Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Lawyers
David, Founding Partner at VLP Law Group, advises aspiring lawyers to gain law firm experience "preferably a big law firm early, uh, while you're still in college," before committing to law school, because the post-law school job market and lifestyle can make career changes difficult, leading many to unhappiness. This insight highlights the importance of thorough exploration before committing to a legal career.
Career Exploration, Job Search, Industry Realities, Hard Truths, Candid Advice
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
David Goldenberg
Founding Partner
VLP Law Group
Stanford 1993
Law - JD - Stanford Law School
Philosophy
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing), Law
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Gain practical experience in a law firm before committing to law school.
2. The lifestyle of a lawyer is difficult to change once you're established in the field.
3. Carefully consider if a career in law aligns with your long-term goals before committing to law school. Many lawyers experience unhappiness in the career.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
People ask me all the time if they should become a lawyer or how to become one. I tell everyone the same thing: I would work in a law firm, preferably a big law firm, early in college, before applying to law school and making that decision.
Once you're in law school, there's a lot of internal pressure to finish. To pay for it, you typically have to take that law firm job. Then, once you're doing that, you kind of get used to that lifestyle. It's hard to switch to other things, so really, really be sure.
There are some people who go to law school because that's what they wanted to do their whole life. Good for them. I would say 95% of people don't fit into that category and end up being unhappy in some version of their career.