Almost 70,000 Americans applied to law school last year. Are you thinking about joining their ranks? What to consider before you commit to three years of torts, tests, and of course, tuition.
If you're thinking about law school, you're not alone. According to the Law School Admission Council, 69,000 American men and women applied for a JD in the year 2000, and their reasons for doing so were probably just as numerous. Maybe they dreamed of going back to school, enjoying summer vacations and strolls through a green, sprawling campus. Some may have envisioned fighting for justice; others, just fighting off financial insecurity with a fat paycheck. No matter what your reasons for considering law school, making the right decision requires careful consideration and self-examination.
Legal education has a lot of great things going for it, but it's certainly no cakewalk. Programs can be intense, time-consuming, and fiercely competitive (just ask any student in the thick of her first year). They're also expensive-tuition costs range from about $10,000 a year at a state school to almost $30,000 at a private institution, so by graduation time a lot of aspiring lawyers are stuck with huge loans to pay back. (For more on defraying law school expenses, see our article on financial aid.) In addition, the curriculum takes at least three years to complete-even longer if you're going part-time.
Still interested? Here's the Jungle guide for anyone considering the bold leap into the world of law school.
Where Can a JD Take You?
"The biggest misconception that parents and students have is that all lawyers put on a tie, go out, and deliver arguments in a courtroom," says Joyce Whittington, director of career services at the University of Mississippi School of Law. While there are definitely a few Ally McBeals, Matlocks, and JAGs running around the world, a law degree offers options beyond cross-examining witnesses all day. Almost every institution and organization needs a lawyer at one time or another.
The typical graduate can choose from an array of careers: private practice, public policy, foundation work, public interest and advocacy groups. Banks, consulting firms, and corporations employ JDs both as associates and as in-house counsel; and private law firms do everything from litigation (dealing directly with the courts) to tax law, real estate law, intellectual property, and government lobbying and regulation. A JD also comes in handy if you want to cut through all the red tape associated with starting your own business someday.
Whittington advises roughly 500 Mississippi law school students each year, helping them land summer internships, associate positions at firms, and clerkships with judges. Over the years she's also placed JDs in a variety of less conventional careers, such as journalism, the foreign service, and finance. "You can use your law degree for anything you do," she says, especially because it teaches you to write persuasively and to perform quick analyses.
New York University first-year Abby Hendel plans to use that flexibility to her advantage. Though she always knew she wanted a JD, her career goals were less than certain. "I didn't have a clear sense of what exactly I wanted to do in law when I started the program, but I've always been interested in public policy," she explains.
This summer Hendel will intern at the International Energy Agency in Paris, France. She eventually hopes to work for the U.S. government-but only after she's picked up some expertise at a private firm. With a wide array of choices in her future, Hendel notes, "The degree is only opening up doors for me."
Will You Thrive in Law School?
So, how do you know if you're up for the career? Whittington advises prospective students to read as much as they can about the field and the education. She recommends Deborah Arron's book, What Can You Do with a Law Degree? A Lawyer's Guide to Career Alternatives Inside, Outside & Around the Law, as well as Kimm Walton's snapshot of the rigors of a first year in school, Strategies and Tactics for the First Year Law Student: Maximize Your Grades.
Perhaps the best way to figure out if a JD is right for you is to spend a day pretending you're a law student. A little investigative research can go a long way. "Sit in on law school classes, talk to law students, and meet with faculty members," advises Andrew Leipold, associate dean at University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign.
Another thing to consider is the daily grind: You'll have to do homework, meet with study groups, and take exams all over again. The detail-oriented nature of legal education means that students are forced to read massive textbooks and assimilate information quickly. Logical reasoning is stressed, and law students are often required to think on their feet as they are subjected to professors' cold calls, moot court competitions, and heated classroom debates.
Barra Little, a third-year at Harvard Law, who has advised more than 90 pre-law undergraduates, cautions that you have to be in the right frame of mind: "Think of what you'll be doing-analyzing short writing pieces, studying arguments and logic, doing clinicals (all for a grade)-and decide whether all this appeals to you."
That's just what Hilary Abell did: After teaching kindergarten for a year, Abell was pretty sure she wanted to become a children's rights advocate. But first, she enrolled in an introduction to law class at Harvard's Extension School. "I wanted to be 150 percent certain that this was what I wanted to do," she explains. This fall she'll start her first year at Catholic University's School of Law in Washington, D.C.
Do You Really Need a JD?
JDs work in a variety of fields, and many of them pursue nontraditional careers after law school. Some go through the three-year program only to decide that they don't actually want to practice law.
After graduating from Georgetown University's Law Center, David Flyer set up his own litigation practice in Washington, D.C. It didn't take long for him to realize that being a "traditional" lawyer wasn't right for him. "I got tired of tearing things down and fighting with people," he says. "I wanted to turn to building things up and shaking hands." Flyer decided it was time for a career change, and now works as the general manager for Viaduct, an Internet professional services company. He's had to pick up expertise in technology and business on the job.
Flyer has mixed feelings about his law degree. While he didn't enjoy his prior work as a lawyer, he's found the degree invaluable in his new career. A JD not only impressed recruiters but also gave him skills that have proven to be highly valuable (he also serves as general counsel for the company). "You can definitely go out and do equally compelling work without a JD," he says. "But law school gives you knowledge and perspective that make you better at almost anything you'll do."
Go for It
In the end, a law degree is what you make of it. The more research you do, the better (just think, you've already gotten a headstart with this article).
"If you enjoy the world of ideas, then don't worry about whether you want to be a practicing lawyer, or whether you want to go into politics or business or not-for-profit work," counsels Leipold. "Ask what makes you happy. And if you like the idea of law school and it feels right, then go for it."
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published December 09, 2011
By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search 
About Harrison Barnes
No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.
A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter
Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:
- Immigration law
- Workers’ compensation
- Insurance defense
- Family law
- Trusts & estates
- Municipal law
- And many more...
This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.
Proven Success at All Levels
With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:
- Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
- Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
- Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
- Growing firms in small and rural markets
He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.
Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search
Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.
The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys
Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.
- His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
- He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
- His placement success is unmatched—see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
- He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.
Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes
If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.
Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.
With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.
A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success
Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.
Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:
- Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
- Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
- Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.
This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.
A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives
Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.
He has worked with:
- Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
- Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
- Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
- Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.
For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.
Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation
If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.
? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.
Alternative Summary
Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.
More about Harrison
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