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What is the best way to decide what type of lawyer I would like to be/?
I'm currently a junior in high school and I definitely would like to become a lawyer, I'm just unsure about what type. I'm not asking for a suggestion of a type of lawyer, but I'm curious what experiences I can partake in to help maybe either exclude or include certain sectors of law which I would be interested in.
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Aisha’s Answer
Hi Naglis,
Exploring different types of law is a great idea! Here are some ways you can find out what interests you as a high school junior:
1. Volunteer or Intern: Reach out to local law firms, legal aid clinics, or public defender offices to see if they offer volunteer or internship opportunities. This will give you a chance to see different areas of law and watch lawyers at work.
2. Shadow a Lawyer: Connect with lawyers in your community through family, LinkedIn, or bar associations. Ask if you can spend a day with them to learn about their work and specialties.
3. Join Mock Trial or Debate: Participate in your school's mock trial team or debate club. These activities improve your thinking and speaking skills and give you a taste of legal processes.
4. Attend Court: Visit your local courthouse to watch real trials. Seeing different cases can help you figure out which areas of law interest you the most.
5. Take Advanced Courses: Enroll in classes like AP Government or any law-related electives at your school. These courses provide basic knowledge and help you gauge your interest.
6. Research Practice Areas: Read about different legal fields like criminal law, environmental law, or family law. Learn about the daily work and skills needed for each.
7. Connect on CareerVillage: Ask lawyers questions about their careers and specialties. This is a great way to get honest insights.
8. Volunteer at Legal Clinics: Help out at legal aid organizations or community service groups. This will expose you to various legal issues and their impacts.
9. Attend Law School Sessions: Some law schools hold events for high school students to discuss specialties and career paths, helping you think about your future.
10. Join Legal Clubs: Look for clubs or programs focused on law. These can connect you with others interested in legal fields.
The main goal is to explore different areas of law to see what you like. You might find you enjoy family law, environmental issues, or courtroom work. By trying different experiences now, you'll have a clearer idea of what you want to pursue in college and law school.
Don't worry if you're unsure now—many law students decide on their specialty later. Use this time to explore and learn about yourself. Good luck on your legal journey!
Exploring different types of law is a great idea! Here are some ways you can find out what interests you as a high school junior:
1. Volunteer or Intern: Reach out to local law firms, legal aid clinics, or public defender offices to see if they offer volunteer or internship opportunities. This will give you a chance to see different areas of law and watch lawyers at work.
2. Shadow a Lawyer: Connect with lawyers in your community through family, LinkedIn, or bar associations. Ask if you can spend a day with them to learn about their work and specialties.
3. Join Mock Trial or Debate: Participate in your school's mock trial team or debate club. These activities improve your thinking and speaking skills and give you a taste of legal processes.
4. Attend Court: Visit your local courthouse to watch real trials. Seeing different cases can help you figure out which areas of law interest you the most.
5. Take Advanced Courses: Enroll in classes like AP Government or any law-related electives at your school. These courses provide basic knowledge and help you gauge your interest.
6. Research Practice Areas: Read about different legal fields like criminal law, environmental law, or family law. Learn about the daily work and skills needed for each.
7. Connect on CareerVillage: Ask lawyers questions about their careers and specialties. This is a great way to get honest insights.
8. Volunteer at Legal Clinics: Help out at legal aid organizations or community service groups. This will expose you to various legal issues and their impacts.
9. Attend Law School Sessions: Some law schools hold events for high school students to discuss specialties and career paths, helping you think about your future.
10. Join Legal Clubs: Look for clubs or programs focused on law. These can connect you with others interested in legal fields.
The main goal is to explore different areas of law to see what you like. You might find you enjoy family law, environmental issues, or courtroom work. By trying different experiences now, you'll have a clearer idea of what you want to pursue in college and law school.
Don't worry if you're unsure now—many law students decide on their specialty later. Use this time to explore and learn about yourself. Good luck on your legal journey!
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Naglis: Once you're in law school you'll see which class you like and which one you feel most comfortable with. That's the start. After you get a sense of the field find someone in the field and see if you like the work. Sometimes things a lot more glamerous then they really are! Oddly it works itself out. Good luck!
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Hi Naglis! That is very exciting! I'll say you should know that you don't really need to know or decide what kind of attorney you want to be right now! Also, through school, law school, exploring your interests (via clubs, volunteering, etc.) you will naturally move towards certain sectors of the law or find that your have skills that push you one way over another. My biggest advice would be get to know yourself (your strengths, weaknesses, desires, who you aspire to be, how you hope your life to look) and allow that to help guide your decision making. I am a big proponent of the idea that everyone would be happier and better off if we all were able to work jobs that legitimately interested us, in environments well suited to our personality/natural habits, and helped us feel fulfilled. I don't think any place will perfectly tailored to you, but the "soft" aspects of a career path matter and should influence your decision-making, in my opinion. Also, remember it is all a journey! Enjoy it! And take it one step at a time.
I currently am a First-Year Associate at a large firm and still have not had to decide what kind of attorney I want to be other than deciding between Litigation (trial, and pre-trial work) or Corporate (think contract drafting/negotiations). When I was making the decision between Litigation and Corporate the things that drove my decision were my skills and my wants for the career. For example, I love reading, learning (research) and writing--all skills that helped push me towards Litigation. I also knew I wanted to be challenged in my job and the public speaking and case building elements of Litigation definitely challenge me! Eventually (at the end of my second year of practicing), I will have to decide more specifically what I want to within Litigation.
Obviously, for your skills to help guide you, you first need to develop skills and be aware of those skills. Take classes that will challenge you and expand your knowledge base. Interact with a variety of people. Work a customer service job! Take on leadership roles for activities you enjoy. Read sooo much (reading will be a constant throughout your law school and legal career experiences). When you are getting feedback on assignments for school or at jobs, really weed through it to determine what has merit (to determine where you have opportunity for growth) and take all the positive feedback and compliments to start building confidence in the skills that come natural to you. Be reflective about your experiences (what you actually enjoy, what made you enjoy those experiences, what challenges you faced even in those activities). As you learn more about the various types of attorneys and hear more about individual's experiences, you can use the information you know about yourself to help guide your decision.
Generally, I would say the best thing you can do is pursue your interests! There are so many paths to law school and to certain legal roles. You should be a sponge and talk to people about their experiences. This could include reaching out to attorneys (or asking law schools to connect you with current students!) asking to chat about their experience or asking to shadow them. Try new things and see how they make you feel. If you're looking for legal experiences, think about applying for legal internships (many major companies have in-house legal counsel teams, do a quick search for local small firms, reach out to the court house near you, etc.). Keep in mind that your experiences will just be some insight into a certain field/job and that as you learn more and have more knowledge, your mind could change. So, ultimately, I would say if you have the opportunity to explore any legal job/field, take notes/keep an accounting of how you feel/your likes, dislikes, questions, etc. but stay open. There is no need to rush and make a decision.
I am excited for you! Wishing you all the best!
I currently am a First-Year Associate at a large firm and still have not had to decide what kind of attorney I want to be other than deciding between Litigation (trial, and pre-trial work) or Corporate (think contract drafting/negotiations). When I was making the decision between Litigation and Corporate the things that drove my decision were my skills and my wants for the career. For example, I love reading, learning (research) and writing--all skills that helped push me towards Litigation. I also knew I wanted to be challenged in my job and the public speaking and case building elements of Litigation definitely challenge me! Eventually (at the end of my second year of practicing), I will have to decide more specifically what I want to within Litigation.
Obviously, for your skills to help guide you, you first need to develop skills and be aware of those skills. Take classes that will challenge you and expand your knowledge base. Interact with a variety of people. Work a customer service job! Take on leadership roles for activities you enjoy. Read sooo much (reading will be a constant throughout your law school and legal career experiences). When you are getting feedback on assignments for school or at jobs, really weed through it to determine what has merit (to determine where you have opportunity for growth) and take all the positive feedback and compliments to start building confidence in the skills that come natural to you. Be reflective about your experiences (what you actually enjoy, what made you enjoy those experiences, what challenges you faced even in those activities). As you learn more about the various types of attorneys and hear more about individual's experiences, you can use the information you know about yourself to help guide your decision.
Generally, I would say the best thing you can do is pursue your interests! There are so many paths to law school and to certain legal roles. You should be a sponge and talk to people about their experiences. This could include reaching out to attorneys (or asking law schools to connect you with current students!) asking to chat about their experience or asking to shadow them. Try new things and see how they make you feel. If you're looking for legal experiences, think about applying for legal internships (many major companies have in-house legal counsel teams, do a quick search for local small firms, reach out to the court house near you, etc.). Keep in mind that your experiences will just be some insight into a certain field/job and that as you learn more and have more knowledge, your mind could change. So, ultimately, I would say if you have the opportunity to explore any legal job/field, take notes/keep an accounting of how you feel/your likes, dislikes, questions, etc. but stay open. There is no need to rush and make a decision.
I am excited for you! Wishing you all the best!