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From: twc@ys2.uucp (Ted Chan)
Newsgroups: misc.legal,comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: Is it reasonable to become a lawyer?
Message-ID: <1991Apr13.085913.5675@ys2.uucp>
Date: 13 Apr 91 08:59:13 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Glenmoor Data
Lines: 60

[stuff deleted]

> I'm interested in several of the legal and social aspects of computing,
> such as copyrights and patents as they apply to software, privacy and
> liability in email, BBS freedom, etc..
>
> I'm wondering if it would be reasonable when I tire of programming
> to get legal training or even become a lawyer and specialize in
> these areas.

Law school shouldn't be too difficult for anyone with any training
in an intellectually rigorous discipline, e.g. engineering, math, cs.

> What does it take to switch to law from another profession?  For
> example, how much preparation must one have before law school,

If your basic reading and writing skills are up to snuff,  you 
shouldn't require any preparation beyond taking a course to
prepare you for the LSAT.  Law is a discipline that places
a premium on diligence, rather than intelligence or aptitude (but
of course, the latter two characteristics do help...).

> and what does it take to get into law school, and how much does

Decent grades and decent LSAT scores.

> it cost, and how long does it take?

UC law schools are relatively cheap, but private school tuition
can run 10-15K/year.  Law school takes 3 years full-time, four
years part time.

> And if I do this, what are the prospects after law school?  I don't

Good for computer lawyers, so-so for run of the mill lawyers.

> think I want to actually end up as a working lawyer.  I think I would
> like to end up working with my current employer in a research capacity
> (which the owner of the company says fits in with his plans for me)
> which would take up maybe 30 hrs/week, and then maybe donate the
> rest of my time to organizations like the EFF or other such organizations
> that are interested in these issues or just providing free advice to
> people who can't afford a lawyer (like, say, BBS operators or
> shareware authors).  Would this be useful to such organizations
> or groups, or am I just being crazy here?

You can feel free to do what you like, however, if you don't practice
law, you'd better have an extremely good income from you chosen job
(to pay off those student loans)!

--twc

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