Pegopah wrote:Right now my inclination is energy law, DA's office or working on immigration/human rights issues.
W&M - Full-sticker price (non-resident) to go.
Fordham - PT program, so I'd be able to keep my job
Vermont - JD/MELP, 15k/yr - maintain a 2.5
Buffalo - Scholarship bringing it to 10k a year, no requirements.
UNLV - Full-tuition scholarship as long as I stay in top 33% of class. In-laws live there.
Edit: trimmed for brevity's sake
My vote:
Fordham
I'll let others talk more what's good for immigration law, and for working with a DA's office. As for energy law, of the choices given, the right answer is Fordham.
Energy law = corporate law + litigation + a few energy/environment electives to expose you to legal issues specifically pertaining to the energy industry.
NYC's
pretty good for corporate law, and is probably a
fairly good place to learn about litigation.
Studying corporate law in NYC > studying corp law in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Vermont has an exceptional rep for enviro law, and I see that they have some interesting energy law courses. But once you graduate, where will you work?
Markets of note for energy law (for traditional and for renewables/alternative energy) in no strict order would seem to include Houston, New York City, DC, Dallas, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Chicago, San Francisco/Bay Area, Denver, Phoenix, Minneapolis, possibly even Seattle/Portland and SLC. (Someone correct me/amend as needed if that's not so, but I believe this is a good list.) I don't know if Vermont places very well in any of those markets -- regardless, it surely wouldn't be as good an option for you as Fordham would be in NYC, by comparison.
Ditto for Buffalo and UNLV. (
Maybe UNLV places in Phoenix due to proximity, but I'm not sure/my instinct says don't bet on it. ASU and Arizona Law kids probably own the Phoenix market.)
Plus I wouldn't accept a scholly with a top 1/3 condition. Too risky. Assume that you'll place at median, for purposes of considering money.