Second tier law school vs Big Law legal staff position

[jarofsoup]

Greetings,

I want to be a lawyer; however, I know how competitive the legal market can be. I have only been accepted to second tier law schools at the moment. I am still waiting or wait listed at all of the schools that I am really interested in attending.

I have been contacted this last week to set up an interview at an international law firm(they are "big law"....very very big law) and at a few in house counsels for major companies. These are all legal assistant/case assistant positions.

My questions are:

Do I tell the that I am accepted to law school and may attend or defer for a year and try to get a job at one of these firms?

Would this look good on future law school applications or help me get internships during the summers between 1L, 2L and 3L? If I could get one of these jobs?

Can working at these firms help build connections?

Is it better to go into law school with some solid legal work experience or graduate law school before you are 30?

[jdncu]

See PM

[JDHopeful]

See my PM, as well.

[typ3]

Also, check my PM.

[3ThrowAway99]

Lol... Three 'see PM' posts in a row?? I don't think I've ever seen that on a TLS thread before, especially where OP didn't solicit PMs.. I suppose it is because this isn't an anon thread though, and perhaps people don't feel comfortable sharing WE stuff in the thread?

[GATORTIM]

I just PM'd you

[dc1s]

Lol... Three 'see PM' posts in a row?? I don't think I've ever seen that on a TLS thread before, especially where OP didn't solicit PMs.. I suppose it is because this isn't an anon thread though, and perhaps people don't feel comfortable sharing WE stuff in the thread?

I'll explain what is happening. Check your PM.

[Justathought]

Lol... Three 'see PM' posts in a row?? I don't think I've ever seen that on a TLS thread before, especially where OP didn't solicit PMs.. I suppose it is because this isn't an anon thread though, and perhaps people don't feel comfortable sharing WE stuff in the thread?

I'll explain what is happening. Check your PM.

Just sent you a PM on how much I enjoyed that.

[girlboy]

Can you guys PM me too? I have a similar question, though I haven't applied to law school yet; will this kind of job help or hurt me in the long run?

[ns77770]

Can you guys PM me too? I have a similar question, though I haven't applied to law school yet; will this kind of job help or hurt me in the long run?

Everybody check their PMs I just sent everybody ITT one.

[sullidop]

I'll assumed that you're in your last year of UG. I'd take the biglaw job. It's something that I did after UG and helped big time with my admissions cycle and getting a SA. Oh yeah, it'll also give you time to retake the LSAT.

[girlboy]

I'll assumed that you're in your last year of UG. I'd take the biglaw job. It's something that I did after UG and helped big time with my admissions cycle and getting a SA. Oh yeah, it'll also give you time to retake the LSAT.

How did it help? Having the experience or having the connections?

[jarofsoup]

I am two years out of undergrad. Certified paralegal. With small law firm experience. Do not have the job yet. Just do not know if I want to tell them that I plan on law school or tell myself that I plan on work experience over starting law school. I am in my mid 20's.

[jarofsoup]

Can you guys PM me too? I have a similar question, though I haven't applied to law school yet; will this kind of job help or hurt me in the long run?

Jobs always help you in the long run. Unless they hire you and have nothing good to say about you and you get fired or burn your connections.

[sullidop]

I'll assumed that you're in your last year of UG. I'd take the biglaw job. It's something that I did after UG and helped big time with my admissions cycle and getting a SA. Oh yeah, it'll also give you time to retake the LSAT.

How did it help? Having the experience or having the connections?

Both. The experience reinforced my desire to work in biglaw and provided great material for my essay. Also, a partner at the firm had REALLY strong ties with my first choice. My numbers were borderline and I got waitlisted. Three weeks after said partner wrote a letter supporting my application I was admitted. In re the SA, the firm I'm summering at took others from that program...which can't be a coincidence.

[sullidop]

I am two years out of undergrad. Certified paralegal. With small law firm experience. Do not have the job yet. Just do not know if I want to tell them that I plan on law school or tell myself that I plan on work experience over starting law school. I am in my mid 20's.

Tough call. Biglaw usually asks for two years so it doesn't sound like that will be an option for you. Not sure what the added value of another year of paralegal-type work would be.

[jarofsoup]

I am having a hard time seeing why work experience at a big firm would be anything but a positive addition to a resume and I am thinking that it could definitely help with getting a summer associates or with give you a boost in OCI.

[jarofsoup]

How important is work experience for getting work after law school? I have never had a full time salary job. Two years out of college....

[red_alertz]

check ur pm