If you are asking the question, the answer is probably yes. Are you completing your reading assignments, but still feel unprepared for class? Do you leave class in a confused state about what was just covered? To succeed as a lawyer, you must be able to identify what you know, what you don’t know, and what you need to know. A capable tutor can dramatically improve your ability to absorb and articulate even the toughest course material.
I am a practicing attorney and part-time law professor. I attended a top ten law school, where I served on Law Review, the Moot Court Board, and racked up several other typical law school gold stars. Upon graduation, I went to a name-brand elite firm for a few years, followed by a prestigious government job. All the while, I have taught at least one class a semester for the past decade because I truly love being an educator. I eventually served as a law school administrator and learned the behind-the-scenes truths. Apart from those credentials, though, my best qualification is my ability to help students understand all the WTF legal concepts and cases that pepper your various syllabi. I take great pride in translating archaic legal topics into real world concepts that are interesting, informative, and memorable.
I never wanted to become a scholarship-obsessed academic, which is the prerequisite to becoming a professor at any reputable school. I prefer doing the things that get written about, rather than writing about what other lawyers are doing, My goal was (and remains today) to be a litigator that can write, argue, problem-solve, and leave a positive impact on the world.
A few years ago, when my family grew to four kids, I decided to scale down my practice so I could focus on cases and issues that I found personally satisfying, while allowing me the flexibility to manage school commitments, doctor appointments, and the semi-regular chance to travel. So I continue to teach, and I only take on two or three cases at a time, to ensure that I don’t become tied to too many demanding trial schedules.
That leaves me with some time to work with a few students each semester, supplementing my income with work I thoroughly enjoy. I have stayed in touch with most of my students over the years, many of whom regularly call me for (gratis) career advice or to propose collaborative projects. In this regard, teaching and tutoring have been deeply rewarding, far beyond the financial benefit.
My rates are reasonable. During a typical semester, most students will spend far more on textbooks and fast food than my tutoring fees. And isn’t it worthwhile to spend a little to ensure that you actually understand the concepts in all those expensive books?
I grew up in a very blue-collar immigrant household, where I was the first to graduate college. I paid for law school entirely on my own, and know what it’s like to be on the financial struggle bus. Thus, I offer a sliding scale based on the depth of what you want to cover and how many sessions you anticipate needing.
Another option is to pair up with a classmate or two for joint tutoring, so long as everyone is in the same class and section, and are covering the same material as what you wish to cover. Each participant would pay a reduced individual hourly fee. Three is the maximum amount of students I will work with at one session.
Ah yes, the “free” tutoring option. I did the free tutoring at my law school exactly once, during my first semester. My assigned tutor was an arrogant 3L who visibly enjoyed describing his experience in the course I was struggling with instead of addressing my questions. We intellectually sparred, he was clearly a bright guy, but he was not invested in my success.
I later learned that tutors offered by academic support programs at law school usually involve the school paying a 2L or 3L close to minimum wage — which they are happy to accept because it is an “easy” and convenient gig . The main qualification for these tutors (usually the only qualification) is that they earned an A or A- in that topic. No teaching experience, no real world application of legal theory, and certainly no perspective on how concepts translate into law.
Also, consider how your law school runs its tutoring program. Are tutors meaningfully bound to protect your privacy? Is your tutor someone who gossips? If you run into each other at a local bar with friends, will your tutor understand that you may not want the world to know that you have a tutor? I treat my students in the same manner I treat my clients, with top caliber professionalism and confidentiality. Your success and privacy is my priority, and you will always have my undivided attention during sessions.
This is a critical question! Anyone who says they can teach or tutor in “any” law school subject is almost certainly a fraud. Someone who actually possesses such talents is likely an appellate judge or a magnificently wealthy private practitioner, not a private tutor.
I only tutor in subjects that I have lectured or practiced in at a substantially high level. This includes:
Civil Procedure Partnerships
Contracts Business Law / Enterprise Organizations
Constitutional Law Commercial Law
Corporations Torts
International Law Securities Regulation
I can also assist with legal interviewing prep, career planning, prep for moot court, and review of writing samples for job and clerkship applications. I do not claim to be a substitute for the career services office at your school. Rather, if you are unhappy with the quality of what is available to you, I can address knowledge gaps about the law firm world, government job options, and general interviewing skills.
I do NOT tutor in the following areas:
Tax
Intellectual Property
Criminal Law
Corporate Finance
Administrative Law
If you are looking for a tutor in the topics I do not teach, I am happy to inquire (free of charge) within my network to pair you with a colleague.
For privacy reasons, I do not advertise my name on the web as a law school tutor. The legal profession is saturated with stigma, judgment and laziness with regard to assessing who is “qualified” to join a firm, land a client, or get a teaching post. Should we decide to work together and meet in person, you will have ample opportunity to confirm my identity and credentials. The law firm I work with has my full profile on their site, I am listed on the New York State attorney bar registration directory, I am extremely active in several bar associations, and can provide references from former students.
As to whether you would enjoy working with me, I offer the following details. I am a devoted New Yorker, a (relatively) young parent, and knew I wanted to be a lawyer starting my junior year of high school. I love movies, restaurants, theater, fantasy literature, dirty vodka martinis, and pop culture in general. I’m definitely an optimist of the New York City variety: somewhat jaded, but open to the beauty and wonder of what humanity is capable of.
Please contact me through the “contact” tab on this website’s menu to set up a free phone consulation. Provide as much detail as possible about what sort of tutoring you desire. I respond to all inquiries by phone and/or email within 24 hours.
If, after our conversation, we decide to proceed, we will set up a time to meet in person either in Manhattan or Brooklyn. For safety reasons, I do not tutor in my home or in a student’s home. I have an exceedingly pleasant workspace in the Flatiron district, or we can meet at a mutually convenient location at your campus, a library, or a coffee shop.