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Hello,

I couldn't take the July bar because I was taking a summer course and my school refused to send my grades in time. So, I am forced to wait until Feb. However, I hear NY is switching to UBE, and I would rather take that in July. The answer to my next question should solve that issue:

Where can I apply for jobs before passing the bar? I am interested in government, plaintiff-side firms, and academic/research fellowships. I know I can apply to jobs that don't require bar passage, but many do, and I wonder which places would be willing to accept me, but wait until I take the bar for me to start working. (contingent on me passing) .. I guess jobs that don't have an immediate start date .. but how would I figure that out?

Also, I don't really want to start working until I take the bar because I don't think studying for the test with a full time job is a good idea.

I'm not in a huge rush to get a job, I am fortunate enough to live off my parents for now and would actually like to take some time off to travel before I get sucked into this profession. But, the only thing stopping me from doing that is the fear that a gap between law school and legal employment would look bad. Is this true? But ... what about all the people who take the Feb bar, wouldn't they all have gaps?

Thanks

swtlilsoni wrote: a gap between law school and legal employment would look bad. Is this true?

Yeah, resume gaps of any kind look bad actually, fair or not. One may have a great explanation, but there are SO MANY RESUMES to look through that don't have gaps.....

Now, a "gap" of a few months while you study for the bar is expected and shouldn't be an issue. But waiting between now and next July? That's a real gap.

swtlilsoni wrote: Also, I don't really want to start working until I take the bar because I don't think studying for the test with a full time job is a good idea.

That's true, and while it can be done, its not ideal, but see above, resume gap. Some employers may hire you as a law clerk until you pass the bar and *might* even give you time off to study - most entry level jobs would understand this and be fine with it.

swtlilsoni wrote: But ... what about all the people who take the Feb bar, wouldn't they all have gaps? Thanks

Who knows? Maybe. Doesn't matter for you though.

Believe me, I love the notion of taking some time between lawschool and career. It's just there are so, so many new law grads and so, so few jobs.

I mean this nicely (I keep saying that here lately, weird) - you do realize that finding decent paying legal jobs is not easy these days, right? I mention it because it sounds like you haven't even really tried thus far, and that's....inexplicable. I mean, there are new grads from respected schools happy to get $35,000 per year.