text: why can't first year law school students work outside the school?   let me begin by saying that it's a very bad idea for full-time first-year law students to do anything except attend classes and study. first year is crucial for establishing your credibility and learning the basic foundations of a legal education. while grades are not everything in the job search game, good grades will create opportunities that might not otherwise exist. first-year grades are particularly important with larger firms when making their hiring decisions for the summer following second year.  after a grueling first year, though, some students feel they understand the school routine and can balance it with part-time work. there are several reasons full-time students choose to work part time. first and foremost is the money. if you work as a clerk at a firm, hourly wages will differ depending on the firm's size and region. in my hometown of pittsburgh, for instance, small firms will pay anywhere from $10 to $25 an hour for a part-time law clerk. your career services office should have information on hourly wages in your area.