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[quote=Exlawdean][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP, your thread starting post suggested that prospective law school applicants should shadow lawyers before deciding whether or not to pursue the practice of law. I disagree.

I disagree because most lawyer activity occurs in the head of the attorney and watching a lawyer think, read and write for 9 or 10 hours a day really does not convey what lawyers do in furtherance of their clients' interests.

Shadowing a medical professional--such as a doctor--is quite different as many functions can be appreciated simply by being present & watching.[/quote]

Continuing:

Arguably there is some career insight to be gained by shadowing a litigator (trial attorney) at a deposition or at a motions hearing or during a trial. But I doubt that many attorneys or law firms want non-lawyer/non-legal related professionals observers at their depositions. With respect to trial matters heard in court, there is no need to shadow as most hearings are open to the public.

Even though I see little value in shadowing an attorney, there is value in speaking to a variety of attorneys during lunch or any other free time to discuss the profession and that attorney's duties within his or her practice.

But watching an attorney think, read, and write for 10 hours a day provides insight that could be communicated in a quick conversation.[/quote]

[i]We clearly agree on some issues, and disagree on the bottom line. Does a typical lawyer spend a lot of time, perhaps a majority of time, doing research and writing? Yes. Is it very boring to watch? Yes. Is spending a day "watching" this activity valuable? Yes. Nothing will drive home to a prospective law student how sedentary and quiet much of lawyer's life is as spending a day watching it. The prospective law student should be encouraged to bring a good book with him. No internet videos to pass the time. The quiet time spent reading will be exactly that. If the student can get permission to attend some meetings, as well, so much the better. Of course, some material in some meetings will be privileged, and thus lawyers will refuse to have anyone present who is not working for the law firm. If the prospective student has to settle for a description of what is going on, that's OK. I agree that hearings are a great idea. But if that's all a prospective student sees, they will get an unrealistic idea about the practice of law.[/i][/quote]

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