loadofhoopla Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 Help. I am a relatively new attorney who graduated law school with mediocre grades, and a so-so interest in law. I did a concentration in business and tax law while in school because that is what my older brother who was in law school with me did. He went on to get his master's in tax law, while I went on to take the Bar twice, finally passing it on my second try. I have a semi-legal job working from home, but it only pays $19 an hour (I have massive student loan debt, and believe me this is not enough). I am depressed because I am a people person, and a work from home job is really not my thing. Especially as I have been living in a city without very many friends for the last couple of years. All I ever wanted was a job that made me feel important. Something that I did really well with, and got to travel for. I went through a horrible break up with someone I lived with for a long time right when law school started; it has literally been since that point that I have had zero confidence in myself, and my lackluster performance in school has reiterated that I just do not have what it takes. Side note: after moving to law school and dealing with that breakup, I could not go home (my ex's parents lived on the same street as my parents and I could not face seeing him), so I have been living in my now fiance's city for the last few years in between school breaks and now permanently. While it was a relief at first to be away I still have few friends, and I miss my family. Moving back to my home is not really an option - there are no jobs there either, and my parents have no money so finding support even if it were temporary is not going to happen. Not to mention my fiance loves his city and he has a ton of friends and family here and would not be really willing to leave.
Balzac Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 Okay so it sounds like you're doing doc review. Have you sought law work in the public sector? Does your law debt give reduced payback for public? Have you looked for in house law job? Your title was about job but you threw other stuff in there. How long past your bar?
clia Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 Well, the law market is terrible right now. Have you applied for a job at every law firm in your city in your area of expertise? Have you applied for a job at every other law firm in your city? Have you considered in house counsel positions or judicial clerkships? Have you joined your local bar association and gone to events? (Networking) When you apply, tailor your resume and cover letter to the firm/company/judge. Yes, this takes time. Yes, it is worth it. Research the firms. There is nothing more off putting than receiving a cover letter talking about how much someone loves tax law when your firm doesn't even do that kind of work.
Balzac Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 "I am a relatively new attorney who graduated law school with mediocre grades, and a so-so interest in law." Gosh you sound very normal. I'm never sure when comments about law school grades come up because most schools use pass but it can be valued. Perhaps you were admitted/matriculated to a highly ranked program, stressed, not engaged, felt worse about yourself than was factually relevant? Bar X2 in certain states is ok. Bottom line is you've got the JD and license so you will find a job. Timing and working connections is the game. Have you snagged any interview appt?
Got it Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 Have you looked at corporate law? It is a bit "easier" as you are not billing hours. You can start looking at the different industries in your city and see who might be hiring. Many will hire a new attorney as a paralegal with the goal of developing them into part of their inhouse counsel team.
Author loadofhoopla Posted January 16, 2013 Author Posted January 16, 2013 Wow, thank you for all the replies! I have looked for all legal jobs, ranging anywhere from legal secretary/paralegal to attorney-it just seems like the state of Ohio in general is not hiring right now unless you have 3+ years of experience. Truthfully I am not even sure if law is what I want to do. Prior to, during, and after law school I worked part time as a market manager - I hired my own team, spoke with the clients, executed the events, and recapped everything for the advertising firm I was working for as well as the clients. I would LOVE to do something like this again, but once again, Ohio does not have anything open that is even similar to this. I would definitely be willing to move, but until I find the right job that pays well enough to move for I am stuck. My loans right now are mostly on income-based repayment, except for the private loans - that option does not exist for those. But I cannot break my lease and move across country with the minimal amount in my bank account in hopes of finding a job. I unfortunately have not gotten any interviews, which is incredibly frustrating. I am a people person, and I usually do great in interviews. Any advice?? I appreciate all the advice I have been given so far! I just feel like I have looked and tried everywhere in Ohio. I graduated law school in 2011, passed the February Bar in 2012, so I have only been a licensed attorney for about 8 months. During these last 8 months I have been doing document review, and legal research.
Balzac Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 You might consider LSAT tutoring. Demand may be down but certain agencies pay in excess of $50/hr.
Author loadofhoopla Posted January 16, 2013 Author Posted January 16, 2013 That would definitely be something to look into. But I am really looking for an actual career. I realize that tutoring may grow into something eventually, but teaching is not really what I am looking for. It is the quintessential catch 22 - I need experience to land the jobs that require experience....but I cannot get experience unless someone hires me. I know my confidence is low, but I am not qualified enough to even start out at a well-paying firm (and like I said I do not know if I even want to). I just want to find something that I do well, and can excel and grow with. Unfortunately I am having a really hard time determining what and where!
Balzac Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 Look in the smaller markets near where you live now. Public sector. It's a massive effort to persist. Especially when uncertainty prevails. Volunteer for non profit gets you in the network.
TheGuard13 Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 Law jobs (and even interviews) are really difficult to come by right now in Ohio. I live in Columbus, and have a friend in the same boat, although he hasn't passed the bar yet (he's studying for his second go at it). He's not sure he wants to do law either. Hindsight is 20/20, I guess. He was considering various government programs...I guess there are some legal programs that will place you overseas or throughout the country, and are designed to lead to guaranteed government jobs. I don't know a great deal about them. He's also considering the military's JAG program. Does anyone know what the options are regarding legal school loans?
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