Law Schools

4 Types Of People Who Shouldn't Go To Law School

Columnist Shannon Achimalbe discusses the pros and cons -- mostly cons -- of going to law school today.

By  
on

It is now mid-July and pre-law students are contemplating which law school to attend or whether to attend law school at all. Some have contacted me asking for advice. In the past, I was cynical and in most cases told them not to go without hearing them out. But now I try to be empathetic, listen to their stories, and discuss the pros and cons of attending the schools that accepted them. In most cases, I still tell them not to go unless they get a large, unconditional tuition discount for all three years.

Today, I want to write about certain pre-law students who should think long and hard before going to law school. Unfortunately, they have made up their minds and it will be difficult, if not impossible, to convince them to reconsider. I don’t think they will be bad lawyers or have a difficult life after graduation. But I do think they are going for questionable reasons. Alternatively, they can accomplish their personal goals without an expensive law degree.

1. The Activist. Activists want to be lawyers because they want to change the system. Most become Activists because they or someone close to them got screwed over by the judicial system or the police.

They are bitter because they lost a lot of money in a lawsuit because the opposing counsel made them look like fools during the trial.

As children, they vividly remember listening to their parents cry and argue as they moved out of the family home and into grandma’s spare bedroom. They later learned that the landlord tripled their rent in violation of local rent control laws. The parents decided to move because they couldn’t afford an attorney to challenge the landlord and his eviction lawsuit.

And finally, they have been victims of police harassment or worse because they were the wrong color, or just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Activists think that by being lawyers, they will better understand the system. They want to protect and educate others about their legal rights. In short, they want to litigate the next Brown v. Board of Education or the next Obergefell v. Hodges. 

Sponsored

I tell the Activists that they have noble goals but they do not need a law degree to accomplish them. They can set up education seminars alongside civil rights and criminal defense attorneys. Or they can work for government officials if they want a more direct role in changing the system.

2. The Determined. These people have made their decision go to a non-elite law school and no one will stop them. They refuse to acknowledge that law school is no longer the career safe haven it used to be. Or they are aware of the risks but decide to go anyway. They get defensive and sometimes hostile whenever someone questions their decision.

I should note that they are distinguishable from “special snowflakes” because they do not think they are better than others. Instead, these people lived tough lives and have been constantly told that they should give up because they cannot achieve their goals. They are driven by their desire to prove the naysayers wrong and a lot of times, they succeed. These people frequently talk about their struggles and post motivational quotes on their social media accounts.

Since the determined have already made their decision, there is little I can do to change their minds. Any attempt to argue with them will only strengthen their resolve. I tell them they should look into other career options and note that their relentless determination may help them become successful in other fields.

3. The Disgraced. These people have second thoughts about going to law school but need a dignified reason not to go in order to avoid disgrace. Some just want to avoid a personal feeling of failure. But others also face real-world consequences if they back down. Their parents will cut them off financially or even disown them. Their significant other might reconsider their relationship. Or their social and professional circle will look down on them.

Sponsored

In these situations, I tell people there is no dishonor in changing professional goals. People change jobs and even careers for multiple reasons. Sometimes, it is done by choice. Other times it is due to changing circumstances. If others are going to think less of them because of this, then they are probably not worth spending time with anyway.

But this gets exponentially worse when family is involved and their honor is at stake. If I don’t know this person, then this is really none of my business. If the person is a friend, then intervening can jeopardize our friendship and his family relationships. Parents do not tolerate defiance from their children. Especially when they spent tens of thousands of dollars annually sending them to private schools and buying them musical instruments, tutors, and other privileged luxuries. This does not play out like most movie climaxes where the child stands up to his parents, the parents respect his steadfastness, and everyone lives happily every after.

4. The Faithful. These people are also determined to go to law school but only because they feel that it is their spiritual duty. Like the Activists, they sincerely want to help and educate others. Most of them studied religion and the law either in school or informally. They go to worship services regularly and are morally good people.

And then there are the rare few who want to become lawyers because they witnessed an odd phenomenon – such as a burning bush outside the courtroom – and interpreted it as a divine sign.

When I talk to the Faithful about the costs of law school and the difficulties that young lawyers face, they tend not to respond with a concrete career plan. Instead, they rely on faith and God’s “Divine Plan,” followed by anecdotal success stories of friends and other worshipers.

The best way to relate to the Faithful is to back up your words with Scripture. When looking at law schools, I tell them to be mindful of the promises of false prophets. I remind them that faith alone will not guarantee success in the law. It also requires a strong work ethic.

It’s been a while since I read the Bible on the internet. While the Lord promises eternal salvation, He does not promise eternal employment or salvation from the lifelong, nondischargeable damnation of student loans.

Shannon Achimalbe was a former solo practitioner for five years before deciding to sell out and get back on the corporate ladder. Shannon can be reached by email at sachimalbe@excite.com and via Twitter: @ShanonAchimalbe.

Topics

, , , , , , , , , , , ,