Time Flies, Take Advantage of your Three Years.

Something I realized as a recent graduate and young lawyer is how fast the three years of law school fly by and how little time you have to really make the right start to your legal career. In that three years you must study hard, make good grades, establish good relationships with your friends and faculty, get involved in the legal community in some capacity, and get good legal experience in your summers or during the school year. If you live in or near the city where you want to practice, its a lot easier to get involved early and get your name out. If not you have to make more of an effort to get out there during your school breaks and maybe get out of your comfort zone and send out some emails or pick up the phone.

In law school, it goes by so fast, you really have to be strategic and think about what you want to accomplish and what it will take to accomplish it. Even if you don't plan to practice law, it still crucial to network and get good internship or externships. Do take advantage of your career services office, but also be proactive, use the Internet to research practice areas and lawyers to contact, ask your friends and family if they know anyone that you may contact. Contact your local bar association or the bar association of the city or state you want to practice in.

Right now the legal field is hit and miss as far as jobs go. If you are not early, proactive, present and persistent, you may find yourself on Graduation Day with no job. And even despite your most persistent efforts, you may still find yourself jobless, but at least if you put in the effort, you won't the one to blame.

The other thing I recommend for those who are applying to law school. Consider attending a lower ranked law school in the area you want to practice over a higher ranked law school in a city you don't plan to stay in. First of all, you may perform better at a lower ranked law school and law firms look at grades more than anything else. Secondly, you'll be able to start participating in that city a lot earlier and during the school year, rather than in just the summers. Most cities have many events and the fees are often waived for law students. Getting involved early shows your commitment to the city.

Also be broad in your thinking. You may be able to use your legal degree for a plethora of career paths. If you are interested in politics, try seeking a legislative internship during or before law school. If you hope to work for the government, contact city and state government agencies and ask if they have any internship opportunities.

Time flies in law school, think about where you want to be at the end of the three years and go after it. Enjoy law school, but focus on that bigger picture. You do have to pay back your loans, afterall!


Excellence in the Workplace: Legal and Life Skills in a Nutshell

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade

Some of you may have seen the video recently going around on the web and emails about the fact that many restaurants don't always wash their hands when they put a lemon in your water. That totally grossed me out. Fortunately, not all is lost! There are these convenient lemon packets called True Lemon that you can carry in your purse or wallet to add to your water and add a fresh lemony taste. Get a free sample of True Lemon. They also have lime and orange flavors. I love to add these packets to my water, soup, tea, even fish and vegetables. For instance, the lime packets add an extra kick to chicken noodle soup! Anyway, I'd thought I'd share this!!

A great website for grad students and young professionals

Kiplinger.com is a great resource for law students and young professionals. You can get advice about the workforce, such as making work fun. You can also read about articles and advice about starting out in the workforce. There's an interesting article that discusses the lessons one person learned from being broke. (Some of us don't get the six figure starting salaries and have to make ends meet.

You can also check out the section on the basics of financial management and investing, which is important for all us, especially when starting a new career! There's tons of interesting articles, included ways to save money! Now there's some advice I can use!

It will cost you an arm and a leg!

Interesting fact I picked up today:

There were no cameras in George Washington's days. One's image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms. Painters based their fees on how many limbs were painted, not on how many people were to be painted. Painting arms and legs would cost a buyer more. Hence the expression,"Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg.."

Websites with good deals or even free stuff!

Amazon.com's Goldbox features great deals every week day. You can find some great prices, but you have to check often!


Fantastic pearl jewelry for sale. Who doesn't love pearls!

I love ebags.com! I got some really great luggage and a laptop bag and part of the proceeds went to breast cancer research.

Free sample of EAS Mypoplex Energy Bar with Brady Quinn as a sponsor!! (He's so cute!) Use offer code: 4130

Free book by Billy Graham, The Secret to Happiness.

Bluefly.com has some amazing fashions and the site was featured on BRAVO's Project Runway.

If you don't like being a lawyer, become a rap artist!

Check out this article from the ABA Journal about lawyers have sought alternate uses for their law degrees. 3 Lawyers’ New Gigs: Headmistress, Concrete Worker, Rap Artist

Preparation is key to getting the job.

Here is great article from Indiana Intern Network on how to land a good internship.

The internship interview is a strategic conversation with a purpose. Your goal is to persuade employers that you have the desired skills to do the job and that you can comfortably fit into their organization. In addition to sharing information about yourself, consider the interview an opportunity to determine if the position and work environment are right for you. Here are some tips for navigating the interviewing waters.

Check out the rest of the article on how to prepare for your interview and land the job!