If You're Law School Bound - I Want To Help You Get There!!!

[jsd]

I guess it varies based on location. I know a couple folks who both graduated from the same ranked school, but it is on the tail end of the rankings and neither can find jobs in the field. One is now a real estate agent -- i have no idea what the other one is doing these days but last time we talked they were considering moving out of state for a public defender job that i think he said he'd be lucky to get $50k/year for.

Where are they?  Location does play a role in finding a job.  Rural areas is tougher.  Metro areas not so much. Just about the same with any other occupation.  Only difference is that others don't require or expect 100k + of student loan debt.  Public Defenders, even in DC, start at about $65k.  MD is $54k. Other places, some start in the low to mid 40s.  There is a federal loan forgiveness program that allows students to get their loans forgiven if they put in 10 years of service in public interest law. Some jurisdictions even have loan repayment assistance programs that give you money to pay loans as long as you are in public interest.

Southern California. I don't recall what state he was considering moving to, however.