The practice of law is one of the most rewarding professions, both financially and spiritually, an individual can pursue. On a macro-level, lawyers provide expert technical assistance in major business transactions, conduct impact litigation, write groundbreaking legislation, and enable and protect the legal owners of life-changing technological breakthroughs. On a micro-level, we help our clients obtain or retain their homes, their children, their freedom, their rights to privacy, and free speech. The work that lawyers perform touches almost every aspect of everyday life. As such, “law is the cornerstone of our society.”

The Committee on Law Student Perspectives of the New York City Bar Association seeks to enhance your understanding of the process of becoming an attorney. We propose to accomplish this goal by exposing you to information that has traditionally been available only to people who have a lawyer in their family or social circle. The pages that follow will introduce you to arguably the largest assemblage of information on the process of becoming a lawyer ever presented in one medium. We hope that this information enlightens you, and inspires the expansion of our field to individuals who have been traditionally excluded from this profession. This information is neither meant to be exhaustive, nor the preferred recommendations of the New York City Bar Association, just a point of departure on your journey to becoming an attorney.

The material is divided into three main sections: (1) Preparation for Law School, (2) The Law School Experience, and (3) Employment Information. Prior to law school one must perform extensive research to determine the best way to prepare for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), which law schools best meet one’s aptitude and aspirations, and how to prepare for this life-changing experience. Once you are accepted and enrolled in law school, you must consider the best way to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead, including what you need to know about the law school culture, what are the most effective strategies to get the best grades, how to get the most out of the law school experience, and how to prepare for the infamous bar examination. Finally, after you have given all you’ve got for three years (or four if you go part-time or pursue a joint degree), you then must look for your first and succeeding opportunities to either practice law or use this educational experience and the transferable skills acquired to carve out a rewarding career, and make your impact on society. Now that we’ve got your attention let us begin the journey that will change your life forever.

I, first, have to thank the law student and professional members of my committee for their tireless efforts to produce this document. Without your unwavering dedication to this project it could not have been accomplished. As we celebrate our 15th year of service to law students, our committee has given the New York City Bar Association a great deal to be proud of; however I think the completion and publication of this material is indeed our greatest contribution! We wanted to create a legacy for our former and future committee members. As such, we dedicate this to our former members and leave our future members with the responsibility to continuously update and maintain this offering.

The Committee on Law Student Perspectives
Derryl Zimmerman
Committee Chair 2004-2007

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