Law School Discussion

You've been on this board for a while.  How can you not realize that this is a flame?

If it is fame, it was set up so well with the previous 100 or so post; I have to respect that.

Scalia actually does hire clerks who share differing views from hom. I was once at a seminar by a professor who clerked for Scalia (on the CoA) who made Ralph Nader look like Rush Limbaugh. I suspect this isn't limited to scalia either.

A for SCOTUS clerkships, assuming this was real post, you need to focis on getting a clerkship with a feeder COA judge (you will notice that Justices seem to take their clerks from a certain CoA judges) not a SCOTUS judge. I may be mistaken, but I don't think any SC Justices take clerks directly from Law School.   

A mass mail isn't goping to hurt you, but I woundn't make it the centerpiece of a job search. You may get some hits, and even a job, but it is woefully inefficient. Your best bet would be to make it part of a overall strategy of meeting attorneys.

I always hated the idea of networking and "information interviews" because I thought it was cheesy, but most people are receptive, especially lawyers in the 3-5 year range. They are young enough (in terms of years in the profession)  to remember how much looking for a job sucks, but have a couple years worth of contacts they can help you with. It doesn't have to be a formal think either, just coffee, a phone call or exchange a couple of emails.

I have not statistical basis for saying this, but my guess is most small firms hire someone they know or another lawyer referred to them, rather than a cold resume mailing from someone they don;t know. 

An interesting article, for what it is worth:

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/cypress/nationaljurist0108/index.php?startid=30

In terms of applying, my guess is that it could help. Law schools look for diverse backgrounds, not a school full of poli sci and english majors. I can't see how it would hurt.

In terms of going to school, I don't think your undergrad helps or hurts at all. I was a political science major and it didn't make a difference to me. I knew math and science majors, as well as poeple who graduted years ago. None had any problems b/c of thier background.