Since Gilman not only commented on my scheduling post but also posted about my dilemma on his blog (with S.Ct. backup for his position to boot!), I decided to go with his advice for two semesters and see how it goes. I’m also incorporating Certifiable’s advice about trying to take practical, hands-on courses as much as possible.

What that means is that I’m forgoing the harder, “career-necessary” summer class and instead taking a clinical class as my elective choice. In the fall I’m taking a bar course, a career-related but interesting elective and a seminar. As some of the commenters pointed out, a 50-page paper could be torture. However, as Gilman makes very clear, the professor is half the battle. One seminar class is a mandatory requirement for graduation from my law school and I’d rather get it out of the way sooner rather than later, especially when I know several people who have had this professor and have only wonderful things to say about the person (ditto for online reviews).

As for tax, I decided to skip it. It is on the bar and it is a prerequisite for many things. However, I realized there are enough “cousin” courses in business and other things that should satisfy my needs. Not to mention CLEs and other hands-on training I can get through my company (versus law school). A colleague who just took the bar said that tax was not even on it this last time so why waste a whole semester in hell? Bleech!

I will report back on how it goes.

P.S. For those of you looking for more advice, here are some links:
Volokh Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 – for part-time students (scheduling and general advice)
Law X.0, a member of the Law Professor’s Blog Network
Duke Law School
PrawfsBlawg