Work & Law School Forum

[amwebb]

Basically I need to work. I worked full time all through undergrad, it was tough but I managed. Now that I have been accepted into law school should I quit? Does law school require substantial more time than undergrad? The school I was accepted to does have a part time program, but Im anxious to finish as soon as possible.

[FryBreadPower]

Basically I need to work. I worked full time all through undergrad, it was tough but I managed. Now that I have been accepted into law school should I quit? Does law school require substantial more time than undergrad? The school I was accepted to does have a part time program, but Im anxious to finish as soon as possible.

If at all possible. Yes.

[rinkrat19]

Everything I've heard says that not working during 1L is vastly preferable.

On a less subjective level, the ABA does not allow full-time law students (of any year) to work more than 20 hours per week, and some schools have even lower limits. The schools are motivated to not let you break this rule, as their accreditation depends on following the ABA's rules.

There are people who work part- or full-time while attending law school part-time, but the class load at PT law school is only about 1 class at a time less than full-time. You will likely want to die after a few terms of that.

[amwebb]

I did not know the ABA had set a limit for students. I can manage off savings throughout law school, I just planned on purchasing a house. I guess I have no choice but to hold off on the purchase.

Thanks for your responses

[lobolawyer]

FWIW A friend at my school worked FT all 3 years and graduated Top 10 in his class. It can be done, but you would have to work extremely hard.

[rinkrat19]

FWIW A friend at my school worked FT all 3 years and graduated Top 10 in his class. It can be done, but you would have to work extremely hard.

I wouldn't want to risk it being discovered at C+F time.

[lobolawyer]

FWIW A friend at my school worked FT all 3 years and graduated Top 10 in his class. It can be done, but you would have to work extremely hard.

I wouldn't want to risk it being discovered at C+F time.

Really? I don't think anyone would care. I doubt the Bd. would disallow you from joining the bar b/c you were top 10 in your class and worked too much. There aren't any ethics opinions on the subject, either, and how would anyone know whether you work 20hrs a week or 23. But, yes C&F might be a valid concern for some.

[Beeg12]

FWIW A friend at my school worked FT all 3 years and graduated Top 10 in his class. It can be done, but you would have to work extremely hard.

What do you mean by "FT"? I don't see how its even possible to work 8 hour days, attend all mandatory classes, study enough to get top 10, and sleep. Unless his/her job was extremely flexible with when he/she actually worked the hours and allowed her to study there.

Also, ABA and the school itself can easily determine how many hours they worked by using their tax returns. If it is under the table then its not full time and if its 40 hrs/ week worth of wages it most obviously has to be reported. This information is reported when filing FAFSA, which makes it overtly available to the school, who will most certainly enforce the 20 hr max rule to protect itself.

Also, I would be shocked if the point of the rule is "if you break the rule but do okay then there are no repercussions."

[tesoro]

I did not know the ABA had set a limit for students. I can manage off savings throughout law school, I just planned on purchasing a house. I guess I have no choice but to hold off on the purchase.

Thanks for your responses

But you do have a choice. Like you acknowledged, you could go to law school part time. It's really not as bad as the above people who haven't tried it are making it out to be. If you're making a good salary it's almost unjustifiable not to.

I know you're anxious to graduate in 3 years. But you can easily graduate in 3.5 years as a part-time student with one half-load of work over a summer semester. Six extra months really doesn't make that much of a difference in the long run. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk about managing both.

[lobolawyer]

FWIW A friend at my school worked FT all 3 years and graduated Top 10 in his class. It can be done, but you would have to work extremely hard.

What do you mean by "FT"? I don't see how its even possible to work 8 hour days, attend all mandatory classes, study enough to get top 10, and sleep. Unless his/her job was extremely flexible with when he/she actually worked the hours and allowed her to study there.

Also, ABA and the school itself can easily determine how many hours they worked by using their tax returns. If it is under the table then its not full time and if its 40 hrs/ week worth of wages it most obviously has to be reported. This information is reported when filing FAFSA, which makes it overtly available to the school, who will most certainly enforce the 20 hr max rule to protect itself.

Also, I would be shocked if the point of the rule is "if you break the rule but do okay then there are no repercussions."

He worked for the Fed Gov. all 3 years (I can PM his job) 40+ hrs a week, and he is already part of the bar.

ETA: I also spoke with one member of the board of bar examiners - an adjunct at my school - about this topic, and that person said off the record that the work rule goes unenforced unless it affects a persons academic performance. Might be diff. in your state. And b/c of the person I mentioned we're now engaged in a battle with our school admin. over whether they can force us to sign a form promising not to work more than 20hrs a week.

[LawperaMan]

PT law school, school in the summer, you can probably finish in 3 years or so at most schools. Check with your particular school, as some do not count summer credits (!!!) but any reasonable institution should do so.

[geoduck]

Worked 40 hour weeks before starting law school. I just do school now. I have less free time now then I did then. Have fun with your ulcer.