Television can glorify it, jokes can sabotage it and books can make it all too interesting. No matter the spin, however, studying law takes hard work, dedication and sacrifice that few outside the field actually see.
Within the first year, law students are exposed to civil procedure, torts, contracts, property, criminal law, constitutional law and ethics. It's no wonder why most law students consider the first year of study the most difficult.
"The first year was especially hard, as I spent several nights a week in the law library or my office trying to make sense of the material," said Tony Lipinski, a third year law student.
For Sara Valencia, a third year law student, law school took priority over the decision to work for a law firm.
"During my first year of law school I decided not to work for a firm so I could become acclimated to the law school environment and the nature of study."
Some students decide not to join the workforce after graduation because it is an effective method to incorporate knowledge and hands-on training.
"By waiting until after my first year to get a clerkship with a firm I was able to make a more clear connection between the classroom and the workplace," said John Godwin, a second year law student.
Putting off work during the first year of studies is not an option for some students.
"I have been a teaching assistant for the accounting department for four years which has helped a lot with tuition assistance. And I have a clerkship with a local firm which gives me the outside law exposure I need," said Lipinski.
Not only do law students, such as Lipinski, hold two jobs, but also some have already completed another form of graduate study eager to add value with a law degree.
"I have my master's degree in molecular biology from the University of Toronto. My hope is to work in intellectual property law," said Jenny Le who is a second year law student.
Students such as Lipinski stated that although schooling can seem like a lifelong commitment, the effect is lifelong success.
"I have been going to school now for eight years," said Lipinski, "five years getting my BS/MBA in accounting and now three years of law. The dual degree will prove beneficial in a career of tax law."
Scores of schooling added to lack of time spent with family and friends can be quite taxing and some students feel that the social aspects of their lives are being denied. However, others feel that making small changes can help to save some time for family.
"I don't have much time for a personal life," said Valencia.
"As I've become more acclimated with the work, I find I spend more time studying from home and get to see my family more often," said Lipinski, "However, that will certainly change once I cloister myself away to begin my serious bar study."
As if three years of law school wasn't enough, students have to pass the bar exam and the number of students attending law school is rising. Almost 30 percent of them will not pass the bar.
In most U.S. states the bar exam consists of two days of essay questions, followed by a multiple-choice exam containing 200 questions.
During their three years of law school students want to try and dabble in as much law as possible to prepare for questions they could encounter on the bar exam.
Scott Peloza, a second year law student, said that there are valuable lessons to be learned from being a law student.
"You have to know what to focus on in each class. Time management should be top priority."
Having the knowledge to choose relevant study material, playing with hypothetical situations, and seeing all sides to a story seems like a lot to ask of one person. However, those who are passionate about law take their work seriously.
"It isn't all martinis, cigars and co-sexual bathrooms a la Ally McBeal," Lipinski said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
