http://myshingle.com/2007/01/articles/questions-advice/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/ Great Things Come in Small [Law] Practices! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://myshingle.com/2007/01/articles/questions-advice/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/comment-page-1/#comment-2360 Andy Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:24:07 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2007/01/articles/uncategorized/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/#comment-2360 From reading these posts you would think that the cost of law school is all about the same, and not about the quality of education. I went to UVa and after my clerkship this year in Colorado, I intend to start a solo practice out here. Nobody cares about UVa here and for starting out I would have been much better off going to C CU or DU. But the intellectual experience of UVa was worth the price, even if in the end it does not pay off financially. You should go to a law school where you will learn to love the profession. And for most people that means studying with the best students and professors they can find. If it were all about the money, then why go into solo practice in the first place. From reading these posts you would think that the cost of law school is all about the same, and not about the quality of education. I went to UVa and after my clerkship this year in Colorado, I intend to start a solo practice out here. Nobody cares about UVa here and for starting out I would have been much better off going to C CU or DU. But the intellectual experience of UVa was worth the price, even if in the end it does not pay off financially. You should go to a law school where you will learn to love the profession. And for most people that means studying with the best students and professors they can find. If it were all about the money, then why go into solo practice in the first place.

]]> http://myshingle.com/2007/01/articles/questions-advice/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/comment-page-1/#comment-6988 Andy Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:24:00 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2007/01/articles/uncategorized/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/#comment-6988 From reading these posts you would think that the cost of law school is all about the same, and not about the quality of education. I went to UVa and after my clerkship this year in Colorado, I intend to start a solo practice out here. Nobody cares about UVa here and for starting out I would have been much better off going to C CU or DU. But the intellectual experience of UVa was worth the price, even if in the end it does not pay off financially. You should go to a law school where you will learn to love the profession. And for most people that means studying with the best students and professors they can find. If it were all about the money, then why go into solo practice in the first place. From reading these posts you would think that the cost of law school is all about the same, and not about the quality of education. I went to UVa and after my clerkship this year in Colorado, I intend to start a solo practice out here. Nobody cares about UVa here and for starting out I would have been much better off going to C CU or DU. But the intellectual experience of UVa was worth the price, even if in the end it does not pay off financially. You should go to a law school where you will learn to love the profession. And for most people that means studying with the best students and professors they can find. If it were all about the money, then why go into solo practice in the first place.

]]> http://myshingle.com/2007/01/articles/questions-advice/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/comment-page-1/#comment-2359 elguapo Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:32:08 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2007/01/articles/uncategorized/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/#comment-2359 I basically agree with Ms. Liebel. I went to a top 5 law school and now I'm a solo. Nobody ever asks me where I went to law school. It does intimidate my adversaries a bit, but frankly that works against me sometimes. Often it's better if your adversary thinks you're a bumbling fool. I basically agree with Ms. Liebel. I went to a top 5 law school and now I’m a solo. Nobody ever asks me where I went to law school.
It does intimidate my adversaries a bit, but frankly that works against me sometimes. Often it’s better if your adversary thinks you’re a bumbling fool.

]]> http://myshingle.com/2007/01/articles/questions-advice/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/comment-page-1/#comment-6987 elguapo Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:32:00 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2007/01/articles/uncategorized/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/#comment-6987 I basically agree with Ms. Liebel. I went to a top 5 law school and now I'm a solo. Nobody ever asks me where I went to law school. It does intimidate my adversaries a bit, but frankly that works against me sometimes. Often it's better if your adversary thinks you're a bumbling fool. I basically agree with Ms. Liebel. I went to a top 5 law school and now I’m a solo. Nobody ever asks me where I went to law school.
It does intimidate my adversaries a bit, but frankly that works against me sometimes. Often it’s better if your adversary thinks you’re a bumbling fool.

]]> http://myshingle.com/2007/01/articles/questions-advice/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/comment-page-1/#comment-2358 Adrian Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:21:52 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2007/01/articles/uncategorized/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/#comment-2358 Is one choice of law school really in the "middle of nowhere"? Or is the student accustomed to a major metropolitan area and underestimating a smaller metropolitan area? I'm a 2L at the University of Georgia in Athens, and while I admit the difference in kinds of opportunities between this medium-sized city and Atlanta are like night and day -- no IP botiques, numerous nonprofits, or biglaw in Athens -- there are still opportunities here. The big cities are good precisely because of all the opportunities OUTSIDE of solo or small firm practice. The price of the metropolitan law school will not be compensated by working a job. How many hours can you work while going to school fulltime anyway? (If fulltime studies are the case.) Is one choice of law school really in the “middle of nowhere”? Or is the student accustomed to a major metropolitan area and underestimating a smaller metropolitan area? I’m a 2L at the University of Georgia in Athens, and while I admit the difference in kinds of opportunities between this medium-sized city and Atlanta are like night and day — no IP botiques, numerous nonprofits, or biglaw in Athens — there are still opportunities here. The big cities are good precisely because of all the opportunities OUTSIDE of solo or small firm practice.
The price of the metropolitan law school will not be compensated by working a job. How many hours can you work while going to school fulltime anyway? (If fulltime studies are the case.)

]]> http://myshingle.com/2007/01/articles/questions-advice/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/comment-page-1/#comment-6986 Adrian Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:21:00 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2007/01/articles/uncategorized/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/#comment-6986 Is one choice of law school really in the "middle of nowhere"? Or is the student accustomed to a major metropolitan area and underestimating a smaller metropolitan area? I'm a 2L at the University of Georgia in Athens, and while I admit the difference in kinds of opportunities between this medium-sized city and Atlanta are like night and day -- no IP botiques, numerous nonprofits, or biglaw in Athens -- there are still opportunities here. The big cities are good precisely because of all the opportunities OUTSIDE of solo or small firm practice. The price of the metropolitan law school will not be compensated by working a job. How many hours can you work while going to school fulltime anyway? (If fulltime studies are the case.) Is one choice of law school really in the “middle of nowhere”? Or is the student accustomed to a major metropolitan area and underestimating a smaller metropolitan area? I’m a 2L at the University of Georgia in Athens, and while I admit the difference in kinds of opportunities between this medium-sized city and Atlanta are like night and day — no IP botiques, numerous nonprofits, or biglaw in Athens — there are still opportunities here. The big cities are good precisely because of all the opportunities OUTSIDE of solo or small firm practice.
The price of the metropolitan law school will not be compensated by working a job. How many hours can you work while going to school fulltime anyway? (If fulltime studies are the case.)

]]> http://myshingle.com/2007/01/articles/questions-advice/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/comment-page-1/#comment-2357 Stephen Seckler Sun, 28 Jan 2007 18:10:54 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2007/01/articles/uncategorized/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/#comment-2357 Success is much more dependent on your ability to be persistent than where you went to school, etc. (David Maister has a great podcast on the subject--see <a href="http://davidmaister.com/podcasts/5/47/" rel="nofollow">http://davidmaister.com/podcasts/5/47/</a> .) Having said that, it is pretty clear to me after 10 years in the search business that strong academics gives you a big head start professionally. Of course, what you end up doing with those advantages in the long run will rest on your drive. But why not give yourself every advantage possible and choose the school where you will develop a better network, etc. I think the additional money spent in the short run will pay itself back quicker than you might think. I also question why anyone would want to go directly into solo practice without spending at least a couple of years working for someone else. There is so much you learn in the first few years of practice from working at a firm. While it is certainly possible to learn what you need to know about capturing your time, managing client expectations, dealing with conflicts of interest, getting paid, etc. (including the substance of what you need to know to adequately represent clients)working for someone else is a much more efficient way to get this foundation. Success is much more dependent on your ability to be persistent than where you went to school, etc. (David Maister has a great podcast on the subject–see http://davidmaister.com/podcasts/5/47/ .)
Having said that, it is pretty clear to me after 10 years in the search business that strong academics gives you a big head start professionally. Of course, what you end up doing with those advantages in the long run will rest on your drive. But why not give yourself every advantage possible and choose the school where you will develop a better network, etc. I think the additional money spent in the short run will pay itself back quicker than you might think.
I also question why anyone would want to go directly into solo practice without spending at least a couple of years working for someone else. There is so much you learn in the first few years of practice from working at a firm. While it is certainly possible to learn what you need to know about capturing your time, managing client expectations, dealing with conflicts of interest, getting paid, etc. (including the substance of what you need to know to adequately represent clients)working for someone else is a much more efficient way to get this foundation.

]]> http://myshingle.com/2007/01/articles/questions-advice/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/comment-page-1/#comment-6985 Stephen Seckler Sun, 28 Jan 2007 18:10:00 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2007/01/articles/uncategorized/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/#comment-6985 Success is much more dependent on your ability to be persistent than where you went to school, etc. (David Maister has a great podcast on the subject--see <a href="http://davidmaister.com/podcasts/5/47/" rel="nofollow">http://davidmaister.com/podcasts/5/47/</a> .) Having said that, it is pretty clear to me after 10 years in the search business that strong academics gives you a big head start professionally. Of course, what you end up doing with those advantages in the long run will rest on your drive. But why not give yourself every advantage possible and choose the school where you will develop a better network, etc. I think the additional money spent in the short run will pay itself back quicker than you might think. I also question why anyone would want to go directly into solo practice without spending at least a couple of years working for someone else. There is so much you learn in the first few years of practice from working at a firm. While it is certainly possible to learn what you need to know about capturing your time, managing client expectations, dealing with conflicts of interest, getting paid, etc. (including the substance of what you need to know to adequately represent clients)working for someone else is a much more efficient way to get this foundation. Success is much more dependent on your ability to be persistent than where you went to school, etc. (David Maister has a great podcast on the subject–see http://davidmaister.com/podcasts/5/47/ .)
Having said that, it is pretty clear to me after 10 years in the search business that strong academics gives you a big head start professionally. Of course, what you end up doing with those advantages in the long run will rest on your drive. But why not give yourself every advantage possible and choose the school where you will develop a better network, etc. I think the additional money spent in the short run will pay itself back quicker than you might think.
I also question why anyone would want to go directly into solo practice without spending at least a couple of years working for someone else. There is so much you learn in the first few years of practice from working at a firm. While it is certainly possible to learn what you need to know about capturing your time, managing client expectations, dealing with conflicts of interest, getting paid, etc. (including the substance of what you need to know to adequately represent clients)working for someone else is a much more efficient way to get this foundation.

]]> http://myshingle.com/2007/01/articles/questions-advice/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/comment-page-1/#comment-2356 Susan Cartier Liebel Sun, 28 Jan 2007 17:33:16 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2007/01/articles/uncategorized/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/#comment-2356 Carolyn, (While I posted your response and this on my blog, I thought I would do so here as well.) You and I will have to agree to disagree on this one. I appreciate the journey you took, the value of your degree from Cornell and the opportunities it has provided to you, especially in your practice area, energy regulation. However, I work with solos everyday and listen to the obstacles they believe will prevent them from succeeding. Never has one of my clients or students said, "if only I went to a better law school" or "I lost out on a great client because I didn't go to a top tier school." They do however, bemoan their debt service and the incredible strain it has placed upon them in all manner of their existence, not just opening a solo practice. Yes, law school loans are the price of admission as are loans in any business one would choose to open. But there is no harm, only good, that can come from having less debt especially when the advantages you suggest exist by going to a more expensive higher ranked law school do not necessarily play out for the majority the way you seem to believe..even in this particular student's area of interest. Again this opinion is based upon my experiences. If starting a solo law practice right out of law school is your chosen career path, best to start this career path with less debt, not more. (Also, and "cheap" doesn't always translate to lower ranked.) Carolyn,
(While I posted your response and this on my blog, I thought I would do so here as well.)
You and I will have to agree to disagree on this one. I appreciate the journey you took, the value of your degree from Cornell and the opportunities it has provided to you, especially in your practice area, energy regulation. However, I work with solos everyday and listen to the obstacles they believe will prevent them from succeeding. Never has one of my clients or students said, “if only I went to a better law school” or “I lost out on a great client because I didn’t go to a top tier school.”
They do however, bemoan their debt service and the incredible strain it has placed upon them in all manner of their existence, not just opening a solo practice. Yes, law school loans are the price of admission as are loans in any business one would choose to open. But there is no harm, only good, that can come from having less debt especially when the advantages you suggest exist by going to a more expensive higher ranked law school do not necessarily play out for the majority the way you seem to believe..even in this particular student’s area of interest. Again this opinion is based upon my experiences. If starting a solo law practice right out of law school is your chosen career path, best to start this career path with less debt, not more. (Also, and “cheap” doesn’t always translate to lower ranked.)

]]> http://myshingle.com/2007/01/articles/questions-advice/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/comment-page-1/#comment-6984 Susan Cartier Liebel Sun, 28 Jan 2007 17:33:00 +0000 http://174.120.83.8/~sh1ngl3/2007/01/articles/uncategorized/if-i-solo-out-of-school-do-i-pick-the-cheaper-law-school/#comment-6984 Carolyn, (While I posted your response and this on my blog, I thought I would do so here as well.) You and I will have to agree to disagree on this one. I appreciate the journey you took, the value of your degree from Cornell and the opportunities it has provided to you, especially in your practice area, energy regulation. However, I work with solos everyday and listen to the obstacles they believe will prevent them from succeeding. Never has one of my clients or students said, "if only I went to a better law school" or "I lost out on a great client because I didn't go to a top tier school." They do however, bemoan their debt service and the incredible strain it has placed upon them in all manner of their existence, not just opening a solo practice. Yes, law school loans are the price of admission as are loans in any business one would choose to open. But there is no harm, only good, that can come from having less debt especially when the advantages you suggest exist by going to a more expensive higher ranked law school do not necessarily play out for the majority the way you seem to believe..even in this particular student's area of interest. Again this opinion is based upon my experiences. If starting a solo law practice right out of law school is your chosen career path, best to start this career path with less debt, not more. (Also, and "cheap" doesn't always translate to lower ranked.) Carolyn,
(While I posted your response and this on my blog, I thought I would do so here as well.)
You and I will have to agree to disagree on this one. I appreciate the journey you took, the value of your degree from Cornell and the opportunities it has provided to you, especially in your practice area, energy regulation. However, I work with solos everyday and listen to the obstacles they believe will prevent them from succeeding. Never has one of my clients or students said, “if only I went to a better law school” or “I lost out on a great client because I didn’t go to a top tier school.”
They do however, bemoan their debt service and the incredible strain it has placed upon them in all manner of their existence, not just opening a solo practice. Yes, law school loans are the price of admission as are loans in any business one would choose to open. But there is no harm, only good, that can come from having less debt especially when the advantages you suggest exist by going to a more expensive higher ranked law school do not necessarily play out for the majority the way you seem to believe..even in this particular student’s area of interest. Again this opinion is based upon my experiences. If starting a solo law practice right out of law school is your chosen career path, best to start this career path with less debt, not more. (Also, and “cheap” doesn’t always translate to lower ranked.)

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