**Urgent Advice Needed-Law School**

Hello there people, I was wondering if you guys could help me out. I graduated from the University of California at Berkeley last year with an B.A in Legal Studies.

I am now a Financial Advisor at American Express which is going good so far.

My fiance just graduated from Harvard Divinity School with her Masters degree and will be attending Harvard Law school soon.
We will hopefully be getting married in about a year or so.

We have decided to both get our Law degrees and open our own practice so we don't have to work for anyone. I need to do a distance learning program in order to get my degree seen as though I work full time.

I am considering Oak Brook College of Law and Government Policy as it seems like the best distance learning program out of all the other schools. We will be residing in California in the next 3 years permanently.

Would this school suit my needs? Any advice would sincerely be appreciated. I need to postmark my application by the 24th of June.

Thank you.

 

This school is probably one of the top rated as far as distance learning goes, however, outside the state of California it is the same as all the other distance learning law schools ---- basically worthless --- so if you ever plan on leaving the state of CA you may want to reconsider.

 

If you plan to practise in CA only, then the OBCL JD should fit. However, if later you guys want to move out of CA, you may have problem. It really depends on whether you will stick with CA or not. Just my two cents.

 

Many, if not most, ABA approved law schools offer evening programs designed for fully employed students. While these are all classroom based, they may give you the flexibility you need.

 

We will definitely be residing permanently in California as we have travelled all across the U.S and CA fits our lifestyle the best. I don have time to work 60 hours a week and then travel to an evening program in order to obtain my degree. I travel alot too and I think that the Oak Brook program would serve me best as I can study on my laptop independently instead of being tied down in a classroom environemnt. Maybe I should have made these two factors more clear to everyone.

Now do you think Oak Brook would serve my needs?

Thank you

 

Oakbrook has certainly demonstrated that students who complete their program have a good chance of passing the Bar.

From everything I know, they run an ethical operation. If the teaching modality suits you and you are comfortable with the religious doctrine, Oakbrook is a reasonable choice.

David L. Boyd (not exactly an unbiased observer)

 

I agree with you David. If the poster is certain he will never leave California then Oak Brook appears a good option. Statistically it has a high first time Bar pass rate (probably exceeds that of many accredited schools). My guess is that he would (based on that) get a good education. He should be aware that there may still be some limitations in terms of the perception of the school because it does not have ABA accreditation. Nonetheless, of the California non accredited options that seems to be a good one. Can always try to figure out how to do the LLM route after.

North

 

If your fiance is going to be attending Harvard Law School, you're going to have to live in the Boston area for the next 4 years at least (unless you plan on living apart for that amount of time).

Boston has two ABA-accredited law schools with part-time evening programs, the New England School of Law and Suffolk University. Either of those would be a better choice than Oak Brook, as you could take the Bar Exam in any jurisdiction in the country when you graduate, while Oak Brook is limited to California. If you're going to be in Boston anyway, why not go with a school that doesn't limit your options?


Bruce

 

HURRY!

Hi Buddy,

I suggest that if you decide to go to an evening/weekend program at an ABA Brick & Mortar School that you contact the Law School Admission Council www.lsac.org as soon as possible! I decided against taking a JD course over the web because I want to eventually quit my current job and do something in the legal field. Every law school in California that is ABA requires that you register with LSAC, Take the LSAT, and they have pretty stringent application dates. I know that Western State Univ. has a rolling application acceptance period. Check out this link:

http://www.calbar.org/admissions/2admsch.htm

This gives you a listing of all law schools in Cali (ABA and Non-ABA Alike). Also Check out the Fabulous MR. Liu's Web Page...it is very informative as well!


http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Haven/2386/dllaw.html


Whatever you decide to do...good luck and I hope this info helps! By the way, I am going to Chapman University in Orange...Classes start August 12, 2002.

Regards

Mike

 

Consider the following:

1) You're getting married in a year.
2) Your fiance will be attending HLS.
3) You'll be working full time and she'll be attending HLS full time.
4) Presumably, you'll be supporting her during the time it takes to complete her degree.
5) You'll be relocating to California shortly thereafter.
6) You have a degree in legal studies from BERKELEY.

My advice:

1) Get married.
2) While your fiance (later wife) attends HLS, provide financial (as well as emotional) support.
3) She can tell you what she's learning and you can peruse all of her course materials at your leisure.
4) Relocate to California after she graduates.
5) Your wife supports you (with the big bucks she earns at a large, prestigious firm in the Bay Area), WHILE YOU'RE ATTENDING BOALT HALL.
6) You graduate three years later, pass the CA bar, and either (a) get a position at your wife's large, prestigious firm (no problem with a J.D. from Boalt and the fact that your wife works there) or (b) the two of you set up shop at a time when one of you has made (at least a few) contacts and has some practical experience.

Btw, I understand application deadlines, et al, but the fact is there's no such thing as an "emergency law degree". Take your time and think this whole thing out thoroughly.

 

Homer

Thanks for the advice buddy but I will clarify a few things for you regarding my situation:

First, I will be getting married in a year or so but my fiance is extrememly independent. She has aquired anough financial aid and has enough savings that she doesn't want anyone to help her pay for her schooling not even me.

Second, I graduated from U.C Berkeley, however I graduated with a low GPA of 2.60. Boalt Hall is not an option for me. I had a brain tumor I had to contend with and had to have a lot of therapy.

I think Oak Brook would work well for me, however, I am in no rush of anykind. If I don't start somewhere this fall I'll start next year.

I appreciate any other comments or advice you may have.

Thanks.