Thinking About Law School
A law degree, known as a Juris Doctor, or JD, can be a fantastic path to numerous rewarding careers. However, law school is also time consuming, labor intensive, and can be extremely costly. Therefore, it is important to be sure that law school is the right path for you. Fortunately, Simmons Pre-Law Advising is here to help!
Law School: The Basics
Most full time law students will complete their JD degree in three years, known as 1L, 2L, and 3L. Some law schools offer part time programs that might take an additional 4L year to complete.
There are no majors in law school. All students study all aspects of law, though you can choose to focus on a particular area of interest in your later years. In fact, most 1L students don't choose any of their own classes.
If you are interested in learning more about the law school experience, check out Law School Unmasked on LawHub (you will need to make a free LSAC account to access this course).
Law School: Frequently Asked Questions
No! A law degree can open up many career paths in fields such as government, business, nonprofit and advocacy groups, and more! There are many jobs known as “JD Advantage” that do not require a law degree or Bar certification, but prefer applicants who have graduated from law school. Examples include corporate compliance and mediation, data privacy and security, government relations, human resources, and risk management. You can learn more about JD Advantage careers on NALP's Website.
It is important to note, though, that law school is very expensive and time consuming, and is ultimately designed to train students to become lawyers. If you don't want to practice law, there may be a better post-graduate path for you, and we encourage you to discuss with the pre-law advisor or Career Education Center.
No! Any ABA accredited law school can prepare students for successful careers in law. However, it is important to consider what kinds of careers alums from a particular law school go on to pursue. For example, if you are interested in working for a Big Law firm (500+ attorneys), it may be more important to attend a highly ranked law school. You can view career placement statistics for all law schools at lawschooltransparency.com.
Most law schools strive to create a supportive environment for all students. However, 1Ls coming from undergrad may find law school more competitive than what they are used to. For example, most law schools grade on a curve, meaning that only a certain number of students can earn an A, B, or C. Additionally, most law professors rely on cold calling.
Law Careers: The Basics
Law school is a professional program that trains students to pass the Bar Exam and become a practicing lawyer. According to NALP, 82% of 2023 law school graduates are employed in full time, bar passage required positions (AKA, they're lawyers). However, there are a number of different paths both as a licensed attorney and in jobs that do not require licensure.
Resources About Law Careers
Recommended Reading
The following recommended reading list has been compiled for prospective law students by staff at the University of Dayton School of Law. This list provides an introductory sampling of publications which may be of interest to those individuals who are giving through to entering law school. Copies of some of these recommended readings can be found in the Pre-Law Program's resource library located in the Center for Student Success (CSS).
- The Nature of the Judicial Process
- Simple Justice: The History of Brown v. Board of Education And Black America's Struggle for Equality
- The Bramble Bush: Our Law and Its Study
- Gideon's Trumpet
- Miracle at Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional Convention
In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action - The Supreme Court
- Attorney for the Damned: Clarence Darrow in the Courtroom
- John Marshall: A Life in Law
- Thurgood Marshall: Justice for All
- A Season for Justice: The Life and Times of Civil Rights Lawyer Morris Dees
- Barron's Guide to Law Schools
From Here to Attorney: The Ultimate Guide to Excelling in law School and Launching Your Legal Career - Learning the Law: Success in Law School and Beyond
- The Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools
- One L: An Inside Account of Life in the First Year of Harvard Law School
We have a variety of law books available at the Simmons University Library, including:
- Alumni/ae in Action
- Career in Law
- Choosing a Career in Law
- Full Disclosure: Do You Really Want to Be a Lawyer?
- How to Land Your First Paralegal Job
- Paralegal: An Insider's Guide to the Fastest-Growing Occupation of the 1990
- Peterson's Graduate Programs in Business, Education, Health and Law
- Women in Law