Recent law grad/young mom here: how can I get law firm training without the 9 a.m.-7 p.m schedule?
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Anonymous
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My son was born during law school. He is 2 years old now and attends part-time daycare (the hours can be increased). I took off one year after law school, but now I'm looking to gain training and experience at a law firm. I am doing some project work now, so I do have something current on my cv.
I would love to hear some advice on how I could be associated with a law firm and get some training, but without having to bill 2000 hours. Because of my husband's schedule I could not do the 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. schedule. If I ask to be an of counsel that would mean very little training/involvement, right? TIA! |
Anonymous
| OP here again. I am admitted to two local bars. |
Anonymous
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"If I ask to be an of counsel that would mean very little training/involvement, right? "
Right! |
Anonymous
| It sounds like your life right now is not compatible with working at a law firm. Perhaps apply for government jobs or in-house or maybe a very small firm that does not need an associate for 2000 hours/year. |
Anonymous
| You'd be extremely lucky to get 9 to 7. In fact it's unrealistic. |
Anonymous
All my non-government friends who are lawyers worked closer to 8am-9pm, plus most of Saturday for the first couple years. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thanks for your replies. This really sounds disheartening. What is the situation with part-time? I wouldn't mind working for reduced pay.
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Anonymous
Part-time means "only" 40 or so hours a week in the office and then ten at home. |
Anonymous
| You're not going to get an of counsel role with only a year of minimal legal training. Of counsel is for more senior attorneys (past associate level) who aren't partners. |
Anonymous
| I would try contacting the career center at your law school and seeing if they have any ideas for someone in your situation. PP are right that you're not going to be able to get a traditional law firm or government job with those kids of schedule limitations, but there may be lesser-known alternative options that we're not aware of. |
Anonymous
| You don't really get training at a firm anyway. Just look around for a law job with a normal 40 hr schedule or part time and take it from there. Experience is what matters now, not training. |
Anonymous
| And you need to get out of the mindset that a job is about what it can do for you. Employers only care about what you can do for them. |
Anonymous
LOL! 
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Anonymous
| You might want to look into public interest law positions. You'll make peanuts, but might be able to find one with more reasonable hours. |
Anonymous
| How did you get through law school without actually learning anything about being a lawyer? |