How much do firms care about work experience? Forum

[whuts4lunch]

I am straight out of undergrad and am considering deferring law school for a year to work as a loan officer, a position that will mostly involve refinancing mortgage loans.

I am interested in bankruptcy law, real estate law, and clerkships.

How much do clerkships and firms care about whether a job applicant has relevant work experience? Would firms or clerkships involved with bankruptcy or real estate value me more with work experience, and would they hire deeper into a class for someone who has relevant work experience? Will this experience help me find good legal work in my 1L summer?

There are financial aspects to consider as well, but I am mostly looking for people to weigh in on the non-financial aspects.

[steph404]

This would only give you a minimal bump. Judges are looking for grades, writing, recs, and any personal connection you might have. Law firms look at your grades, law review/moot court, and whether they would be scared to send you to meet with a client. The only time work done before law school really has an impact is when it's something significant - CPA for three years, etc. A one year gig is just going to look like you needed the money.

I doubt this would help you 1L summer, unless you make a personal connection that turns into a position. Looking beyond that to 2L summer and post grad, I don't think any outside employer/judge is really going to care what you did before you started law school.

[dood]

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[whuts4lunch]

There was a lot of money to be made by originating loans a few years ago. The work is no longer in origination, but in refinancing. You can't make 300k/year doing it anymore, but you can still make decent money.

I was already accepted to law school and am considering deferring, so the effect WE has on law school admissions isn't a concern of mine.

[whuts4lunch]

substantial WE will have a decent positive impact on both firm and clerkship hiring

I suppose the big question is then, would working as a loan officer be substantial? I think it can be, certainly in regards to bankruptcy and real estate work. It also depends on how well I do. If I am a top performer, I imagine it will be significant. If not, then I am not so sure.

[whuts4lunch]

Also, I'd appreciate it if people who chose to defer to work for a year or two weighed in with their stories and opinions as to whether it is worth it to defer.