IP Law Questions Forum

sh87 · Post by **sh87** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 1:56 am

I recently received an offer from a law firm to work as a technical adviser. The deal is to work for them for 2 years, and then I would attend law school while working part time or full-time. Everyone I talked to at the firm hinted that I would probably have no life for a couple years, and I wouldn't be able to enjoy all the "perks" of law school. On the plus side though, I get paid pretty well and all my law school fee is covered.

I was wondering what exactly are the "perks" of going to law school without having a job. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

sundance95 · Post by **sundance95** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 2:02 am

sh87 wrote:I was wondering what exactly are the "perks" of going to law school without having a job. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

A shot at good grades? Complying with ABA rules?

rinkrat19 · Post by **rinkrat19** » Sun Jun 19, 2011 4:19 pm

You would have to attend LS part-time, because the ABA limits full-time law students to working 20 hours per week while in school. (Some law schools have even lower limits than 20hrs/wk.) LS would take 4 years, and you'd be pretty much unable to do any of the non-classroom activities like clinics, summer positions, intern/externships, journal, moot court, etc. (That doesn't matter so much if you have a guaranteed job lined up.)

Is there a decent school with a PT program nearby? Not all schools have PT.

sh87 · Post by **sh87** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 1:35 am

Hmm.. well my options are working at reduced hours (the maximum ABA allows me to work) while going to law school full-time or....working full-time and going to part time law school. The best part time law school I am "allowed" to go to is Fordham as the firm is located in New York. I guess one of the problems I have is what if I want to switch firms in the future...I don't think part time schools are really comparable to the full time ones...or... I can ditch the firm after the two years of experience and go full-time without their help I guess, but I have feeling they would be pretty pissed...

jarak01 · Post by **jarak01** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 7:45 am

englawyer · Post by **englawyer** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:04 am

the only downsides i can think of:

#1) you probably will go to a "lesser" brand name school than you otherwise could. PT < FT in terms of prestige.

#2) you will not give yourself a shot at any other employment (ex a firm higher in the pecking order for better experience/connections)

neither is probably worse the massive debt and loss opportunity cost though

thwalls · Post by **thwalls** » Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:29 am

I was in your position. I just finished my 1L year PT. PM me if you have any questions.

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