PreLaw Advising

At the center of Birmingham-Southern's prelaw program is the unique advising available to students. As one approaches the career decision about law, the questions can be almost overwhelming. What is the practice of law like? Do I really want to go to law school? What does it take to get into law school? What law school should I attend? How will I pay for law school?The questions go on and on.

Serving as pre-law advisor is John N. Wrinkle who was for many years a partner in the Birmingham firm of Bradley, Arant, Rose and White. Mr. Wrinkle is a graduate of the Yale Law School and specialized in corporate and estate and trust law. The prelaw advisor offers students a unique perspective. His advice is not speculative. He has been to law school and has practiced law so he can offer students a "real world" perspective about a legal career from their wealth of experience.

Most of a student's work with the prelaw advisor normally comes during the junior and senior year when the student is involved in the law school admission process. Their work together might begin earlier, however, with discussions about whether or not law is the best career choice. Once a decision is made to apply to law school, the advisor might assist the student in preparing a study plan for the Law School Admission Test.

When the results of the LSAT are known or even before, the advisor might then be helpful in assisting in obtaining faculty recommendations, dealing with the Law School Admission Council , assisting in preparation of applications, and in other details of the application process. The advisor also provides advice on what might be the appropriate law schools to which application should be made, once the student is admitted, which law school might be best for the particular student. Finally, the advisor can provide helpful information on how to finance a legal education.

John N. Wrinkle
(205) 226-4755