Prospective law school students are savvier and better informed than nearly two decades ago when I began my legal career.
At the time, most of what I learned on the job I had heard a little about in law school but did not really understand. Today, applicants pay attention to key considerations like the return on investment of a legal education at a particular school and postgraduate employment statistics.
Law schools have also responded to the changing landscape by offering new kinds of courses that speak to the business of law and the various employment opportunities for graduates. Many schools have dedicated centers, such as the University of Pennsylvania Law School‘s Center on Professionalism, that help prepare law students to hone core skills that are critical to professional success in an evolving industry landscape.
Before you apply to law school, here are some quirks of the legal industry to consider.
[Read: Why Work Experience Matters for Law School Applicants.]
The Bar Exam
To practice law in the U.S., you must pass a state bar exam. Graduation from law school is not enough to practice law.
Some employment opportunities available to law school graduates do not technically involve the practice of law and would not require passage of a bar exam. However, most postgraduate jobs you will likely be considering will not be in this category.
Therefore, you will need to plan to take and pass at least one bar exam. You should consider a school’s bar passage rates when deciding where to pursue your legal education.
At some point during your law school career, think about where you want to work and plan to take that state’s bar exam.
To maximize employability and be able to represent clients in different states, many attorneys opt to take multiple bar exams right after law school. This is a useful strategy in particular for lawyers who live in metropolitan areas that cover multiple states.
Keep in mind that while some states have reciprocity, allowing you to waive into their state bar without taking an exam after a certain number of years of practice, some states, such as California and Florida, require you to take their bar exam to practice law and represent clients there.
[Read: Consider How a Law School’s Location Can Affect Your Job Prospects.]
Postgraduate Opportunities
While you’re likely focused on the law school application process and your candidacy, it’s never too early to think about what you might like to do after law school.
Unlike some other advanced degrees, a J.D. can be a steppingstone to many different types of employment opportunities. Some of the available jobs might be obvious to you, such as an associate in a law firm, an in-house counsel position at a company, a clerkship or various jobs in government or for nonprofit legal service providers.
Other employment options after law school may be less obvious, such as law firm professionals, support staff at law schools, teaching positions and various jobs in banks or companies in other industries.
Make sure to explore the options that appeal to you, network with professionals in various positions and work with career services staff to create an effective employment strategy tailored to your interests once you begin law school.
[Read: Figure Out Which Area of Law Fits Your Career Goals.]
Work-Life Balance
As you investigate various employment options, think about work-life balance and about both the short and long term. Law school is rigorous and many prospective jobs will also be rigorous.
Aim to do something you love and that brings you fulfillment and satisfaction. Many jobs after law school will be time-intensive and often stressful, so do your best to ensure that the work is interesting.
Also, think about your career trajectory in broad strokes. The reality is that you will likely hold many jobs after you’ve finished school. Think about each job not as an end unto itself but in terms of how it will prepare you for your next chapter.
The Billable Hour System
If you end up practicing in a law firm, you will learn about the billable hour system, an oddity of private sector practice.
While some clients pay law firms a flat fee or use an alternative fee arrangement, by and large, clients of law firms pay for legal services by the hour. This standard system requires efficient and effective tracking of all time on a matter by all lawyers and staff who work on that matter.
What this means is that lawyers have to account for their billable time in six-minute intervals. Though at times cumbersome, this accounting is necessary to ensure that law firms are compensated for all the time dedicated to any particular matter.
Young associates learn very quickly to keep pristine records of all billable work, as this practice affects overall fees as well as the individual associate’s bonus prospects.
As you begin the law school application process, keep the above quirks about the legal industry in mind. The more you know, the better off you will be as you embark on this next phase of your life.
More from U.S. News
How Law School Applicants Can Boost Odds of a Clerkship
Think About Location When Choosing a Law School
Top 10 Law School Resume Fundamentals
What to Know About the Legal Market Before Applying to Law School originally appeared on usnews.com
