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Hi, guys. I’m currently a second semester 2L and I’m becoming increasingly convinced that the law isn’t for me. This has been a difficult realization, but one that I’ve forced myself to accept.

I don’t regret law school and that’s not what this post is about. My undergraduate degree was from a fairly unimpressive school, and I was fortunate enough to attend a T25 for law school. My grades are decent (around top 40%) and I’m on a journal. My school’s reputation and my law school experience, I feel, will open doors for me that wouldn’t have been open had I not pursued further education of some kind. It’s hard to see a scenario where I’m worse off for attending.

My law school experience so far has been geared toward public interest work. I’ve loved working for the offices and organizations I’ve worked for, but I haven’t really loved the legal aspect of any of it. The thought of representing clients, speaking in court, or drafting pleadings/briefs doesn’t really entice me in any manner. The civil servant aspect, however, does.

I’m unsure if anyone has any direct experience with this, but I guess what I’m asking is this: If I’ve spent my law school career gearing my work towards public interest legal jobs, will those same kinds of organizations see that as a positive or negative when applying for non-legal jobs? Is there any hope for me in the field of policy/research analysts for nonprofits? Would a JD help or hinder me in these environments?

I have alternative options in mind, of course, and some of them are legal. I’ve considered clerking for a year if I’m lucky enough to get a decent clerkship. I’ve also considered practicing for a year or two while looking for employment in non-legal, but possibly JD-preferred fields. I’m going to take the bar, so either way I think I should be able to explain why I’m searching for non-legal jobs without it coming off as suspicious.

Anyway, has anyone gone down this route? How has it worked for you? Am I being delusional or does this sound like an actual path?

newspaperspoons wrote:Hi, guys. I’m currently a second semester 2L and I’m becoming increasingly convinced that the law isn’t for me. This has been a difficult realization, but one that I’ve forced myself to accept.

I don’t regret law school and that’s not what this post is about. My undergraduate degree was from a fairly unimpressive school, and I was fortunate enough to attend a T25 for law school. My grades are decent (around top 40%) and I’m on a journal. My school’s reputation and my law school experience, I feel, will open doors for me that wouldn’t have been open had I not pursued further education of some kind. It’s hard to see a scenario where I’m worse off for attending.

My law school experience so far has been geared toward public interest work. I’ve loved working for the offices and organizations I’ve worked for, but I haven’t really loved the legal aspect of any of it. The thought of representing clients, speaking in court, or drafting pleadings/briefs doesn’t really entice me in any manner. The civil servant aspect, however, does.

I’m unsure if anyone has any direct experience with this, but I guess what I’m asking is this: If I’ve spent my law school career gearing my work towards public interest legal jobs, will those same kinds of organizations see that as a positive or negative when applying for non-legal jobs? Is there any hope for me in the field of policy/research analysts for nonprofits? Would a JD help or hinder me in these environments?

I have alternative options in mind, of course, and some of them are legal. I’ve considered clerking for a year if I’m lucky enough to get a decent clerkship. I’ve also considered practicing for a year or two while looking for employment in non-legal, but possibly JD-preferred fields. I’m going to take the bar, so either way I think I should be able to explain why I’m searching for non-legal jobs without it coming off as suspicious.

Anyway, has anyone gone down this route? How has it worked for you? Am I being delusional or does this sound like an actual path?

You’re not alone and I’m in the same boat, though my pivot isn’t to public interest. I recommend taking the non-legal path if that is what you ultimately see yourself doing. The earlier you take the fork in the road the easier and more optimal it will be.

Regarding policy and research a JD will not hinder you. Two years of private practice will raise red flags. I am unsure on a clerkship, though if you do not plan on being a litigator there are easier ways to skin a cat.