Law students on the rise
By Becky Brandenburg
Staff Reporter

Law school doesn’t just lead to the courtroom.

Applying to law school can help students maximize their chances in a number of career fields, said Carol Thompson, chairwoman of the sociology, criminal justice and anthropology departments.

Though five of her students applied to law school this past year, Thompson said law school is not always necessary for work in the areas her students are interested in, such as public policy, public service, the FBI, CIA and international aid programs, but that it is a nice credential.

Nationally, law school applicants have increased by 11.8 percent since fall 2002, pre-law adviser Donald Jackson said.

“So far this year there have been 98,776,” he said.

A consistent 35 to 40 TCU graduates have applied to law school during the past 15 years, Jackson said.

He said students should consult him early to prepare for a law career. Jackson said he is available by appointment and has set aside several hours each week for advising.

“They tell me what they want and I give them a couple of ways that they can reach that goal,” Jackson said. “I ask them to imagine their life five years after law school. If they don’t have a specific objective in mind, we recommend they get a broad liberal arts degree.”

Jackson said when there is an economic downturn, many students postpone entering the job market by going to graduate school. More students applying to law school means law schools are able to be more selective, Jackson said.

Catherine Chapman, assistant dean for career services and alumni relations at Texas Wesleyan Law School, said 1,600 applicants tried for 235 places in their fall program.

The Tarrant County Bar Association welcomes college students considering law to attend its luncheons and special events, said Patricia Graham, executive director of the association.

“The association provides attorneys mentoring and networking opportunities, community service projects and continuing education,” Graham said.

Student job experiences contributed to Richard Wiseman’s choice to emphasize construction law in his practice. Wiseman was one of eleven TCU graduates recognized as Attorneys of Excellence by the Fort Worth Business Press at a dinner Aug. 26.

According to their biographies, TCU graduates pursued economics, English, history, business, management, accounting and advanced business degrees at TCU before going to law school.

Wiseman, who majored in management, owned and operated a concrete construction company while attending TCU and law school.

“If I had one bit of advice to give, it doesn’t really matter what your degree is in,” he said. “You’ll have lots of opportunity to develop all kinds of knowledge at the first law firm you work for,” Wiseman said.