How Do I Choose the Best Employment Law School?

Deciding on the right law school can be a difficult and complicated process as it may affect a person's career options down the road. Choosing an employment law school can be made easier, however, with a little forethought and research. In most jurisdictions, all law schools teach students the basic legal principles required to practice law; however, some schools will offer advanced courses on specific topics such as employment law. A careful analysis of the curriculum at an employment law school, researching the school;s general reputation, and consultation with practicing employment law attorneys should help a student choose the best employment law school.

Within the United States, all law schools teach students the basics of federal jurisprudence. The reason for this is that all laws within the United States must comply with the principles found within the Constitution of the United States. Individual states may enact laws that apply within the state as long as they do not conflict with the Constitution. As a rule, the first two years of law school are spent learning the basic principles of legal topics, such as criminal law, civil procedure. and contracts law. The last, and final year, is when a student may choose to take courses in more specialized areas of the law such as employment law.

For a prospective law student, choosing the right employment law school should begin with researching the law school's general reputation. There are a variety of organizations that rate law schools each year, which can give a student a general idea of the school's standing. In addition, statistics such as the median grade point average and LSAT score for entering students, as well as the bar passage rate are other indicators of the overall standing of the school.

The curriculum at a potential employment law school will be vital when making a decision for anyone who wishes to focus on employment law. Not all law schools offer advanced courses in employment law, which makes locating a school that offers appropriate courses essential. In addition to traditional coursework, a law school that offers internship opportunities may benefit a student who desires a career in employment law.

Consultation with practicing employment law attorneys is always a good idea when deciding what employment law school to attend. A practicing attorney can help guide a student toward schools that will benefit the student in many cases. In addition, a practicing employment law attorney may be able to advise the student regarding what additional courses may be helpful to take while he or she is in law school if practicing employment law is the ultimate goal.