Law school in a state in which you dont want to practice Forum

[Duramax80]

What are the obstacles one would face if, for example, one decides to attend law school in Florida, but wants to practice in Alabama? I understand that law school teaches people to "think like lawyers," but would going to school in a different state be a bad idea? How difficult is it to attend school in one state, and study for the bar for another state?

[20130312]

Doesn't matter, cause you're going to be a baller no matter where you go.

Besides, I know that when I graduate law school and look for work, I'll sit in an interview and explain how much of a legal baller I am, how many times Ive seen 12 Angry Men, and how T14 grads are all nerds with no social skills or girlfriends. Who wants some pretentious T14 with a sweater-vest, argyle socks, and a massive sense of entitlement at their office Christmas parties, hitting on all the fat chicks? Who cares if they'll be driving a new Mercedes CL 600 AMG a year after they graduate? I'll run into them with my beige '92 Honda Civic with plastic spinning-hubcaps. When their fuel lines automatically shut off (cause theyre so safe, whoop-de-friggin-doo), Ill be driving away in a cloud of exhaust and burned oil, leaving them only with the sound of a rattling, bolt-on, aftermarket fart-cannon exhaust tip, only worsened by an automatic 4 speed transmission that cant find 3rd gear. WHOS THE BITCH NOW?

[Duramax80]

Doesn't matter, cause you're going to be a baller no matter where you go.

Besides, I know that when I graduate law school and look for work, I'll sit in an interview and explain how much of a legal baller I am, how many times Ive seen 12 Angry Men, and how T14 grads are all nerds with no social skills or girlfriends. Who wants some pretentious T14 with a sweater-vest, argyle socks, and a massive sense of entitlement at their office Christmas parties, hitting on all the fat chicks? Who cares if they'll be driving a new Mercedes CL 600 AMG a year after they graduate? I'll run into them with my beige '92 Honda Civic with plastic spinning-hubcaps. When their fuel lines automatically shut off (cause theyre so safe, whoop-de-friggin-doo), Ill be driving away in a cloud of exhaust and burned oil, leaving them only with the sound of a rattling, bolt-on, aftermarket fart-cannon exhaust tip, only worsened by an automatic 4 speed transmission that cant find 3rd gear. WHOS THE BITCH NOW?

Kablamo

[romothesavior]

What are the obstacles one would face if, for example, one decides to attend law school in Florida, but wants to practice in Alabama? I understand that law school teaches people to "think like lawyers," but would going to school in a different state be a bad idea? How difficult is it to attend school in one state, and study for the bar for another state?

The bar isn't the problem. Its actually getting a job. Outside the top schools, law schools are very regional. Most markets outside the biggest markets are quite parochial, so it helps attending school there.

[romothesavior]

Do you plan to go into business for yourself or work for a firm? An entrepreneurial spirit can make the sky the limit.

Uhh... wut

[Duramax80]

What are the obstacles one would face if, for example, one decides to attend law school in Florida, but wants to practice in Alabama? I understand that law school teaches people to "think like lawyers," but would going to school in a different state be a bad idea? How difficult is it to attend school in one state, and study for the bar for another state?

The bar isn't the problem. Its actually getting a job. Outside the top schools, law schools are very regional. Most markets outside the biggest markets are quite parochial, so it helps attending school there.

Okay, so if Im looking at either going to Tier 3 Samford (cumberland) in Alabama, vs Tier 2 Indiana-Indianapolis, and I want to practice in Alabama, would I have better job prospects by attending a regional Samford versus a higher ranked Indiana?

I want to be an attorney, but I havent decided on operating solo or working in a firm. I would prefer t have some guidance from experienced attorneys when I start out, so Im leaning more towards finding a job in a firm.

[rad lulz]

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[AntipodeanPhil]

What are the obstacles one would face if, for example, one decides to attend law school in Florida, but wants to practice in Alabama? I understand that law school teaches people to "think like lawyers," but would going to school in a different state be a bad idea? How difficult is it to attend school in one state, and study for the bar for another state?

The bar isn't the problem. Its actually getting a job. Outside the top schools, law schools are very regional. Most markets outside the biggest markets are quite parochial, so it helps attending school there.

+1

Use the NALP directory to identify desirable law firms in the state you want to practice in. Investigate where they got their degrees from. If you can't go to a t14, you want to go to the local school that shows up most.

Here's what looks to be mid-law firm in Huntsville, for example (with 40+ lawyers and a starting salary of $85k):

http://www.lanierford.com/attorney/index.html

Almost all their lawyers have JDs from Alabama schools. Beyond self-selection, there are two reasons for this:

1) People always think the schools in their area are better than they actually are (my FL in-laws thought UF would be a t14 school, for example).

2) A lot of hiring is done through Alumni networks. Alumni like to hire graduates from their schools.

[Duramax80]

Awesome information, thank you.

What if I dont get any scholarship $$ at Samford? A lot of the firms around here have samford grads, but I think I could explain that I chose Indiana because they had a more reputable ranking, and the skills I acquired there would better benefit the firm more so than a JD from samford. I expect some alumni would be offended, but it seems logical to me. I guess it comes down to what the interviewer sees as "best for their firm."

So, go to Samford with no $, or go to Indiana with no $?

[rad lulz]

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[Duramax80]

Saying that will guarantee you a ding. It's pretentious as all get-out

So a lower ranked regional school is a better bet than a higher ranked out of state school?

[rad lulz]

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[romothesavior]

As someone with some inside knowledge of the Indy market, I would avoid IU-Indy if you aren't from the region. The city's legal market is incredibly small, and you will be at a huge disadvantage if you try to just uproot and go there. I wouldn't go to either of these schools, honestly. You should be thinking T14 or regional school in the area you want to practice in with big scholarship money.

[vanwinkle]

Only if you're going to school in MA or CT.

[romothesavior]

Only if you're going to school in MA or CT.

(not so?) Subtle anti-Stanford trolling.

[cinephile]

Awesome information, thank you.

What if I dont get any scholarship $$ at Samford? A lot of the firms around here have samford grads, but I think I could explain that I chose Indiana because they had a more reputable ranking, and the skills I acquired there would better benefit the firm more so than a JD from samford. I expect some alumni would be offended, but it seems logical to me. I guess it comes down to what the interviewer sees as "best for their firm."

So, go to Samford with no $, or go to Indiana with no $?

You don't learn skills in law school, so it's really not any better for the firm.

[Tom Joad]

Just really needed to post this pic when I saw the thread title, but after reading the OP definitely go to Samford or better yet retake and get into Alabama. If you want to practice in the state Alabama is great and most people should be able to get in if they take a year off and really work on the LSAT.

[20130312]

Do you plan to go into business for yourself or work for a firm? An entrepreneurial spirit can make the sky the limit.

Uhh... wut

In terms of potential income, a person who is a great entrepreneur can make their law degree pay top dollar regardless of the law school they attended. (Assuming it's accredited.)

LOL

[rad lulz]

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[20130312]

some have a passion for law.

LOL

[rad lulz]

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[rad lulz]

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[IAFG]

LOL @ people who haven't worked in law or gone to law school having a "passion for law." That's asinine.

There was a girl a while back who said she'd gotten "bitten by the law bug."

IDK what that means but that shit sounds fatal.

[rad lulz]

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[rad lulz]

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