Types of Law Student II

A while back I spotted in a US Blawg (I forget which, sorry) some "types" of law student that can be frequently encountered in American Law Schools. A month or so back I introduced to you a few types of the Pro Bono lady on my first day of lectures. Having now been a law student for a month, I have been able to observe my fellow students and describe types according to Susie Law School. This list isn't exhaustive but these are the most obvious ones. I realise generalisation and stereotyping isn't very open-minded, but it's fun so get over it. If you don't like it, don't read my blog.

Type 1 - The Mature Student

The Mature Student is not specific to Law School. He or she can also be found at any undergraduate university. The Mature Student is keen and driven in a very different way to the young 'uns. This is because they've been around the block once or twice and now they are settling into doing something completely new and different for the first time in a good few years. The Mature Student has two significant characteristics. Firstly, he or she always asks questions. At the end of every lecture, every tutorial. She is here to learn, and learn she will. Having been out of education for a long time, getting back into academic study can be a challenge and as a result the Mature Student may find that things need explaining a lot more than other students do. They will ask until they are satisfied. Instead of some of the younger students who cannot wait to get out of lectures to head off for the pub and thus ask no questions, the Mature Student is the polar opposite. This brings us to the second characteristic - the Mature Student is not sociable. He is friendly and makes the effort to chat and is very nice and liked. However he has not come to Law School to make friends and also probably has children and a spouse who take precedence. Thus the Mature Student does not partake in pub outings.

Type 2 - The Activist

The Activist is pretty much the same as the Idealist from the Pro Bono class. He abhors all that corporations and City lawyers represent and wants to see them suffer. He has come to Law School to take on the world and change it. He is essentially slightly grungy. Some Activists wear clothes made from hemp or other similar materials and washing or combing their hair is something they may do sparingly to save water. Don't get me wrong, the Activist is not necessarily unhygienic or gross or anything, but much more "student-like" than other types and dresses the part. His favourite subjects are Human Rights, Criminal Law or something else that he can use to defend the oppressed. He will get heavily involved in Pro Bono and qualify to earn little money doing Legal Aid work out of his little office at the back of Tesco, but he is doing it for The Cause. Everything is worth it for The Cause and he will probably help a lot of people in his career. He might even become famous and rich but that isn't what being a lawyer is about for the Activist. His mortal enemy? The Eton Boy.

Type 3 - The Eton Boy

The Eton Boy went to Oxford, or at the very least Cambridge. He is a upper-middle class tosser whose so-called intelligence is highly questionable and in any case unnecessary thanks to a little something called Daddy's Money. The Eton Boy isn't stupid, obviously, since he has a degree from a world-renowned University and presumably quite a few acceptable A-level grades from Eton, Harrow or other similar all-boys private school. Neither is he a geek - money buys plenty of pink cashmere jumpers, tan leather shoes and designer jeans. What he is, however, is arrogant. He speaks with a finely-tuned "posh" accent, has perfected his laugh to be as engaging as it can be patronising, along with practising the flick of his floppy Tory-boy haircut to have maximum effect. He probably played some kind of sport at University. Nothing as vulgar as football, but probably hockey or lacrosse. Maybe even Rugby. Or the quintessential favourite - rowing. He probably has a training contract at a Magic Circle firm - he is not concerned about quality of work, only money and lots of it. Oh and of course status. Only the best will do - therefore only the top firms with other Oxfordites as partners will be deemed acceptable to him as a future place of employment where his by now second nature "old boys club" mentality will be reciprocated by fellow Eton Boys. If you are a nice normal girl, beware the Eton Boy. He will believe himself to be truly irresistable and his confidence and flashiness may fool an innocent little law student. Not so much after you spend your first date with him competing for his attention... with himself!*

Type 4 - The Desperate Housewife

The Desperate Housewife often comes hand in hand (literally) with the Eton Boy. She is the ultimate in suburban chic - fairly attractive, well brought-up, intelligent and well-spoken. She has also probably attended a good red-brick university, has good grades in something arty like Philosophy or English and has come to Law School determined to find one thing... a husband! The Desperate Housewife if not concerned with money or status. She is not becoming a lawyer for the career prospects but for the eligible bachelors. Her plan is to get trained up, work a few years in a nice little City firm until she hits the jackpot and finds a young man firmly on the partner track, to marry her. Then she will stop working with no regrets and transform into the perfect little wife, complete with a detached house in a leafy part of Surrey or Berkshire, volunteer work and two or three little angels running around, their place in Eton confirmed at birth. Of course if you have been paying attention you have probably already realised that the Desperate Housewife can easily find her match at Law School. That's right - it's the Eton Boy. For the Eton Boy not just any little lady will do, he wants one willing to be submissive and act in an appropriate manner for a corporate lawyer's wife. The Desperate Housewife is also not concerned with such minimal matters as "love" and "personality". All she wants is a husband to provide for her, pay for her fine wardrobe, take her to parties and the more time he sends in the office the better. Perfect match.

*Please note this is not from any bitter personal experience. I would not date an Eton Boy!