How can I find out if I'm interested in law?

Okay, so I'm aware this probably sounds a bit silly, but here we go anyway.

Basically, I think I'd like to study law at university and become a lawyer. My reasoning for this is that I want to help people (yes, cheesy) and have a secure job. I would like a job that is interesting and intellectually stimulating/challenging. I won't deny that the fact that lawyers aren't exactly poor is a part of my reasoning, but it's pretty far down the list. I've vaguely thought of environmental/medical/family law. Not really interested in the idea of corporate/criminal law.

But that's the point of this post- I'm interested in the idea of it, not so much the law itself. Financially, a three year degree is a huge committment and I want to find out if I'm actually interested in it. Does that make sense? I'm not really sure how else to express it.

My college doesn't offer law at any level, nor are there any evening classes nearby even vaguely related, so that's out. I visited the local magistrate's court twice in the summer and I found that interesting. I found some of the decisions the magistrates made really harsh, others really lenient. Only one person had representation and they made a huge difference. I couldn't figure out why the others didn't, but there we go :p:

I've booked a place on a 'So you want to be a lawyer' conference in November which apparently is quite good... I'm just wondering if anyone can reccommend anything else? I want to make the right choice for the right reasons... I've tried for work experience but got a flat out no. I'll try again for this summer.

Oh, and I do browse the Times law section online. I'll freely admit that I find some parts boring / can't understand them, but others more interesting.

Any suggestions? Sorry for the huuuuuuuuuge post, lol :redface:

Reply 1

Oliver Sidorczuk

It sounds like you already have a good enough 'interest' to be able to make the decision of doing a law degree, or at least, a good enough grounding to get you a place at a decent uni.

Reply 2

Purple

Read some Law books, do some work experience, go to court and watch etc

Reply 3

Reba1

Work experience is the best way to realise, I wanted to be a journalist until i went to report in the courts on work experience.
Law books are an idea, but I am thouroughly interested in law and find a fair majority tedious.
However if helping people is your aim, you have to remember in law you can only help people where possible, theres normally only one 'winner'.
The times section is good, as is their website, but I have to say work experience is the best way.

Reply 4

Llamaaa

Some universities do a law conference for a few days around easter- I know Cambridge does, as does Nottingham. Maybe you should get yourself onto one of those.

Reply 5

Mike_P

I do also share the interest in helping others.

Many people can say to one "work as a doctor or a phsychologist" etc, but that's not my way.
I admit that when thinking of helping others, thoughts often re-assemble into a picture of a focused surginary or a hectic workday for Doctors without Borders down in Africa.

Yet, Law is excellent for helping people. I personally, am interested in Human Rights and such areas where the law really can help those who need it. Like the organization mentioned earlier, there is also Lawyers without Borders, out there in chaotic states trying to bring justice and the basic rights everyone deserves.

Cheesy? Not.

I believe that Law is one very stimulating and challenging subject, so one of the pro's is that you always get something enthralling and variative.

"Only one person had representation and they made a huge difference. I couldn't figure out why the others didn't, but there we go."

I also noticed this during a trial I attended to, and I asked the District Attourney about this. He stated that in the case that took place, evidence could in no way be waived and the facts were clear and spoke for themselves. Still, this evoked some thoughts..

Anyways, you seem to already have a general interest in Law and have started to think about typical areas in Law which you would like to study, which tells me that you applying would be a good idea unless there are any other subjects that interests you more.

To get more insight into what Law can offer one, check Law departments of Universities and information about courses, career prospects etc. If you are able to, try attending to any open days or seminars open for prospective students.

Read some books; There are a lot of different books influenced and about Law. The author John Grisham has a whole series of legal bestsellers, readable for everyone. There's many introductive books for students especially, such as "The Law Machine" by Marcel Berlins and Clare Dyer or "Learning the Law" by Glanville L. Williams .

There's a great bunch of films and tv-shows out there as well.. My current favourite is of Boston Legal (which is about much, much more than only Law lol) to check out.

Are you considering university studies in a near future? 2008, 2009?

Good Luck!

Reply 6

LadyJane