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Kayleigh
Student
Gibsland, Louisiana
1
Question
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying either civil rights or corporate law in law school post your undergraduate experience?
I am considering law schools on the East Coast. So, I would appreciate any advice from those who have attended law school on the East Coast, their opinions of which law school they attended, and how their professional career has progressed if comfortable sharing. Although I am considering law schools on the East Coast, I would be grateful for advice from those who have attended law school in other regions of the United States.
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4 answers
Amber Lee
Tax Associate
63
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amber’s Answer
Hi Kayleigh,
I did not go to law school on the East Coast, but I had genuinely considered and turned down an offer to go to Rutgers Law in favor of University of Florida. I now work in NYC and have met a ton folks who went to law school school on the East Coast. I also passed the New York bar exam, so I think I can chime in with my experience.
Law schools are difficult no matter where you go, but the level of academic rigor might differ depending on the school. Some schools are very selective when it comes to admitting law students, so the culture of the student body might be a little more competitive than say, the vibes you might get from a less competitive school. Additionally, if you end up studying in a big city, your peers are likely to come from diverse backgrounds so you would have a chance to encounter different perspectives during your legal education (always a good thing!). But if you've never lived on the East Coast, you might need to brace yourself for some level of culture shock and/or acclimating yourself to the winters. Coming from Florida, I don't know how I would have survived law school if I had to endure winter as a first-year law student (I was already incredibly overwhelmed even in sunny Florida).
With regards to your corporate law vs. civil rights question, I wouldn't worry so much about that now. During your first year of law school, you will be required to take class(es) in Constitutional Law anyway, so you will have the opportunity to decide if that's something for you. You will probably also have the opportunity to attend panels/talks related to civil rights practice while you're in law school, so you will get a good sense of whether it is a career worth considering for yourself. As other comments have pointed out, you're likely to end up working in public interest or government if you go down this route, and high-paying positions are unfortunately scarce in this area. Some people have found a career in civil rights to be extremely fulfilling because they are using their legal expertise to support a cause they believe in, so if you have a passion for civil rights, you should proceed with the understanding that financial reward may not be the main goal in your career.
As for corporate law, that's a really broad term that encompasses a bunch of different practice areas. I would encourage you to take a Corporations (or other business entities-type class) during your second year of law school, and if you enjoy that, you might then consider taking more classes in this area (e.g., securities regulations, mergers and acquisitions, taxation, corporate finance, etc.).
The nice thing about law school is that you're not necessarily locked into any particular practice area as a student, and you have the flexibility to adjust and pivot at any point. You're free to select classes based on whether they're tested on the bar, or perhaps you might take classes specifically tailored to your career goals. A classmate of mine took a bunch of criminal law classes in law school with the intention of becoming a prosecutor only to end up working in real estate transactions at a big law firm (he had no prior experience at all in real estate transactions). I myself focused on tax law in law school with the intention of doing transactional work, but I ended up working at a firm doing real estate litigation very briefly (I have never taken a single trial practice class in law school).
I hope my response is somewhat helpful. All the best!
I did not go to law school on the East Coast, but I had genuinely considered and turned down an offer to go to Rutgers Law in favor of University of Florida. I now work in NYC and have met a ton folks who went to law school school on the East Coast. I also passed the New York bar exam, so I think I can chime in with my experience.
Law schools are difficult no matter where you go, but the level of academic rigor might differ depending on the school. Some schools are very selective when it comes to admitting law students, so the culture of the student body might be a little more competitive than say, the vibes you might get from a less competitive school. Additionally, if you end up studying in a big city, your peers are likely to come from diverse backgrounds so you would have a chance to encounter different perspectives during your legal education (always a good thing!). But if you've never lived on the East Coast, you might need to brace yourself for some level of culture shock and/or acclimating yourself to the winters. Coming from Florida, I don't know how I would have survived law school if I had to endure winter as a first-year law student (I was already incredibly overwhelmed even in sunny Florida).
With regards to your corporate law vs. civil rights question, I wouldn't worry so much about that now. During your first year of law school, you will be required to take class(es) in Constitutional Law anyway, so you will have the opportunity to decide if that's something for you. You will probably also have the opportunity to attend panels/talks related to civil rights practice while you're in law school, so you will get a good sense of whether it is a career worth considering for yourself. As other comments have pointed out, you're likely to end up working in public interest or government if you go down this route, and high-paying positions are unfortunately scarce in this area. Some people have found a career in civil rights to be extremely fulfilling because they are using their legal expertise to support a cause they believe in, so if you have a passion for civil rights, you should proceed with the understanding that financial reward may not be the main goal in your career.
As for corporate law, that's a really broad term that encompasses a bunch of different practice areas. I would encourage you to take a Corporations (or other business entities-type class) during your second year of law school, and if you enjoy that, you might then consider taking more classes in this area (e.g., securities regulations, mergers and acquisitions, taxation, corporate finance, etc.).
The nice thing about law school is that you're not necessarily locked into any particular practice area as a student, and you have the flexibility to adjust and pivot at any point. You're free to select classes based on whether they're tested on the bar, or perhaps you might take classes specifically tailored to your career goals. A classmate of mine took a bunch of criminal law classes in law school with the intention of becoming a prosecutor only to end up working in real estate transactions at a big law firm (he had no prior experience at all in real estate transactions). I myself focused on tax law in law school with the intention of doing transactional work, but I ended up working at a firm doing real estate litigation very briefly (I have never taken a single trial practice class in law school).
I hope my response is somewhat helpful. All the best!
Job Hall
Real Estate Manager
151
Answers
Reno, Nevada
Updated
Job’s Answer
I went to law school after being a broker on the floor of the New York stock exchange at 24. I went to law school in California. I went to law school and studied taxes corporations estates real estate and intellectual property. I did law School in 3 years after that I practiced as an attorney for 25 years.
I went to Stanford at 16 was number one in my class. I then worked on Wall Street. Law school was the first time I ever got to C in my life. It is difficult but if you do it for the right reasons it's well worth it. It can be rewarding both emotionally and financially. The field of law you practice in you must love. It takes a lot of dedication. My best advice is to go to law school knowing you want to practice 1 to 4 types of law. Law school has 26 subjects, you have to know them all to pass the bar. Law school does not prepare you to be an attorney. But most law schools have legal clinics where you can work as a junior attorney and after a period of Time start doing trials. Trial attorneys get paid the most generally.
You must really want to be a lawyer and be prepared to work hard for it to be a successful attorney. Long hours lots of demands.
In the environment we are in now civil rights law would be very difficult. Trump hates civil rights. It's also a field that you do not make a lot of money in but a huge difference in people's lives. Corporate laws very vague I had either do taxes which involves accounting. If you ever wish to run a corporation you will be well set for it. In the alternative I would look into intellectual property, litigation, contracts and either real estate or workers rights to go along with corporate law.
In order to get into law school you not only need good grades but your LSAT scores will be essential. Take classes on the LSAT before you take the test. A strong LSAT test can make up for bad grades. Have some community involvement and if you can find a legal aid where you could volunteer prior to law school.
Best of luck
I went to Stanford at 16 was number one in my class. I then worked on Wall Street. Law school was the first time I ever got to C in my life. It is difficult but if you do it for the right reasons it's well worth it. It can be rewarding both emotionally and financially. The field of law you practice in you must love. It takes a lot of dedication. My best advice is to go to law school knowing you want to practice 1 to 4 types of law. Law school has 26 subjects, you have to know them all to pass the bar. Law school does not prepare you to be an attorney. But most law schools have legal clinics where you can work as a junior attorney and after a period of Time start doing trials. Trial attorneys get paid the most generally.
You must really want to be a lawyer and be prepared to work hard for it to be a successful attorney. Long hours lots of demands.
In the environment we are in now civil rights law would be very difficult. Trump hates civil rights. It's also a field that you do not make a lot of money in but a huge difference in people's lives. Corporate laws very vague I had either do taxes which involves accounting. If you ever wish to run a corporation you will be well set for it. In the alternative I would look into intellectual property, litigation, contracts and either real estate or workers rights to go along with corporate law.
In order to get into law school you not only need good grades but your LSAT scores will be essential. Take classes on the LSAT before you take the test. A strong LSAT test can make up for bad grades. Have some community involvement and if you can find a legal aid where you could volunteer prior to law school.
Best of luck
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
175
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Kayleigh:
Louisiana and New York City or Boston are light years apart. The slower pace of Louisiana is not the pace of east coast cities. I grew up in Brooklyn. I practiced law in New York City for 39 years. I now live in the South. Trust me there is a world of difference!
However, this is not meant to discourage you. This is meant to ready you for the experience. It can be exhilarating. You need to embrace the experience.
If you want to study either Corp. law or civil rights New York City is where you want to be. Start looking now for a corporation you'd like to work for. Apply far any job. Get your foot in the door. Volunteer for any civil rights orginization you think you'd like. Get involved.
Once in law school you will be exposed to all kinds of law practices. Some courses you'll love some you'll hate. Keep an open mind.
Studying corporations or civil rights law in a post grad setting will help you but may also jade you. Law school teaches those subjects in a specific way to maximize your understanding. Sometimes, not always, preconcieved notions do not fit. So studying those subjects might help; won't hurt, but there is no way to tell until you get into class.
Good luck. I know this wasn't a great answer but I tried to be honest. Head to NYC you'll love it!
Louisiana and New York City or Boston are light years apart. The slower pace of Louisiana is not the pace of east coast cities. I grew up in Brooklyn. I practiced law in New York City for 39 years. I now live in the South. Trust me there is a world of difference!
However, this is not meant to discourage you. This is meant to ready you for the experience. It can be exhilarating. You need to embrace the experience.
If you want to study either Corp. law or civil rights New York City is where you want to be. Start looking now for a corporation you'd like to work for. Apply far any job. Get your foot in the door. Volunteer for any civil rights orginization you think you'd like. Get involved.
Once in law school you will be exposed to all kinds of law practices. Some courses you'll love some you'll hate. Keep an open mind.
Studying corporations or civil rights law in a post grad setting will help you but may also jade you. Law school teaches those subjects in a specific way to maximize your understanding. Sometimes, not always, preconcieved notions do not fit. So studying those subjects might help; won't hurt, but there is no way to tell until you get into class.
Good luck. I know this wasn't a great answer but I tried to be honest. Head to NYC you'll love it!
Emily Henderson
Attorney
8
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hi Kayleigh! The field of law is truly exciting and full of opportunities. I attended law school at Boston University and now work as an attorney in New York City.
When picking a law school, I thought about where I wanted to work after graduation. Law schools often connect graduates with local job opportunities. I aimed for a big city on the East Coast, and studying there was a great choice. Many of my classmates now have careers in cities like Boston, New York, Washington, DC, and more. I worked in Boston for years before moving to NYC.
It was also crucial for me to find a law school with programs I was passionate about. I wasn't interested in litigation or court appearances; my focus was on corporate and transactional law. While many schools offer strong litigation programs, Boston University had some fantastic transactional courses like contract drafting and startup clinics. When you choose your law school, I recommend looking into their programs and classes that match your interests.
Lastly, law school ranking and financial aid were big factors in my decision. Many corporate jobs consider the school's reputation. Finding a respected school that offered scholarships was key for me.
Wherever you decide to go, make sure it feels right for you and you're comfortable after visiting. You'll be investing a lot of time, money, and energy there for three years. Best of luck with your decision!
When picking a law school, I thought about where I wanted to work after graduation. Law schools often connect graduates with local job opportunities. I aimed for a big city on the East Coast, and studying there was a great choice. Many of my classmates now have careers in cities like Boston, New York, Washington, DC, and more. I worked in Boston for years before moving to NYC.
It was also crucial for me to find a law school with programs I was passionate about. I wasn't interested in litigation or court appearances; my focus was on corporate and transactional law. While many schools offer strong litigation programs, Boston University had some fantastic transactional courses like contract drafting and startup clinics. When you choose your law school, I recommend looking into their programs and classes that match your interests.
Lastly, law school ranking and financial aid were big factors in my decision. Many corporate jobs consider the school's reputation. Finding a respected school that offered scholarships was key for me.
Wherever you decide to go, make sure it feels right for you and you're comfortable after visiting. You'll be investing a lot of time, money, and energy there for three years. Best of luck with your decision!