Anaya Nolan
If you're a high schooler considering a career in law, there are several steps you can take to prepare for the future. While you don't need to decide on a specific type of law to practice, exploring different specialisations can help you gain early exposure and make that decision easier later on. Getting involved in extracurricular activities, such as debate teams, student government, or volunteering for your local state representative, can provide valuable experience and help develop essential skills. Improving your reading and writing abilities is crucial, as these skills will be paramount if you pursue a legal career. Consider taking advanced placement classes to challenge yourself and explore relevant subjects like history, civics, and political science. Additionally, gaining real-world experience through internships or part-time jobs at law firms or government agencies can provide valuable insights and enhance your resume when applying to law school. Remember to maintain a balanced perspective and focus on your nearer-term goals while keeping your long-term aspirations in mind.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Academic head start | Take Advanced Placement classes |
| Take college classes through dual enrollment | |
| Focus on reading and writing skills | |
| Join debate team | |
| Participate in extracurricular activities | |
| Volunteer work | |
| Get a head start on legal work | |
| Network with lawyers | |
| Job shadowing | |
| Internships |
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What You'll Learn
Develop strong reading and writing skills
To pursue a career in law, high schoolers should focus on developing strong reading and writing skills. This includes reading widely and regularly, not just within the field of law but also outside of it, to build a broad understanding of the world. Reading primary sources such as legislation, regulations, and case law, as well as secondary sources like legal commentary and law review articles, is essential for gaining a deeper knowledge of the law and its applications. Active reading techniques, such as highlighting key information and taking notes, help with understanding and summarizing texts efficiently.
Writing skills are equally important, and high schoolers should focus on clarity and structure in their writing. Legal writing needs to be universally understood, as laws are meant to apply to everyone equally. Therefore, it is crucial to present evidence and arguments in a way that is accessible and easy to follow. Writing succinctly and avoiding unnecessary jargon or complicated language is key.
Note-taking is an essential skill for law students, and high schoolers can benefit from developing rigorous and consistent methods, such as using colour-coded highlights to separate different types of information. Summarizing articles briefly and considering counterpoints are excellent ways to improve comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Reading and writing go hand in hand, and by reading widely, high schoolers can improve their vocabulary and understanding of complex concepts. This, in turn, helps them articulate their thoughts more effectively in their writing. Practising both skills regularly will give high schoolers a strong foundation for a career in law.
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Get a head start on legal research
While it's great to be ambitious, it's important to remember that you don't need to decide on a career in law while in high school. Many applicants only decide to pursue law later in their college careers or even after graduating. However, if you are a high schooler set on a legal career, there are some steps you can take to get a head start on legal research.
First, focus on your classes and study for standardised tests. If your high school offers Advanced Placement classes, consider taking them, as they will prepare you for the intense workload of law school. Take classes that focus on reading and writing, as well as history, civics, political science, and sociology, to help you develop the necessary vocabulary for law school. In addition to mastering persuasive writing, take classes where you will give presentations to improve your public speaking skills.
Extracurricular activities and volunteer work are also important. Consider joining the debate team, student government, or the student news publication to gain experience in skills that are transferable in law school. Many state courts offer summer internships for high school students, which can provide valuable legal knowledge and networking opportunities.
If you have connections to any lawyers or judges, ask if they have any paid or unpaid work opportunities or if you could shadow them for a few days or weeks. You can also inquire about legal internships at local law firms specialising in different areas to gain early exposure to various legal fields.
Finally, remember that legal research and writing are foundational skills for a career in law. Take advantage of any opportunities to improve your writing skills, such as volunteering to draft a report or sending a letter to the editor of your local paper. These skills will not only help with your law school applications but also prepare you for the challenges of law school and a future legal career.
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Take Advanced Placement classes
If your high school offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes, consider taking them. AP classes can give you an academic head start and help you achieve high college grades, which is important because undergraduate GPA is a deciding factor in law school admissions. AP classes will typically appear on your college transcript, so law schools will be able to see that you have taken them.
AP classes can also help prepare you for the intense course load that comes with law school. They can help you develop the necessary vocabulary to be successful in law school and improve your reading and writing skills, which are crucial for mastering the LSAT and for your future career as an attorney.
In addition to taking AP classes, you should also consider taking honours classes and classes that focus on reading and writing. Studies in history, civics, political science, and sociology may also help you prepare for law school and develop the necessary vocabulary.
If your high school offers classes where you will give presentations in front of a group of people, these can also be beneficial. Presentations can help you develop your public speaking skills and build your confidence, which will be important for your future career as a lawyer.
Overall, taking Advanced Placement classes in high school can be a great way to challenge yourself academically and prepare for the rigours of law school. They can also help you stand out to law schools and demonstrate your ability to handle a heavy course load.
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Job shadow a lawyer or judge
Job shadowing a lawyer or judge is a great way for high school students to gain insight into the legal field. Here are some tips to make this a reality:
Utilize Connections
Start by considering your connections. Do you have any family members or friends who are lawyers or judges, or know someone who is? Ask them to facilitate an introduction or reach out on your behalf. A personal introduction from a mutual connection can significantly increase your chances of securing a job shadowing opportunity.
School Counsellor and Alumni Network
If you don't have personal connections, your school counsellor may be able to help. They might be aware of programs or individuals in your area who are open to hosting students for job shadowing. Additionally, tap into your high school's alumni network. Reach out to alumni who work in the legal field and express your interest in job shadowing.
Networking Events and Organizations
Attend local networking events, join legal organizations, or participate in pre-law clubs at your school. These avenues can help you connect with lawyers and judges who might be open to letting you shadow them. Be sure to emphasize your passion for learning about the legal field when making these connections.
Court Officials
Consider reaching out to court officials, such as Court Ushers, duty solicitors, stenographers, or admin staff. You may have better luck job shadowing these individuals, as they are not bound by attorney-client privilege in the same way that lawyers are.
Follow Up
Don't be discouraged if you don't hear back right away. Professionals can be busy, so it's important to follow up on any initial connections you've made. Send polite and professional emails or make phone calls to express your continued interest.
Remember, job shadowing opportunities can provide valuable insights into the day-to-day work of lawyers and judges, helping you determine if a legal career is the right path for you.
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Join extracurricular activities
Joining extracurricular activities is a great way to develop skills that will be useful for a career in law. It is also an excellent way to demonstrate to law schools that you are a well-rounded individual with a variety of interests and skills.
Some extracurricular activities that can be particularly beneficial for aspiring lawyers include:
Debate Team
Participating in debate competitions can help you develop essential skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, and persuasive argumentation. These skills will be invaluable when it comes to advocating for your clients in a courtroom setting or providing them with legal advice. Debate teams also often involve researching and understanding different perspectives on complex issues, which is similar to the work lawyers do in analysing cases and developing legal strategies.
Student Government
Involvement in student government can foster leadership skills, communication skills, and an understanding of policy and procedure. These experiences can be beneficial when it comes to understanding the legislative process and the interplay between law and policy. It also demonstrates an interest in civic engagement and a willingness to take on responsibility.
Moot Court
Moot court is a simulated court proceeding where participants act as attorneys and present arguments before a judge. This activity is specifically designed to introduce students to the world of legal advocacy and improve their public speaking, critical thinking, and legal research and writing skills. Participating in moot court can give you a taste of what it's like to be a lawyer and help you develop the skills needed to excel in that profession.
Volunteering
Volunteering for organisations such as your local state representative or legal services organisations can provide valuable experience and insights into the legal profession. It demonstrates a commitment to serving the community and an interest in social issues. Volunteering can also help you develop important soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are all highly valued in the legal profession.
Part-time Jobs
Even part-time jobs that may not seem directly related to law, such as clerical work or administrative roles, can provide valuable experience. These jobs can teach you about responsibility, time management, and interacting with clients or customers. They can also help you develop organisational skills and attention to detail, which are important for managing caseloads and legal paperwork.
Remember, while these extracurricular activities can enhance your profile, the most important thing is to pursue activities that you genuinely enjoy and that will help you develop valuable skills for your future legal career.
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Frequently asked questions
High school students can prepare for law school by focusing on their classes and studying for standardised tests needed to get into college. Students should also work on their reading and writing skills, as these are paramount for success in law school and beyond. Getting involved in extracurricular activities, such as debate teams, student government, or volunteering for a local state representative, can also be beneficial for developing transferable skills and building a strong application.
High school students interested in the legal field can explore job shadowing opportunities with local law firms or judges. Networking with lawyers or judges, either through personal connections or by reaching out to professionals, can also provide valuable insights and even lead to potential job opportunities.
Writing is a critical skill for aspiring lawyers, and high school students should take every opportunity to practice. This can include writing persuasive essays, volunteering to draft reports in professional settings, or even sending letters to local publications.
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, extracurricular activities that involve debate, public speaking, and critical thinking can be beneficial. Examples include debate teams, moot court, and student government. These activities help develop essential skills for future lawyers, such as persuasive argumentation and public speaking.
No, it is not necessary to make a firm decision in high school. However, it is a good idea to start exploring different areas of law to gain early exposure and make a more informed decision later. Informational interviews, job shadowing, and researching various legal specialisations can all help in this process.
