Dating in Law School

Are you looking for love in law school, or have you graduated law school and wonder if any woman/man in her right mind will take you?  Well, I have some thoughts on the subject.  Before I begin I want to state that these are mainly my perceptions, and they may be wrong.  Further, I am up to being challenged on them, so if you disagree and have anything to add, go ahead and put it in the comments section.

It seems that today being in a relationship is of the utmost importance.  We see it all the time in the media, on movies, and in the books we read.  The idea of being alone is a miserable thought to many of us who crave the intimacy of some kind of partnership with another living breathing human being.  Being alone, society has told us, is a curse.  I disagree.  For some people, being single is a great thing.  There are many individuals who have gone on to do great things with their lives and have been single.  Further, many people have found happiness being single.   However, that does not help those who truly yearn for some kind of mate.

So, say you are in law school and looking for a partner.  Where should you be looking?  In the classroom, outside of the classroom?  Should you look in the law review area (that's where the real geniuses hang out)?  Should you look in the law school cafeteria?  Well, personally, I would never date another law student.  Well, I should not say never, but I would be incredibly careful about doing so.  First of all, one thing I have noticed about many (not all, but many) people in law school is that they think very, very highly of themselves.  Some will outright say that they are amongst the smartest people in society (just because they finished their first year of law school).  I would not want someone who incorrectly thinks that they are superior in such a way.  They say confidence turns on the opposite sex, but that is not confidence.  That's more akin to an ego that has got out of control.

Further, some would consider the debt level of the person they were dating, especially if one is marriage minded.  Do you want to go into a marriage with huge debt?  Personally, with the debt I carry, this would not be a huge issue to me.  I realize that if I was to double it, it will still be almost impossible to pay off.  Further, having a life partner, and someone you love and cherish for the rest of your life, is worth more than a legal education.  So, if I took on $200,000 of debt for law school, why not take on an extra $200,000 (or more) for someone that I can spend the rest of my life with? 

I would consider looking outside of law school for a partner.  Some say that older women do not find a law student or lawyer to be that great of a thing anymore.  Sure, an unemployed lawyer is not going to appeal to some women.  Many women do want a man who makes good money.  However, money is not everything, and there are many women out there who just want someone who they can be a partner with.  These are the kind of women I would search for.  Even a person making $200k a year can become disabled or fired.  If the partner would leave me over such a thing, then I would not want to be with that person.  Further, I don't think that there's anything wrong with finding a woman from the type of background where she would be impressed by a law student or lawyer.  Just because a woman does not make a great amount of money or have a impressive education doesn't mean she can't be an amazing person.  In fact, I have found women from these types of backgrounds to be more 'real' and accepting. 



One other piece of advice is to not chase that partner away with your lamenting over high debt.  Although you may have incredible debt levels (I do), I do not lose sleep over it, nor would I make my partner feel fear over it.  I know that I have to do something about the debt I have taken on, and making myself scared over it, or making my partner scared over it won't change a thing.  I am reminded of Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager who states that lamenting over something will not change what is already there.  I have my whole life ahead of me to correct the debt, and even if I take it to my grave, it can not take away my chance to have an amazing relationship with another human being.

Law School Attitudes

There are many attitudes regarding the law school system.  They range from the attitudes of the scam bloggers, who tend to be angry at the system which pooped them out with less than they entered with.  Big debt and little job prospects are the issues that the scambloggers seem to take.  Further issues include a total disregard for economic principles by a system known as the ABA.

There are some who love the law school system.  The deans and many of the professors (but not all) seem to really enjoy it.  And why would they not?  It seems like an easy enough job.  Maybe not as easy as some say.  However, to be paid $100-200k a year, and sometimes more, to teach a few classes and correct some essays once a semester doesn't seem like a bad gig.  To be honest, I'd take it. 

Then there are the lethargic students who I come in contact with.  They are very quiet about a lot of things, so I can't really gauge what they are thinking.  Many seem to not know about the real job market, although many are scared.  However, few are at the point as another scamblogger, JDPainterGuy, where they wish they never went to law school in the first place.

Some individuals are very depressed.  They are at the point of suicidal thoughts and thinking that their life will never be the same again.  One individual posted a comment on another law school blog relating to a plumber friend he knew that made an exceptional amount of money. 

Times have changed. I would trade my degrees to be able to have a job where I know things will get better, where I know I will not be replaced by a slave from the third world, and where I know that some political force would intervene on my behalf when things looked bleak. I would do this even if it meant working physically hard.

There are worse things in life than working with your hands, and when I finally decide to blow my brains out to end my mental anguish, I will have been living proof of it.

This is where I do not want to be.  However, at the same time, I understand that it is very hard to not feel down sometimes when you expected life to turn out a lot differently.  Many of the lethargic students at the law school where I attend will probably one day feel this way.  They still have expectations of law being a glamorous and wealth creating profession for anyone who can get a 148 on the LSAT. 



Many of these students have not looked at a 'scamblog' nor have they really got to see the life of a lawyer after law school.  Before I enrolled I had no idea what a lawyer did (other than what I saw from a couple episodes of Perry Mason.  Plus, Captain Picard in Star Trek the Next Generation does a bit of lawyering in a couple of the episodes).  Sadly, the big feeder web forum for law students, Top-Law-Schools, will stop at nothing to block links to scamblogs.  Nando's opus, ThirdTierReality has been redubbed "T14 Paradise".  If anything, it is a tyrannical mockery of the intelligence of a breed of people who has been told over and over that they are some of society's smartest individuals (a point that I seriously question -- many law students I have come in contact with show no more intelligence than many undergrads).  If anything, TLS (the dungheap of the law world) is doing their students an injustice by not allowing them to see alternative facts and make up their own still-developing and often childlike minds. 

I think that there is some importance to the power of positive thinking.  I think that telling yourself day after day that your life is worthless is not the right path to take.  Just because you did not do well in the legal field after believing you would does not make you a bad person.  There is still much that a person can do to better themselves and live a great life.  Although you may not make $160,000 a year in law, nor do you have any connections, you can still contribute something to the world.  I am saddened when I see a person state that they want to off themselves because of law school.  While three years and $200-300k is a lot of money, a life is worth much more.  I would propose taking some time out of your day and forgetting about law school and asking yourself what you want to do with the remainder of your life.  It is hard with student loans and debt, but nobody can take your life from you.  Why would you take it away from yourself?

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By the way, for some reason this blog was not allowing comments.  It now allows comments from anyone (anonymous included), so if you want to say something, feel free. 

Banned From Top-Law-Schools

LOL I was banned from TLS, reason: "Stop spamming sh***y websites".  Seems that they don't like to know the truth.  Sadly, those kid$ think that they will be rolling in money once graduation comes, and nobody can say otherwise. 

Is it wrong to mislead a person?

TLS is no different than the deans and the schools.  They keep the false hopes of these unattainable dreams alive for many.

Why should my TTTT be thought of in a negative light?

Because, someone on TLS might have their feelings hurt.  Instead, these kids should be spending upwards of $50,000 tuition alone to attend a school that later on they may wish they would have not went to.  Further, if they had the full information, these kids would have probably done something else with their lives. 

How many law students wish they majored in something else?

A lot, probably.  In fact, I do.  I wish I would have known the truth about the numbers and the rankings and all that other crap.  However, truth is, I never learned about it.  Some of these people will only find out when it's too late, as sites like Third Tier Reality and others are marked as SPAM on the site, hiding the links, hiding the information. 

What is the point of Top-Law-Schools?

It's the number one site on the internet to stroke your own ego.  People love to post topics such as "in at Harvard" or "top 5% at Georgetown".   Also, while some recognize that the job market is bad, they will act like they are golden and everyone else is doomed.

In conclusion, Top-Law-Schools is trash.  It's no better than the law schools or the deans as far as I am concerned.  The admins are power hungry lemmings who refuse to allow any contrary information to flow.  Hiding information from the people is no better than tyranny.  Top-Law-Schools is a tyrannical website that should not be used in conjunction with one's "law school experience".  The truth is, I see a bunch of kids that are going to have a miserable life ahead of them, or some that are already so miserable with themselves as human beings that they treat others like garbage, including the naysayers who have an important message.  Any website that REFUSES to show contrary information should not be consulted for lifelong advice on anything that could cause a person to go $100-200,000 in debt.  Top-Law-Schools is TRASH. 

A new forum has been created for this site, feel free to begin posting.   You can post as a guest and do not need to register to enjoy it.  http://lawschool.myfreeforum.org/index.php

Finding a Job as a Law Student

I got friends in high places, where the money pours in and the women chase their non-existent blues away.  They'll be okay...

Sometimes I look at my life and I look at the things which are lacking.  I have never worked a real job, nor have I ever had a real income (I once worked part time at $13.25 an hour which was really nice at the time).  However, that being said, the idea of working in the private sector scares me greatly.  After some of the places I have worked, I have found myself unhappy.  For example, in the jobs I have found myself at, people tend to only fend for themselves, and really not care about the feelings of the employee.  At the same time, the employee is told that the customer, no matter how wrong, is always right.  No matter what they say or do, they are right, and we are wrong. 

I want to change my outlook on life.  I do not want to think that my life is lacking.  I do not want to think that I would be happier in some position making money.  I tell myself that I would one day like a piece of land or something like that (I am starting to get sick of apartment living).  However, I feel at the current rate of my earnings in life, that is a long time off.  I mean, if I can't even get a summer job at Starbucks, how am I supposed to bring in a solid income?  What was the point of my Bachelor's degree if I can't use it to find a barista job?  It is really annoying to me, as I spent a lot of time and money, and lived in relative squalor to achieve it.  After it was said and done, the friends I had in high school who decided to not go to college are making far more than I do.  It is crazy, to say the least.

For example, this semester I will get $11,000 in living expenses in loans.  My rent is $1,300, which is far more than I wanted to pay, but it took me a long time to get the place I have here in NY, as I did not have a cosigner, I have no job and income, and every other landlord I talked to said they would not take a student.  For five months that comes out to be $6,500 in rent.  Then I need books and money to get to school, food and utilities (I don't eat much, nor do I go out and 'enjoy life').  Further, I will need to put some money aside for next summer, as I don't get aid in the summer (will be graduated) and what am I to do then?  How will I pay rent without any money coming in?

I find myself thinking that even if I was lucky enough to make $35,000 a year I would be doing far better than I ever have.  In fact, after being in college most of my adult life, I have never once had that kind of money come in during a year.  With my frugal lifestyle I could probably save up something, and on top of that, with an income I could probably get a cheaper apartment.  Since I don't drive and rarely go out, I would be saving more.  If anything, college has taught me to be frugal and cheap.  I have realized I don't require much to live on, nor do I find myself wanting much.  I have realized that most material possessions are a waste of time and money.  Yet, at the same time, I would like to make some type of money.  Is it really that hard to find a decent job?  Hell, I am at the point right now that if I could find something, almost anything for $35,000 I would quit law school in a heartbeat.

In a heartbeat...

I didn't learn the right things...

After looking at the jobs on the school's career site this morning and on Craigslist makes me all the more ready to enlist in the military after I graduate law school.  The idea of working in the private sector no longer appeals to me at all.  I am baffled at the internship "opportunities" that are offered.  People basically want you to be their slave.  Some offer a small stipend of $12/hour so you can really slave for them. 

One example on my college's website of full time labor was a paralegal position for a firm that works with low income households.  Your reward for working for this firm is, of course, being a low income household yourself.  Perhaps they will help you apply for Food Stamps (I have already done this before, so already know the process.)  This job, in New York, NY states: Salary is $31,518 to $34,670 annually with extensive employee benefits.  I suppose that is more than I have ever made, and to be honest, I would be somewhat happy to have a job with that kind of wage, yet at the same time, it would be tough to pay back $200,000+ of college loans on that wage and live in NY.  What would I have left to save in order to buy property, start my own business, or enjoy live?  Is that the cost of a college education?

Another Summer internship I found was quite upsetting, to be honest.  Here's the jist from the ad:

The individual should have a demonstrated commitment to either public interest law, civil rights and/or labor and employment law on behalf of plaintiffs-employees, combating unlawful discrimination in employment, education and housing, First Amendment and Due Process claims/ rights on behalf of civil rights litigants, and/or issues of social/ economic justice.

Also, potential applicants should be interested in working at a law firm where ninety percent (90%) or more of its practice is devoted to litigation in the NY State and federal courts, and in administrative proceedings such us before the EEOC or US Dept. of Labor. A small percentage of work will probably involve assisting in compliance issues, counseling and/or assisting in representing small to medium sized employers located in the NYC metropolitan and Mid-Hudson Valley areas.

The intern would be responsible for the following tasks, which includes but is not limited to: doing intake of and discussion with potential clients; performing legal research (knowledge of WestLaw is highly preferred, but capability in Lexis would suffice although the applicant would have to independently have access to Lexis); drafting legal memoranda and opinions; assist me in bringing on motions, including but not limited to motions for summary judgment and discovery motions (e.g., motions to compel) and in opposing motions to dismiss, summary judgment and discovery motions; substantial document review; deposition transcript review and digesting; and assist me at depositions, trials, court conferences, and hearings.

A Spanish speaking individual is preferred, but knowledge of Spanish is not necessary. Lastly, although much of the work can be done from a remote location, it is preferred that applicants reside in the NYC metropolitan area, and preferably in either NYC or the Mid-Hudson Valley areas (i.e., Westchester; Rockland; Orange; Putnam; Dutchess; Sullivan and/or Ulster Counties).

Sadly, I don't know how to do most of that stuff.  One reason I do not apply for internships now is because I was expected to know all of this stuff at my last job.  Law school does NOT prepare a student to do these things, yet for some reason, the employers expect students to know how.  It's rather upsetting that I will be graduating this year and will have no idea what the hell these things are.  And since I was not in the top 5% of my class I could not get an internship with a large firm that actually has a training program which teaches its interns how to do these things. 

I will be glad when I am done with all this.  I wish I would have learned how to do all these things that I don't know how to do, but it will soon be over and I will be done with it all.  Good riddance.

Is Law School "Still" a Golden Ticket?

So, this dirty article is going around the scam-blogs like wildfire and I just wanted to add my two cents to it.  It's from Forbes Magazine.  It's a business magazine that the big wigs like to read.  Some of the lower elite also sometimes look at this magazine.  Lawyers, I am told (like, real life lawyers™) read this as well.  Anyway, before mauling and eviscerating the article to death, I will let you read it if you are not familiar with it. 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/shenegotiates/2012/06/19/is-law-school-still-a-golden-ticket

Young Jessi, who is going to a graduate program at Penn State is gearing up to get her Golden Ticket.  She feels like the kid in Willy Wonka, but instead of a butt-load of chocolate, she will be sinking her molars into a Juris Doctorate.  Even with a degree in English Literature, however, her writing skills lack.  Yet, to my dismay and ultimate confusion, Forbes actually published this story.

What has happened to news media when a story comprised of three word sentences and two sentence paragraphs written at a level that a 2nd grader could easily comprehend (and write) makes its way into a "respected" business publication? 

What the hell is a "nasty gram"?

Our writer states:

A bachelor’s degree just does not allow you to send a Govern Yourself Accordingly nasty gram.

What the heck does that even mean?  She wants to fight for the little guy, and she is moved by injustice.  And yet, she refuses to think creatively.   She has obviously watched WAY too much Perry Mason and Judge Joe Brown, because like many who I have met in my life, they think law is the ONLY way in which you can help out those less fortunate.  Yet I know plumbers, mechanics and other service people who spend their lives making other people's lives better.  Further, I have noticed that poor people stay far away from lawyers.  They are scared of the fees and are wary of the system.  I have had relatives who can no longer work due to working in horrible conditions that are far below OSHA standards and who will refuse to see a lawyer.  It's not the 'little guy' who usually seeks out the law to take care of the problems they have.  That's the big guy, lady.

She states that she is not going to make money, but the next sentence in her amazingly written article starts Justice, and a Little Money Along the Way.  Did I mention that this is one of the WORST articles I have read in a LONG TIME?  Maybe that's one reason why it's gone viral in the scamblog movement.

Scientific, I’m sure.  I wonder if she will make law review?

But, for the summer, I will indulge in the hope and fresh excitement of feeling like the keys to the kingdom are about to get handed to me.

It’s my turn.

The keys to the kingdom?  The article is full of cliches like this.  Again, how did this make it into Forbes?  Why did they publish this?  Has the news media literally gone to crap?  Personally, I don't read much mainstream news, nor do I waste my brain cells on the television news.  This is just another reminder of how stupid society can be at times.  This honestly may win the award for the WORST ARTICLE I have read in my life. 

She was a communications aide in the Florida Governor’s Office and worked in cable news.
...and she wrote that? Seriously?  I can not help but wonder how she is going to understand some of those dense cases with a history of writing stuff like the article I just ambushed, stunlocked, and garroted.  I have a feeling in a few years she's going to realize that there is NO GOLDEN TICKET in life.

Independence Day

I am sitting alone in the living room.  The apartment is dark.  The blinds are down, because it is hot.  I find my mind wandering.  I recently interviewed for a fall position at local clinic.  I can't help but wonder, "will I get the position?" 

There are many qualified applicants.  Why would they choose me?  What do I have to offer?  After all, I am not working this summer.  At the same time, I realize that if I don't push myself forward, I will always remain behind.  I do not want to be the kind of law graduate that wallows in self pity because he had trouble finding a job, could not find a job, or had dreams of a large salary.  Instead, I want to do what I can while I am in school, see how well I can do, and make it into something worthwhile. 

Tomorrow is Independence Day in the United States.  July 4th.  For some reason they decided to have it on a Wednesday this year.  There will be fireworks bursting in the air and all sorts of revelry.  I am sure the lawyers will still be working, even if the court houses are closed.  I wonder if I get a job in the legal field after law school, will I be working on July 4th? 

Back in the day I used to go with my family to a place where two rivers met.  It was out in the country.  They had fireworks there, but always did it on the weekend.  A casino put it on.  It was up by an Indian reservation on the west coast.  I always liked going there.  It was nice.  We'd have a picnic, hike to see some ruins, and relax by the water.  It was generally hot out.  Back then I had a lot of grand ideas for my future.  I did not imagine that I would be a lawyer.  Instead, I thought I may one day have my own business or something.  Maybe I'd go into a field that had very little competition, such as Celtic Studies. 

I have not been to the place where the two rivers meet to see the fireworks in many years now.  I wish I could go back to those days and revel in them.  Sometimes we imagine ourselves as doing something and those things turn out just the opposite.  Sometimes we day dream about the future when it's the past that we end up longing for. 

I hope everyone has a nice 4th of July, even if it is on a Wednesday this year.