Every year, thousands of people graduate from law school. It is a time of excitement for many who have finished what can be an intensive and rewarding journey. But it also marks the beginning of the next chapter in their lives. They are now responsible for juggling work, family life, and personal needs all by themselves. This guide will help you transition to your new career:
Decide if Law is what you want to Do
Your grades and experience may state that you will make an excellent lawyer, but don’t let it blind you to the fact that this profession isn’t for everyone. Instead of looking at your classmates and assuming they’re all in the same boat as you are, take some time to think about whether practicing law is what you want. There’s no better way than talking with lawyers who work in different areas, such as criminal defense attorneys vs. corporate litigators. Ask them if they enjoy their job and why they chose it over other professions. This approach will help lessen any regret down the line when something goes wrong during law school or your first year of practice.
Prepare for the LSAT
You will need to take it if you want to attend law school in any U.S jurisdiction. So getting ready is an essential step towards your future career. It takes about six months to study for the LSAT, but you will find plenty of free practice tests online. If you’re looking for an excellent way to practice, look at our free LSAT prep course. With over 75 lessons and several test simulations included in your subscription, it is one of the best ways to prepare yourself.
Get Experience
You will need to have a legal work or internship under your belt for a law firm to take you seriously. Thus, make sure you find something that fits with the area of study that interests you most. Suppose it’s criminal defense cases that interest you, volunteer at either a courthouse or non-profit organization. Also, get involved with local politics by running for office on student government boards if possible.
If you’re more interested in commercial law and business, try to find a paid internship at an advertising agency or start your own business. If it’s international work that intrigues you most, consider doing some volunteer work in another country.
Consider CLE in Pennsylvania
If you’re looking into specializing in law, taking PA CLE could be beneficial. They usually cover more advanced topics and complex case studies that aren’t touched upon during the first year of study. They can be a great way to meet other individuals who have similar interests and want to network with them.
Taking CLE courses is also something that lawyers must do to maintain their license so that you will need it for your career. So before thinking about where you might like living or what type of work environment would suit you best after graduation. Consider all the different options available when figuring out how many hours/credits will fulfill your annual requirements.
Every state has its own set of rules and regulations for getting a license. But for most jurisdictions, you will need to sit in on at least 12 hours’ worth of Continuing Legal Education classes each year. This can be done online or by attending live seminars. Courses such as these are great because they allow you to network with other lawyers while learning different strategies that could help you practice.
You don’t have to sign up before completing your first year. Why? Because many courses start accepting new members partway through their academic calendar. Getting started is half the battle, and much of what you learn along the way will come from many scenarios. The more prepared for it all, the easier your career will be.
Get a Mentor
A mentor can be invaluable for learning the ropes and finding your feet in this industry. Find someone you can trust who has been through their fair share of legal issues that could help guide you along the way. An experienced lawyer should have enough life experience to point out common pitfalls for new lawyers and also be able to offer advice.
You don’t need to make sure they’re practicing law either, since even retired professionals often like giving back by sharing what they learned. Getting the right mentor will save you from making mistakes that can be costly and difficult to recover from. Remember that this person will not offer help whenever they feel like it. Try to keep in touch regularly while always being respectful about their commitments outside work.
Final Thought
Remember that having goals is essential when starting, so make sure you know what you want before making any long-term plans. This career path involves putting yourself on the line, so always take the measures necessary to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances. Keeping these factors in mind, along with networking and taking CLE courses, should give new lawyers a better idea of where they’d like their legal careers to go.
