They say law school is a marathon, not a sprint. Like many
runners, incoming law students want to know the secrets for
maximizing their performance. They focus on the grades because they
are told (or come to believe) that grades are the only measure of
success in law school. While there is truth to that, attorneys know
that there are many additional skills required for success in
practice that are not reflected in grades alone.
One of the best ways for law students to enjoy their law school
experience and develop non-legal skills is by getting involved in
extra-curricular activities. Students who get involved, especially
those who take on leadership roles, develop many skills that are
relevant in legal practice. Among the most beneficial are event
management, networking and collaboration.
The first skill set, organization and event management, is
practical:When new attorneys initially get involved in their
workplaces and their communities, they are often called-upon to
organize committees or plan events. Student leaders sharpen these
skills in law school. They understand what it takes to start with
an idea and make it a reality, whether it's organizing an
orientation for new journal staff or planning a major fundraising
event for public interest scholarships. Peter Alvarez, a 2014
graduate of Boston University School of Law (BU Law) and current
associate at Choate Hall & Stewart LLP, was the vice-president
of the Student Government Association and Black Law Students
Association. He reflected that, "[l]eading student organizations
honed my organization, communication and management skills that I
use in practice. It also gave me an avenue to engage with upper and
lower classmen, professors, administrators and alumni, and I have
maintained those relationships to this day."
Peter's insight offers a good segue into the second skill set,
networking. In practice, networking is a skill that can make or
break a career. When law students assume leadership roles in
student organizations, they quickly learn how powerful it is to
network around shared interests. Yasmin Ghassab, a 2014 graduate of
BU Law, held leadership roles in the Legal Follies, Middle Eastern
Southeast Asian Law Students Association (MESALSA) and OutLaw, and
offers a compelling example. "I received my first job offer from a
firm where an alumnus of a BUSL student organization introduced me
to the firm's recruiter. I have personally recommended individuals
from student organizations for positions (with a high success rate
of offers being extended), and even referred clients to attorneys I
met in student organizations at BU." Yasmin is currently an
associate at DLA Piper.
Obtaining a desirable job is an ideal outcome of networking.
Outreach made through student organizations, however, can also help
to build networks for engagement outside the law office, which is
often where clients are cultivated. Brian Balduzzi, BU Law 2013 JD,
2014 Tax LLM, agreed. "Acting as Treasurer for OutLaw encouraged me
to become more active in the LGBTQ community in Boston and helped
me become more authentic in the workplace and classroom. I would
not have had the conviction to join the MA LGBTQ Bar Association
Board or SpeakOut Board."
The third skill student leaders develop is management of others.
Jared Shwartz, BU Law JD 2014 and former president of the Student
Government Association at BU Law, shared that "[t]aking a
leadership position in a student group taught me the importance of
effective communication and managing expectations, two skills that
are invaluable in providing efficient client service." Jared is now
a corporate associate at McLane Middleton, and explained that, "I
better understood how to find a middle ground when considering the
competing interests of my fellow group members - a challenge that I
am tasked with every day as a practicing attorney." Brian Balduzzi
echoed these thoughts. "For me, serving as co-president of the
Public Interest Project at BU Law allowed me to collaborate and
think strategically about impact beyond the classroom and how to
lead a team. …I had more empathy, purpose, and patience when
working at a law firm." After several successful years in practice,
Brian is now in his final year of a two-year MBA program at SC
Johnson College of Business at Cornell University.
For those students wondering if engagement is something to put
off until second or third year, Yasmin Ghassab offered this advice:
"The best decision I made in law school was to get involved, and to
get involved early…. [S]tudent organizations allow first years the
unique opportunity to form meaningful relationships with second and
third years who provide great advice (and outlines) during law
school, and access to employment and professional development
opportunities after law school."
I am fortunate to observe, time and again, the truth of Yasmin's
statement. Like the Boston Marathon runners who get high fives from
the crowd to help propel them to the finish line, law students
reflect fondly on their law school experience when they get
involved early and take on leadership roles. Moreover, they arrive
at the finish line better prepared to serve their clients and their
communities. I encourage all law students to consider engagement
and leadership as essential parts of the law school experience.
Jill A. Collins is the associate director for
student affairs at Boston University School of Law. After
practicing for more than five years in the area of trusts and
estates, Jill transitioned to her current role in which she
supports law students in many different ways, including their
engagement with student groups.
School of Thought is a regular column geared for law
student members.