As law students, we cherish the flexibility that comes with shaping our own schedules, especially in our later years. Choosing our own classes, arranging internships, and enjoying free Fridays are privileges we hold dear. However, as we prepare to enter the professional world, we're faced with the reality of a more structured routine.
While some remote legal jobs offer flexibility, most still come with contractual obligations and fixed hours, marking a significant departure from our student days. Personally, I'll miss the freedom to take midday study breaks for workouts or errands, as it adds balance to my day.
This transition reminds us of the unique freedoms of law school. Yet, as we embrace the next phase of our journey, let's carry forward the adaptability and resilience we've honed, knowing that our academic experiences will continue to guide us in the professional world.
(Written with the help of AI)
Hi Ariel, this is something I've been dreading to face in the real world. Ever since I was a freshman in college (besides 1L year where our schedules were provided for us), I have never voluntarily chosen to take a Friday class. Fridays are usually my days off where I do absolutely nothing related to school or work. I've found that having this one day completely to myself has helped me stay sane and losing that day off in the real world is going to be an adjustment for me. I know I'll have the weekends, but will we truly ever have a full day off again without worrying about work?
ReplyDeleteAriel,
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point made about the flexibility we have with scheduling as students compared to working. That semblance of control is there at least, where we can choose certain classes and the times we want to take them.
Working in law, it seems like it will be much more regimented in that you can get assigned cases, and not have that same control over your schedule, whether it be because of a Judge, partner, or maybe a client. Like other things, I did not truly appreciate the flexibility until I realized it would not be there once entering full-time work.
Ariel, I think this will be the hardest part about transitioning out of law school. I have gotten really used to having free time at the winter break holidays and having three day weekends. Once we get into a routine on the other side, it may be nice to not have homework to do all the time and hopefully will include less work on weekends. As busy as I get in school, it is hard to avoid doing work on the weekends.
ReplyDeleteHi Ariel,
ReplyDeleteI agree, I always have loved the flexibility of building my own schedule in both undergrad and now law school. While we did have our schedule picked for us in 1L there was always a day or two that was significantly shorter allowing more flexibility to our lives outside of school. I think that this is something that has also changed in some ways in the professional world since the popularity of remote working has grown. I. am curious to see how this impacts work/life schedules for various careers over the coming years.
As if to prove the validity of this post, we will be joined in class tomorrow by Brian Tannebaum. His visit to our class was originally scheduled for next week. However, the federal judge in one of Brian's cases moved his morning hearing next Wednesday to the afternoon, creating a possible conflict with our class.
ReplyDeleteRather than risk his hearing running past our class time next Wednesday, Brian will join us via Zoom while he is on the road tomorrow afternoon.
Judges can wreak havoc on any lawyer's carefully planned schedule. They are the 600-pound gorillas of the legal system. To be fair, they are responsible for managing large and complex dockets. Sometimes hearing dates and times need to be moved to efficiently manage those dockets.
The good news is that many courts allow you to notify them of planned vacation times and they will block out those times so that no cases where you appear as counsel of record will be scheduled during your vacations. But it is on you to be diligent in notifying the courts as far in advance as possible of those vacation times and updating the courts if those times change. If you fail to do so, no judge is going to be sympathetic when you come to court and plead that a hearing or trial be delayed because you forgot to notify the court in advance of your vacation.
Lawyers quickly learn not to book non-refundable flights or cruises. Always pay the extra charge upfront that allows you to change your dates.