Five Common Law School Social Events

Five Common Law School Social Events

Whenever the topic of law school is brought up, the conversation almost always shifts to studying, pressure, and responsibility. Tell someone you’re going to law school and their response is usually, “wow I’ve heard that’s a lot of work.” Yes, law school is a lot of work. Even so, law schools also have a number of enjoyable social events. That’s right, even law students are allowed to have fun from time to time. This blog post covers some of the most common social events law students might experience.

Five Common Law School Social Events

Barrister’s Ball

Barrister’s ball….is…well…a ball! Both literally and in the sense that this event can be a lot of fun for law students. This event is sometimes compared to a high school prom but in law school form. Guys usually wear a suit or tuxedo, and women usually wear a formal gown or dress. The actual event is usually held at an upscale venue. The Barrister’s Ball is usually held towards the end of the academic year and is open to all students. You can expect dinner, drinks, dancing, and an all-around great time (if you like this sort of event, that is!). Depending on your law school, professors might also be invited to attend Barrister’s Ball and it’s a great way to get to know them in a more relaxed environment.

Bar Review

Don’t worry, we’re not talking about the process for studying and preparing for the bar exam. We’re talking about the other kind of bar – the one where grabbing a drink and hanging out with friends is encouraged. Bar reviews are usually held by law school student bar associations and are basically social events at local venues. The venue for bar reviews might change from time to time. For exmaple, you might attend one bar review in a smaller, more intimate venue while another one might be held in a larger and louder venue.  Bar reviews can be a great place to grab a drink, get to know your classmates, and let off some steam.

Student Mixers

Student mixers are usually events held by student-run academic groups in order to promote the group. For example, you may have a mixer hosted by the Student Intellectual Property Association or the Women’s Law Caucus. These events are usually smaller in size and are attended by students who are interested in the mission of whatever organization is hosting the event. Many times, student academic groups are supported by attorneys in the local legal community, who may decide to stop by. Mixers are a great way to learn more about a certain academic group as well as the local legal community.

Professional Mixers

Professional mixers are hosted by local law firms or local bar associations that likely recruit from the law school they’ve targeted. These types of mixers are more formal than student mixers and focus on an entirely different purpose. Whereas student mixers focus on teaching you about an academic group on campus, professional mixers are about a law firm and networking. Essentially, these mixers are aimed to sell students on the benefits of working at the firm hosting the event or focus on providing students the opportunity to network with other legal professionals. These events can provide you with a great opportunity to make yourself known to local law firms before applying.

 Law School-Sponsored Events

Law school-sponsored events don’t happen as frequently as others on this list but are usually a big deal. Did a new dean get appointed? Did a new building open up on campus? Is a professor being honored for something? If so, chances are your law school will host a sponsored event to celebrate the accomplishment. These events are usually open to students, faculty, staff, and local members of the legal community. You can expect white tablecloths, champagne glasses, and a whole lot of clapping!  Events sponsored by your law school are a way to interact with faculty and learn more about your law school.

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