You can be a success no matter where you go. For instance one could: go to Cooley, work their ass off to get great grades, get a job at some small firm, save a few bucks, open their own practice, sue the pants off somebody and win a huge verdict, run a "successful" firm. It isn't that far fetched.
It really is. Maybe one or two graduates from the last 30 years at Cooley has done it, to provide you with some anecdotal evidence of this theory, but in reality it is that far fetched. Cooley has obviously become some sort of cult object on LSD, but reality is that it is one of the very weakest ABA-approved schools. It's not a good idea to go there; what-so-ever.
This is the path my neighbor took. He went to Northern Kentucky like 20 years ago and now runs his own small firm...and is totally loaded. Last I checked, NKU doesn't get much more respect than Cooley. Conversely, my step-uncle(is that what I call him?) went to Harvard law and still works in the publc sector in upstate New York, making not that much money. He likes the hours and benefits, from what I hear. I know everybody here hates anecdotal evidence, but you can be a success wherever you go. It just depends on your definition of success and how hard you are willing to work.
Well, this is the problem isn't it, nobody is able to verify whether you even have a neighbor, and people lying on the internet to make their point... hardly surprising. Unless you're willing to post your own personal info so we can track down your neighbor, but I guess not
Somehow I doubt this guy is totally loaded, even if he does run his own firm, but he may be doing pretty ok. If your step-uncle has a Harvard degree and still doesn't make much money, he's just not trying. Even in PI you can make a decent paycheck with a Harvard degree.
first of all, why are you such a prick? just because you are able to be the devil's advocate in a given situation doesn't make it a good idea. Everybody on this board is smart...so you don't have to try to poke holes in what I like to call "reality" to prove your intellect. Also, what motivation do I have to sit here and take my time to write a lie?
second, my step-uncle actually worked in NYC for a few years but hated the biglaw/I don't own my own life/I can't have a family and pay attention to them thing. He strongly advised me against it...although I am planning to ignore this advice. The point of bringing him up is that you can choose to do whatever you want with your degree. You can get the best JD in the world (Harvard) not make much and still call yourself a success. He is the smartest man I know...don't tell me he "isn't trying." Oh, he works for the Adirondack Park Agency in NY in case you need that verification. I'll give you his name if you are truly interested, but I doubt you are.
third, you are right about my neighbor. I don't have this neighbor...anymore. Once he hit it big, he packed up the fam and moved to Indian Hill (aka the nicest city in Ohio). There is no way in hell I'm giving you his personal info, since I plan to work at his office before I head off to school next year. You are severely uninformed you believe PI lawyers can't make a lot BTW.
Back to the point, you can be a successful lawyer wherever you go to school...just depends on your definition of success and how hard you are willing to work.