The 2nd Edition of So, You Want to be a Lawyer, Eh? has been delayed somewhat by the publisher. We expect it to be available by May, 2007. It has taken some extra time to gather the new information and corroborate its accuracy. As well, there is lots of new information, so that has taken longer to sort through with editing, etc. It will be really good though, and is worth the wait. In the meantime, you will still find the First Edition very useful and well worth the $15.
For those of you who have purchased the book - thank you. I really appreciate your support. I also really appreciate the positive feedback that some of you have left at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and Chapters.ca. Thank you.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
That First Post Law School Job
There's a nice short article about considerations in choosing a post law school job (i.e. articling position). Some good ideas, but it kind of reads like an advertisement for a recruiting firm, which it probably is.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Osgoode renovations to cost $25 million
"York University's board of governors approved a $25 million renovation for Osgoode Hall Law School in order to accommodate growth in enrollment."
"The expansion plan for the 33-year-old building will begin in June 2008. The expansion, among other things, will allow for more classes in the building and will expand the law library."
For more detail, go to Excalibur - York University's Newspaper.
I think growth is good, but I question an increase in enrollment. This isn't the only law school who is increasing enrollment. Being on the other side of my law school years, I can tell you that there are plenty of current and graduating Canadian law students who are not too happy about this idea. What do you think?
"The expansion plan for the 33-year-old building will begin in June 2008. The expansion, among other things, will allow for more classes in the building and will expand the law library."
For more detail, go to Excalibur - York University's Newspaper.
I think growth is good, but I question an increase in enrollment. This isn't the only law school who is increasing enrollment. Being on the other side of my law school years, I can tell you that there are plenty of current and graduating Canadian law students who are not too happy about this idea. What do you think?
Monday, February 12, 2007
Is there such thing as too young for law school?
I have been asked on occassion what I thought about age and law school. Well, here are my thoughts:
1. Chronological age and maturity do not mean the same thing.
2. Life experience speaks volumes both for law school and for the profession of a lawyer. Whatever you can bring to the table from your previous life will prove invaluable.
3. Law schools are letting students in to law school at too young an age, on average. Law students should have to have a certain number of years of 'real life' experience. Too many jump from high school to undergrad to law school to lawyer. They don't know what real work is like, and many of them jump ship because they learn that this kind of 'real life' is not what they had counted on.
4. You are almost never too old to attend law school. I know some great lawyers who started their legal careers in their 40's and 50's and are loving it, and are really good at what they do. I have seen some keen minds at 60, but they will likely have difficulty in entering the job market.
5. Young lawyers tend to be taken advantage of by law firms. The partners are very aware that they can encourage these young prodigies to work unbelievable numbers of hours - they know that they do not have families, that they are incredibly keen to make partner, and that they will do anything to prove themselves. They do not have as many friends or colleagues that they are tied to, and they are vulnerable.
What do you think? Prove me wrong.
1. Chronological age and maturity do not mean the same thing.
2. Life experience speaks volumes both for law school and for the profession of a lawyer. Whatever you can bring to the table from your previous life will prove invaluable.
3. Law schools are letting students in to law school at too young an age, on average. Law students should have to have a certain number of years of 'real life' experience. Too many jump from high school to undergrad to law school to lawyer. They don't know what real work is like, and many of them jump ship because they learn that this kind of 'real life' is not what they had counted on.
4. You are almost never too old to attend law school. I know some great lawyers who started their legal careers in their 40's and 50's and are loving it, and are really good at what they do. I have seen some keen minds at 60, but they will likely have difficulty in entering the job market.
5. Young lawyers tend to be taken advantage of by law firms. The partners are very aware that they can encourage these young prodigies to work unbelievable numbers of hours - they know that they do not have families, that they are incredibly keen to make partner, and that they will do anything to prove themselves. They do not have as many friends or colleagues that they are tied to, and they are vulnerable.
What do you think? Prove me wrong.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Here's a cool new Canadian Law School initiative
http://canlawstats.mylawsite.net/
"Have you already been accepted? If so, we need your help.
We are making a new section that will feature profiles of students who have been accepted to law school. You don't need to submit your name or any other information which you don't want to share. Simply tells us where you have been accepted, undergraduate school, LSAT, GPA, work experience or volunteer, extracurricular activities, or any other factors which played a role in your acceptance. The profiles will be published in a new section on the website. If you want to send in a picture (any pic by which you would want to be identified), a nickname or an avatar to go along with your profile you are welcome to do so.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you"
http://canlawstats.mylawsite.net/
"Have you already been accepted? If so, we need your help.
We are making a new section that will feature profiles of students who have been accepted to law school. You don't need to submit your name or any other information which you don't want to share. Simply tells us where you have been accepted, undergraduate school, LSAT, GPA, work experience or volunteer, extracurricular activities, or any other factors which played a role in your acceptance. The profiles will be published in a new section on the website. If you want to send in a picture (any pic by which you would want to be identified), a nickname or an avatar to go along with your profile you are welcome to do so.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you"
http://canlawstats.mylawsite.net/
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Law School Rejection - Take This!
For those of you in the process of waiting for your law school admission results, I have come across the following very useful letter. Please feel free to use it.
Dean Robert A. Jackson
Chair - Faculty of Law Admissions Committee
75B Madisson Hall, Clark University
Timmons, ON B49 6B1
Dear Dean Jackson,
Thank you for your letter of February 2. After careful consideration, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me a spot at your law school.
This year I have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large number of rejection letters from law schools. With such a varied and promising field of candidates, it is impossible for me to accept all refusals.
Despite Clark's outstanding qualifications and previous experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet my needs at this time. Therefore, I will assume a spot at your law school this September. I look forward to seeing you then.
Best of luck in rejecting future law school applicants.
Sincerely,
Marty B. Kendall
Dean Robert A. Jackson
Chair - Faculty of Law Admissions Committee
75B Madisson Hall, Clark University
Timmons, ON B49 6B1
Dear Dean Jackson,
Thank you for your letter of February 2. After careful consideration, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me a spot at your law school.
This year I have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large number of rejection letters from law schools. With such a varied and promising field of candidates, it is impossible for me to accept all refusals.
Despite Clark's outstanding qualifications and previous experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet my needs at this time. Therefore, I will assume a spot at your law school this September. I look forward to seeing you then.
Best of luck in rejecting future law school applicants.
Sincerely,
Marty B. Kendall
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