Running for office in law school? Forum

[harpoon613]

Hey all--2L here. I'm going to be summering at a midsize firm in a major city (not NY) next year doing transactional work. I'm wondering if it's at all possible for me to run for my suburb's town council during 3L fall. It's an unpaid position that has twice-monthly meetings, only once per month in the summer. 2-year terms. Is this something I could do after--God-willing--getting an offer next summer? Or should I wait until I get established at the firm etc. and then seek approval from the partners?

I don't want to:
1. Rub people at the firm the wrong way
2. Create unnecessary conflicts of interest
3. Express a lack of commitment to the firm

I do want to:
1. Get involved in the community
2. Make business/personal connections


Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[0Lburner]

I am a 0L so take this for what its worth but I would go for it! Its an invaluable experience and I can only think that they would see it as a positive (unless an issue directly intersects with the firm and its sticky). I also don't know how I would feel about asking a partner for approval to run for public office. But take this with a grain of salt.