Law School?

Society Business and Career
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Its an idea I often ponder.

3 Questions:

  1. What is the legal job market like now? I know there is fierce competition, but is it a market that will tank with the recent recession?

  2. Its way expensive to do a GDL and then a LPC/BVC, is there any external funding option?

  3. Is there any practising solicitors/barristers on GS? Any insite into what a common day of a lawyer?

Oh and I love the show Ally McBeal. I watch re-runs on Zone Romantica. :slight_smile:

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I just wanna go… :smack: :smilestar: :smack:

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Re: Law School?

brother, I understand your irritation. My family suffers the same. How about advice, then you can enact the 2nd icon if you still want. :D

I dont know what I want in life bro. School is all I'm good at besides wasting days away in front of the cpu/tv/ps3. How do I find my calling?

Its between teacher/cop/lawyer/academic.

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Re: Law School?

man... sometimes I think I've given you more advice than all my combined years of advice and counselling as an academic to my students.

You just need to differentiate between your impulses (Ally McBeal - puhleez)... and take a more pragmatic approach to your career. Also, you need to start working to find your true calling. You can't just pull out options from the air. If you work in an office environment... interact with different stakeholders... work on different projects... only then would you be able to make sense of things. Get out of your comfort zone and take charge already!

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Re: Law School?

yes take a more pragmatic approach to your career! Umer bhai is right.

i too am frustrated just by reading these posts of yours. lolz

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I appreciate the advice bro. It's a problem within me. I understand that. Its a hard environment in which to find a job right now. I am looking overseas more and more.

In terms of finding my calling, most people seem to have a plan. I cant seem to formulate one. I lack direction. I dont lack ambition, but cant seem to challenge my energy. Maybe yoga classes will help.

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Re: Law School?

OH COME ON ally mcbeal seriously? there’s etter shows to formulate ur career plans on :emmy:

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Re: Law School?

I am not formulating my career plans based on a show. That information was just an aside, a glimpse into my life.

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Like I said man… you’re not going to get anywhere by just sitting around and only applying passively for jobs. I realize that it is more difficult today to find work than it has been in the past, but it’s not like no one is hiring.

Have you registered with agencies / head hunters? have you contacted your University Professors to get their advice and make it known to them that you’re in the market? have you asked them if you could get a research assistantship or a teaching assistantship with them? have you looked into volunteering with Oxfam? have you contacted the British Council Information Center to see if there are any internships that you can apply for? See this link: British Council - About us - Working for us - Current vacancies … with your background in IR, this would have been my first point of contact.

Ask yourself in all honesty… how active you’ve been… or are you just sitting at home… calling and emailing people. You need to get out there and interact with key contacts who may be able to help you.

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Re: Law School?

If i recall ally used to make decisions in life based on her clients litigations, so I highly advise you not to go for law legbreak.

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Re: Law School?

Umar I really appreciate your assistance. If you are ever in the UK, let me know, we'll go for a drink. I had considered the BC, but my family scenario means I cant move too far from home.

Sadly, I lost my father in December 07, and thus really need to stay in the greater South East area if possible.

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Re: Law School?

I suggest you go to LawCareers.Net and dont take any of it lightly, the legal world is a dog eat dog world, to go far you need to be ruthless, a high flyer, and dedicated! (Speaking from experience)

as for your questions:

**1) What is the legal job market like now? I know there is fierce competition, but is it a market that will tank with the recent recession?
**
To seriously get into the top 50 law firms in the UK, you need to have very high grades, and to have been to a top university. However if your education is average then settle for the more high street practices. It depends what your looking for in a career.

2) Its way expensive to do a GDL and then a LPC/BVC, is there any external funding option?

Yes there is funding availible, some of the top law firms will sponsor you, but beleive me very few do and competition is feirce, especially in London. (At least 300 UCAS points, 2.1/1st at degree level from a high ranking university)

My advice to you would be to get in with a law firm (small or large - doesnt matter) get some decent experience and decide upon that.

3) Is there any practising solicitors/barristers on GS? Any insite into what a common day of a lawyer?

This seriously depends on what route you are thinking of taking, the corporate or private client, if you dont know what I’m talking about do your research of the different routes and this should give you a better idea.