diamondfan
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2005
- Messages
- 11,016
Ha! I looked at PhD programs as well. Maybe I''m not cut out for law school! But I am very happy that it''s my Undergrad, I love being able to read cases and actually understand them (the majority of the time lol).Date: 2/26/2008 7:01:27 PM
Author: neatfreak
I''m in policy and work with many lawyers, and have worked at both for profit and non-profit places. Their advice? A UNANIMOUS: If you are questioning whether you WANT to go to law school or not, DON''T DO IT. Be sure before you take on that kind of debt and pressure.
I personally think that''s really great advice, and I am glad I listened to them because it was after I decided not to go to law school that I realized that I was so much more excited about a Ph.D., and I knew I had found my true passion.
My husband is a partner at a top NY law firm, and I can''t honestly think of a single female partner who has kids (not unless the father is a SAHD). Very depressing.Date: 2/22/2008 11:10:13 AM
Author: Independent Gal
The bottom line: only a lucky (read: hard working, well-organizing, and probably totally exhausted) few - and it sounds like LitChik is one of them - are able to reach the peak of their profession and be a good mom.
LitChik, you''re an inspiration to me!
Date: 2/26/2008 9:23:40 PM
Author: Octavia
Onedrop, are you in federal, state, or local government? I''m pretty sure I want to work for a federal agency, so I was just curious!
Date: 2/22/2008 4:14:57 PM
Author: Octavia
SarahLovesJS, I''m a law student and the degree definitely comes at a heavy price.
First, financially. In general, if you are a super student and get above a 170 on your LSAT, then there are many scholarships available at most schools. If you''re a good student and get a very good LSAT score, there are some scholarships at some schools. If your grades and your LSAT aren''t so hot, you''ll be paying for the degree yourself (as in, loans, lots of loans).
Hi LitigatorChick! I am actually an articling student in Toronto at a big corporate firm - many of our female associates/partners have children. (For the US folks - articling is like a 10 month internship that you have to do before being called to the bar).Date: 2/27/2008 9:46:55 AM
Author: LitigatorChick
One more thing - I am due for partnership in the next year, which is on the very same timeline as my peers of the same year of call to the bar - I was not and will not be taken back a year, despite taking 9 months of maternity leave!
Thanks!! I''ll need it - it feels a little daunting right now. I see the attrition rates at the big firms and I feel like the odds of me staying and loving it are slim, but so far i really enjoy the work and the learning. I''m obviously just starting out so we''ll see what happens.Date: 2/27/2008 10:32:22 AM
Author: LitigatorChick
Good luck with articling, October2008bride. I lucked out and clerked, which is a better gig than articling at a big firm. Our students work very hard at the firm, and I don''t envy them.
Concerning my partnership track, I was arguably at least 1 year ahead of my peers. I have been fortunate, and excelled in school and clerking. As well, on my ''year off'' (that makes me giggle), I spent time each week with a head set on while I nursed and took conference calls. I stayed in touch throughout, and tried to stay on top of recent developments in my practice area. I admit I was a little rusty for the first few weeks, but within no time, I was back at the top of my game. As well, I think that being a mother gave me a new perspective that a lot of my peers do not have.
Hours are hard, and I have posted previously my schedule - 6 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. I will work after the little guy goes to bed at 8:00 if needed. I rarely work weekends. I think my practice area of litigation helps, as our work is generaly more ''consistent'', rather than the rush of corporate law to get the deal done.
If I can help you out on any other matters about big firm life, let me know.
I so agree. Advance warning - this whole topic is one of my 'triggers'. It's wrong wrong wrong that women are not supported to combine motherhood and participation in the workplace. And where is the support for men who want to be at home with their children more without sacrificing their careers? And unique to the Irish context, our Constitution says no woman should be forced to work outside the home by reason of economic necessity, and then the State provides zero support to families where the mother wants to stay at home! Aaaargh!Date: 2/22/2008 9:45:59 AM
Author: Independent Gal
So much for womens' equality.It's so disappointing.![]()
Sarah, you can also have a look at the balancing work and family thread on this page if you want, where some of us have been confronting similar questions. Here's the link:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/advice-on-family-work-balance.77917/
Date: 2/29/2008 9:18:22 AM
Author: LitigatorChick
MMM - Point is that you still have to bill the hours: no free ride! But you can bill the hours and be a mom. You just need to be super-organized, efficient, and have a lot of help (read: nanny).
I don''t think the firm owns me, despite my salary.![]()
Date: 2/28/2008 6:14:52 PM
Author: moremoremore
I guess what I don't get is why an answer from experience in this day and age and in the field of law is not pro women's lib...Can someone explain it to me? If hubby makes less than the attorney starting out will, great, have him stay home and watch the kids. Someone has to, right? As an associate attorney with loans, you'll need a good paying job to cover the loans, right? Well, let me tell you, you can go into the interview saying 'well, I have kids and need time to get them when they are sick, need to me available when they need me, and need to have regular hours'....Yeah, but unless the partners are enlightened or actually GIVE A SH*T about you and your family, well then, these realistic questions and answers from experience need to be given. From my experience, especially when you're starting out, all partners care about are billable hours. Don't get me wrong, most people are reasonable, but in a big firm making big bucks they own you. So you'll need a more flexible job which will lead to less pay when your loans stay the same. Am I saying that you can't be an attorney with kids, no. But if you need to make good bucks to pay for the loans, and if your husband works full time as well, I'm not sure saying Girrrrllll Pooowwweeeerrrr is all it takes.
Date: 2/29/2008 2:57:19 PM
So, what''s my last option? I guess becoming a teacher? This is going to sound really bad, but I wanted to make more money than my parents not less. Not combined, but me personally. I guess it isn''t all about money.
This is going to sound crazy, but I want to do those things! Haha. Sounds crazy right?Date: 2/29/2008 11:10:47 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
SarahlovesJS - why don''t you want a nanny??? My nanny is basically my stay at home wife - looks after the kidlet, cleans, cooks, laundry! It''s great!
Awww...IG, don''t say this. Here is how I look at it.Date: 2/22/2008 9:45:59 AM
Author: Independent Gal
So much for womens'' equality.It''s so disappointing.![]()
Sarah, you can also have a look at the balancing work and family thread on this page if you want, where some of us have been confronting similar questions. Here''s the link:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/advice-on-family-work-balance.77917/