Top Law Schools

Thoughts on Cumberland and job prospects....

If you have to ask, then zero.

I applied but have not heard anything back from them.

I think they are fairly expensive but still have a decent chance of finding work in Alabama.

For the Birmingham market, Cumberland does just fine, especially if you make connections and do well in law school. I know someone who graduated a couple years ago, clerked for a federal judge in Montgomery for a year, and now works for a top Birmingham firm. Granted she did finish very high in her class, but it is definitely possible to be successful out of Cumberland if you plan on staying in Alabama.

Side note: It's pretty expensive for a T3 school, so that's something to think about if you have other options.

eah0004 wrote:For the Birmingham market, Cumberland does just fine, especially if you make connections and do well in law school. I know someone who graduated a couple years ago, clerked for a federal judge in Montgomery for a year, and now works for a top Birmingham firm. Granted she did finish very high in her class, but it is definitely possible to be successful out of Cumberland if you plan on staying in Alabama.

Side note: It's pretty expensive for a T3 school, so that's something to think about if you have other options.

Thanks for the helpful reply! Second poster, why even make that post? it is useless...

I live a mile from Cumberland and my Dad is a graduate--everything the above poster said is true. You can have great job prospects in Alabama, Birmingham in particular, but aren't going to take the degree many places. Also, it does seem pricey unless you get significant $$$. I know they do really well with Moot Courts/Trial advocacy and rank high on a lot of "best professor" lists.

Tough sledding at the top of the Birmingham market unless you're an academic rockstar there. Still, decent name recognition in the south and a strong alumni base in Alabama.

thickfreakness wrote:Tough sledding at the top of the Birmingham market unless you're an academic rockstar there. Still, decent name recognition in the south and a strong alumni base in Alabama.

The Black Keys kick ass, as do you for sporting their album name...

TheTopBloke wrote:If you have to ask, then zero.

Tell that to the Cumberland alum who works at a small firm in GA and made over $1M last year....

Rooney wrote:

TheTopBloke wrote:If you have to ask, then zero.

Tell that to the Cumberland alum who works at a small firm in GA and made over $1M last year....

Charlie Crist is a Cumberland Alum and he was Governor of Florida.

Any current 1Ls from Cumberland on here?

J21 wrote:Any current 1Ls from Cumberland on here?

If not, I know it really, really well and will be glad to answer Cumberland related questions

It seems that those at the top of the class end up with some pretty big firms in Birmingham. Any thoughts?

J21 wrote:It seems that those at the top of the class land with some pretty big firms in Birmingham. Any thoughts?

Yes, they do. You can do really really well from Cumberland. Although I may be biased b/c my Dad went there. Also, never overlook the importance of a network in the south--I think its a bigger deal here than elsewhere. Anything from alma mater to fraternity to favorite football team can really help you a lot.

I personally know a TON of extremely wealthy, successful Cumberland grads working at Bradley Arrant, Lightfoot Frankin, Meynard Cooper, etc.. It also seems like virtually every Circuit Court judge is a Cumberland grad. However, there are two big negatives that have been adequately stated--the expense and the lack of mobility outside of Alabama. I will say though, a lot of the small firm lawyers in Alabama are the ones making a killing though...

Making my seat deposit this week, anyone else thinking about attending?

i think it is the best law school because "From its very local, Tennessee origins in 1847, Cumberland...emerged as a premier law school with a national status. It excelled in faculty, teaching methodology, and numbers of students. Following the American Civil War, Cumberland rebuilt itself and ultimately succeeded on a grand scale with its single-year curriculum."

How long does it typically take them to make a decision once they start reviewing? And what kind of numbers do you think someone would need to get scholarships (half, 75%, full, etc.)?

thickfreakness wrote:Tough sledding at the top of the Birmingham market....

I never would have associated sledding with Alabama, but nice.

Ill be attending Cumberland in the fall. Where is everyone living next year.