LiveWorld Transcripts

Hot Jobs presents

Tom Antisdel and Arthur Schwartz
Legal Careers and Law on the Internet

August 10, 2000

Tom Antisdel and Arthur Schwartz of Findlaw/Infirmation answer questions about legal careers, resumes, and law on the internet.

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Hotjobs.com: Welcome to Hotjobs.com's bi-weekly event! We're glad you're here, because that means you're ready to take control of your career. Tonight we'll be talking to Tom Antisdel, Vice President, and Arthur Schwartz of Findlaw/Infirmation for a chat with HotJobs.com - and you - about what it takes to succeed in law today. They'll also answer questions regarding getting your resume into the right hands. Good evening, gentlemen! Welcome to tonight's chat!

Tom Antisdel: Good evening!

Arthur Schwartz: Hello!

Maleman: I don't have a degree yet, but have a couple of years of college credits, including a business law class I loved. Is there any sort of job I could look for in the legal field without a degree while I am completing my education?

Tom Antisdel: Maybe consider becoming a paralegal. Paralegals get good exposure to what it's like to be a practicing attorney. And it will help you decide if law is the right career for you. Many of the big firms have great paralegal programs that allow you to take on as much responsibility as you can handle. Most firms also have paralegal coordinators that you can get in touch with to send your resume to.

Cleveland: Are affiliations important? And what affiliations should I join?

Arthur Schwartz: For the most part, law firms are more interested in your academic credentials and your personality, which they can gauge in an interview. Affiliations like clubs, political groups, or undergraduate or law school student groups are really not that important.

CJ7: Is it better to focus on a special area of the legal system or should we get an overview of the entire industry?

Tom Antisdel: If I understand your question correctly, my response would be that in law school it's best to get a general education that covers as many areas of the law as possible. Also, during summer work experiences it's helpful to try out different practice groups at different law firms to decide what specific legal area most interests you. In essence, it is best to gain as much exposure to the entire industry as possible, prior to making a decisions about which specific practice area you will work in.

Legalguy: What makes one lawyer or paralegal standout over another?

Arthur Schwartz: In most law firms the lawyer or paralegal that will stand out is most often the one that has the strongest work ethic. Obviously, competence is important, but competence without the willingness or ability to put in the hours that are required of a legal professional isn't as useful.

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