As some people before me have posted, how do I go about determining what field of law I want to practice in(what i can be passionate about) while in law school? How do I avoid just randomly getting assigned to one random field of law or another as a 1st year associated at a firm? How long, on average, does it take to pay back the student loans accumulated over the course of law school (not to mention undergrad)? How can I best prepare to start a practice/business on my own? What tools do I need to make the transition from law to business after paying off student loans? Are business/econ. classes necessary to enter into corporate law or are they just an added bonus?

-- JonathanBoustani - 22 Apr 2008

1. I eventually want to have children, and so one concern I have is how to use my law degree to financially support a family in the New York metropolitan area. Besides working at a large law firm, are there other career paths that pay you enough to raise a family with some sense of financial security in one of the most expensive regions in the country?

2. For those of us who work at a large law firm and step off the partnership track, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, what other opportunities are available? For example how does one go about getting a general counsel position at a company and how difficult is it to do so? What are the advantages and disadvantages of going in-house at a company as opposed to working at a law firm?

3. What are some of the typical challenges faced by solo practicioners? How does their daily life compare with life at a law firm?

-- JustinKim - 21 Apr 2008

5) After graduation, how can I use politics and the law to achieve my goals (e.g. getting mass public transportation in Portland and Seattle, where all attempts have been defeated at the polls)?

Why do law firms spend so much money on 1L receptions and events? Adding to Edward's question, couldn't the money be redirected for additional associates? Couldn't the money be redirected for pro bono efforts? Couldn't the money be used to provide scholarships for law students who want to pursue public interest work and social good?

-- CarlForbes - 21 Apr 2008

Why does law school rush the process so much. We have a meeting on 2L summer and talk of what we want to do and where we want to be when we graduate before we start talking about what courses we want to take or really get involved in the opportunities here?

-- MaxDubin - 21 Apr 2008