Is Law for Me?
"At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst."-- Aristotle
Those considering whether to apply to law school are advised to explore seriously the advantages and disadvantages of professional legal training. Law school requires a large measure of commitment, both of time and expense. Many persons with law degrees have pursued fruitful and enjoyable careers. But not all graduates of law schools have practiced law and not all practicing attorneys have been satisfied with their jobs.
Individuals at Career Services, the Counseling Center and other career advisors may be able to help you to evaluate a range of job options and to consider what types of careers are suitable for persons with your aptitudes, interests, aspirations, and priorities. Participation in the activities of Virginia Tech's pre-law chapter of Phi Alpha Delta (an international organization of law and pre-law students) also may help you explore your interests. It is a good idea for students to consult graduates of law schools, including alumni/ae of Virginia Tech, for information on what it is like to study and practice law. You should be aware, however, that personal experiences vary widely. Thus there are good reasons for consulting a variety of persons and sources as a means of gaining a fuller sense of the range of possibilities afforded by law degrees.
What Will I Do As a Lawyer?
There are many different fields of law and a variety of practice types. Legal fields include such diverse areas as corporate law, environmental law, intellectual property law, health law, immigration law, family law, tax law, and criminal law. Many lawyers engage in private practice, either working for themselves, in small firms, in medium-sized firms, or for large firms that may have offices worldwide. Smaller percentages of lawyers work as in-house counsel for corporations and associations or for government agencies (e.g., as prosecuting attorneys). Some lawyers practice public interest law, while others become judges or faculty members at law schools.
Lawyers do a variety of activities such as performing legal research, counseling clients, drafting legal documents, appearing in court, negotiating with opposing counsel, and managing a diverse caseload. Most lawyers specialize in a particular type or area of practice. They typically need to be familiar with the laws relevant to their areas of expertise and must be able to advocate or negotiate on their clients' behalf.
More information about being a lawyer can be found here.
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What is Law School Like?
Law school requires high levels of commitment, self-direction, and discipline. Most classes in law school require a lot of reading, and course grades are typically based on a single essay exam at the end of the term. Many law professors teach classes using the Socratic method, meaning that they ask questions in class about the assigned cases and lead class discussions about them. In this way, law students learn how to identify legal principles and apply them to different situations. Some law students find it helpful to form study groups with fellow their classmates.
The curriculum is very similar at most law schools within the United States. Most first-year students take civil procedure, contract law, property law, torts, criminal law and perhaps constitutional law. In addition, law schools usually require a legal writing and/or lawyering skills class in the first year. Other required courses may include evidence, professional responsibility, and criminal procedure. Courses on tax law, corporate law, wills and trusts, family law, civil litigation, and administrative law may or may not be required depending on the school's focus. Electives such as environmental law, international law, and labor law are also available at many schools. Further, practical opportunities may be available such as participation in legal clinics, Moot Court and Mock Trial teams, and other skill-based or experiential programs. You can find more information about the law school experience here.
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Are There Alternative Careers for JDs?
A legal education can be a great foundation for many other professional avenues. Lawyers often have excellent skills of written and oral communication. They know how to advocate or persuade and how to negotiate. They are adept at analyzing and synthesizing information. They may have good time-management skills and may have to juggle multiple projects. These skills can be transferable to a number of other fields, including jobs working for the U.S. or state government, the nonprofit sector, industry, and educational institutions. But keep in mind that a legal education can be expensive. There could be more direct and less expensive routes to careers in these alternative fields.
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Can I Study Law and Something Else?
Combined degree programs are becoming more common at law schools. These include joint J.D. and M.B.A. programs, joint J.D. and Master's degree programs in a variety of humanities and social science disciplines, joint J.D. and Ph.D. programs, and even joint J.D. and Master's of Fine Arts programs. A quick web search for such joint or dual degree programs will likely turn up many offerings.
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What Will This Cost Me and Is It Worth It?
A legal education can be an expensive investment. Tuition at law schools varies widely, depending on whether the school is a private or public school and whether you are in-state or out-of-state at a state school. Some students are eligible for tuition reductions in the form of scholarship, fellowships, or grants. Costs of living while in law school also vary, depending on the location of the school. Most students borrow money to support their legal education; and there may be opportunities to cover some of the costs through summer jobs and the like. According to this site, in 2023 the average amount students borrowed just to attend law school was almost $120,000; and the average student debt after graduating from law school was $160,000.
Is a legal education worth this potential debt burden? It can be. Some legal careers are very lucrative. But having a J.D. does not guarantee employment as a lawyer; and not all jobs requiring a J.D. are lucrative. It is important for you to assess carefully the costs and benefits of a legal education and to make sure that you are choosing to pursue a legal career for good reasons and not because you do not know what else to do after completing your undergraduate education.
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