lulz · Post by **rad lulz** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:03 pm

Like everyone is saying, Vandy/Duke/UVA give you best shot at the very few FL big firm jobs (including placed with 100 odd attys like lowndes or Trenam or Bilzin).

But if you don't get those it will be hard to network when you're away.

Just something to keep in mind.

There are so few big firm jobs, and outside of OCI to get those jobs, the advantage of going to a brand name school rapidly diminishes.

FeelTheHeat · Post by **FeelTheHeat** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:05 pm

alwayssunnyinfl wrote:
nebula666 wrote:
hoogs23 wrote:How much debt do people think is acceptable at Florida?
I would say ~$70k but some people might say less
Most UF grads I know say less.

Less.

hoogs23 · Post by **hoogs23** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:48 pm

Would UVa/Vandy sticker be better than 40K debt from UF/FSU?

alwayssunnyinfl · Post by **alwayssunnyinfl** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:50 pm

hoogs23 wrote:Would UVa/Vandy sticker be better than 40K debt from UF/FSU?

I guess it depends on your definition of "better."

rad lulz · Post by **rad lulz** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:51 pm

hoogs23 wrote:Would UVa/Vandy sticker be better than 40K debt from UF/FSU?

I wouldn't debt finance sticker for Vandy or UVA

hoogs23 · Post by **hoogs23** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 1:56 pm

alright thanks guys

J-e-L-L-o · Post by **J-e-L-L-o** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:02 pm

Will UGA have any pull in FL?

rad lulz · Post by **rad lulz** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:03 pm

J-e-L-L-o wrote:Will UGA have any pull in FL?

No.

Everyone will ask why you didn't go to UF, even if you are from FL.

badaboom61 · Post by **badaboom61** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 11:58 pm

J-e-L-L-o wrote:Will UGA have any pull in FL?

The only schools with "pull" outside of Florida are T14, Vandy, and probably Emory. Anywhere else you will get some serious, likely deal breaking questions about "why this law school" and "why FL".

I suppose UT might get you back to FL if you hustle, and ND if you're top of class and find the right alumn. But UGA is the wrong choice if you want any chance at a FL firm job.

J-e-L-L-o · Post by **J-e-L-L-o** » Sun Mar 10, 2013 4:39 am

I was just curious due to the geographic proximity.

I am a Florida native but call California my home now. I like seeing questions about Florida urr now and then

SEW6 · Post by **SEW6** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 7:48 pm

UNC and returning to FL ? Likely or no ? South Florida native current FSU student just need a change of scenery so strongly considering Chapel Hill

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