Law School Discussion

As an Emory guy, I'm just going to chime in here a bit.

First, W&L is considered to be a good law school in the south based on the lawyers and judges I have talked to. They don't come out and say its good, but it is implied from statements like "He is sharp, He went to Washington and Lee." However, I cannot comment on their ability to place in big law firms because I don't go there. Also, I'm not convinced it is perceived as "better" than Emory. It might, but I haven't seen that.

Second, one thing that is nice about Emory is that it is in Atlanta which is a large city. Therefore, there are a lot of opportunities close by to network. If you want to practice in ATL, then W&L vs. Emory is pretty clear: W&L just won't have the networking opportunities that WL will. DC? Again, not sure. Seems like most people who put in a little work and have decent grades don't have a problem finding a good job in DC from Emory.

Third, as to "carpetbaggers" I will say that there are many more northeasteners here than what I would consider classic southerners. I would say most people are from FL, followed by NY. Therefore, the reputation that Emory has for "placing" in NYC I think is a little skewed: people come here NYC, they have ties/connections there (some worked in law firms before, their family work in NYC law firms, friends, etc.). That being said, based purely on stats, Emory grads work, from highest % down in: ATL, NYC, DC. Does that mean Emory "places" well there? I'm not sure.

Finally, if big law firm life is for you, and you are choosing between the schools in this thread, I would think Emory or WaSTL would have a leg up on I or WL because they are in large cities where as the other two or not. They are in bigger legal markets. Going outside of where they are, I bet they are roughly the same except in different cities (Emory might be better for Miami, WUSTL Chicago, WL DC, etc).

The other thing to consider is clinical opportunities, where you will be happy, what the weather is like, what the cost of living is, etc. I think once you get past the top 15 schools or so, you need to think regionally.

BTW: for any of these schools relying on OCI is a bad, bad idea. Especially for first year. You need to get out there, and you need to meet people and let people know who you are. This really matters. I know lots of people who don't go to bar meetings, firm meet and greets nor participate in social activites like Inn of Court, make grades in the top third then whine when they don't get a job from OCI. You have to do work. Career services or a law school name on your resume isn't going to do the work for you.

Just to add a little the discussion, mainly because I'm not interested in finishing up my Civ Pro outline right now. 

VA Highlands: I actually live there. I like it because it isn't too far from the school and there are plenty of places within walking distance. I really only use my car to drive to school. I even walk to the grocery store. It is also a nice looking part of town; lots of trees and hills, a nice park to go run in, etc. The one thing I dislike about it: as Capt. pointed out, most students live at Post, and most of the "simple social" events (house parties for example) seem to happen over there. That being said there are few 1Ls (and more upper-Ls) that live in VaHi. I also got my iPod stolen out of my car the other day, but that was partially my fault for leaving my car unlocked by accident.

Faculty: I'm in Capt's section and for the most part, I can take or leave our profs. The one most I like best most people dislike, and one of them is definitely "loopy" That being said, it is easy to go talk to them after class, during office hours, through appointment or just popping in. I have heard some of my friends in other sections say their professors are "amazing." We do have a stud Contracts prof (Adahi) that isn't here this year, but will be back next. From some of my involvement in the IP society (IP is an area Emory needs to develop), I know that when they are searching for new faculty, they put a strong emphasis on profs that really want to teach and have a good demeanor: not necessarily someone who has a "big name". Also, I would say that the teaching approach among my professors is "soft socratic" at best.

Studying: I think at the beginning of the term, I was about 2-3 hours per hour of class time. Now I'm about an hour per hour of class time, if that. It's the end here so most of the emphasis is on exam prep.

Gunners: I have to say, it seems that in my section there aren't any. Although, I've heard stories about some others sections though. I ask questions/respond a little more than most people, and I might speak once per class per week, maybe. Also, most people that go to law school are obnoxious know it alls to some extent (myself included) so, I mean whatever, its part of the experience and profession.

Jobs: First, I want to say that Career Services is not going to hand you a job at OCI. You are going to have to do some work, especially if you want "out of market jobs." The focus market wise here is: Atlanta, NYC, FL, DC in about that order. Most of that though, is most likely "self selection." If you want to end up on the west coast, I bet you are better off going to Hastings or Davis or UW or something like that than Emory. However, your job search is what you make of it. As far as "biglaw" goes, if you want that in Atlanta, I think if you are middle of the class or better, you probably have a good shot at ATL big firms (based on what I hear from upperclassmen), since Emory is the "big dog" around here. For NYC, you might have to do a little more. If you are an IP person, from what I have been told, it's a little easier to find something out of market.

I can tell you that most likely Dec 7 would not be a good day for Emory. We start exams, school wide on Dec 10. I'm sure everyone is going to be fairly tense in the library or not at the school at all. Classes will not be going on. Also, Library access is restricted to students and faculty only during that time. Something to think about...

I'm pretty sure they sent out some sort of e-mail about what they are doing, but I'm not sure it is above and beyond what the city is enforcing (no washing of cars, no watering of grass, etc.).

Do a fair amount of students go to downtown (used broadly) Atlanta on the weekends?

If so, where?  Do they seem to enjoy it?

I've heard that in Atlanta, there tends to be some animosity towards ... white people.  Do you think this is the least bit true?

Ok so, downtown in ATL isn't a good place to at night. You might be thinking of Midtown, which sure, students will go, but it sort of outside the nebulous of the school.

Many students go to an area called Virgina Highlands, which is close to the school. I live in this neighborhood and I like it, although it is pretty "yuppie". Midtown is the next neighborhood east of VaHi and has more dance club type places. A lot of students also stay in Decatur which is closer to the school although there isn't much "night life" there. There is bar in Decatur called The Brickstore which is wonderful place if you like good (as in Belgian style) beer.

As far as Atlanta being anti-White, I don't know what you are talking about. There is nothing like that from what I can tell. However, I don't venture out much past Midtown, VaHi, Little 5 or Decatur so I can't really speak to the entire city as a whole.