The American legal profession : the myths and realities of practicing law

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Where to find it

Law Library — 2nd Floor Collection (2nd floor)

Call Number
KF300 .B35 2018
Status
Available

Authors, etc.

Names:

Summary

While emphasizing that lawyers fulfill a vital but often misunderstood public function in society, The American Legal Profession: The Myths and Realities of Practicing Law dispels some of the common misconceptions about the legal profession to show that the reality of being a lawyer is much different from what many students believe it to be. Many students know little about what law school is like or how it differs from undergraduate study, and this book corrects common myths about graduating law school and life after passing the bar. This brief primer is a nuts-and-bolts analysis of what it is really like to go into the legal profession, from start to finish, giving students considering a career in law a realistic overview of their potential legal careers.

Contents

  • List of Tables and Figures p. ix
  • Preface p. xi
  • Acknowledgments p. xv
  • About the Author p. xvii
  • 1 The Myths and Realities of Being a Lawyer p. 1
  • The Trial Lawyer Myth p. 2
  • The Reality p. 3
  • The "Law School Is a Good Investment" Myth p. 5
  • The Reality p. 6
  • The Diversity and Egalitarian Myth p. 7
  • The Reality p. 8
  • The Plan of the Book p. 10
  • Selected Readings p. 11
  • Web Links p. 11
  • Endnotes p. 12
  • 2 Applying to Law School p. 15
  • A Brief Introduction to the American Legal Profession p. 15
  • Lawyer Demographics p. 16
  • Legal Practice Settings p. 18
  • Lawyer Salaries p. 20
  • Student Loan Debt p. 21
  • Preparing for Law School: "Prelaw" Undergraduate Studies p. 23
  • Prelaw Undergraduate Study p. 23
  • The Law School Admission Test p. 27
  • Selecting the "Right" Law School p. 29
  • Applying to Law School p. 34
  • Preparing the Law School Application p. 35
  • Conclusion p. 39
  • Selected Readings p. 40
  • Web Links p. 40
  • Endnotes p. 40
  • 3 Law School p. 49
  • The Casebook Method: "Learning to Think Like a Lawyer" p. 50
  • The Law School Curriculum p. 53
  • Licensing Requirements and Bar Admissions p. 56
  • Conclusion p. 61
  • Selected Readings p. 62
  • Web Links p. 62
  • Endnotes p. 62
  • 4 The Practice of Law p. 67
  • The Business of Legal Practice p. 69
  • Big Law and Its Impact on the Legal Profession p. 70
  • Private Practice and Other Legal Employment Settings p. 79
  • Private Practice p. 80
  • Business and Industry Law Practice p. 81
  • Government, Public Interest Attorneys, and Legal Academia Positions p. 82
  • Alternative Careers: Nonlegal Jobs p. 84
  • Conclusion p. 86
  • Selected Readings p. 87
  • Web Links p. 87
  • Endnotes p. 87
  • 5 Future Trends and Reform Issues in the Legal Profession p. 95
  • The Legal Profession's Insularity p. 96
  • Regulating and Reforming Legal Education p. 97
  • Regulating and Reforming Legal Practice Conditions p. 99
  • Multijurisdictional and Multidisciplinary Practice p. 100
  • Nonlawyer Investment p. 101
  • Professional Competence and Lawyer Discipline p. 101
  • The Difficulties of Traditional Law School Instruction p. 103
  • The Competitive Delivery of Legal Services in the Future p. 106
  • Conclusion p. 108
  • Selected Readings p. 108
  • Web Links p. 108
  • Endnotes p. 109
  • Index p. 115

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