Give your law school graduate a gift they will remember!

So that special someone is finally graduating from law school.  A momentous occasion indeed! Law school graduation marks the end of 3 difficult years of studying, exams, and stress– and the beginning of even more stress, learning, and hard work as an associate with a law firm.

To help our loved ones make that transition, it’s the least we can do to give them a cool law school graduation gift to help them on their way, don’t you think?

Gift Ideas: Law School Graduation

• Personalized Executive Portfolio
  A nice leather portfolio for executives is a gift that will help new lawyers organize their day to day work at client meetings and around the office. You can even make this gift personal for a truly memorable and classy gift!
• Cuff Links
  Few law students have cuff links, so you really can’t go wrong with a law school graduation gift like this. In this woman’s opinion, nice cuff links are another one of those small details that separate the “I just graduated from law school and barely know what I’m doing here” boys from the “I’m a lawyer and here to do serious business” men.
• Tumi Business Tote
  A nice leather business tote or briefcase is a must have for new lawyers, and let’s admit it – not something many of us could afford during law school. I like simple but high quality options like this Tumi Business Tote.
  
  
• A Nice Fountain Pen
  I realize that too many people the idea of spending $200 on a pen you can get one for $0.79 that does the same thing might seem a bit ridiculous. But again, law is a profession where image matters – are you going to hand your client a 79 cent plastic Bic to sign a $20 million contract? Clients expect their attorneys to act like someone who is worth $400 an hour, and part of that image is using a nice pen. Amazon has many options, or if you don’t like paying full price you can often find great clearance deals at Executive Essentials. They even offer free engraving to make your gift personalized!
• Black’s Law DictionaryA good quality legal dictionary is an absolute must for the practicing lawyer, and in this market there is really only one player: Black’s Legal Dictionary is the best of the best. Black’s comes in several editions; my favorite is this elegantly bound “standard edition”.
• Personalized Desk Accessories
  A personalized gift for lawyers is a nice touch when marking an occasion such as law school graduation. There are many options including diploma frames, office supplies, or jewelery.

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The perfect law school graduation gift idea appropriately honors the occasion.

Woo-hoo! Law school graduation is FINALLY here! If your friend or loved one is about to graduate from law school, it’s an important and joyous occasion that deserves to be celebrated with the perfect law school graduation gifts.

Scroll down to skip the advice and get straight to the gift ideas!

There are several themes you could go with here:

• Gifts to help them get ready for their law career. Think clothing accessories like jewellery, cuff links, watches, and gift certificates to stores that sell business dress clothing. Also, other fancy symbols of success like a nice leather briefcase or handbag, an upscale pen, executive portfolio, or desk accessories like clocks, desk pads, or organizers. (See specific gift ideas including purchase options below…)
• Presents to help them prepare for the Bar Exam: don’t forget that the first thing to come after graduation is Bar Review. That means stress-relievers, energy boosters, and any thing that offers a tiny respite of fun or relaxation will be very welcome gifts. Ditto for things that make their day-to-day life easier so they can concentrate on studying, like meal delivery gift certificates, house cleaning, or even just a promise to help more with household chores.
• Finally, a third graduation gift idea for law students would be things that will allow them to take a break between law school/ Bar Exam and starting their law career. For many fresh law graduates, those couple of months after they take the Bar Exam are the “last hurrah”, and their best chance to take a really great vacation or tackle a big personal goal before they get caught up in the law firm lifestyle (eg, no life). Consider vacation gift certificates, travel books, fun reading, tickets to sporting events or big concerts, DVDs, or maybe some games they wouldn’t treat themselves to otherwise.

The Gift Ideas

Ok already, let’s get to the ideas!

Law School Graduation Gifts to Prepare them for their Career

So, the law student in your life is headed for a career as a lawyer! While that’s certainly an exciting step, it also represents a huge change in lifestyle from 3 years as a college student in law school, to a traditional and still largely somewhat formal office environment as a new lawyer in a law firm. Law is one of those professions where image matters, and for both men and women that means dressing like a successful lawyer (even if they may still be on a law student budget!). If you’re choosing a law school graduation gift, you can help make this transition much easier for them by helping to equip them with some of the things they’re going to need now that they’re finishing university. Believe me, any of these gifts would be very much appreciated by new law school grads!

Leather Legal Briefcase
For most the goal of law school is to get a high-powered legal job. There’s something about the glint of shiny leather by your side that exudes authority and says, “Now this is someone who has their act together!” — at least more so than that old Jansport backpack with the strap that’s about to fall off. So make the right impression and ace that interview!

A Nice Business Watch
Nothing says fashion sense like accessories, and a nice watch is perhaps the ultimate “status” accessory. It lets clients (and the opposition) know that you’re an attorney who has achieved a certain amount of success. If you are wondering what kind of watch is most appropriate for the formal but not-too-showy environment of a law firm, I have some recommendations for formal men’s watches and women’s watches.

Cuff Links
Nice cuff links are another one of those small details that separate the “I just graduated from law school and barely know what I’m doing here” boys from the “I’m a lawyer and here to do serious business” men. Few law students have cuff links, so you really can’t go wrong with a law school graduation gift like this.

A Nice Fountain Pen
I realize that too many people the idea of spending $200 on a pen you can get one for $0.79 that does the same thing might seem a bit ridiculous. But again, law is a profession where image matters – are you going to hand your client a 79 cent plastic Bic to sign a $20 million contract? Clients expect their attorneys to act like someone who is worth $400 an hour, and part of that image is using a nice pen. Amazon has many options, or if you don’t like paying full price you can often find great clearance deals at Executive Essentials. They even offer free engraving to make your gift personalized!

Dressy Elegant Earrings
Most women at the firm dress up their outfits with understated, dressy but elegant jewellery. Think small simple pearl or diamond stud earrings, not massive rapper-style bling bling or gaudy colors. Elegant jewellery can be both a practical and beautiful gift for a law school graduate or new lawyer. Some suggestions:

• AAA Quality Round 7.5-8mm Akoya SaltWater cultured White Pearl Earrings with 18K White Gold Mount
• Certified 10k Gold, Princess-Cut, Diamond Stud Earrings (1 cttw, J-K Color, I2-I3 Clarity)
• More Pearl Earrings

Diamond.com is currently having a sale which could be a good opportunity to stock up on graduation gifts for all your friends:

Pearl Necklace
Again, like most female law associates I don’t wear a lot of flashy jewellery around the office. But we are dressed up to some extent every single day, with many occasions for more formal dress. On these occasions I find myself reaching again and again for a simple but beautiful pearl necklace that I received as a gift shortly after my own graduation from law school. It just may be the perfect jewellery gift for a new graduate!

Tumi Business Tote
A nice leather business tote or briefcase is a must have for new lawyers, and let’s admit it – not something many of us could afford during law school. I like simple but high quality options like this Tumi Business Tote.

Coach Leather Tote
Many female lawyers carry nice handbags to the office and other events. It’s a more feminine alternative to the traditional leather lawyer’s briefcase. Coach is one of the more popular brands.

Gift Certificate to a Nice Shoe Store
Stocking up on dress shoes for the office and interviews is going to be one of the law student’s first tasks after graduation (post Bar Exam of course). You can make this task a lot easier on them by getting them a gift certificate as a graduation present. I’ve had a lot of luck buying from ShoeBuy.com, which offers free shipping for returns as well as orders, and generally better prices than Zappos. Here are two coupon codes for ShoeBuy.com you may want to try:

• $5 off any order of $50 or more at Shoebuy.com plus Free Shipping! Simply enter ‘BUY5′ at checkout to redeem.
• 10% Off Any Purchase at Shoebuy.com plus Free Shipping. Enter ‘SHOEBUY’ to redeem at checkout.

Graduation Gift Ideas to Help them Relax During the Bar Exam and at Work

The only downside of law school graduation (well, besides walking away with six figures in debt), is that for the typical law student the next stop is Bar Review and the Bar Exam. Bar Review is a hellish six-week course designed to prepare law graduates for the Bar Exam– it’s not fun, it’s highly stressful, and it takes up most of your summer following law school, right when all your other college graduate friends are out traveling or having fun. Because of the importance of the Bar Exam in a lawyers’ life, anything that can help them get through the Bar Review or pass the Bar Exam is bound to be an appreciated gift. Here are some ideas:

Nintendo Wii or Wii Games
Sure, video games waste a lot of time. But the Wii is a different kind of video gaming system, which in my opinion makes it very well suited to busy professionals: most of the games aren’t some kind of massive adventure that will suck you in for weeks. Instead, they’re party games that will have you moving around, laughing, interacting with friends. In other words, the perfect stress relief for bar exam studiers or first year law associates.

Coffee Gift Basket
Here’s another one that I received as a law school graduation present, and absolutely loved. If your favorite law student likes coffee, chances are he or she will be consuming a LOT of it while studying for the bar. This gift basket was a cute and delicious way to stock up my supply, and I love that the mugs are huge – law student sized!

Espresso Machine
Did I mention that keeping properly caffeinated is a major priority for most law students? (And Bar Exam studiers, and new lawyers?) It’s time to graduate from that crappy drip Folger’s stuff that you’ve been drinking and get a real espresso machine – get ready for a major energy boost! PS: if they’re not quite ready for Euro-style yet, you could also consider a high quality coffee machine.

Apple iPad
These are probably going to be the graduation gift par excellence this year, especially for the type of person who loves reading, gadgets, and games. But let’s be honest: the main reason everyone is getting one is so that they can be the first kid on their block with the latest and greatest electronic status symbol.

Bar Review Survival Kit
I go into this one on more detail on my bar exam gifts page, but one of the coolest law school graduation gifts I got was a “Bar Review Survival Kit” with a bunch of fun stress-relieving/ energy boosting toys, snacks, relaxing music, etc. Anything you can do to make the Bar Review period easier for your law school graduate would be a tremendous gift! Consider gift certificates for meals, house cleaning, massage, etc.

Still need more ideas for a Present for Law School Graduation?

Whew, if that’s not enough ideas, you can try browsing some of the other categories on this website, or you can try
Amazon’s Suggested Gifts for Recent Grads.

Or, feel free to leave your own gift ideas suggestions in the comments area below!

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So let’s think of some ways that we can make their year a little bit brighter, shall we? I know of one way to bring cheer to the cheruby law student’s face: presents! That’s right, a whole pile of wonderful gifts for law students!

And what could be a better gift this year than something that helps

For law students everywhere, it's that magical time of year.

As a lawyer and former law student myself, I know what kinds of Christmas gifts law students appreciate most, and will do my best to help you make a great choice!

First, of course, you need to determine your budget. This page will include Christmas gift ideas for law students in all price ranges, but you can also browse gifts costing less than $50, gift ideas costing between $50 and $150, $150 to $500, and best gift ideas when money is no object!

You can also browse our list of best Christmas gifts for lawyers.

Christmas Gift Ideas for Law Students

Remember, what law students really want this year is a job, so anything that will help them land that job is a bonus.

• MacBook Pro
  Like all students, law students spend a LOT of time on the computer… It’s their communication hub, their research gateway, even their entertainment center. Having a great laptop can really make law school much more pleasant– and make you a lot more successful at the same time. The best news? Amazon currently has themon sale!
• Amazon Kindle Book Reader
  Amazon’s new Kindle is the kind of innovation that makes you wonder how people ever got by without it. Imagine: instead of lugging around 40 pound backpacks with 10 different books, you can carry hundreds of books on the Kindle for the size and weight of a typical magazine. Instead of spending hours flipping through books page by page to find that great quote you remember reading, you can do a keyword search and instantly pull up all of the references. Instead of trudging back to the library or bookstore to buy yet another book you need to reference, you can instantly download it, any time of day or night. And when your eyes are so tired the text begins to blur, you can just sit back and let the Kindle read to you. Wow! Now this is what Law School should be like!
• Book: What Can You Do With a Law Degree?
  So this year there not everyone who graduates is going to get that Big Law job. No worries: many people who go to Big Law are miserable and end up quitting after a year anyway. So maybe it’s a blessing in disguise? But first one need to answer the question: just what can I do with this expensive new degree? If your loved one is asking that question, I have only one piece of advice: BUY THEM THIS BOOK! In fact, buy it for them before they start worrying, and it will make the law school experience so much less terrifying knowing that there are many paths one can take with a law degree, some of which may be just as glamorous as those TV lawyers make them out to be!
• Very Comfortable Reading Chair
  What’s that you say, a CHAIR is going to help me succeed??! Believe me, when you’re on your 18th hour straight reading Fundamentals of Federal Securities Regulation, it takes all the willpower you can summon to keep your butt planted in a chair with a book open. But with the perfect cozy reading chair, curling up with a textbook and a blanket makes the hours oh so much more comfortable and enjoyable, I can’t even begin to describe it. Best money I’ve ever spent!
• Leather Legal Briefcase
  For most the goal of law school is to get a high-powered legal job. There’s something about the glint of shiny leather by your side that exudes authority and says, “Now this is someone who has their act together!” — at least more so than that old Jansport backpack with the strap that’s about to fall off. So make the right impression and ace that interview!
• Book: Getting to Maybe
  Negotiation and communication skills are central to success as a lawyer. But don’t expect your professors to understand that. Instead, pick up this classic book and take a shortcut to the head of the class — because even the best can use a little help from time to time…

More Christmas Gifts for Law Students

Would you like to make some suggestions for additional Christmas gifts for law students? Dear Law Students, what can we get for you this year? (No climbing on laps required: just post your wish list in the comment box below and I’ll make sure your suggestions are added to the post!)

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Maybe your significant other is a lawyer with his own practice. Perhaps your daughter is a

Even Santa has a tough time when it comes to choosing a Christmas gift for lawyers.

How much to spend on a Christmas gift for your lawyer

First, a few words on appropriate budget for a Christmas gift for your lawyer. If you’re a client buying a thank you gift for your lawyer or in-house counsel, plan on spending somewhere between $25 to $50 if you’re a small business, and $50 to $150 if you’re a larger corporation. If you’re not sure how much to spend, here’s a handy rule of thumb: take your lawyers’ hourly billing rate and divide by 5. So, for example if you’re buying for a first year Big Law associate that bills out at $275/ hr, an appropriate gift budget would be $275/ 5 = $55. If you’re the lead corporate counsel of a Fortune 500 company working directly with a named partner who bills out at $1200/ hr, an appropriate gift amount might be $1200/ 5 = $240. This is just a rule of thumb of course: feel free to get your local small-town lawyer (billing out at $120/ hr) a gift that costs more than $24 (because let’s face it: he’s probably earned it), and consider getting that Big Law partner nothing at all (because let’s face it: he can just buy it his darn self!).

This page will include Christmas gift ideas for lawyers in all price ranges, but you can also browse elsewhere on the site according to price:

• gifts costing less than $50
• gift ideas costing between $50 and $150
• gifts from $150 to $500
• best gift ideas when money is no object!

Best Christmas Gifts for Lawyers

Ok, without further ado, here are some suggestions on great Christmas gifts that any lawyer will love!

• Personalized Executive Portfolio
  A leather executive portfolio is something that lawyers use quite frequently– for client meetings and day-to-day organization around the office. Adding a personal touch makes this a classy and memorable gift for any lawyer on your list!
• Experience Day
  Here’s a unique gift that definitely won’t be taking up space in the back of the closet: Experience Days from Great American Days allow you to find a unique gift for that hard-to-buy-for person who has everything, because it’s not a “thing”, but rather a unique one-of-a-kind experience that they will remember for years to come. There’s something for everyone, from Great White Shark diving to Biplane Dogfights to private cooking lessons with a master Sushi chef.
• Personalized Desktop Gadget Charging Station
  Here’s a gift that wouldn’t even have existed 10 years ago, but for some poeple is hard to imagine going without today. For the on-the-go person who has a Blackberry, iPod, cell phone, camera, laptop, etc. that all need to be charged, this neat charging station will turn the desktop mess into a slick professional looking personalized home for your gadgets! Never again will you have to hear that sorry excuse: oh, sorry, I would have answered your call but my phone ran out of juice…
• Gift Cards for Less than Face Value!
  Plastic Jungle is one of those ideas so simple and brilliant you wish you’d thought of it: people sell their unwanted gift cards for less than face value; you can therefore buy a great gift card for your lawyer friends at less than their cash value! The recipient doesn’t know that you got a great deal (although I hope they wouldn’t mind anyway!), and you get a lot more bang for your buck. They offer gift cards for everything from Amazon.com to Bloomingdales to American Airlines.
• Make a Donation in their Honor
  Here’s a unique gift idea: for the person who really does have everything, make a donation on their behalf to an organization that you know they would like to support. Include a note telling them how they inspire you with the good work that they do. Many lawyers would like to support charitable and philanthropic organizations, but just don’t have the time to conduct due dilligence (they are lawyers, after all!) on which organizations are worthy of their support. So if you do that for them you’re really giving a gift that goes beyond the monetary value of the donation.
• Amazon Kindle Book Reader
  Amazon’s new Kindle is the kind of innovation that makes you wonder how people ever got by without it. Most lawyers are at least somewhat intellectual and literary people (“inside every lawyer is a frustrated poet”, as the famous quote goes), and really would love to have more time to enjoy their favorite books… But with a busy work schedule and oh-so-much reading to do for work, very few get around to “fun reading” as much as they like. And when they do have a moment of time (waiting at the doctor’s office, in the boarding lounge, on the train ride back from the city, etc…), there’s never anything around to read except for the latest issue of People. Now Amazon has a solution: the Kindle is a compact device that stores infinite books in one convenient package you can take anywhere. Whenever there’s a moment of free time, you can (in under 30 seconds) download any book you feel like reading: today, the latest thriller bestseller, tomorrow, a gripping analysis of the the current economic crisis. Kindle really is the future, and is especially fun for guys who like to have the latest gadgets (and don’t all guys love to have the latest gadgets?)
• A Nice Pen
  A truly high-quality pen is an elegant gift that everyone can use. Think about it: when your clients ready to sign that $5,000,000,000 merger contract, are you going to hand him a 79 cent Bic to place his John Doe. Heck no! You’re going to use a pen that lives up the occasion, like one of these. These pens can even be engraved for a great personalized gift.
• Book: How Judges Think
  Perhaps the one thing that’s most important for a new lawyer to understand is judges: how they think, why they make the decisions that they do, and how you can get them on your side. The Hon. Richard Posner practically serves it up on a platter for you in this brand new book guaranteed to give you a competitive edge.
• See more gifts for new lawyers starting their law career…
• A Day at the Spa
  A trip to the spa is a luxury that everyone can use. For a stressed out lawyer, few things are more rewarding than a sanctuary of peace and relaxation!
• More gifts to help them relax…
• Leather Legal Briefcase
  Let’s face it: this is a tough market for lawyers. A lot of people have lost their jobs. Those who still want to get ahead need to exude the ultimate in professionalism and respect-worthiness. For many, that starts with a glint of shiny leather by your side that exudes authority and says, “Now this is someone who has their act together!” — at least more so than that old Jansport backpack with the strap that’s about to fall off. Great for the partner-track lawyer!
• More gifts to help them succeed…
• MP3 Player
  Sometimes you need to take what you can get: if all you have to relax is 17 minutes on the metro for your morning commute, you do the best you can to turn that battered rail car into a sanctuary of peace and tranquility. Enter the MP3 player: nothing provides the energy you need to get going in the morning like your own personal soundtrack. My roommate recently acquired the MP3 Player to rule all other MP3 Players, an amped up iPod Touch, and it has barely left her side since — this is a gift all lawyers will appreciate!

More Christmas Gift Ideas for Lawyers

If you’re still looking for a good Christmas gift for a lawyer, I have a few more suggestions for you: First, you can try checking out my list of Christmas gifts for law students. Or, if the person you’re buying for happens to be a boater, you might be interested in a list of nautical Christmas gifts. There are also some clever gift ideas to be found on the Christmas gifts for teachers website.

How about you, readers, what are you getting for the lawyer in your life this year? A new BMW because she finally made partner? A lump of coal because he failed to prevent you from getting indicted on 17 counts of securities fraud? Maybe a pet bunny so that she will finally learn to relax a little bit?

I’d love to hear your ideas and suggestions in the comment box below:

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This is one gift you'll be proud to give.

What do you get the person who has everything?

Searching for that perfect gift, one that’s guaranteed to be unique? How about a personalized gift they will treasure for years.

Gift personalization is one of the hottest trends in gift-giving this year, so you can personalize anything — office stuff, jewelery stuff, eating stuff, even stuff stuff!

Personalized Gifts for New Lawyers and Law Students

• Personalized Executive Portfolio
  A leather executive portfolio is something that law students need to bring to every job interview, and will later use for client meetings and day-to-day organization around the office. Adding a personal touch makes this a classy and memorable gift!
• Personalized Desktop Gadget Charging Station
  Here’s a gift that wouldn’t even have existed 10 years ago, but for some poeple is hard to imagine going without today. For the on-the-go person who has a Blackberry, iPod, cell phone, camera, laptop, etc. that all need to be charged, this neat charging station will turn the desktop mess into a slick professional looking personalized home for your gadgets!

Readers, what’s the coolest personalized gift you’ve ever seen? Please share by leaving a comment below!

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Ah yes, the sweet taste of a productivity-boosting electronic device.

Hey, I’ll be the first to admit it: us lawyer types can be a pretty ambitious bunch. Sometimes the thing that makes us the happiest is the sweet taste of success.  So when you’re buying a gift for a lawyer or law student, you’ll do well to keep this perspective in mind.

That’s why I put my nose to the grindstone and came up with this list of gifts voted Most Likely to Succeed by their peers– because everybody loves a competitive edge, especially a lawyer!

Gifts to help them succeed

• Book: Acing Your First Year of Law School
  Author Shana Noyes subtitles this book “The Ten Steps to Success You Won’t Learn in Class“, and it’s a good thing these secrets aren’t revealed in class, because knowing them can put you at a huge advantage to your fellow students. Warning: this is not your typical “Study Skills” book. It isn’t for everyone, but for the few who are serious about making Law Review, this may be just your ticket.
• Book: How Judges Think
  Perhaps the one thing that’s most important for a new lawyer to understand is judges: how they think, why they make the decisions that they do, and how you can get them on your side. The Hon. Richard Posner practically serves it up on a platter for you in this brand new book guaranteed to give you a competitive edge.
• MacBook Pro
  Like all students, law students spend a LOT of time on the computer… It’s their communication hub, their research gateway, even their entertainment center. Having a great laptop can really make law school much more pleasant– and make you a lot more successful at the same time. The best news? Amazon currently has themon sale!
• Amazon Kindle Book Reader
  Amazon’s new Kindle is the kind of innovation that makes you wonder how people ever got by without it. Imagine: instead of lugging around 40 pound backpacks with 10 different books, you can carry hundreds of books on the Kindle for the size and weight of a typical magazine. Instead of spending hours flipping through books page by page to find that great quote you remember reading, you can do a keyword search and instantly pull up all of the references. Instead of trudging back to the library or bookstore to buy yet another book you need to reference, you can instantly download it, any time of day or night. And when your eyes are so tired the text begins to blur, you can just sit back and let the Kindle read to you. Wow! Now this is what Law School should be like!
• Very Comfortable Reading Chair
  What’s that you say, a CHAIR is going to help me succeed??! Believe me, when you’re on your 18th hour straight reading Fundamentals of Federal Securities Regulation, it takes all the willpower you can summon to keep your butt planted in a chair with a book open. But with the perfect cozy reading chair, curling up with a textbook and a blanket makes the hours oh so much more comfortable and enjoyable, I can’t even begin to describe it. Best money I’ve ever spent!
• Leather Legal Briefcase
  For most the goal of law school is to get a high-powered legal job. There’s something about the glint of shiny leather by your side that exudes authority and says, “Now this is someone who has their act together!” — at least more so than that old Jansport backpack with the strap that’s about to fall off. So make the right impression and ace that interview!
• Book: Getting to Maybe
  Negotiation and communication skills are central to success as a lawyer. But don’t expect your professors to understand that. Instead, pick up this classic book and take a shortcut to the head of the class — because even the best can use a little help from time to time…

What about you readers? Which item or items have done the most to enable your success?

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Give the gift of relaxation.

Law students can be a stressed out bunch. Hey, who wouldn’t be when you spend all day reading about people breaking laws?

So while some of the items on this page might seem a little indulgent, think of it this way: numerous studies have shown that a calm clear mind is key to top performance in demanding situations, such as unexpected grillings from heartless professors, late night essay writing, and most of all exam time!

So if you’re looking to make the kind of impact that will turn you into a genuine gift-giving goddess (or god, as the case may be) while also making a certain law student’s life just a little bit easier, consider some of these ideas:

Gifts to help them relax:

• Foot Massager
  Don’t want to give them yet another book? Here’s an idea that’s a bit more indulgent, yet healthy and practical at the same time. Law school requires spending a ridiculous amount of time hunched over a book at a desk. If you can help them find a little bit of relief they might just consider you a saint!
• MP3 Player
  When you’re rallying for yet another early morning constitutional law class with a professor with a professor who hasn’t left campus since 1973, it can be hard to keep the spirits up. Enter the MP3 player: nothing provides the right amount of pep like your own personal soundtrack. My roommate recently acquired the MP3 Player to rule all other MP3 Players, the 32GB iPod Touch, and it has barely left her side since.
• Spa in a Basket
  There’s nothing quite like a trip to the Spa to put you in another state of mind, but to be perfectly honest, law students rarely have time (or money) for that kind of indulgence. Fortunately, there’s an easier way: the Spa in a Basket! Now I can get the spa experience any time or place I want: delicious smelling oils and lotions, a quick massage or exfoliation, even spa slippers!
  
  

  And of course there is always the Deluxe Version!

• A SUPER Comfortable Reading Chair
  Ahh, the classic cozy reading chair! I spent my first year of law school hunched over textbooks at a desk. Then one day I purchased the perfect cozy reading chair, and I’ve never looked back since! Curling up with a textbook and a blanket makes the hours oh so much more comfortable and enjoyable, I can’t even begin to describe it. Best money I’ve ever spent!
• Fun Indoor Games
  It may seem childish, but the only way I survived the endless hours of tedious bookwork in Law School was thanks to a tradition my roommates and I called the “Boogie Minute”: every hour or so we would pause the studying to jump around, dance, play, do something active and competitive — nothing gets energy levels back up like a 5-minute game of foosball or Wii or indoor hoops. And it’s certainly much more healthy than chugging Red Bull!

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Law students need love too!

Looking for the perfect gift for the law student in your life?

Welcome to the Internet’s biggest and most comprehensive ultimate gift guide to the absolute best gift ideas for law students! Law school is a unique (and uniquely challenging) experience. My colleagues in Law School– ever the poets– have described the experience as “soul-crushing”, “the most challenging thing you’ll ever do”, and “the perfect cure for optimism”. In short, law students are going through a challenging time, and they could use a little love and support!

The right gift can really make a big difference in your law student’s life: it helps them know that they are loved and supported, can make their life a little bit easier, and add a little fun to the daily routine of dry texts and cold-hearted analysis.

Please consider this list something of a work in progress– whenever I stumble across a new gift idea or a link to a useful list, I’ll add it to this page. So check back soon, because in less time than it takes to explain adverse possession, this page will be transformed into a treasure-trove of tips that will turn you into a genuine gift-giving goddess (or god, as the case may be).

Gifts for Law Students

BUDGET GIFTS

• Book: Scott Turow’s One L
  The night before his first exam at Harvard Law School, Scott Turow was so riddled with anxiety he tried every trick in the book to calm himself down: a glass of Whisky, sleeping pills, sex with his wife (twice) — yet nothing was a match for the terror of law school exams. Only someone who has been there can truly understand Law School, and Turow manages to explore the ins and outs of a law student’s life in a way that is equal parts enlightening and entertaining. No law student should be without this book!
• Book: What Can You Do With a Law Degree?
  At some point in Law School, every Law Student experiences a crisis: “Am I really cut out to be a lawyer?” they ask themselves. Watching the student loans pile up, and discovering that practicing law is not at all like it’s depicted on TV, many will begin to wonder if they’ve made an extremely costly mistake. Trust me, it happens to everyone! BUY THEM THIS BOOK! In fact, buy it for them before they experience an identity crisis, and it will make the law school experience so much less terrifying knowing that there are many paths one can take with a law degree, some of which may be just as glamorous as those TV lawyers make them out to be!
• Book: The Nine
  Every law student secretly dreams of one day arguing before the Supreme Court — it just doesn’t get any higher than this in the legal profession. For the perfect reminder of why law school is worth all that hard work, give them a behind closed doors view of the most powerful courtroom in the nation that anyone with even a vague interest in the law will find difficult to put down.
• Foot Massager
  Don’t want to give them yet another book? Here’s an idea that’s a bit more indulgent, yet healthy and practical at the same time. Law school requires spending a ridiculous amount of time hunched over a book at a desk. If you can help them find a little bit of relief they might just consider you a saint!
• Black’s Law Dictionary
  A good legal dictionary is a must, and Black’s is the best of the best. Trust me, buy this for them and they’ll be thinking of you often.

More ideas for great gifts on a student’s budget (under $50).

MID-RANGE GIFT IDEAS

If you’re willing to spend a little bit more, there’s a lot you can do to make a law student’s life a little bit easier.

• Amazon Kindle Book Reader
  Amazon’s new Kindle is the kind of innovation that makes you wonder how people ever got by without it. Imagine: instead of lugging around 40 pound backpacks with 10 different books, you can carry hundreds of books on the Kindle for the size and weight of a typical magazine. Instead of spending hours flipping through books page by page to find that great quote you remember reading, you can do a keyword search and instantly pull up all of the references. Instead of trudging back to the library or bookstore to buy yet another book you need to reference, you can instantly download it, any time of day or night. And when your eyes are so tired the text begins to blur, you can just sit back and let the Kindle read to you. Wow! Now this is what Law School should be like!
• A SUPER Comfortable Reading Chair
  Ahh, the classic cozy reading chair! I spent my first year of law school hunched over textbooks at a desk. Then one day I purchased the perfect cozy reading chair, and I’ve never looked back since! Curling up with a textbook and a blanket makes the hours oh so much more comfortable and enjoyable, I can’t even begin to describe it. Best money I’ve ever spent!
• Leather Legal Briefcase
  There comes a time in every young lawyer’s life when they need to make the switch from the ratty old canvas backpack to a shiny new leather briefcase. For me, this switch finally occurred when it came time to interview for summer internships after 1L year. There’s something about the glint of shiny leather by your side that exudes authority and says, “Now this is someone who has their act together!” — at least more so than that old Jansport backpack with the strap that’s about to fall off.

See more ideas for great gifts for students costing under $500.

HIGH-END GIFT IDEAS

• MacBook Pro
  Q: What does a Law Student’s life revolve around? A: Laptop, Library, Sleep. Unfortunately, there’s usually only time enough for the first two. If you really want to make a dramatic improvement in a law student’s life, consider giving them a really sweet laptop– one that will make all that time they’re spending on the computer seem, well, damn near enjoyable. My personal pick is the MacBook pro: a true object of desire on campus. Here’s a link to a sale currently going on at Amazon.com.

Find more gift ideas for law students when money is no object.

Still haven’t found that perfect gift? Here are some of my favorite lists of gift ideas for lawyers and law students from elsewhere on the web:

• The Frugal Lawyer’s list tops out at only $25 (as the name might imply), but still includes some very practical items which are sure to be welcomed by any law student.
• PT-Legal Mom goes a bit further, including some creative ideas beyond the usual suggestions of law books and tuition money.
• Metafilter’s denizens are always up for a good discussion, and their wacky ideas for graduating law student gifts are no exception.
• There’s also a discussion on legal gifts for a lucky recipient starting off law school among the penny-pinching gurus of FatWallet.

Well, those are all of the (at least somewhat useful) suggestions for gifts for law students that I’ve found on the web so far… What about you, readers? Did I miss any good lists out there? What have been your most successful gift ideas?

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Eventually I’ll fill in here with some ideas for gifts to give t0 your favorite Bar Exam taker.

Bar Exam Gifts!

Sorry guys, this is just some random placeholder text right now… Hey, what do you want, I’m a busy girl!
But I am this very moment out scouring the interweb for the absolutely coolest, most unique gift ideas
for all of your law student and lawyer friends.

So check back soon, because in less time than it takes to explain adverse possession, this page will be
transformed into a treasure-trove of tips that will turn you into a genuine gift-giving goddess (or god, as the case may be).

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Law school will work you like a dog.

Congratulations, your son/ daughter/ friend/ significant other has been admitted to law school.  They’re on the path to joining one of the world’s most prestigious professions. But first, they’re going to have to get through three grueling years of hard work!

How about a nice gift to help them on their way? For the next three years, no hobbies or interests are going to be as important to them as just getting through law school, so anything you can do to help them with that objective is sure to be appreciated!

Looking back, there are definitely a few things I wish I’d had before entering the Law School gauntlet, so without further adieu here are…

Great Gifts for Those Starting Law School:

• A MacBook Pro
  The first thing they’re going to need is a really good, comfortable, likable computer. Like all students, law students spend a LOT of time on the computer… It’s their communication hub, research gateway, and entertainment center. Having a great laptop can really make law school much more pleasant– and make you a lot more successful at the same time. The best news? Amazon currently has them on sale!
• Let Scott Turow Show Them What They’re In For
  The night before his first exam at Harvard Law School, Scott Turow was so riddled with anxiety he tried every trick in the book to calm himself down: a glass of Whisky, sleeping pills, sex with his wife (twice) — yet nothing was a match for the terror of law school exams. Only someone who has been there can truly understand Law School, and Turow manages to explore the ins and outs of a law student’s life in a way that is equal parts enlightening and entertaining. No law student should be without this book!
• Black’s Law Dictionary
  One of the first things they’ll need to buy is a good legal dictionary, and in this market there is really only one player: Black’s is the best of the best. Trust me, buy this for them and they’ll be thinking of you often.
• Book: Acing Your First Year of Law School
  Author Shana Noyes subtitles this book “The Ten Steps to Success You Won’t Learn in Class“, and it’s a good thing these secrets aren’t revealed in class, because knowing them can put you at a huge advantage to your fellow students. Warning: this is not your typical “Study Skills” book. It isn’t for everyone, but for the few who are serious about making Law Review, this may be just your ticket.

So, that’s my list: what about you, lawyer friends? What do you wish you’d had at the beginning of law school?

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