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 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
- I Am The Law Podcast (LSAC*)
- National Association of Law Placement (NALP*)
- American Bar Association
- Massachusetts Bar Association
Glossary
- Law School Admissions Council (LSAC)
- National Association of Law Placement (NALP)
- American Bar Association (ABA)
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 thought 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