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What No One Tells You Before You Got to Law School: It Might Be All In Your Head!
By Alison Monahan • June 15, 2012 •Writers in Residence, Law School, Pre-Law
I’m afraid what I’m about to say might offend some of you, but bear with me. The truth is that you’re probably making law school harder than it needs to be! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying law school’s easy. But…it’s not THAT hard, if you can figure out how to keep your s**t together, and spend your time and energy on learning the material. (Rather than wasting it trying to pull yourself out of the pit of despair you fell into a week ago when you were cold-called and your answer wasn’t perfect.) It’s Okay if You’re…
Ms. JD International: UN Office of Legal Affairs
By - - • June 07, 2012 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Law School, Pre-Law
The United Nations is the flagship entity in the international sector, and has opportunities for lawyers at headquarters and in the field to work in international law. Similar to the State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser, the UN has a central Office of Legal Affairs, based at headquarters in New York. The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) serves as in-house counsel to the UN Secretary-General, the Secretariat as a whole, and the rest of the UN organs. The OLA is lead by an Under-Secretary-General, an Assistant Secretary-General, and staffed by 160 attorneys. The Under-Secretary General serves as chief legal…
Best Friends at the Bar: Young Aspiring Lawyers Meet and Learn about Careers in the Law
By Susan Smith Blakely • May 31, 2012 •Law School, Pre-Law, Choosing a Career and Landing a Job
This week I am busy working on a presentation for young women college student leaders from across the country. The National Conference for College Women Student Leaders is being held this week at the the University of Maryland in College Park. This conference is a great opportunity for young women to gain information and background on a variety of career options and to have one-on-one discussions with women in those fields and ask important questions about careers of interest to them.It will be my pleasure to speak to these young women. Most of my speaking events are at law schools,…
What No One Tells You Before You Go to Law School: You Actually Have to Teach Yourself “The Law”
By Alison Monahan • May 15, 2012 •Law School, Pre-Law
I have to admit, I was pretty surprised when I showed up to law school and purchased my textbooks. One glance revealed that these were quite different from my undergraduate books. What was up with all of these long cases, followed by a string of questions with no answers? Weren’t these books supposed to teach me “the law”? I definitely wasn’t seeing too many answers! Here’s a little secret: You basically have to teach yourself “the law” in law school! How in the World Can You Teach Yourself? I’ve been thinking a lot about law school pedagogy lately, and reading…
Best Friends at the Bar: The Law School Decision Tailored for Women
By Susan Smith Blakely • May 01, 2012 •Law School, Pre-Law, Other Law School Issues
Recently, I was asked the following question by a young woman considering going to law school:What do I need to think about or do before applying to law school to make sure that it is right for me? This young woman was concerned about the impact of a demanding career on her life, and she wanted some assurance that a law career would be a good fit for her. My response to her also may be helpful to you.First of all, I was delighted that she was giving all of this such serious thought before diving into law school. Too…
What No One Tells You Before You Go to Law School: You’re Entering a Sexist Profession
By Alison Monahan • April 22, 2012 •Law School, Pre-Law, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
Maybe I was hopelessly naive, but it really never occurred to me that I'd be treated differently in the legal profession because I was a woman. I spent the several years before law school in a heavily male-dominated profession (software), and never had any issues. I'd done a previous graduate degree, same thing. All my life, I'd been "one of the guys" and I'd never had much interest in stereotypically female pursuits such as shopping and talking on the phone. Frankly, I decided at a young age it was a better long-term plan to be smart than to be cute,…
Ms. JD International: State Department, Part III: Foreign Service
By - - • April 07, 2012 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Law School, Pre-Law
Ms. JD International: State Department, Part III: Foreign Service The Foreign Service is the flagship arm of the State Department, and is an excellent career choice for Ms. JD Internationals seeking a career in the international sector. Ever dream about living an expat lifestyle? Attracted by the aura and mystery of diplomatic work? Want to represent the United States abroad? Then the Foreign Service may be for you. Whether you are straight out of law school or have been practicing for years, the Foreign Service is a great option to stoke your international interests and embark upon a diplomatic career.…
Best Friends at the Bar: Is Going to Law School Worth It?
By Susan Smith Blakely • March 17, 2012 •Law School, Pre-Law, Choosing a Career and Landing a Job
Editor's Note: Ms. JD is excited to announce that Susan Smith Blakely, author of Best Friends at the Bar, will be speaking at Ms. JD: She Leads on October 5, 2012. This post originally appeared on the Best Friends at the Bar blog on February 4, 2012.You probably have read the stuff that has been floating around the Internet for the last couple of years on the topic of whether going to law school is worth it. Above the Law will keep you pretty well informed about graduate law students suing their alma maters because they cannot get jobs, law…
Best Friends at the Bar: Networking Your Way To Success As Women Law Students and Prelaw Students
By Susan Smith Blakely • March 16, 2012 •Law School, Pre-Law, Mentoring and Networking
Editor's Note: Susan Smith Blakely, author of Best Friends at the Bar, will be speaking at Ms. JD: She Leads on October 5, 2012. This post originally appeared on the Best Friends at the Bar blog on March 12, 2011.I recently attended a Prelaw Advisors Conference in Las Vegas at UNLV Law School. The conference was sponsored by the Western Association of PreLaw Advisors (WAPLA), a subgroup of the National Association of Prelaw Advisors (NAPLA). Because my book includes so much information for undergraduate women who are considering law school, this is a great market that I am just beginning to tap. Not only did…