What’s the Point of the Third Year of Law School?

The Wall Street Journal has joined the world of blogging with its Law Blog.  One of today’s posts, From The Tell Us Something We Don’t Already Know Department, refers to a study, the Law School Survey of Student Engagement, which surveyed over 20,000 students at 73 law schools.  The Wall Street Journal Law Blog post indicates that the third year of law school is good for schools, but not necessarily for students.  Comments posted on the blog seem to agree.  One comment suggests that the both the third year of law school and the bar exam should be tossed out in favor of a residency program in which students would work for a firm or clerk for a judge who would then confirm whether the student is ready for the practice of law.

While I agree that the third year of law school could be improved with more practical or ‘hands on’ programs (and possibly the addition of courses about how to run a law firm and market your practice), there’s still no excuse for being ‘bored’ during the third year of law school or for failing to obtain some practical experience before graduation.  In addition to the increasing number of clinical programs being offered for law students, if a student is eager to learn and creative in seeking out opportunities, there are other alternatives available. 

If third years feel that law school isn’t providing them with the right tools or the skills that will help them conquer the ‘real world’ of practicing law, there are numerous options for work which would provide practical experience, whether paid or unpaid.  My advice would be to seek out employment or an internship opportunity with a firm that practices in the area of law the student is interested in pursuing after graduation.  Many  lawyers, particularly those practicing in small firms or as solo practitioners, would welcome the help and would be willing to allow law students to review and draft pleadings and other documents as part of their experience.  Although not all positions, particularly with smaller firms or solos would be paid, the knowledge and skills gained from such a position could be the biggest contribution to a student’s third year education.

For those students interested in a career in litigation (and for newly admitted lawyers), the best place to gain knowledge about a career in the courtroom is to observe.  Any student can go to court and find out where trials are being conducted and observe the attorneys on trial.  Being present in court may even present an opportunity for the student to speak to the attorneys when the trial is over, or speak to jurors about what they thought about the attorneys’ performance.  Often court personnel will know not only where trials are being conducted, but which attorneys have the best reputation and would be worth observing.

Many law school professors seek help from students to write articles or work on special projects.  While these may not be ‘typical’ hands on legal experiences, working closely with a law school professor may open additional doors or provide connections the student wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

While the current state of law school education may not be perfect, there are plenty of opportunities to learn outside of a classroom setting and to gain practical experience. For third years looking for a competitive advantage or just some insight into what the ‘real’ practice of law is like, searching out these opportunities makes considerable sense.