[OT] Attorneys on the EnWorld boards

[Creamsteak]

My school councelor is about worthless... no... she is worthless... she can't tell me what will happen if I get a bachelor's in computer science, work off my school loans, and then apply to law school...

All I want to know, is would I be wasting time to be getting a computer science degree first? One person told me that it's fine, and all I need to do is get a good score on some national test and have a bachelors, then it should only take another 5 years or so to get my law degree... I want to work in the computer industry, just not retire in it, and I plan to go back to school after I become an outdated idiot about computers... to go to law school...

Since I should be less... ridled with nonsense when I'm 30.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

A bachelors and taking the LSAT is all you need to get into law school.(doing well on the LSAT is very important) It takes 3 years if going full time 4 years if part time to get through law school. And would it be worthless. Nope. In fact with a science oriented bachelors I'd suggest loking into patent law and taking the patent bar. The pass rate of the patent bar is really harsh, but if you do pass that it works in your favor.

People like me with a criminal jsutice bachelors can't even take the patent bar as I undestand it, and even if I could no one would hire me since I don't have an apprpriate bachelors. I actually ofund intellectual property law fairly interesting though patent law was my least favorite branch.

 

[Mistwell]

My school councelor is about worthless... no... she is worthless... she can't tell me what will happen if I get a bachelor's in computer science, work off my school loans, and then apply to law school...

All I want to know, is would I be wasting time to be getting a computer science degree first? One person told me that it's fine, and all I need to do is get a good score on some national test and have a bachelors, then it should only take another 5 years or so to get my law degree... I want to work in the computer industry, just not retire in it, and I plan to go back to school after I become an outdated idiot about computers... to go to law school...

Since I should be less... ridled with nonsense when I'm 30.

It's a fine plan. To get in to law school, you need a bachelors degree from an accredited undergraduate school (of any kind, provided it is legitimate), and good scores on the national test (the LSAT). Law school itself ranges from 2 years (in one of the rare accelerated programs, like Southwestern), to 4-5 years (in a night program or part-time program or joint-degree program), with 3 years being the national average (and the standard, for most law schools).

 

[JPL]

My school councelor is about worthless... no... she is worthless... she can't tell me what will happen if I get a bachelor's in computer science, work off my school loans, and then apply to law school...

All I want to know, is would I be wasting time to be getting a computer science degree first? One person told me that it's fine, and all I need to do is get a good score on some national test and have a bachelors, then it should only take another 5 years or so to get my law degree... I want to work in the computer industry, just not retire in it, and I plan to go back to school after I become an outdated idiot about computers... to go to law school...

Since I should be less... ridled with nonsense when I'm 30.

A computer science background would be a huge asset for an attorney, especially if you'd be interested in getting into a specialty like patent law.

And as Brother Mistwell said, three years is the norm for law school.

 

[JPL]

A bachelors and taking the LSAT is all you need to get into law school.(doing well on the LSAT is very important) It takes 3 years if going full time 4 years if part time to get through law school. And would it be worthless. Nope. In fact with a science oriented bachelors I'd suggest loking into patent law and taking the patent bar. The pass rate of the patent bar is really harsh, but if you do pass that it works in your favor.

People like me with a criminal jsutice bachelors can't even take the patent bar as I undestand it, and even if I could no one would hire me since I don't have an apprpriate bachelors. I actually ofund intellectual property law fairly interesting though patent law was my least favorite branch.

You know, in California [and ONLY California, as I recall], you can be admitted to the state bar without a J.D. (law degree) by serving an apprenticeship at a firm. So you got that going for you...

 

[Juiblex]

Attorneys

I am a trial attorney specializing in medical malpractice and employment claims.

 

[Mistwell]

I'm a lawyer, too. I currently live in the Bay Area and I'm awaiting the CA bar results, but I have been licensed in PA since 1999 (my wife got a job out here that was simply too great to pass up).

I spent my summer studying for the CA bar and now I am sending out resumes to temp agencies (though most say, "call us back when you get a license"). Its not so bad; I have more time to do some writing and gaming and now, unlike when I practiced, I'm home at the same time my wife is. I really miss practicing law and the challenges the profession provides. Hopefully, after the results come out in November, it won't take me too long to find a job.

I mention the above, because I have found an outlet for my "pent up" desire to resume the practice of law. Soon, I will not be the only one who has suffered due to my "legal withdrawal". I'm putting the finishing touches on an adventure for my regular group that requires the players to perform legal research, argue positions and overcome legal scenarios based on actual common law. The villain's profession? An attorney. The source of his evil power? See profession (just kidding.) Race? Why yuan-ti, of course.

I figured, if I had to wrestle with arcane definitions of burglary ("the dwelling of another and only at night") and the rule against perpetuities, then so must my players! Bwahahahahahahaha... ahem.

Unfortunately, the road to legal knowledge is a difficult one, and I have to wait until the players have gained a few more levels before I can unleash the adventure upon them.

Oh! I've gotta see that adventure! I don't suppose you typed it up in a word-file module, did you? I'd be happy to arrange an exchange of some kind for it. Sound exactly like something I've been looking for.

And on a different note:

You know, in California [and ONLY California, as I recall], you can be admitted to the state bar without a J.D. (law degree) by serving an apprenticeship at a firm. So you got that going for you...

Indeed, this is correct. One of the best attorneys I ever met never went to law school. You do, however, have to pass an additional exam, known as the First Year Law Exam, and I have heard it is even tougher than the bar (and the Cal Bar is one of the most difficult in the nation).

 

[theoremtank]

Can any of you lawyers get my $40 bucks back for eTools? I know its small-time but a lot of use really think WotC screwed us on this product.

 

[Creamsteak]

Thanx for the information. It helps my motivation quite a bit to know that I really can "do what I want" with my life, and I can change careers after I've spent my money and paid myself off...

It really is helpful and all, and just that little bit is INCREDIBLY more helpful than what my resources now supply me with... if it's even vaguely interesting here's why:

- - - - -

As I said, my highschool staff is rather... uneducated. Only (I think... and this is based on last years state estimates) that my school's staff only consists of 9% teachers with masters, and this is a highschool... so that's pretty bad I think.

Also we have scores in the lower 400's range out of the 560 total districts in Missouri, and I think my school is going ot loose acredidation the year I leave since too few students are passing state tests or doing well on the ACT. Actually, last year I think our average ACT score was 24, which is quite badass... but not out of the 18 people taking it of 2000 students...

Let's just say I'm lucky I get education "on the side."

 

[Valen]

Well, I still have some distance to go with the adventure until I am completely pleased with it, plus it is so much fun to write that I am afraid that I may never want to complete it.

I hope to have it finished within a month or two. In the meantime, I have some fun freelance assignments that I am working on. Who knows? If they go well, you may see the legal adventure in print...

Err..wha? Sorry, I think I was dreaming just then. When I finish it, I'll let everyone know. (Gee, who would have thought that the rule against perpetuities would generate so much interest? Still, I'd rather fight a dragon.)