Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Lawyers At Dinsmore And Shohl LLP
Christopher, a Partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, advises undergraduates interested in law to seek "any type of administrative assistant, a file clerking position, a pre-law clerk position—any type of job that a law firm might offer," to gain firsthand experience and determine if a legal career is the right fit before investing in law school. The experience of working in a law firm, even in an entry-level role, allows individuals to be "exposed to actual practicing lawyers" offering valuable guidance and insight.
Entry-Level Jobs, Law Firm Experience, Career Exploration, Networking, Legal Profession
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christopher Ghio
Partner
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
UCLA 2005
College of William and Mary School of Law; Juris Doctor
Political Science, American Studies
Law
Legal
Honors Student, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Volunteer or work in entry-level roles at a law firm (administrative assistant, receptionist, file clerk, etc.) to gain exposure to the legal field and practicing lawyers.
2. Seek out opportunities like Justice Corps to gain experience in a court setting.
3. Consider working in a law firm or court system before committing to law school to determine if a legal career is the right fit.
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
When I speak to anyone considering a career in the law as an undergraduate, I always tell them to volunteer in college with a court program like Justice Corps, which I know is still running.
Alternatively, you could work a side gig as an administrative assistant in a law firm, even as a receptionist. There's no job too small in a law firm where you won't have access to lawyers or people practicing law.
If that's where you want to go, I definitely recommend taking any type of administrative assistant, file clerking, pre-law clerk, or research assistant position that a law firm might offer without requiring legal experience. You'll get exposed to actual practicing lawyers who can guide you on your career path.
There's no job too small or time too short to get exposure to what working in the legal profession is like. I've had paralegals, law clerks, and receptionists, and they're all going to or are in law school. I told each of them they would know by the end of their time here whether the law is for them.
I think that's the best advice I can give to anyone considering a career as a lawyer. Before you spend the time and money on LSAT prep courses, taking the LSAT, applying to law schools, or going to law school, you should work in a law firm or the court system.