The American Legal Profession: The Myths and Realities of Practicing Law

While emphasizing that lawyers fulfill a vital but often misunderstood public function in society. The American Legal Profession: The Myths and Realties 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. In addition to introducing students to the myths and realities of law school and the legal profession, this book: Provides a simple yet comprehensive overview of the timing and logistics of preparing law school applications. Offers guidance for evaluating law school rankings in order to select the most appropriate law school when making decisions about where to apply. Explores the journey from law school to legal practice, illuminating what students can expect upon matriculating into law school and what kind of employment they can secure after they graduate.