A Student's Guide to Law School

Law school can be a joyous, soul-transforming challenge that leads to a rewarding career. It can also be an exhausting, self-limiting trap. It all depends on making smart decisions. When every advantage counts, A Student's Guide to Law School is like having a personal mentor available at every turn. As a recent graduate and an appellate lawyer, Andrew B. Ayers knows how high the stakes are-he's been there, and not only did he survive the experience, he graduated first in his class. In A Student's Guide to Law School he shares critical insights about how to make a law school journey successful. Originating in notes Ayers jotted down while commuting to his first clerkship with then-Judge Sonia Sotomayor, and refined throughout his first years as a lawyer, A Student's Guide offers a unique balance of insider's knowledge and professional advice. Organized into four parts, the book begins with a section on tests and grades, explaining what's expected and exploring the choices students must make on exam day. The second part discusses the skills needed to be a successful law student, giving the reader easy-to-use tools to analyze legal materials and construct clear arguments.The third part contains advice on studying, classwork, and note-taking. Ayers closes with a look beyond the classroom, showing students how the choices they make in law school will affect their career-and even determine the kind of lawyer they become. The first law school guide written by a recent top-ranked graduate, A Student's Guide to Law School is relentlessly practical and thoroughly relevant to the law school experience of today's students. With the tools and advice Ayers shares here, students can make the most of their investment in law school, and turn their valuable learning experiences into a meaningful career.