Are Mediation Clinics fluff? Forum

[buddhabelly]

I got into the Mediation Clinic off the waitlist and I'm wondering if I should take it. I'm not particularly interested in Mediation, but I am interested in getting a bunch of credits for what people have told me is a very reasonable amount of work. I'm worried that's it's going to make half of my credits this semester looks like fluffl though...how can I play this up to align with my biglaw transactional career goals?

[banjo]

Never do a clinic if you're not genuinely interested in it. There are almost always easier ways to get those credits, especially if your school lets you take non-law classes. I also don't think you'll ever need to justify taking advantage of a clinical offering at your school, but if anyone asks, you could always spin it as negotiation experience.

[buddhabelly]

Never do a clinic if you're not genuinely interested in it.

I'm more interested in Mediation than all my other options? It's not saying much because I dislike all of it, but it seems way more interesting than the classes I would take in it's place.

I do like the negotiation experience tip though, thanks!

[Avian]

I think doing a clinic is easily one of the most interesting and practical things you can do in law school. If your only goal is to do the least amount of work possible you should probably steer clear, but it will almost certainly be more enjoyable that sitting through a lecture class. Getting experience dealing with clients alone makes it worthwhile in my opinion, aside from whatever substantive law you're dealing with. Others may feel differently, however, I certainly wouldn't view a clinic as a fluff class.