Work Experience before Law School Forum

[lawyerwannabe]

How important is it really to the job hiring process for firms?

I have seen some people say that it is a big plus. I have seen others say that it may be a tie-breaker but grades reign supreme.

Curious as I will not have any substantial work experience after graduating before attending law school.

[rman1201]

I'm a 0L, but the answers will probably be:
WE doesn't trump grades. Grades/LR will get you in the door for at least an interview, and work experience will help with the competition for other similarly ranked applicants from peer schools. Of course work experience is weighed more heavily in certain fields (IP).
But overall, the majority of law students will have minimal WE, so it's not a dealbreaker.

[lawyerwannabe]

Ya. That is the vibe I get.

I am looking more for people who have gone through OCI and have experienced the effects of having/not having work experience (sharing experiences of friends is also just as good).

Did anyone get the sense that after grades, personality and fit were more important than work experience?

[Kiersten1985]

Regardless of OCI benefits, I would advise ANYONE going into law school to work first. Especially if you can work in law. Be absolutely sure it's something you really want to do. (I'm a 1L who worked for two years. You'd be amazed at how much you grow and mature in the two years after college.)

[mez06]

Regardless of OCI benefits, I would advise ANYONE going into law school to work first. Especially if you can work in law. Be absolutely sure it's something you really want to do. (I'm a 1L who worked for two years. You'd be amazed at how much you grow and mature in the two years after college.)

+1