General Practice
Name: Michael W. McNabb
Major: History
Law School: University of Minnesota
Description of your job: general practice of law
Do you have any advice for students who are considering going to the same law school you did? Take as many clinical and practical courses as you can so that you have some preparation for the actual practice of law.
Is there anything in particular that you did during your undergrad that benefited you more than anything else in getting through law school and/or transitioning into the legal profession? Take as many courses as you can that require you to develop your abilities in oral and written communication.
If you had a chance to go through law school all over again, is there anything you would do differently? Avoid wasting time reading the case book assignments and use the time to review study guides.
Is being a lawyer what you expected it would be? Why or why not? Yes, because I have the opportunity to help people
What is it like transitioning from being a law student to being a lawyer? Most of the theory that many professors spend all the class time discussing has little to do with the real practice of law. (Few of the professors have any significant practical experience.) Unfortunately, you have to learn how to practice law after you graduate.
Is there anything students should know about the legal profession before they decide to commit their life to it? There is a tremendous surplus of lawyers in the United States. The competition for entry positions is very great, and your chance for obtaining your ideal position after law school is slim. Even a position at a large law firm may not be all that great because at a large firm the attorney is usually stuck in a pigeon hole to specialize. Having said that, if you persevere, you may eventually find a position that reminds you why you wanted to be a lawyer.
What does a typical day look like for you as a lawyer? meeting clients, drafting papers, and appearing in court
Do you have any final advice? Talk to lawyers before you spend your time and money on law school. If your dream is still to practice law, then go for it!
