Law Question

[Quietus]

I'm a Senior in highschool and I've pretty much decided that I'm going to go to law school. Most preferably UP Law. But I'm not 100% certain yet on this path because there are still a few questions lingering in my head. I'd appreciate if you could answer some, if not all, of the questions.

I'm planning on becoming a Corporate lawyer. So after Law School, I want to end up in a good Law Firm which leads me to my first few questions.
1. How do Law Firms work? All my life I thought you get stable pay there and not on a client to client basis but here come people who say otherwise.
2. I'm planning on taking BS BAA in UPD if I can. Is this good for Pre Law? I know any course is acceptable as a pre-law but will this help me in the future?
3. Second choice course would be Management Engineering in Ateneo. Not sure if I can afford it though. So is this acceptable as well?
4. I did some research and found out good lawyers in the U.S. get around $70000 salary at entry-level per year. Which is definitely more than 100K pesos per month. This of course motivated me more in pursuing law but I heard from my neighbor (a lawyer who once worked at Sycip Salazar which in my understanding is the top law firm in the Philippines) that he only makes around 40000 per month. And he was Cum Laude. Not that money is all that matters, but lets be practical. It does play a big factor in choosing your career. How much do lawyers in good firms usually make per month?
5. Lastly, is it difficult to get in big law firms like Sycip Salazar? Lets say I don't get top 10 in the Bar Exam but get good grades in school. What happens then?

Yea, it's a lot. Hope you have time to answer em. ^^

[dashingdevonair]

Accounting is the best prelaw course. Not only do you have a substantial number of law subjects, the course can give you a lot of job opportunities both here and abroad if you choose not to finish law. I'd suggest you choose a pre-law other than the standard political science, economics or philosophy kasi truth be told ang konti lang ng job opportunities sa mga course na iyan and it's not like you're getting any advantage from your peers.

[Quietus]

@dashingdevonair. Thanks for the reply! I guess BS BAA is a good course then since it involves Accountancy. Just gotta wait for my other questions to be answered.

[dashingdevonair]

Hehe bihirang bihira ang BAA graduates sa UP Law, not because hindi sila makapasa ng LAE pero malaki na kinikita nila ) Chances are your BAA degree will be more financially rewarding that your law degree if you get both.

[dashingdevonair]

BAA is a good pre-law. In fact, it's too good of a pre-law course that most accountants don't find the need to pursue law anymore )

[Quietus]

But what exactly do I become if I end up not pursuing law and just sticking to wherever BAA takes me? I read that CPA Lawyers get good money. Guess that wasn't true.

[oriontation]

You are young (I assume). It is quite impressive that you are looking this far into your future. But i have to say, you have to branch out and "grow-up" a little bit more before you can understand some of the things you are trying to know here. Do not think of the money game or the corporate ladder too much. Or at least not just yet. If I were you, focus on what you really want to pursue as your BA/undergrad degree. Consider you strengths and passion. Do not think of salaries or the good things in life just yet. I'm not saying this as a part of the anti-capitalist point of view. I'm just saying there are more important things that you should think about considering your age. Money and economic advantages area part of life. But this should not be reality.

Do not be bothered about getting an advantage in Law school just yet. Because at the end of the day, if you choose a course that you are truly interested in or passionate about, then you can excel in you undergrad. That in itself is already a huge advantage, not just in Law school but in life in general.

If you are really decided in pursuing law, ask yourself why. "Why do I want to study law? Why do I want to become a lawyer?" DO IT NOW! I mean it. Then after finishing your undergrad, ask yourself the same questions again. After doing this, then it is the right time to decide which law school to APPLY to. APPLY! Top law schools here in the Philippines have a stringent application process. Many hopes and dreams have been crushed by this application process. UP Law has to be the 'pickiest', I must say.

Once you are in Law school (law school of your choice, I hope), then it is time to think about Law firms and field of specialization.

Do not rush in to things. I believe four (or more) years in UP will teach you that. Do not try to fast forward in to the future because you can really really really really (yes, I'm trying to emphasize through exaggeration) learn much more invaluable lessons in life if you try to slow down. Savor every little thing that is happening around you. Embrace the freedom and reality that UP will give you.

As a recap, choose UP once you pass THE UPCAT of course (apparent bias should be noted LOL). Then learn, explore and grow. That's pretty much it. I once had similar questions to yours. I did not have PEx to turn in to then. But eventually, I grew-up (or at least I think so) and eventually these questions were answered. I know this response does not really answer any of your numbered questions. But I hope this lengthy self-help/philosophical crap helps you somehow. Good luck!

[Quietus]

Wow. That made my day. Thanks a lot for the advice! I'm 16, yeah sorta young.

I'll definitely take what you said into consideration.

[KingofDex]

Accounting is the best prelaw course. Not only do you have a substantial number of law subjects, the course can give you a lot of job opportunities both here and abroad if you choose not to finish law. I'd suggest you choose a pre-law other than the standard political science, economics or philosophy kasi truth be told ang konti lang ng job opportunities sa mga course na iyan and it's not like you're getting any advantage from your peers.

In terms of being a Corporate Lawyer, yes, isa to sa pinakamagandang undergraduate degree, kung ma-iaaply mo pa. Most of the Law graduates kasi nakakalimutan na nila ang mga napag-aralan nila sa undergraduate level. Nakadepende na lang yan kung saang field mo ipapractice ang law profession (Corporate, Trial, Administrative, teaching, etc), dun ka marerefresh kung angkop sa undergrad level mo *** papasukin mong field sa law.


Any undergraduate degree+law tapos Corporate/business oriented experience and an MBA degree will make you a much competent Corporate Lawyer.

Siguro ang pinupunto mo rito ay dahil pwede kang magkaroon ng 2 license, una kapag napasa mo ang CPA Licensure Exam (from PRC) at kapag napasa mo ang BAR Exam (Supreme Court). Pero hindi ibig sabihin nyan na Accounting ang pinakamagandang Pre-law, nagkataaon lang na mas influential at financially rewarding ang magpractice ng law in a business environment compared to other fields.


Disagree ako sa sinabi mo na Accounting a pinakamagandang Pre-Law course. a BIG NO!
Ang may mga major ng Social Sciences, English at Philosophy pa rin ang mas may edge in law school.

In terms of employment/fallback, Hindi nauubusan ng job demands ang Accountancy Graduates..

[KingofDex]

I'm a Senior in highschool and I've pretty much decided that I'm going to go to law school. Most preferably UP Law. But I'm not 100% certain yet on this path because there are still a few questions lingering in my head. I'd appreciate if you could answer some, if not all, of the questions.

I'm planning on becoming a Corporate lawyer. So after Law School, I want to end up in a good Law Firm which leads me to my first few questions.
1. How do Law Firms work? All my life I thought you get stable pay there and not on a client to client basis but here come people who say otherwise.
2. I'm planning on taking BS BAA in UPD if I can. Is this good for Pre Law? I know any course is acceptable as a pre-law but will this help me in the future?
3. Second choice course would be Management Engineering in Ateneo. Not sure if I can afford it though. So is this acceptable as well?
4. I did some research and found out good lawyers in the U.S. get around $70000 salary at entry-level per year. Which is definitely more than 100K pesos per month. This of course motivated me more in pursuing law but I heard from my neighbor (a lawyer who once worked at Sycip Salazar which in my understanding is the top law firm in the Philippines) that he only makes around 40000 per month. And he was Cum Laude. Not that money is all that matters, but lets be practical. It does play a big factor in choosing your career. How much do lawyers in good firms usually make per month?
5. Lastly, is it difficult to get in big law firms like Sycip Salazar? Lets say I don't get top 10 in the Bar Exam but get good grades in school. What happens then?

Yea, it's a lot. Hope you have time to answer em. ^^

Naimpress naman ako sa TS. Masyado ng malayo ang mindset nya compared sa mga kaedara nya.. Pero masyado kang idealistic.

Sa ngayon intindihin mo muna ang pagtatapos mo ng high school at possible college admissions. Start reviewing fand taking the college/university admission exams ng mga universities na gusto mong pasukan. Ang admissions sa law school matagal pa para sa'yo. Obserbahan mo muna sarili mo kapag nakatuntong ka muna sa college.

Saka wag mo muna isipin ang salary. Masyado pang maagapara jan. Pag pinagbutihan mo ang trabaho mo in the future, the rest will follow, kasama na dyan ang high salary.

[mother_lili]

OnT: Science and Engg courses - oks na pre-law if you want to pursue IPR Law

Saanng threads po or forums may mga available lawyers na pwedeng sumagot sa mga legal questions ko?
Thanks!

[Terrin]

I'm a Senior in highschool and I've pretty much decided that I'm going to go to law school. Most preferably UP Law. But I'm not 100% certain yet on this path because there are still a few questions lingering in my head. I'd appreciate if you could answer some, if not all, of the questions.

I'm planning on becoming a Corporate lawyer. So after Law School, I want to end up in a good Law Firm which leads me to my first few questions.
1. How do Law Firms work? All my life I thought you get stable pay there and not on a client to client basis but here come people who say otherwise.
2. I'm planning on taking BS BAA in UPD if I can. Is this good for Pre Law? I know any course is acceptable as a pre-law but will this help me in the future?
3. Second choice course would be Management Engineering in Ateneo. Not sure if I can afford it though. So is this acceptable as well?...

How good are you? Those are hard courses to get, and hard courses to ace, so naturally it's a question if you can get those things.

You're planning too far ahead, stick to your senior year first - how are your acads? extra curriculars? are you heavily involved in school activities? And why exactly why do you want to become a lawyer?

I'm asking these things because you could potentially study abroad as well, if you have the right credentials and mindset for it.