What Type Of Law to Practice
So you’ve decided to take the plunge. You’re headed to law school. There is a lot to consider when choosing to pursue a degree in law including the amount of debt you may have to take on, the challenging and time-consuming nature of the degree as well as the type of law you want to practice once you graduate. The good thing about the field of law is that it is quite vast. There are so many options, how does one choose? The prospect can be daunting, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Below are a few pointers for narrowing down the direction you want to take your new law skills.
Talk to People In the Profession
Networking can be one of the best things you can do to decide what law to practice and kickstart your career. Law schools make it easy as networking events and job fairs happen quite often on campus. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get to know your peers and instructors. A majority of instructors are individuals who have practiced law for several years and are passionate about the field. Professionals in the field who are not attorneys can also be good resources. These can include paralegals or court reporters Tampa, who, while they do not hold law degrees, are very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of court proceedings and what it is like working in the field.
Get Some Hands-On Experience
Law school is a very busy time. Between exams, writing papers, and intense time in the classroom, it can be difficult to find the time to do anything else. However, taking the time to get some hands-on experience can go a long way in helping you decide what type of law you would like to go into. If, during a networking event, you meet someone who practices a type of law you may be interested in, ask to shadow them for a day or two. Another opportunity could include taking on a summer internship. Many universities have law clinics in place to help the community and allow student attorneys to gain experience in a closely monitored environment. Extracurriculars can be another valuable way to decide what path to take. If research and writing is your forte, check out your school’s law review. If time in the courtroom is more your speed, look into mock trial or moot court.
Plan For the Long Term
Remember that this is a big decision, but not one you will know the answer to overnight. Give yourself time to do some research about the different specialties within the field of law and find out which sounds most interesting. Make sure to consider things like quality of life as well. Do you prefer the typical 9-5 with weekends off, or are you okay working 60 hours per week in a fast-paced environment? Different firms will have different cultures and it is an important consideration to take into account. This will help you decide what law to practice.
Trust Your Gut
Decisions like these are like taking a leap of faith. You’ve never been an attorney before so don’t expect you’ll know exactly what type of law is for you immediately post-graduation. You’re going to be feeling your way around the profession for a while and will learn through trial and error. People will have opinions about the direction you should take. It is your life, and as long as you are making decisions that are right for you, you can’t go wrong. Even if you do make a misstep, nothing is permanent.
What Law to Practice Conclusion
The process of building your career is a long one and can feel overwhelming at times. The decisions you make feel huge and life-altering when deciding what law to practice. In some sense they are, however, it is okay to backpedal and change course if you find yourself in a less than ideal employment situation. By doing your research, talking to people, and getting hands-on experience, you will forge your path. You will learn a great deal not only about the field of law, but about yourself as well.
