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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Who goes on to do trial work in the state and county systems, where the rubber hits the road so to speak?  [/quote]

I think local connections really help in starting out in county/state courts. Most lawyers I've found with a healthy practice in those courts went to law school in that state, did decently, did internships with prosecutor's offices or clerkships with local judges. In criminal law, they often start in the prosecutor's office and then switch to defense after they've learned the ropes. But I've also seen defense attorneys who went straight into defense private practice out of school. The successful ones usually had a good mentor who helped them. It also helps if you have a niche.[/quote]

So, there you go.  Why so much emphasis on HYP Law and trying to get to BigLaw when there are real needs to be met and served at the state and county levels with smaller firms or in solo practice?

I am originally from Florida, and just looking at the list of the University of Florida Levin School of Law alumni list, there are quite a number of graduates who have gone on to illustrious careers in academia, business and government, including 4 U.S. Senators, 15 Representatives, 4 Governors, any number of states attorneys general, U.S. Ambassadors, the U.S. Trade Representative and any number of Federal judges.

I am not an attorney, but I counsel students on career choices all of the time, and the most common piece of advice I give is to constantly think outside the box, broaden your horizons within your chosen profession and be willing to take risks that will differentiate you from virtually everyone else in you field.

It just seems to me, at least on this board, that there is a lot of narrow thinking about legal careers and that the best jobs for lawyers are at the big NYC, Chicago, firms, etc., when in fact there is quite a universe of career paths out there by which one can be successful.  [/quote]

[b]Because it's very difficult to pay back crushing law school debt working for the state, the county, or working for a solo who pays $40K and no benefits[/b]. [/quote]

Well, I guess you made a losing bet.  No need to feel sorry for you. [/quote]

I'm not a lawyer, thank god. But I'm married to one. He's one of the lucky ones.

A losing bet?? Do you know that law schools lie about their job placement? Do you know shitty, fourth tier private schools can cost almost as much as a T14? They prey on kids with shitty LSAT scores and generally dim prospects. [/quote]

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