Andrew P. Connors

I have read a lot lately about a so-called law school “bubble,” where the number of law jobs available is significantly less than the number of graduates from law school.  Given this state, it inevitably follows that there is a significant waste of resources on our hands–more likely than not, in the form of significant amounts of federal student loans that cannot be discharged in bankruptcy.  I have no reason to doubt this assessment.  By way of anecdote, I know many law graduates that have significant debts.  Some of those people also have reasonably good-paying jobs, though–at least, they pay enough to justify the debt.  That seems to be the big questions pushed in the legal press nowadays, “Will your future earnings justify your debt?”

This is, no doubt, an important question.  After all, one of the purposes of a career is to provide a roof over your head, food in your stomach, and to pay your other living expenses.  And, of course, people usually would like at least a little money for luxuries, an occasional vacation, and retirement.  These are all reasonable desires, and they are also things that might be out of reach if you are saddled with significant debt.

It seems to me, however, that there is an equally important question a person considering going to law school should answer, “Do I want to be a lawyer?”  Perhaps this sounds elementary, but I am continually amazed at how many law students I have met that have no interest in practicing law and have no interest in doing things that a law degree might be very helpful with, e.g., starting a business.  From all I can tell, these students are just placating their parents or making sure that the federal money keeps flowing to their pockets, biding their time until they can figure out what exactly it is they want to do with their lives.  In the meantime, they’re racking up a tremendous amount of debt they’ll inevitably have to pay for.

My advice is simple: if you genuinely want to be a lawyer, go to law school .  Realize what you are getting into and prepare accordingly.  If you get reasonably good grades, succeed at extracurricular activities, and find you enjoy your classes and your internships, then press on.  If, on the other hand, you find yourself with low grades and a disinterest in the law, then maybe law school isn’t for you.

Above all, do what you love and what you are reasonably good at.  If those things are there, you’ll succeed.  I will have more to say about this in future posts.