What can a 1L do to learn more about transactional law? Forum

[timeandspace11]

It seems to be (as TLS wisdom suggests) that 1L year is almost entirely litigation focused. Im a 1L at a T20 school and after reading a lot of posts on this sit and speaking to a few biglaw lawyers I kind of think transactional law sounds like something I would rather do (M&A in particular sounds relatively interesting).

Is there anything you all would recommend I could do to get a better feel for transactional law? Ive heard books like Barbarians at the Gate are relatively interesting. Also, what kind of summer work 1L year would allow me to get a feel for transactional work? I imagine working in house at a corporation would be a good learning experience (although Im sure those are very competitive).

Thanks in advance!

[Samara]

Get out there and meet transactional lawyers. You can learn a lot by talking to lawyers who work in areas you think you would interested in. Plus, you're networking at the same time, which will help you get a job.

There are PI groups who do transactional side stuff, though I doubt any 1L job will give you an idea of what it is like to be an actual transactional attorney, especially at a big firm.

[mephistopheles]

read FT and WSJ with some blogs thrown in.

also, get a 1l sa.

[hephaestus]

read FT and WSJ with some blogs thrown in.

also, get a 1l sa.

What a wonderful and useful tip.

[mephistopheles]

read FT and WSJ with some blogs thrown in.

also, get a 1l sa.

What a wonderful and useful tip.

that's what i did.

[NYstate]

If really interested find CLE materials published by the local bar association or the practicing law institute. Your school library should be able to help you get access to these materials.

There are usually M& A sessions, capital market, etc. Just start doing some reading.

But, of course, your grades are far more important than anything else you could possibly do.

[JamMasterJ]

read FT and WSJ with some blogs thrown in.

also, get a 1l sa.

not likely feasible at a T20. The other option, OP, is to try to gun for in-house work 1L summer (I think that's more doable than an SA)

[mephistopheles]

read FT and WSJ with some blogs thrown in.

also, get a 1l sa.

not likely feasible at a T20. The other option, OP, is to try to gun for in-house work 1L summer (I think that's more doable than an SA)

touche. though, the hiring process for those is odd.

[timeandspace11]

read FT and WSJ with some blogs thrown in.

also, get a 1l sa.

not likely feasible at a T20. The other option, OP, is to try to gun for in-house work 1L summer (I think that's more doable than an SA)

Thanks I think I will give that a shot. I know they usually pay too so that would be great.

[timeandspace11]

read FT and WSJ with some blogs thrown in.

also, get a 1l sa.

not likely feasible at a T20. The other option, OP, is to try to gun for in-house work 1L summer (I think that's more doable than an SA)

touche. though, the hiring process for those is odd.

How so?

[Scotusnerd]

Ask to shadow. If you meet a group you hit it off with, maybe ask if they need some volunteer help.

If you win the lottery, you may be lucky enough to get a 1L sa. Don't hold your breath though.

Get something transactional over the summer.