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zhyue · 发表于 2007-4-24 07:47:00

I am currently working in a financial service company at a non-legal related role and will go to georgetown starting this fall for the evening JD program. I plan to switch company/roles after 1st year for more legal experience while at school. As I see it now, there are a few options each with its own pros and cons. I would really appreciate it if those of you already in the trenches like funnytiger can share some thoughts on the way I look at it. With the finance/econ background, most likely I would end up doing corporate and security law, but if I can prove myself in law school I would like to try litigations in constitutional matters.

1. Switch to the legal department of the current company, likely in a paralegal role working on securitization deals which involves interacting with in-house and outside counsels and corporate treasury.
Pros: more likely to get in comparing to other options; no paycut from my albeit meager salary. possibility for tuition reimbusement.
Cons: narrow exposure in terms of legal issues. uncertain how this experience will help in getting a summer and permanent job.

2. Go to a law firm in a paralegal role or whatever it is called (student associate? or is it only for patent?).
Pros: probably more "real" law firm experience, but how useful is it in job hunting later on?. Potential for tuition reimbursement?
Cons: Unsure about how easy to get this kind of job. Unsure about pay (heard paralegal pays little while student associates get paid well).

3. Stay put at current finance role or switch to other financial companies.
Pros: Stable and comfortable, allows more time to spend on study. Good chance of significant pay increase.
Cons: no legal experience gained. would it be a negative in the eyes of employers?

funnytiger · 发表于 2007-4-24 09:36:00

if you want to position yourself well, the best choice is to go full-time in law school.

you need to check your school's summer internship policies. many schools I know prohit part-time student to do OCI for summer intern. if that is the case at Georgetwon, you need to switch to full time in second year.

The money you loss to go full time can be easily made back. But if you don't have summer intern, you should really worry about your chance making to Biglaw.

zhyue · 发表于 2007-4-24 09:52:00

At georgetown, PT students do OCI at the end of 2nd year and the beginning of 3rd year, and do summer interns following the 3rd year before graduate in 3.5 or 4 years. As far as I know, biglaw is not a problem for Chinese at GULC PT, patent or corporate, at least for the past a few years. Although it could possibly be exception rather than the norm due to the hot job market.

I have thought about FT/PT back and forth at times. With a mortgage to pay and a newborn at home, I still need the extra income to make up for the cash flow. Of course immigration status was another concern at the time.

Now putting aisde the FT/PT debate, I would love to listen to your thoughts on my work options as you see it. If none of them really matters at all when OCI comes, then I am worring too much for nothing:-).

funnytiger · 发表于 2007-4-24 11:58:00

the key is your grade. your past experience will be a story to tell, but nothing more than that. Your grade matters the most.

况天佑 · 发表于 2007-4-25 23:58:00

Oh English

funnytiger · 发表于 2007-4-26 01:57:00

以下是引用况天佑在2007-4-25 23:58:00的发言：
Oh English

楼主都在美国混了这么多年了，英语应该早过关了。

如果楼主面临要考试和被公司炒鱿鱼的选择的时候，建议楼主选择把考试搞好，炒不炒随便他。

zhyue · 发表于 2007-4-26 02:37:00

Thanks for the advice. I probably would take a couple of weeks off from work at the time of exam to focus on it. Heard people saying they feel the grading by the faculty is like throwing dart. Did you have the similar experience? any tips on note taking, outlining and exam-taking for the incoming students?

边上学边工作

边上学边工作

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