law degree and can't find a job

[lil law lady]

I send my resume to all firms. I don't care if the firm says it seeks an attorney with 2-5 years experience. The fact of the matter is some where out there is an employer like me: prefers filet but will eat a jr. bacon cheeseburger. I'm sure a firm that really needs the help will hire a recent grad rather than let a position go unfilled...

[edwardius]

Have you ever thought about practicing in Canada?

Canadian Student Loans.

[Navych1ck]

Here's a suggestion...join the military. The military always needs lawyers; in the military they're called Judge Advocate Generals (JAGs). I'm a little biased here, and think the Navy would be the best way to go. You don't have to make a career out of it, but if you're elligible for military service and pass the BAR, they'll take you. Sometimes they give you money to help pay off your loans. You'll get to practice all different kinds of law, and get lot's of that elusive experience. If you make it a career, you get a great retirement and are still young enough to have a 'second' career. Officer pay is pretty good, and you get full benefits. Can't guarantee you'll end up in San Diego, but you'll never be on a ship unless you really want to. It's something to look in to. If you're interested, contact your local friendly Navy recruiter. More information about JAGs is available at jag.navy.mil.

[westwind15]

Look for clerk, legal secretary, and paralegal jobs. There are a ton. Then you open the door and gain experience.


What a lot of people do not get is that law school does not teach you how to be a paralegal. It is the equivilent of taking a doctor, newly out of medical school and dropping them into the medical billing department and expecting them to know how to do that complex insurance paperwork.

San Diego is a tough market because there are three ABA law schools dumping out hundreds of graduates every semester, most of which stay here. The competition is very tight.

Many people have gotten started by getting a small office in with attorneys who practice in the area you want to practice in, and trading work for the office space, which gets you free training from them; and also while taking small cases on the side that you can figure out how to do - and pay the bills with. Get good at one thing, like unlawful detainers or filing simple bankruptcies, and advertise like crazy at a big discounted rate. It will at least get you started, get you some experience you can put on your resume, and not leave you working for free. It's not as if your bills magically disappear while you are doing all the free interships that people recommend.

My 2 cents, from one who has also been there and survived it!

[jghall00]

Bar results came out yesterday. Did you pass?

[lokahi]

Have you checked out contract attorney work? It's a good start, plus the pay is great. Check out the Posse List for more info on being a contract attorney. DC is a hot market for it if you're looking to leave CA. You can waive into the DC Bar (without having to take a test!), and it usually takes 6 months or so....

Pay typically starts at $35-$40 an hour, plus you get time and a half for overtime. Here's the link to the posse list - http://theposselistblog.com/ they have a listserve for CA, and esp. the San Diego area, so you can get alerts when new contract projects come out.

Best of luck!