Comments on: What They Don’t (and Can’t) Teach You In Law School https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2011/04/15/what-they-dont-and-cant-teach-you-in-law-school/ The 'Practice of Law' School Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:23:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.21 By: Chris https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2011/04/15/what-they-dont-and-cant-teach-you-in-law-school/#comment-5874 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:23:14 +0000 http://solopracticeuniversity.com/?p=2374#comment-5874 I’m always puzzled at the “big firms don’t give clerks a chance to do real, substantive work” myth. I’m a 3L who’s clerked with four different firms over two summers One would certainly be considered “big” by most standards, two employed between 25-40 attorneys, the other was a smaller firm with about 12 attorneys. Without a doubt, the MOST substantive work I was given came at the largest of the firms, where I drafted multiple substantive motions that I know for a fact were reviewed, lightly edited, and then filed in the case.

I don’t doubt that some large firms may operate differently, but I think the issue requires more of a firm-by-firm analysis as opposed to the generalized notion that small firms, and government offices are the only places law students can get good experience. One other advantage of summering at a larger firm, if afforded the opportunity, is that you are likely to be exposed to a broader array of practice areas.

]]> By: Shawn https://solopracticeuniversity.com/2011/04/15/what-they-dont-and-cant-teach-you-in-law-school/#comment-5870 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:57:29 +0000 http://solopracticeuniversity.com/?p=2374#comment-5870 I think it’s true that there are things you just can’t learn in law school about actual practice. I’d broaden your suggestion about useful places to work to gain valuable experience. You’ll get even more hands-on experience in a county attorney’s, district attorney’s, or attorney general’s office. Consider “clerking” with a small firm or solo practitioner. And don’t forget about government agencies. State departments of agriculture and education both do a lot of legal work. If you’re not heading toward a big firm environment after graduation, you might be better suited to find a less traditional place to clerk where you can do actual substantial work and really get your feet wet.

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