G.W. 1L Ready to take questions Forum

[Wily]

Anyone have any idea what the "school-funded" jobs are? The stats show that 80 grads (15%) took them. Are they any good?

Also, for 3L's and recent grads, are your experiences matching with the 80% employed score at lawschooltransparency? That number is much higher than GW's counterpart schools. Just wondering if you feel like 80% of the graduating class is getting full-time, JD required jobs, or if that number is inflated.

I don't have a clue what the school-sponsored jobs are. I can't even find anything about Pathways to Practice on our intranet.

Yikes, this looks like what it is: http://abovethelaw.com/2012/06/law-scho ... ind-a-job/

The pay for Pathways to Practice just got cut from a terrible $15/hour to a ridiculous $10/hour. That's the fate of 15% of graduates? Not good...

[dudders]

Anyone have any idea what the "school-funded" jobs are? The stats show that 80 grads (15%) took them. Are they any good?

Also, for 3L's and recent grads, are your experiences matching with the 80% employed score at lawschooltransparency? That number is much higher than GW's counterpart schools. Just wondering if you feel like 80% of the graduating class is getting full-time, JD required jobs, or if that number is inflated.

I don't have a clue what the school-sponsored jobs are. I can't even find anything about Pathways to Practice on our intranet.

Yikes, this looks like what it is: http://abovethelaw.com/2012/06/law-scho ... ind-a-job/

The pay for Pathways to Practice just got cut from a terrible $15/hour to a ridiculous $10/hour. That's the fate of 15% of graduates? Not good...

Yeah I spoke too soon on that one

[acw1213]

.

[call saul]

my deans fellow said top 15% has a decent shot, considering the evaluation is 70% grades and 30% writing.

I figure they only take 40-50 people, which is about 10% of our class.

*Edit: also, if you look at the graduating class honors list and compare it with the law review board members it all seems to support what my deans fellow was saying.

[dudders]

The top 15% is realistic for law review. To get a secondary journal, I'd say (roughly) top half is guaranteed some journal position if you apply to all of them.

[sangr]

where is the 1L class schedule? i know theres a general template but it doesnt seem to be on the site?

[dudders]

where is the 1L class schedule? i know theres a general template but it doesnt seem to be on the site?

I don't think there's a prettier format than just the schedule.

Fall Courses are here:
--LinkRemoved--

The number under "Sec" is the 1L section number; I think all the 1L classes are on the first page. Civ pro is the small section - sections starting with 1 are assigned to Section 11, and so on (I think).

Sec. 22 is second-year PT students btw.

[kbai31790]

does anyone know if the exam schedule is pretty much set? or will it change?

also orientation for 1L is on thursday and friday right?

[dudders]

does anyone know if the exam schedule is pretty much set? or will it change?

also orientation for 1L is on thursday and friday right?

It will not change. You can buy Christmas flights now

[Wily]

Hey, I just got my professors for the fall, anyone have insights on the following:

Contracts I : Michael Selmi
Torts: Jonathan R. Turley
Criminal: Cynthia K. Lee
Civ Pro I: Jack Friedenthal
Legal Research and Writing: Stephen W. Simpson

Thanks!

[call saul]

Hey, I just got my professors for the fall, anyone have insights on the following:

Contracts I : Michael Selmi
Torts: Jonathan R. Turley
Criminal: Cynthia K. Lee
Civ Pro I: Jack Friedenthal
Legal Research and Writing: Stephen W. Simpson

Thanks!

I had Turley for torts. His lectures are all story and very little law. I'd suggest getting a supplement (however it is helpful to note that if you use the glannon guide, Turley approaches negligence differently than what is in the supplement) and learn the BLL cold because his final exam is a 5-6 page hypo with a million torts. Also, be sure to learn/apply different legal theories and law & economic concepts on the exam; knowing these will be the difference between median and an A.

[dudders]

Hey, I just got my professors for the fall, anyone have insights on the following:

Contracts I : Michael Selmi
Torts: Jonathan R. Turley
Criminal: Cynthia K. Lee
Civ Pro I: Jack Friedenthal
Legal Research and Writing: Stephen W. Simpson

Thanks!

Don't even buy the book for turley's class. Or read it. Supplements and take great class notes.

Friedenthal is awesome but hard to hear so sit towards the front.

[MarylandGirl]

Hey, I just got my professors for the fall, anyone have insights on the following:

Contracts I : Michael Selmi
Torts: Jonathan R. Turley
Criminal: Cynthia K. Lee
Civ Pro I: Jack Friedenthal
Legal Research and Writing: Stephen W. Simpson

Thanks!

I had Turley for torts. His lectures are all story and very little law. I'd suggest getting a supplement (however it is helpful to note that if you use the glannon guide, Turley approaches negligence differently than what is in the supplement) and learn the BLL cold because his final exam is a 5-6 page hypo with a million torts. Also, be sure to learn/apply different legal theories and law & economic concepts on the exam; knowing these will be the difference between median and an A.

Both Lee and Turley had closed book exams. But they are complete opposites: while Lee will give you the rules that you need for the exam, Turley will give you anything but. In Lee's class, write down every rule that she gives you (even if it seems minor) and memorize it for the final. She also likes some policy discussion, but it won't be as important as she makes it seem in class. Before her exam, go to office hours because she is very patient and will go through previous exams with students.

For Turley, I recommend buying the Case Notes Legal Brief that are keyed to his casebook (if he is still assigning Epstein) and using that instead of the casebook when you outline. His book is terrible, but I do recommend reading throughout the semester, even if most of your classmates aren't doing it. Practice applying his legal theories to the torts because he does give points for that in the final. A lot of people will come to hate his class by the end of the semester, but it will be ok.

You're lucky to have Friedenthal. He was my favorite professor and wrote the book that most of your classmates will be using.

[cahwc12]

How does GW fare in the CA market? I intend to study patent law and if I can get my LSAT up a few more points in October, GW's ED full-ride is a no-brainer for me if their CA placement is good.

Do you know anyone who has had success there? Their placement statistics show 6% of grads go into CA market. Is it more of a self-selection that GW grads tend to gravitate toward DC/NY?

[MarylandGirl]

How does GW fare in the CA market? I intend to study patent law and if I can get my LSAT up a few more points in October, GW's ED full-ride is a no-brainer for me if their CA placement is good.

Do you know anyone who has had success there? Their placement statistics show 6% of grads go into CA market. Is it more of a self-selection that GW grads tend to gravitate toward DC/NY?

The only people I know who went to California had previous ties to the region.

[cts2012]

1L at GW. I was wondering if any 2Ls or 3Ls have any suggestions on supplements, outlines, etc... for my professors. My classes and professors are:
Civ Pro - Gutman
Torts - Schechter
Contracts - Gabaldon
Crim - Cottrol

[call saul]

How does GW fare in the CA market? I intend to study patent law and if I can get my LSAT up a few more points in October, GW's ED full-ride is a no-brainer for me if their CA placement is good.

Do you know anyone who has had success there? Their placement statistics show 6% of grads go into CA market. Is it more of a self-selection that GW grads tend to gravitate toward DC/NY?

The only people I know who went to California had previous ties to the region.

This year I know a couple people, non-ip, with offers for LA offices. Think MTO, GDC, OMM.

[joiedevivre8]

Ummm...not sure if people are still using this thread, but in case they are...
I just got my first year professors, and was wondering if you have any advice on them? Thank you so much.

They are:

1. Contract- Michael Selmi
2. Torts- John Diamond
3. Criminal Law- Donald Braman
4. Civil Procedure- Todd Peterson
5. Legal Research and Writing -Steven Blivess

[atticus3000]

Does anybody have prior finals from Cynthia Lee ??? Any exams, post mortems or suggestions would be much appreciated!

[redsoxrox]

Somehow did really well this semester and really excited about it. Anyone have an idea what percentile I'm in with a 3.9x? Or can someone give just a general layout on what the percentile breakdowns might be?

My dream is to get DC biglaw-- anyone know if there's a threshold gpa where you're a safe bet to get it?

Thanks!

[mi-chan17]

Somehow did really well this semester and really excited about it. Anyone have an idea what percentile I'm in with a 3.9x? Or can someone give just a general layout on what the percentile breakdowns might be?

My dream is to get DC biglaw-- anyone know if there's a threshold gpa where you're a safe bet to get it?

Thanks!

You're somewhere in the top 5%. Probably closer to top 3% or so. You can check out NALP for the most recent breakdowns of what ranks corresponded to what percentage. My GPA was lower than that at graduation, though, and my rank put me around ~5%.

In terms of biglaw, it's going to depend on the firm. 3.9 is more than high enough to jump any threshold, but that assumes you maintain that kind of number until FRP. So for now, I'd keep your focus on maintaining your GPA.

(FWIW, I went into FRP with a 3.75 or so, and was offered DC biglaw.)

[thatgingergirl]

Accepted into class of 2017 and looking for some information about IP law. Most of the IP info about jobs/ internships etc. on this thread deals with engineering. I'm currently a master's student in pharmaceutics, which is a largely interdisciplinary area also incorporating a lot of chemistry, biology, biotech, and analytical analysis. Any current students or alumni have a background like this or know someone with a background like this who is now working at an IP job? Also, any idea about access to geographic areas with larger pharmaceutics markets (Boston, San Fran) etc? Basically are the IP grads coming out of GW strictly engineers, or are they from other science fields as well? Thanks

[mi-chan17]

Accepted into class of 2017 and looking for some information about IP law. Most of the IP info about jobs/ internships etc. on this thread deals with engineering. I'm currently a master's student in pharmaceutics, which is a largely interdisciplinary area also incorporating a lot of chemistry, biology, biotech, and analytical analysis. Any current students or alumni have a background like this or know someone with a background like this who is now working at an IP job? Also, any idea about access to geographic areas with larger pharmaceutics markets (Boston, San Fran) etc? Basically are the IP grads coming out of GW strictly engineers, or are they from other science fields as well? Thanks

Frankly, I'm not the best person to answer this, not being an IP person myself. I'll do my best based on what I know, and hopefully someone who is an IP person can swoop in and give you more information.

Are there IP grads out of GW that aren't EE/ME? Yes, definitely. I graduated with IP people who had degrees in chemistry or bio. THAT SAID, those I knew who were straight from undergrad or who only had an undergrad degree were nearly all engineers or CS majors. The few bio/chem folks I knew had Ph.Ds in their fields. Which is a long way of saying - unfortunately, I don't even want to speculate as to how far a master's (or master's-level study) in pharmaceutics would go.

Are you patent bar eligible?

[thatgingergirl]

Accepted into class of 2017 and looking for some information about IP law. Most of the IP info about jobs/ internships etc. on this thread deals with engineering. I'm currently a master's student in pharmaceutics, which is a largely interdisciplinary area also incorporating a lot of chemistry, biology, biotech, and analytical analysis. Any current students or alumni have a background like this or know someone with a background like this who is now working at an IP job? Also, any idea about access to geographic areas with larger pharmaceutics markets (Boston, San Fran) etc? Basically are the IP grads coming out of GW strictly engineers, or are they from other science fields as well? Thanks

Frankly, I'm not the best person to answer this, not being an IP person myself. I'll do my best based on what I know, and hopefully someone who is an IP person can swoop in and give you more information.

Are there IP grads out of GW that aren't EE/ME? Yes, definitely. I graduated with IP people who had degrees in chemistry or bio. THAT SAID, those I knew who were straight from undergrad or who only had an undergrad degree were nearly all engineers or CS majors. The few bio/chem folks I knew had Ph.Ds in their fields. Which is a long way of saying - unfortunately, I don't even want to speculate as to how far a master's (or master's-level study) in pharmaceutics would go.

Are you patent bar eligible?

Yeah, I'm fairly certain I'm patent bar eligible. I'm not directly eligible under the specific majors requirement, but instead based upon my chemistry/physics/bio credit hours. (I think that's like category B for eligibility... anyway).

[mi-chan17]

Yeah, I'm fairly certain I'm patent bar eligible. I'm not directly eligible under the specific majors requirement, but instead based upon my chemistry/physics/bio credit hours. (I think that's like category B for eligibility... anyway).

I think being patent bar eligible, even as a Category B, will be useful in combination with a degree familiarizing you with the kind of concepts patents deal with. That said, though, I'm not the expert and I wouldn't know how your degree will compare to EE/CS undergrad degrees or the Bio/Chem Ph.Ds.

To get you better advice, I'd actually recommend you start (or find, I haven't run a search) a more general thread on non-EE/CS folks in patent law. There are plenty of IP people on the board, but right now they just might not see your question because it's in the GW thread and they aren't GW students/alums. GW certainly has a good IP program, and plenty of alumni/students who specialize in it, but we aren't the only school with patent students, so it's worth asking around.