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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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DENNIS A’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!
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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!