American University for Tax Law? Forum

[fourwinds]

Anyone studying at American University focusing on tax law? I'm interested in D.C. biglaw for tax. Anyone recommend other schools in the D.C. market that are in a similar LSAT range over American?

[sparkytrainer]

You aren't getting biglaw from American.

[Johann]

should probably plan on a georgetown or nyu llm if you are going to american.

[Slippin' Jimmy]

If you want DC biglaw, retake for GULC/UVA.

[cavalier1138]

You aren't getting biglaw from American.

[RedPurpleBlue]

You aren't getting biglaw from American.

Just in case the message wasn't clear enough for OP.

Also, like some have pointed out in another thread. YOU SHOULD NOT BE GOING TO LAW SCHOOL NEXT YEAR. You have a 3.7/156. That means that any good university that could feed into the markets you want (DC/SF/Florida, iirc) will not accept you, and even if it did you would have to pay $300,000 for your degree, which is not worth it. Don't go to law school until you can get your LSAT into the mid- to high-160s. Otherwise, your job options are going to be severely limited, and you might not even graduate with a job or get one within 9 months of graduation (like 22.9% of American grads). If you work a job for a year and retake, you could instead have the option to attend a school where <10% of graduates end up unemployed and that gives you a realistic shot at biglaw tax in a major city.

Don't be young and stupid. Just be young.

[nealric]

Anyone studying at American University focusing on tax law? I'm interested in D.C. biglaw for tax. Anyone recommend other schools in the D.C. market that are in a similar LSAT range over American?

As a tax lawyer, I agree with the others that this is a terrible idea.

[fourwinds]

What about estate planning?

[cavalier1138]

What about estate planning?

In a big firm?

Stop focusing on specializations. A JD is a generalist's degree. What kind of firm do you want to work in, and where do you want to work?

[fourwinds]

I'd be totally fine with any type of firm, to be honest. Small, medium, or big law. I'm attracted to big law salaries and the proespect of working at a huge firm for a few years until I get burnt out, but I understand that it's an elite game and I may not hired at a big law firm with my credentials. As long as I'm making $70,000 or so pre-tax I'll be happy. I really want to work in tax law because it's a more interesting field than literally any job my liberal arts economics BA can get me.

I'm shooting for either Miami or D.C. markets. I'm from Florida and I'm doing undergrad in florida. I've lived in Florida for the past nine years, but my family is originally from the D.C. area and I wouldn't mind moving back. I'd be fine with either market

[Slippin' Jimmy]

I'd be totally fine with any type of firm, to be honest. Small, medium, or big law. I'm attracted to big law salaries and the proespect of working at a huge firm for a few years until I get burnt out, but I understand that it's an elite game and I may not hired at a big law firm with my credentials. As long as I'm making $70,000 or so pre-tax I'll be happy. I really want to work in tax law because it's a more interesting field than literally any job my liberal arts economics BA can get me.

I'm shooting for either Miami or D.C. markets. I'm from Florida and I'm doing undergrad in florida. I've lived in Florida for the past nine years, but my family is originally from the D.C. area and I wouldn't mind moving back. I'd be fine with either market

Honestly the better option is to shoot for UF and the Florida market, instate tuition is pretty cheap and you'd have a shot at a good scholarship after a retake to get around median..

[fourwinds]

Yeah my two top choices are Miami and Florida. I was just wanting to toss in a few D.C. options to have choices

[nealric]

I'd be totally fine with any type of firm, to be honest. Small, medium, or big law. I'm attracted to big law salaries and the proespect of working at a huge firm for a few years until I get burnt out, but I understand that it's an elite game and I may not hired at a big law firm with my credentials. As long as I'm making $70,000 or so pre-tax I'll be happy. I really want to work in tax law because it's a more interesting field than literally any job my liberal arts economics BA can get me.

I'm shooting for either Miami or D.C. markets. I'm from Florida and I'm doing undergrad in florida. I've lived in Florida for the past nine years, but my family is originally from the D.C. area and I wouldn't mind moving back. I'd be fine with either market

You may not be happy then. Look up the bi-modal salary distribution for new law school graduates. $70k is not particularly likely to start if you attend the schools in question.

[cavalier1138]

Yeah my two top choices are Miami and Florida. I was just wanting to toss in a few D.C. options to have choices

The problem is that you would only have choices up to the moment you matriculated. You can't go to any of these schools with a "I could work in Florida or D.C." mindset. The school's location will make that decision for you.