[blindlaw] Readings

[Ben Fulton]

Hi Santo,

You will need to be very good with technology in general. I use JAWS and Windows, but I know of many who prefer apple tech. Whatever your solution is, you will need to interact with pdf's a lot of information will be thrown at you in pdf form, no matter how much you insist it's not accessible. You will need good OCR and you will need to know how to make footnotes and a bunch of other annoying formatting information I never really needed anywhere else, and you will need to work with people to work with accommodations all the time. There was a recent thread here concerning the use of track changes. Many in the profession, and in law school, use track changes.

If you're school is like mine you will need to work on projects with other students. This will count for a part of your grade and really tests your mettle in dealing with others. Most of your peers will be accommodating, but I find in large groups things like google docs and doodle pools were used a lot. Drop box and other aps will become like breathing if they aren't already, but I would suggest working with grants and whatever money you can get as a student to make sure you have the best OCR - I use Kurzwell - that you can get and learn how to work with it.

All that being said, the thing I really wish I knew before going into law school was the schedule of some of the upper year projects. For instance, if you want to clerk for a judge, most positions are taking applications in January for positions starting after graduation the following spring. In many cases 18 months in advance.

Most of the articling applications are due in the summer between second and third year. Firms will be interviewing candidates for positions 12 months in advance, and many of the best articling positions go to students who do a summer job, and the applications for those are due just after the first year grades come out, so a lot does depend on those first year grades, and if you don't summer somewhere you will need to work very hard to get a position after law school. There are a few good ways to recover from a bad report card in first year. One of the best is to get an article published somewhere. Basically, if you don't ace the first year, you can work super hard in second year and still do ok, but be prepared to have to work incredibly hard in second year, or you may have a difficult time finding something in third year.

 Also, start networking early in first year and really keep on top of those contacts. Make sure to send some of the key contacts you meet an email about once every month or two, at least twice a semester to check in and make sure they remember you, this can be really important come job time.

Also, the Career department at your school may not be very useful at helping you get a position anywhere. Mine was pretty bad, and I wouldn't trust them with printing out a job application. Friends of mine who could see pointed out copy streaks and other errors with some of what they handed me. Thankfully I had it checked before sending it out.

Personal networking will be the greatest asset. Really stay on top of it. Think of yourself as part of the legal profession from the minute you accept your position to study.
 
Good luck,
Ben

From: Richard Welch <richard.welch.gs at gmail.com>
To: Blind Law Mailing List <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Readings
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Sanho, welcome:

Well first of all, one thing to really know is that the law is based on a very good command of the English language and often times construction matters. The first year of law school is often regarded as the hardest. The first year is referred to as ?1L?And a quick search will net you a lot of good advice on this subject. IRAC Is another good thing to have a grasp on prior to entering law school. West academic has a subscription service which I would recommend with regard to content however, not so much when it comes to accessibility.

Best,

RICHARD WELCH

Best,

Richard Welch
ricwelch at gmail.com
781-367-4964
Please consider connecting on LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/richard-welch-258310b

________________________________
From: BlindLaw <blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Sanho Steele-Louchart via BlindLaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2019 6:50 PM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sanho Steele-Louchart
Subject: [blindlaw] Readings

Hello,

I'm starting law school in the Fall. Can anyone share their "What I wish I'd known as an incoming blind law student" advice?

Warmth,
Sanho