What did you do with your law degree?

dK1NG · 01-12-2008 1:53pm

dee8839 wrote: »

So my question to you fine people is, for those of you who completed your 3/4 year undergrad in law, what did you do next? A postgrad? Teaching? Another different undergrad? An apprenticeship? Kings Inns? Civil Service?

What did you do? I'm hoping to gain some inspiration. Because right now it just feels like I'm falling into a black hole with no prospect of climbing out of it.:(

Good ol Law + Euro, then a "year off" which involved FE1s sandwiching a trip to Oz. Despite passing the FE1s, I had no interest in going down the corporate practice path, so opted for a criminal justice PhD. And, tbh, I have absolutely no regrets with my choice!

Maybe, just maybe, I might end up in practice in a few yrs (my research area is now developing a niche market, particularly amongst some of the big firms). But then again, I am really enjoying what I am doing right now, so who knows....

Johnny Utah · 01-12-2008 3:17pm

Jo King wrote: »

johnny has commented that some of the lecture rooms in the Kings Inns are smelly. He has also referred to "our fees" as being on a case basis as opposed to an hourly basis. He has also pleaded for solicitors to give junior barristers a "leg up". From the above it seems that Johnny has attended the Kings Inns. If he has gone into practise he is only in the early stages.

Thanks, that explains a lot. I thought johnnyskeleton was a junior barrister with too much time on his hands. Perhaps he is moonlighting as a contract law lecturer? :pac:

CantGetNoSleep · 01-12-2008 5:56pm

dK1NG wrote: »

Good ol Law + Euro, then a "year off" which involved FE1s sandwiching a trip to Oz. Despite passing the FE1s, I had no interest in going down the corporate practice path, so opted for a criminal justice PhD. And, tbh, I have absolutely no regrets with my choice!

Maybe, just maybe, I might end up in practice in a few yrs (my research area is now developing a niche market, particularly amongst some of the big firms). But then again, I am really enjoying what I am doing right now, so who knows....

Finally a response to the OPs question and not just bickering.

You mind me asking what exactly you do now? Finished the PhD yet?

Sangre · 02-12-2008 2:44am

Well to get back to the OPs questions. I have no idea where my law degree or masters are. Sitting in the bottom of my wardrobe probably. I did use the notion of them to help me get a traineeship. I did my FE1s over 3 sittings, 2 sittings overlapping with my masters/dissertation (and no I didn't fail any

). Also worked in a bank for about a year and a half part time. I also squash some travels to US, OZ and Asia in there.

At one point while juggling the job, dissertation and FE1s I had to quit work because those corporate fat cats wouldn't reduce my hours. So I called their bluff, quit and they rang me up the next day to rehire me with reduced hours. Stick it to the man!

dK1NG · 05-12-2008 4:01pm

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Finally a response to the OPs question and not just bickering.

You mind me asking what exactly you do now? Finished the PhD yet?

Very, very nearly.....

Have all the chapters complete at this stage, just revising some of my earlier work now so am in the home stretch so to speak.

After that, I'm not sure tbh. I could go down the research/ teaching route, but then again some of the firms in Dublin are expanding more and more into corporate crime which is right up my alley.

johnnyskeleton · 06-12-2008 4:47am

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Finally a response to the OPs question and not just bickering.

If you had bothered to read the whole thread you would see that there are a number of answers to the OP's question.

johnnyskeleton · 06-12-2008 4:50am

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Thanks, that explains a lot. I thought johnnyskeleton was a junior barrister with too much time on his hands. Perhaps he is moonlighting as a contract law lecturer? :pac:

At least I respond to your posts instead of making snide remarks. I honestly don't know why you have an axe to grind with contract law lecturers, but perhaps if you ask this question of yourself you will find yourself in a more enlightened position as regards your job prospects.

studiorat · 06-12-2008 5:32am

What did you do with your law degree?

yore ma!

no seriously...

JuliusCaesar · 06-12-2008 7:38pm

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Nurses/teachers; it has been said here before that it is easier to get a teaching position than it is to secure a training contract.You also have to acknowledge that nurses/teachers are in a secure, pensionable job for life. You're right when you say that in these careers a person will be pigeon-holed to a certain extent, but I think the job security will balance that out. Also, I don't think it's accurate to say that teachers/nurses will have "zero hope of any gainful employment". I know a couple of teachers, both primary and secondary, and they are all employed and seemingly quite happy.

Hmm. And all newly qualified teachers and nurses will get jobs? For years we were training nurses for export; they couldn't even get 6 months post qualification work contract to build up experience. This is happening again.

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Psychologists: ever see what a good psychologist earns?

If that psychologist has done their 3 yr Clinical Psychology PhD AND got a job in the HSE.......then their salaries are enviable. But: there are about 200 applications for 30 places on the Clin Psych PhD. Most people who get in will have done a couple of years voluntary work to gain some experience. Most Psychology grads end up in any kind of job - it's just a common Arts degree. Look over in Psychology in the Science forum to see the difficulties young psychologists/would-be psychologists face.

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Physiotherapy/speech & language therapy: :rolleyes: How long does it take to become a physio?
(Not as long as it takes to become a solicitor anyway, that's for sure)

Pay for physiotherapists (like most paramedical professions) is poor compared to Clin Psych and Medicine. (and go over to Biology & Medicine to hear the younger medics complain!) You need higher points to get into Physio than into Medicine; the course is 4-5 years, and then you'll need to specialise afterwards.

Johnny Utah wrote: »

I firmly believe that law schools should provide proper career advice to its students. I understand why they don't want to do it- its in their interest to propel the myth, keep demand up, and ultimately keep themselves in a nice cushy job. I wonder how many law schools are telling their students about the current difficulties facing the legal profession.

It was reported here recently that it is expected that newly qualified salaries will drop to the E30k mark. I consider that to be a pretty poor wage when you consider the time, effort, money involved in qualifying.

Well, it's a long time since the 80s and the career guidance people have lost their recession skills. Mind you, they were pretty crap when I went looking in 1983.

As for the time, effort, money involved in qualifying - doesn't this apply to ANY profession? What makes you think that you are entitled?

O yeah, that L'Oreal ad...........it's influenced a whole generation.

dee8839 · 07-12-2008 3:46pm

OP here. I think some people are missing the point of my thread. I don't want to argue about the difficulty in qualifiying or working in law. That's a whole other issue. I'm genuinely looking for ideas as to where I can go from here, preferably besides the FE1 or Kings Inns routes. As in, tell me about what kind of Masters you chose to do. Tell me about how you found your law degree led to an interesting job in tax, journalism or similar. Stuff like that. Thanks to those of you who have replied constructively already.

johnnyskeleton · 07-12-2008 7:01pm

dee8839 wrote: »

OP here. I think some people are missing the point of my thread. I don't want to argue about the difficulty in qualifiying or working in law. That's a whole other issue. I'm genuinely looking for ideas as to where I can go from here, preferably besides the FE1 or Kings Inns routes. As in, tell me about what kind of Masters you chose to do. Tell me about how you found your law degree led to an interesting job in tax, journalism or similar. Stuff like that. Thanks to those of you who have replied constructively already.

As I've said, there are four main options - legal profession, quasi-legal job, academics or a non-legal job. If you're looking for a non-legal job such as tax, journalism or whatever, you're in no better position than someone with a general commerce or arts degree.

Re: journalism, the days when most journalists were failed barristers are over. You need a degree/masters in journalism and it is very competitive to get a place in one of these courses.

Re: Tax consultant - you can do the exams in this with a basic law or commerce degree. I don't think there are any surprises with this job - it's well paid but you have to enjoy knowing about tax rules.

Jo King · 14-12-2008 4:22pm

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Thanks, that explains a lot. I thought johnnyskeleton was a junior barrister with too much time on his hands. Perhaps he is moonlighting as a contract law lecturer? :pac:

If that is correct then possibly he is in his second year at the bar?

I wonder how many Judicial Reviews, trials on indictment and High Court and Supreme Court briefs he has had?

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

I apologise for my part in the length of this thread, but I somehow feel compelled to make it even longer.

You are asserting things as true, but when I assert something to be true, you ignore it. Then you say that it is I who is ignoring your post. I will say it again - you can make an income in your first few years - if you get one JR, one trial on indictment or one junior brief in the HC/SC, you will make more money than your fees and your other practise expenses. You won't make much but it is an income, however inferior it may seem to you.

johnnyskeleton · 14-12-2008 8:45pm

Jo King wrote: »

If that is correct then possibly he is in his second year at the bar?

I wonder how many Judicial Reviews, trials on indictment and High Court and Supreme Court briefs he has had?

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

I apologise for my part in the length of this thread, but I somehow feel compelled to make it even longer.

You are asserting things as true, but when I assert something to be true, you ignore it. Then you say that it is I who is ignoring your post. I will say it again - you can make an income in your first few years - if you get one JR, one trial on indictment or one junior brief in the HC/SC, you will make more money than your fees and your other practise expenses. You won't make much but it is an income, however inferior it may seem to you.

Look, this thread isn't about me and you're going way off topic. I don't know why you wish to speculate about me but note that I respect your privacy and respond substantively to your posts if I disagree with them. If there can't be rational debate in the Legal Discussion forum then fine.

The proven facts are: that all trainee solicitors are doomed to never have a job; that they have been lied to by unscrupulous lecturers who are trying to feather their nests at the expense of the dreams of young law students; and that the legal profession in Ireland is doomed to failure and poverty.

Jo King · 14-12-2008 10:38pm

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

Jo King wrote: »

If that is correct then possibly he is in his second year at the bar?

I wonder how many Judicial Reviews, trials on indictment and High Court and Supreme Court briefs he has had?

Look, this thread isn't about me and you're going way off topic. I don't know why you wish to speculate about me but note that I respect your privacy and respond substantively to your posts if I disagree with them. If there can't be rational debate in the Legal Discussion forum then fine.

The proven facts are: that all trainee solicitors are doomed to never have a job; that they have been lied to by unscrupulous lecturers who are trying to feather their nests at the expense of the dreams of young law students; and that the legal profession in Ireland is doomed to failure and poverty.

I take it then that the answer is Nil.
This is not about speculation. This is an example of a former Law Student now in practise seeing how things work out. What readers of this thread and many other similar threads have to work out for themselves is what the prospects for the profession are. This forum is full of examples of people assuming knowledge of situations outside of their experience -eg some comments about auctioneers are inane. They apparently do less work and get a bigger fee than the solicitor in a house sale.These people have never worked in an auctioneers office.

johnnyskeleton · 14-12-2008 10:58pm

Jo King wrote: »

I take it then that the answer is Nil.
This is not about speculation. This is an example of a former Law Student now in practise seeing how things work out. What readers of this thread and many other similar threads have to work out for themselves is what the prospects for the profession are. This forum is full of examples of people assuming knowledge of situations outside of their experience -eg some comments about auctioneers are inane. They apparently do less work and get a bigger fee than the solicitor in a house sale.These people have never worked in an auctioneers office.

And then, while Johnny Utah works up some more straw man arguments & conspiracy theories, Jo King works on character assassination.

You know what, the OP has heard my views, and has heard yours. She can make up her own mind.

Jo King · 15-12-2008 8:42am

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

And then, while Johnny Utah works up some more straw man arguments & conspiracy theories, Jo King works on character assassination.

You know what, the OP has heard my views, and has heard yours. She can make up her own mind.

At least the o/p now knows that if she goes to the bar she will not in her first or second year "get one JR, one trial on indictment or one junior brief in the HC/SC," and will make more money than her fees and her other practise expenses.

EC1000 · 15-12-2008 10:57am

Jo King wrote: »

At least the o/p now knows that if she goes to the bar she will not in her first or second year "get one JR, one trial on indictment or one junior brief in the HC/SC," and will make more money than her fees and her other practise expenses.

Guys, I am not a moderator here but please take this nonsense elsewhere....

Jo King · 15-12-2008 8:41pm

EC1000 wrote: »

Guys, I am not a moderator here but please take this nonsense elsewhere....

ytou are right. You are not a moderator!

deadconveyancer · 18-12-2008 9:34pm

...now I am working as a waitress in a cocktail bar (only casual though, can't get a permanent job)

Amazotheamazing · 18-12-2008 9:54pm

deadconveyancer wrote: »

...now I am working as a waitress in a cocktail bar (only casual though, can't get a permanent job)

Sorry to hear that, seems to be a lot of it going around at the minute.

jimmyskank · 18-12-2008 10:02pm

I used mine when i ran out of luxury toilet roll!!:D

dats_right · 19-12-2008 10:11am

jimmyskank wrote: »

I used mine when i ran out of luxury toilet roll!!:D

I fear that mine will meet the same end and probably end up in the Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Facility, god forbid I'll have eaten a dodgy curry or somesuch, because in which case there is a strong likelihood that my Admission to the Roll parchment might also 'be required'..

legalireland · 31-12-2008 4:35pm

Hi,

I finished my law degree in 2005, was long and hard as I was a parent of four small children and working two part time jobs, one of which was a private investigator.

After I received my degree I was unsure what to do, in the beginning I was 100% sure I was going to be a solicitor, but, after two years as an investigator I was leaning towards the possibility of being a legal investigator, this I did, I opened up my own investigation agency, and due to the fact that I was the only legally qualified female investigator I was in demand and my agency became a great success. I am now in the process of getting my new business of the ground, it is a legal directory of all legal experts in Ireland, it is in its infancy but I know the legal process and know it will succeed. I don't believe that I would have succeeded so far without my law degree and it has opened many many doors for me.

Whatever you choose to do, your law degree will be a huge advantage, it doesn't mean that you have to be a solicitor.

Happy New Year to everyone for 2009

Regards

Legalireland

RiverWilde · 04-01-2009 12:33am

I can't say what I did with my degree as I don't have it yet, three years to go. What makes me smile when things get a bit tough (all the bloody reading) is a story that keeps me going.

Years ago I was in an interview with a career counsellor. All was going well until she asked me what I'd like to do in university. I replied that I'd like to study law. At this point she leaned over her desk and asked, 'you know that's a difficult subject don't you?'

That situation still makes me grin today. At this stage, for me anyway, what I do with the degree isn't all that important. I'll see where it takes me. Hopefully I won't be flipping burgers.

Riv

Sangre · 04-01-2009 12:52am

That is funny! To think anyone would think law is difficult.

linola_c · 05-01-2009 8:19pm

Hey all, does anyone know what the possibility of qualifying as a solicitor in australia?I am a final year corporate law student and i am seriously considering the possibility of emigrating?
Anyone know of situation in oz or even the UK?

dermot_sheehan · 07-01-2009 8:43pm

I was looking into this for getting called to the Bar in New South Wales.

Look at http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/lpab/ll_lpab.nsf/pages/lpab_overseasprac

and http://www.attorneygeneral.ie/esi/2007/B25118.pdf for practice in New South Wales. Not sure about the other Australian states.

For England & Wales (Scotland has its own legal system), there is recipricol recognition of the irish solicitor qualification (see regulation 13 of their QLTT regulations http://www.sra.org.uk/sra/regulatory-framework/1548.article)

What did you do with your law degree?

Comments