[blindlaw] Research into a Legal Career

[Aser Tolentino]

Hello,

I did really well in law school and passed the bar on the first go, but got discouraged and decided to try something else. I worked as a prosecutor, so my days were a lot different from what you would have to look forward to, lots of working on multiple cases in the office and then showing up for court for a whole morning to attend to the ones that were on the calendar, also lots of preparing for trials that never happened.
To mitigate the many, many barriers you will face, I have one absolutely essential piece of advice. Network, network as though your life, or at least your livelihood, depends on it, because it does. Connect with attorneys with disabilities, people who have experience in your field. Share things on social media or create a blog that highlights your accomplishments. Reach out as far as you can so you improve the chances of connecting with that one person or group of people who will help you make it.

Respectfully,
Aser Tolentino, Esq.

> On Feb 2, 2019, at 12:09, Julie McGinnity via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Good afternoon everyone,
> 
> I have been on this list for a while reading the messages and
> following the discussions with interest.  So now it's my turn to seek
> some perspectives.
> 
> I have been considering law school and a legal career for several
> months now.  This is not something that would happen for me for a few
> years at least, but I want to plan, and I want to be absolutely sure
> before pursuing such a demanding path.  I've done a lot of research,
> even looked through and worked on study materials for the LSAT.  The
> internet and this list have warned me sufficiently about going to law
> school and seeking a legal career for the wrong reasons.  None of the
> warnings have scared me away, though they have increased my caution as
> well as my desire to do this at the right time and for the right
> reasons.  Although I am open to a variety of possibilities, I am most
> interested in education and higher ed law in terms of advocacy for
> students with disabilities.
> 
> So here are my questions:
> 
> Lawyers, what is your day like?  Do you stay in an office?  Do you
> travel often?  Do you go to court often?  I know these answers will
> depend on what kind of law you specialize in, but I'm just interested
> in hearing what your jobs are like in general.
> 
> I have read on this list that there is plenty of discrimination in
> this field as there is with any other for us blind people.  How have
> you prepared for that, if there is a way, as you've gone through law
> school?
> 
> What are the challenges entering law school as an older adult, like over 30?
> 
> Since law school would still be a couple years out for me, how do you
> suggest I prepare?  I gather that superior tech skills are most
> valuable.  What else is essential?
> 
> What else do you suggest I do to continue my investigation?
> 
> I am open to feedback both on and off list.  Thank you for taking the
> time to read this and for any responses that come my way.
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Julie A. McGinnity
> MM Vocal Performance, 2015; President, National Federation of the
> Blind Performing Arts Division; First Vice President, National
> Federation of the Blind of Missouri
> 
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