I can’t even begin to tell you how many versions of this question I’ve been asked. From the time I decided to apply, to when I heard back from the schools, to my entire decision process, and to now – when I’ve actually started at Hastings.

A lot of my classmates have always known they were going to be lawyers. This was determined by a poll in one of the many workshops and seminars I attended during day two of orientation today. But me? I never thought I was going to be a lawyer. I didn’t attend UCLA with the specific mindset of taking courses and meeting professors that would funnel me toward a law-minded path.

But, I did meet one Professor Gorin at UCLA who teaches a class by the name of “Speech and the Courtroom” (or something close to that) and who is also a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles. He saw something in me that convinced him to ask me to be his Teaching Assistant after I passed his class (with an A of course, duh!) and his awesome stories of crazy clients and stressful court dates really sucked me in.

Being a lawyer seemed dynamic, challenging, and fun. I like fun.

Then I graduated UCLA and Craigslist supplied me with an e-discovery litigation consulting job, and I was gainfully employed! Only a week after moving home in June of 2009! In a legal industry-related job! I know, I was super lucky.

Without ever really pursuing law, it seemed as if I was always heading there.

So now, when people ask me, “Why are you going to law school?”

I reply,

“Because I want to.”

I think law school is going to be really good for me. The people I’ve already met in the last two days, the stories I’ve heard from faculty and practicing lawyers, and a slight tension in the air that I’m sure will only increase once school official starts Monday – all these things excite me more than scare me.

If you’re thinking of law school, go for it. Yes, it’s a huge commitment, but you don’t have to be rock solid in your conviction to be a lawyer to go. Law school is a great melting pot of successful and smart people, and if nothing else, you’ll get out with a great understanding of the law and an awesome network. Use that J.D. for something else if you don’t end up wanting to be a lawyer.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to my first law school social event. La Raza, a Hastings club, is throwing a fundraiser at a bar pretty close to campus tonight and I shall be there.

xoxo,

Jenn

P.S. Sorry if my blog has been hijacked, and will probably continue to be hijacked, by all my law school musings. This blog is about my life after all and it looks like my life will = law school in the near future.