Can You Hold a Job and Work in Law School?

It seems like I've been talking a lot about how expensive law school is.

So it's natural for students to want to reduce those costs. One way is to get scholarships aka free money.

Free money is great. In fact, free money is my favorite kind of money. But that's not an option for some law students.

So one option that students often ask me about is working during law school.

The allure is obvious: make a little money to defray the cost of school (or to make a little spending money). Getting a job doesn't require financial need. Nor does it require special academic performance.

So a job could open up some opportunities that might not be available in the context of scholarships.

More money is always good, so what could go wrong?

A lot can go wrong.

I recorded a video that talks about how much can go wrong if you prioritize the wrong things in law school, second job included.

Getting a job while being a full time law student is being penny-wise and pound-foolish.

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[mirasga]

I was consistently in the top 10% of the class and my name a common sight on the top exam scorers list.

When I started working my grades dropped significantly.

[roberto]

I study law and work two jobs. I can't tell you how much I wish I didn't have to work to maintain myself. I envy my classmates. I've still managed to maintain some pretty good grades, but I feel I could do a lot better if I could focus entirely on learning the law. A shame.

[happybat]

Thus, the more economic capital you bring into law school, the more institutionalized capital, in the form of better grades, you will leave with. You will go on to win even more economic, and social capital from a more prestigious job. And you will be able to support your children economically so they can reap the same benefits.


And this is how inequality reproduces itself.

[suigeneris_pp]

Hey there! I can totally relate to the video since I'm a working law student and I'm on my third year. I'm currently running a small business and although it might sound dreamy, things can get stressful at some days. If you have the means or you can afford to pay the tuition, I suggest you focus on studying full time especially on your first year since it will be your main foundation.

Law school is a jealous mistress. It takes so much of your time and energy. Focus on the goal of becoming a lawyer.

[Pants]

I go part time to law school and work full time. I don’t have someone to support me 100% and I refuse to take out loans with interest. Best decision ever!

[allisonsulouff]

It’s good advice to utilize your resources if you have the luxury of not working at all while going to school, but for me and probably a lot of people, that isn’t an option. I’m 27 with a full-time job as a paralegal and I’m starting a weekend JD program in just a week. I’m super excited about it and encourage everyone to follow their dreams! Hard work is all a mental game- if you think “this is gonna be hell”, it will be. I’m trying to focus on the positive which is that being able to go to law school at all is a privilege that we are very lucky to have.

[Checkersss]

I just got accepted into a law school, and now I'm watching all these videos. It's so exciting to finally be accepted!

[martgatz]

I work as a law clerk part-time while I go to Law School full-time. I haven't had any issues with handling school and I've got some extra money on the side. I only work two days a week though.

[adlev]

This system is built to make the rich richer, and the poor poorer. If you were born wealthy, you don’t have to worry about anything but law school, which gives you an advantage to be in the top 10%. However, people with families or children to support, who already are desperate trying to make the ends meet - don’t stand a chance.

[LeonardMannMannsWorld]

I was lucky I had a mother who supported me all the way. I am now a lawyer, and teaches law in some law schools. But many law students here in the Philippines are working while in law school to support themselves. Many succeeded and eventually became lawyers, and I am so proud of them!

[christiankneupper]

I interned with an attorney who worked on the side. She did like dorm security or something, very low key quiet so she used that time to study while getting payed at the same time

[ChristophProbst]

I have a freelance paralegal job that takes a few hours per month, but I used to have far more hours. I had to seriously cut back shortly after I started a law reader program. I couldn't work and retain the information. I felt so guilty and inadequate cutting back on hours, but I have to focus on the studies so I can pass the bar. It made me feel better to recognize that most law students don't work and study the law at the same time.

[UncleKosta]

"...getting into the state run monopoly, that is the attorney's bar." As a libertarian and a 1L in September, that statement made me smile so hard...I subscribed immediately. You said so much with those few words...

[Doctorgoodegg]

Im working full time, full time law student in a top tier school.

I am doing fine.

But thanks!

[mpfjxtw]

I think there can be something therapeutic about work- suitable work, minimally during 1L, but not ruled out- maybe just four hours a week. It can help you stay grounded and in touch with the real world; can be good for mental health. It can be a welcome contrast to any elitist and "theoretical" -type atmosphere at school. Just keep the work time minimal.

[kevintorge]

Wish I had known this before graduating Law School. For all of you guys out there, I completely​ agree with LegalEagle here.

[jameskile]

Great advice but how do you pay for rent/gas/food without a job? You can take the debt on the loans but the grocery store still isn’t free

[robertovalle]

This is amazing! Best set of videos I've ever seen...

[dudebro]

Objection, I have gone to your site for the free law checklist several times, and have only gotten responses trying to sell your pre law workshop.

[JohnArmwood]

It is easy to say not to work while you are in law school. Some of us had no choice. I did not work the first semester but I worked part-time to survive from the second semester of the first year to graduation. Obviously, you had the privilege of not working, good for you. I clearly understand your perspective and ideally, you are right. Some of us did not have the choice. You obviously had a societal privilege that some of us did not have. Yes, I went to a top twenty law school. Working was not a choice. Loans were insufficient bt the third year. It is said that some people don't realize their privilege. Duncan Kennedy was right and you have proved his point in "Legal Education And The Reproduction Of Hierarchy. I still have my copy of that pamphlet nearly forty years after I purchased it just before entering law school in 1984.