Why do law firms (and many other types of businesses) choose to overwork associates rather than hire additional workers to make up the hours? Couldn’t a firm hire 20% more associates and have each of them bill 40 rather than 50 hours (for 20% less pay)?

-- EdwardNewton - 21 Apr 2008

In terms of curricular planning:

Do I have to take classes such as Corporations, Tax, etc.? What are the benefits of taking these classes versus the costs of not taking them? Are there certain classes that every law student "must" take?

How can I make the best use out of my 3L year? Should I look to spending my time abroad or at an externship, or should I take classes?

-- MinaNasseri - 20 Apr 2008

• Related: How can I use technological changes to my client's advantage? How can I use technology to have a more efficent practice? -- JustinColannino - 20 Apr 2008

1. How do I figure out what areas of law I would like to work in during law school? (do I? can I?)

2. The biggest source of anxiety for me is that I am not so sure that the skills I will need as a lawyer--e.g. writing, communicating, speaking--have been improving since I started law school. How do I assess where I am, apart from the grades I receive?

3. What is it like working for one of the government agencies, such as the SEC, FTC, and the Fed?

-- JayunKoo - 20 Apr 2008

1. Maybe this is a Meta-question, but why big law firm. Is it really just as simple as the money. I would like to know from the people who pursue it what they get out of it, why they stick with it, etc.?

2. How does one successfully complete a summer associateship, and their first few years at a firm?

3. As a conscious person, how do i distinguish between levels of social harm. All of the schools I have attended have big endowments, operate like corporations and do things that don't further my personal goals towards social change. What makes a law firm different. Is the issue whether or not I utilize them(these schools & a firm) for what they give me to get where I want? Is the question whether the ends justify the means?

-- MichaelBrown - 20 Apr 2008