pthin2@illinois.edu – Pre-Law Advising Services Blog

Alumni Attorney Talk | Justin Randall

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series that aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

Professional Readiness Part I: Finding Value in Different Types of Experiences

The Professional Readiness Series is designed to offer insights for building skills and pursuing experiences for success in the professional world. Because it can be challenging to know where to begin, how to search, what to prioritize, and which opportunities to pursue – this series will help guide students through creating connections, recognizing the value of diverse experiences, and exploring a wide range of internships and professional roles.

Alumni Attorney Talk | Dakota Richmond

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series that aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

The Intersection of STEM and Law

How do STEM and law intersect?

Did you know that STEM majors can (and do!) go to law school? While it may be true that liberal arts majors, including political science, are the most common majors associated with future interest in law school, do not be fooled! Many practicing lawyers and law students obtained undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in STEM subjects. While STEM stands for Science – Technology – Engineering – Mathematics, there are numerous unique majors that may fall within these broad categories, including majors related to Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Mathematics, and Physics!

Pre-Law Course Planning & Recommendations

It’s time to get excited about Summer and Fall courses! Each semester, we receive many questions from pre-law students regarding courses helpful in preparation for law school. Each semester Pre-Law Advising creates resources with suggested classes that pre-law students might find useful and interesting when planning and exploring a legal education.

In general, students interested in going to law school should take classes that focus on analytical and critical thinking, communication, research and writing, and, when possible, legal topics of interest. Additionally, pre-law students should consider courses in topics that will help foster knowledge in topics helpful to learning law, such as business, history, technology, and more! Finally, students should also focus on developing skill sets in areas that will support future success in law school and the legal profession, including personal development.

The general recommended course lists include classes from many disciplines that might serve one or more of the goals articulated above. We encourage you to consider departments that offer courses in areas you would like to further explore!

Alumni Attorney Talk | Lauren Ceckowski

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series that aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

Alumni Attorney Talk | Jennifer Kuo

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series that aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

Alumni Attorney Talk | Jeff Gaster

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series that aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.

Legal Traditions: Part II

As we discussed in Legal Traditions: Part I, many legal traditions can be mysteries to those outside of the legal profession. The American legal system is rooted in common law, which thrives on tradition, utilizing concepts created hundreds of years ago that continue to serve as foundations for the modern system today. While many of these legal traditions are long-standing, they are also often unfamiliar, and there is only so much that courtroom dramas can teach about the actual law! In two parts, we have chosen four legal “traditions” to highlight because of their frequent use in courtrooms and common reference in our news and media. Continue reading below to learn more about the final two in this series: habeas corpus and stare decisis.

Alumni Attorney Talk | Kurt Reitz

Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series that aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.