• Already declared Pre-Law? Schedule an appointment with your Pre-Law Academic Advisor through MyUI. 

• Not declared or not sure if you have a Pre-Law Advisor? Call the Academic Advising Center at 319-353-5700. 

Terminology

• Law School Admission Test (LSAT): standardized exam that measures skills including: reading comprehension, logical reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning—students typically take the LSAT during their junior, senior, or gap year.
  • There is:
    • L1, L2, L3: Refers to a student’s year in law school
    • ABA-Approved: A law school or JD program that is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and meets nationally recognized standards for legal education.
    • JD (Juris Doctor): The standard professional degree required to become a lawyer in the United States, typically completed in three years after earning a bachelor's degree.
    • LLM (Master of Laws): An advanced law degree that can be pursued after earning a JD or an equivalent law degree, allowing lawyers to develop specialized knowledge in a particular area of law, such as tax, international, or environmental law.

FAQs

• How long is law school?
  • A Juris Doctor (JD) degree typically takes three years of full-time study after completing a bachelor's degree.
• Do you need to go into Law School right after you graduate?
  • 65% of law students wait at least one year after earning their bachelor's degree before enrolling in law school, while about 35% enroll directly after college (Source)
• Are there any Pre-Law Conferences? What do they do?
  • Yes! Pre-law conferences are excellent opportunities to learn about the legal profession, meet admissions representatives, network with attorneys, and prepare for law school. Students may attend conferences hosted by:
    • LSAC (Law School Admission Council)
    • American Bar Association (ABA)
    • Regional Pre-Law Advising Organizations
    • Individual law schools
    • State Bar Associations
  • Many conferences are free or offer discounted registration for undergraduate students. Virtual conferences are also increasingly common.
• How can I create my own internship at a Law Firm?
  • Many smaller law firms do not advertise internships but are willing to host undergraduate students who reach out professionally.
    • To create your own opportunity:
      • Research local law firms or public defender/prosecutor offices.
      • Identify an attorney, office administrator, or hiring manager.
      • Send a professional email introducing yourself and explain your career interests.
      • Ask whether they would consider an internship, volunteer position, or job shadow.
      • Attach your resume.
      • Follow up after 1–2 weeks if you do not receive a response.
  • Even if a firm cannot offer a formal internship, they may allow informational interviews, job shadowing, or volunteer opportunities that can provide valuable experience and networking connections.
• Where can you find all the law schools and what they specialize in?
  • The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) maintains a searchable directory of ABA-approved law schools.
  • https://www.lsac.org/choosing-law-school/find-law-school/jd-programs
  • When researching schools, consider:
    • Areas of legal specialization
    • Clinical opportunities
    • Externships
    • Bar passage rates
    • Employment outcomes
    • Geographic location
    • Cost and scholarships
    • Faculty expertise
    • Joint degree programs
  • Many law schools publish employment statistics showing graduates' careers in private practice, government, nonprofit organizations, judicial clerkships, and business. Reviewing these outcomes can help you identify schools that align with your career goals.

How to Find Connections

• Reach out by email or phone to:
  1. Introduce yourself (name, major, university)
  2. Express your interest in shadowing or interning
  3. Share your availability and attach a resume (if available)
  4. Ask if they offer any student opportunities

How to Create a Law Job Shadow

Step 1: Define Your Goals: Think about what you hope to gain from the experience.

Examples include:

• Exploring whether law school is the right path for you
• Learning about different legal practice areas
• Understanding the day-to-day responsibilities of attorneys
• Building professional relationships within the legal community
• Developing a better understanding of the court system and legal ethics

Step 2: Identify and Research Potential Hosts

• Look for attorneys and legal organizations that match your interests.
• University of Iowa Alumni
• Use LinkedIn to connect with alumni working in legal careers.
  • Go to LinkedIn.
  • Search for "University of Iowa."
  • Select the Alumni tab.
  • Filter by:
    • Location
    • Major
    • Employer
  • Keywords such as:
    • Attorney
    • Public Defender
    • Prosecutor
    • Judicial Clerk
    • Legal Aid
    • Compliance
    • Government Relations
    • Law
• Research organizations that interest you and locate attorney or recruiting contact information through their websites.
• Pomerantz Career Center Hiring Data
• Review alumni outcomes to identify graduates working in legal professions.
• Look for employers such as:
  • Public Defender Offices
  • County Attorney Offices
  • Law firms
  • Legal aid organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Corporate legal departments
  • Other Places to Look
  • Consider reaching out to:
  • Iowa State Public Defender Offices
  • County Attorney Offices
  • Federal Public Defender Offices
  • Legal Aid organizations
  • Nonprofit legal organizations
  • Courthouses
  • Judges' chambers (if shadowing is permitted)
  • University legal departments

Step 3: Reach Out to Potential Hosts

• Send a professional, concise email.

Step 4: Schedule the Shadow

• Once someone agrees to host you:
  • Choose a mutually convenient date and time.
  • Confirm the expected length of the shadow (typically 2–8 hours).
• Ask about:
  • Professional dress expectations
  • Parking or building access
  • Confidentiality requirements
  • Security procedures
  • Whether you may observe court proceedings or client meetings
  • Any paperwork or background checks required before your visit

Step 5: Prepare in Advance

• Before your shadow:
  • Research the attorney and organization.
  • Learn about the types of cases they handle.
  • Review basic legal terminology related to their practice area.
  • Bring a notebook.
  • Dress professionally.
  • Prepare thoughtful questions.

Step 6: Participate Professionally

• Arrive early.
• Dress professionally.
• Be respectful of client confidentiality.
• Silence your phone.
• Observe courtroom etiquette if attending court.
• Ask questions at appropriate times.
• Take notes on legal work, communication skills, and office culture.

Step 7: Follow Up with a Thank You

• Send a thank-you email within 24–48 hours.

  Example Thank You

  Subject: Thank You for the Job Shadow Opportunity Hello [Attorney Name], Thank you for taking the time to let me shadow you. I truly appreciated the opportunity to learn more about your work at [Organization Name] and gain insight into the legal profession. As a [Year] student at the University of Iowa interested in pursuing law, it was valuable to observe how your office serves clients and approaches legal advocacy. I especially enjoyed learning about [specific experience, case type, courtroom observation, or career advice]. Thank you again for your generosity, time, and willingness to share your experiences. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and hope to stay in touch as I continue preparing for a legal career. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Step 8: Reflect on the Experience

• After your shadow:
  • Reflect on what you learned about legal practice.
  • Consider whether that practice area aligns with your interests.
  • Record new skills, observations, and contacts.
  • Connect with your host on LinkedIn.
  • Update your resume with relevant shadowing, volunteer, or internship experiences.