Movies about law school experience could be considered as informative materials. People interested in law schools should be able to watch such flicks to give them a clear picture of how is law school like. Aside from checking out online source for sample law school personal statement, applicants who are about to write their admissions essay could also use these movies as a source of background information. To give you an idea of these law school movies, here is a list of the top five flicks that law school enthusiasts must watch.
Paper Chase
Paper Chase is a 1973 film by director James Bridges. The movie was based on John Jay Osborn, Jr.’s novel. The Harvard Law School student, Hart (portrayed by Timothy Bottoms), is the main focus of the movie. Hart became his Contract law professor’s opponent. The situation gets worse when he finds out that the girl he is dating is actually his professor’s daughter. The Paper Chase has been reviewed as one of the best all-time movies depicting law school life.
The Pelican Brief
This movie was based on John Grisham’s novel. Julia Roberts portrays the lead character named Darby Shaw. Shaw is doing a research about the death of two Supreme Court justices when she finds out that the death was caused by several men of high stature. Shaw gives the title of her research as The Pelican Brief. But although her research unveils interesting details, it causes the death of her professor Thomas Callahan. The movie focused more on Shaw’s quest to run for her life.
The Trials of Law School
The Trials of Law School features the lives of the University of Oklahoma College of law students. The 87-minute film delves onto the different hopes and aspirations of the students. This film focused more on how law school students managed to juggle their personal life and law studies. It is a definite must-watch film by anyone who is planning to pursue a law degree.
Legally Blonde
Elle Woods is the least person you would think to enter the world of law school. This president of a sorority known for its good-looking members does not possess the usual traits of a law school student. This movie has been considered as a surprise box office hit. The positive sales have even led to a sequel.
Reversal of Fortune
Claus von Bulow is convicted for the attempted murder of his wife. To get him out of jail, he asks Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz to help him. The movie focused on the work that Dershowitz and his students did in preparation for von Bulow’s court trials.
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There are people who decide not to practice law even if they have already done a lot of law-related tasks. Some people have gone through the whole law school experiene – writing a good sample law school personal statement, getting into law school, and finishing a law degree – only to find themselves wanting to explore other options. If you are one of them, no need to sweat. A lot of graduates have encountered the where-do-I-go-from-here dilemma. If you think that you can’t live up to your law school personal statement because you don’t want to practice law anymore, you don’t have to worry. The things that you have included in your sample law school personal statement would not go to waste because there are other career options for law graduates like you.
Teach.
As a person who has first hand experience in writing a sample law school personal statement, applying to law schools, and finishing a law degree, you are a very credible law “expert.” Getting a teaching post in law schools could be your career option. You could also teach law-related undergraduate courses such as Legal Studies and Criminal Justice. You just have to prepare yourself to take graduate studies. Academic institutions prefer candidates who have finished their Master of Law (LL.M.) or Doctor of Juridical Science (in the US).
Protect the environment.
A law degree means that you have full understanding of policies concerning the environment. You could act as an environmental advocate, environmental policies consultant, technological programs hazard specialist or coastal zone resources manager. Companies employ people who are adept in legal procedures concerning the environment to make sure that they don’t violate any policy.
Manage businesses.
Your law school training will put you in an advantageous position when applying for corporate positions such as property administrator, program analyst, corporate manager, and grants management specialist. Your knowledge in legal procedures could make you an ideal candidate for management positions.
Be involved in media.
Your extensive legal knowledge could very well make you a good law correspondent or a legal editor. Law students like you are very used to reading voluminous amounts of reading materials. Use it to your advantage.
Do something different.
Ascertain your interests. It is very likely that you can pair law school education with your strengths. Your educational skills could help you land research jobs or other similar positions. Your knowledge in policies and regulations could help you get positions in real estate, human resources and employment, financial services, and law enforcement.
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A career in law is really challenging and enjoyable. But the decision to get into law school could be a serious undertaking. This is why you have to first ascertain why you want to become a lawyer.
Determining reasons could give you a clear perception of what you really like to do. Also, you could use the reasons in your sample law school personal statement. To give you an idea, read the following best reasons for becoming an attorney. The statements below might be of help in your law school personal statement. Take the time to understand them before you include the reasons in your law school personal statement.
“After reviewing all my options, I have seen that a career in law would suit me best.”
Considering your skills and interests is one of the best ways to make a decision. This means that although you have given other programs thought, you have still decided that a law degree would very much fit all your personal traits.
“I really enjoyed my work in a legal organization.”
Having the chance to intern at a legal organization could prep you for law school. Aside from this, the experience will definitely give you an idea of what it is like to become an attorney. If it is applicable, cite this reason in your law school personal statement. It might give your law school personal statement a persuasive and convincing tone.
“I have talked with lawyers about their job, and I feel that I would enjoy their work.”
First-hand bits of information are very credible. Talking with lawyers will give you the chance to closely look at the life of an attorney – the schedules they keep, the demands of their job, and their passion for the profession. It could also be a preparation for the ups and downs of a lawyer’s life.
“I have read informational materials about law, and I want to take part in people’s legal battles.”
Doing research means that you know and understand the path you are taking. Ideally, people must know what they can do with their profession. So, determining your purpose is a great step to becoming an attorney.
The above-mentioned reasons are not the sole criteria that people wanting to become an attorney use. There are still a lot of good reasons that you could put in your law school personal statement. Just remember that the main objective of a law school personal statement is to provide additional information about yourself. So, the reasons you would cite in your law school personal statement must be realistic and practical.
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