Opinions on different bar preps? For California if it matters. Buy books and study on own, do the online Kaplan , or all out classes? Really don't want to shell out 4k but don't want to take again either

My law firm doesn't have a library. We have maybe 1,000 books (rough guess) scattered around the 10 offices and another room.

It is annoying to find books because you never know what we have or where they are.

I think I'm going to take some time to just catalog them all. I have time to do this, so it's not like I'll be spending extra time to do it. Just less time on 2p2.

Any suggestions for best way to do it? At present I think I think I'll just make an excel or word file.

Taking my last final of 1L tomorrow (criminal procedure). So glad the whole thing is finally almost over.

Canadian law student here.

I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on the American test for attorney / client privilege. I am not looking for legal advice, just looking for a place to stay my research in the area for a case I am working on. The name of a prominent US book or resource on Evidence would be helpful.

I appreciate any insight that you can provide.

Background: I'm a rising 2L who finished top 30% in my 1L. Looking to stay employed within my state + my current school is a borderline T1. I'm on a half scholarship and shouldn't have much debt when I graduate. (Think 30-40k maximum, but could be far less if poker goes well over next two years) I enjoy my current school as well.

Question: I've been getting some transfer calls from other law schools. I was offered a full scholarship from a school ranked 15-20 spots below my current school, placing them outside of tier 1. Also, I've been getting calls from a school that's ahead of my current school, but with no scholarship. However, they are a better school, only a few spots outside of T-13. No money with this school though.


Anyone have any advice on transferring/how you would act in my situation?

How did they find out your grades? Weird.

I think the general feeling is transferring is only worth it for a really big jump. It would help to know the specific school outside the T14 you're talking about.

Also tell us what you want to do when you graduate and think about if a better school will help you accomplish that.

Sorry, should have included, I sent out some xfer apps. I wanted to see what was out there is all.

U of Minnesota is the school I was looking at (#20) according to USN. I like lots of different areas of law, specifically criminal law and intellectual property I've found incredibly interesting. I'm flexible and would probably take any job straight out of school to get some experience, but you could say I'm leaning in that direction. Currently interning at a criminal defense firm outside of my major city.

Also, would like to work in the area, but again, I'm pretty flexible so it's not like make or break geography-wise. If I could find enough of an advantage to jump 30 spots or so, I'm certainly open to taking it.

I'm going to take the acceptance and try to parlay it into more funding at my current school as well

Hmm bump. How's everyone doin?

OCI interviews next week. Not exactly sure what to expect, meaning will it be much different then other standard professional interviews or are OCI's a whole different animal.

Than*

Check your cover letter

sorry was typing on my phone and apaz it has a poor sense of grammar.

CL's already sent, i'm already fooked.

Took ca bar last week praying I don't have to do that again fucjkk

All I know is back when my friend at Georgetown did them they were in hotel rooms. On beds. AWKWARDDDDDD

so THATS what's going to be expected of me...good to know

Got my offer a little over a week ago as my summer program ended for my job to start next fall. Thanks to all for the help along the way.

Now how much studying can I get away with to pass the MPRE? 1 hour? 0?

i passed with the absolute bare minimum score with like 1-2hrs of study iirc

embrace the variance

I didn't study for the MPRE at all. Then I failed. Then I again took it cold and my score skyrocketed the second time. I guess that taking it the first time counts as studying though.

You need to study a little but not a lot. Do some practice questions and you'll be fine. Anything over 5 hours is overkill.

An hour or two is enough.

Any estate planners or wills/trust attorneys on here? I worked in biglaw for a few years as a litigator before deciding I had enough and leaving the law. A year later, I'm a lot happier and have no regrets, but I am curious whether I'd have a better experience as a transactional attorney working on my own or for a very small firm. Curious how difficult it would be to learn this new area of law. If I go this route, I'd most likely look to open a solo practice, starting slow and sticking to wills/trusts preparation and other easier work but eventually expanding to a more robust practice which would include estate planning. I know next to nothing about this area of law right now and will start researching the landscape soon; just an idea that I want to at least think about as I consider future options. Thoughts?

From what I've heard legal zoom killed the market for wills/POA so I've heard 150 for a will is normal these days . With all the old boomers i imagine estate planning will be growing .

I've been a paralegal at a very small T&E firm (2 attorneys and me) in CT for the past year. I think a lot of it has to do with area. We're located in a very wealthy county, and charge any where from $2500 to $5000 for an Estate plan (husband and wife), which includes a Will, Rev Trust, PoA, Advance Directives and HIPAA. Of course the variety varies based on the complexity of the plan. If I had to estimate, I'd say we get one new plan done per week.

The big money comes in when someone passes (morbid, I know), and they use us to administrate the Estate, do the returns, liquidate the assets/distribute the money, etc. Generally, this is billed at our hourly rates, and capped at a certain percentage of the Estate's gross value. We've made anywhere from $30k to $140k for each Estate administration, and I'd say we handle 2 massive ones and 2-3 smaller ones per year. Obviously high net worth decedents with no surviving spouses (multiple benes) are the most complex.

My boss has been at this for 15-20 years, so obviously he has quite a large network, which is key. The continuous flow of wealthy, new clients that stick with us when the husband or wife dies is what makes it so profitable. The allure of this field, at least in my opinion, is the relatively relaxed atmosphere. Both of my bosses have multiple children, and there is no problem taking time off when needed. It is also as close to a 9-5 as you'll probably fine in law.

That being said, I really don't the field super stimulating, and am just grinding it out for another year before I blow everything I've saved on law school.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the input, guys, definitely helpful and much appreciated. Based on the description ^, sounds a lot like what I'm looking for, though I could also see the market for the simpler stuff being threatened by online tools. Thanks again and keep any feedback coming, please.

Had my first OCI today, not sure it went well. The interview played as too much of a conversation and not enough of an interview imo. Also, employer seemed a bit upset that I picked the far better ranked law school I'm currently at instead of the local, unranked school.

Got 2 more this week so hoping for the best.

Conversation is totally fine--my best interviews all were more like that.

Not sure why you are talking about any school other than your own in an interview. That sounds like it can never end well.