What I Wish I Learned in Law School: Struggles and Insights

• Publication year: 2024
• Citation: Vol. 47 No. 4

What I Wish I Learned in Law School: Struggles and InsightsVol. 47 No. 4 Pg. 16Wyoming Bar JournalAugust 2024

by Kayla A. Albertson

Struggles and Insights

Imagine stepping into your first job as a lawyer, armed with a wealth of knowledge from law school but quickly realizing that the real world of legal practice feels like uncharted territory. This is a common experience for many newly minted attorneys, regardless of age and experience. Law school equips us with tools to "think like a lawyer" and ^—gain theoretical and analytical skills. However, it lacks many of the practical skills required for the practice of law, failing to prepare us for the profession's practical, emotional, and business aspects.

I loved Legally Blonde growing up. When accepted into law school, I immediately watched that movie to celebrate. I couldn't wait to be Elle Woods and walk into class and impress my professors with my creative but analytical thinking to their questions about the cases we had to read for homework or to get into a practicum in law school and win a trial as a law student. Elle Woods didn't make it look easy, but she did make it look glamorous.

Once I got into law school, I quickly realized I was mistaken. Although Legally Blonde accurately depicted the hours spent reading and studying, I had more confidence in myself than I probably should have in my abilities to "ace" my classes like Elle Woods. Most of my peers during law school were just like me: high achievers, top of their classes, with endless work ethic. Law school quickly became much more difficult than I t imagined it would be.

The first semester of law school was grueling. We spent ho hours reading, studying, and trying to read crystal balls to find out what questions the professors were likely to ask about our homework, so we didn't look like we didn't know the material when we got to class. Everything leads to two weeks of

final exams. A couple of questions to determine your worth and knowledge for the entire semester, all within the span of three hours.

All of this to say, during law school I learned how to work hard, read, read some more, and begin to rewire my brain to think like a lawyer, spot issues, and come up with quick answers on the spot. While these are essential components of legal education, they do not encompass the full spectrum of skills required to excel in law practice. Many graduates find themselves unprepared for the day-to-day...