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Anyone else get in?

Yep, seriously considering Hawaii with plans to stay there longterm due to the quality of life even though I've been accepted to higher ranked schools. Been plenty of times and realize there are pros and cons to the islands beyond the tourist traps. Anyone have any realistic insight on the Hawaiian legal market and salaries?

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Im not applying but I used to live in Hawaii. Any questions about Oahu or the school (non-academic questions) I'd be happy to answer. Also, if any of you are looking to host visitors when you are there I would love to come visit

MichiganMan87 wrote:Yep, seriously considering Hawaii with plans to stay there longterm due to the quality of life even though I've been accepted to higher ranked schools. Been plenty of times and realize there are pros and cons to the islands beyond the tourist traps. Anyone have any realistic insight on the Hawaiian legal market and salaries?

I can't speak to salary because I was never really interested in private law and don't really feel like googling it and it obviously depends on what type of law/firm you want to work in/for, but here are my impressions of the market based on local internships. Take this with more than a few grains of salt.

If you're absolutely certain you want to practice in Hawaii, I'm pretty sure Richardson would be the best fit. Networking is obviously important in any legal market because of how close-knit the local community is, reputation and who you know do count are really significant. Especially if you're not from here/don't have any previous significant ties to the city, going to Richardson would likely give you a huge leg up on entering the Hawaii legal market over the objectively higher ranked schools based on the networking opportunities alone. I'm pretty sure you literally can't walk into a courtroom here without running into a Richardson grad or ten.

That said, if you don't do well, from my research their employment stats aren't perfect. If you don't place in the Hawaii market, I'm not sure the degree will hold much sway in other markets.

Also if you do find salaries, keep in mind cost of living here is crazy to the extent where a lot of locals are moving to the mainland because they can live ten times better there on the same salary. Obviously if you make it as a big shot lawyer, this won't be a problem, but I think it is worth it to carefully consider what would happen if you don't make it as far as you like in this market.


This turned out to be longer than I expected. Anyone can feel free to PM me for details/if you have questions.

Edit: I was just informed that Richardson's employment rate for long-term, full-time legal jobs is 54% so there's a definite risk there... (http://www.lstscorereports.com/schools/ ... jobs/2014/)

I'm in, but will need to see what financial package they provide before I think further.

Am quite tempted, but the ranking and cost is giving me pause...

Xnegd wrote:I'm in, but will need to see what financial package they provide before I think further.

Am quite tempted, but the ranking and cost is giving me pause...

If you have not received scholarship information yet, then I don't believe you will be getting any. From what I've heard. I didn't get anything either.

LShopeful2016 wrote:

Xnegd wrote:I'm in, but will need to see what financial package they provide before I think further.

Am quite tempted, but the ranking and cost is giving me pause...

If you have not received scholarship information yet, then I don't believe you will be getting any. From what I've heard. I didn't get anything either.

No, they said they wouldn't decide our financial aid till we sent in FATCA. So, there is strong hope for us yet.

MichiganMan87 wrote:Yep, seriously considering Hawaii with plans to stay there longterm due to the quality of life even though I've been accepted to higher ranked schools. Been plenty of times and realize there are pros and cons to the islands beyond the tourist traps. Anyone have any realistic insight on the Hawaiian legal market and salaries?

Disclaimer: Grew up in Hawaii, went to University of Chicago for law school, now back here clerking for a year.

Hawaiian legal market is small and insular. The typical firms start at about 60-70, while the more elite firms start around 85-90K. It can be very difficult to get a job here without obvious ties to the island. Networking is key - everyone knows each other, and generally the first question you'll be asked in any situation is what high school you went to. I'd be wary coming from out-of-state. Legal employment coming out of Richardson isn't great - evident by the fact that huge chunks of the class at clerking at the state circuit/district court level (not exactly a desirable outcome).

Happy to answer any questions via PM.

Application complete 11/24 and still haven't heard anything, but my stats are in their 75th percentile so I wasn't worried until now. Does Richardson usually take a while for admissions decisions?

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Just got the call today - I'm in! No info on scholarships yet though...

I am from Hawaii originally. Received acceptance yesterday via email and a separate email with scholarship info. The Faculty Fund for Student Excellence Scholarship is apparently their biggest scholarship award (5k/year). Have received better offers from higher ranked schools out of state so probably won't be attending. Best of luck to everyone.

Just withdrew. No scholarship money, but hopefully someone who really wants it can take my place.

Smumps wrote:

MichiganMan87 wrote:Yep, seriously considering Hawaii with plans to stay there longterm due to the quality of life even though I've been accepted to higher ranked schools. Been plenty of times and realize there are pros and cons to the islands beyond the tourist traps. Anyone have any realistic insight on the Hawaiian legal market and salaries?

Disclaimer: Grew up in Hawaii, went to University of Chicago for law school, now back here clerking for a year.

Hawaiian legal market is small and insular. The typical firms start at about 60-70, while the more elite firms start around 85-90K. It can be very difficult to get a job here without obvious ties to the island. Networking is key - everyone knows each other, and generally the first question you'll be asked in any situation is what high school you went to. I'd be wary coming from out-of-state. Legal employment coming out of Richardson isn't great - evident by the fact that huge chunks of the class at clerking at the state circuit/district court level (not exactly a desirable outcome).

Happy to answer any questions via PM.

I met a law professor and an attorney from Hawaii. The attorney was one of two in the state who do eminent domain work, and the other is his partner. It's a really niche field even in bigger states and I'm not sure how much work there would be for it in Hawaii, but it could be an avenue worth exploring if you've got a thing for property and the constitution.