Do firms care about specializations?

[Busta]

Hey all, 

I saw a post about specializations and I had a couple questions more specific to my circumstances.

I've been accepted to Dal and UofA, although I'm struggling to pick between the two. I dont see myself wanting to work in Nova Scotia or Alberta, and I do want to come back to BC to settle down after school. Dal has numerous specializations, and the classes they offer seem more interesting and suitable to what I want to do (Environmental/Indig/Marine). UofA doesn't seem to have any formal specializations, although they're pretty good at O&G, which I'm not interested in.

My dilemma is that I have a bunch of family in Edmonton, tuition is cheaper, living is cheaper, and its much closer/convenient to where I currently live. 

So, do specializations really matter? If I apply to firms in BC with/without a specialization, do I stand a roughly equal chance? Or would a JD with a focus on Marine/Environmental Law give me a significant edge? 

*if this should go in school comparisons, my bad. 

 

Edited April 20, 2022 by Busta
accidentally pressed enter, my b

[theroaringbadger]

59 minutes ago, Busta said:

Hey all, 

I saw a post about specializations and I had a couple questions more specific to my circumstances.

I've been accepted to Dal and UofA, although I'm struggling to pick between the two. I dont see myself wanting to work in Nova Scotia or Alberta, and I do want to come back to BC to settle down after school. Dal has numerous specializations, and the classes they offer seem more interesting and suitable to what I want to do (Environmental/Indig/Marine). UofA doesn't seem to have any formal specializations, although they're pretty good at O&G, which I'm not interested in.

My dilemma is that I have a bunch of family in Edmonton, tuition is cheaper, living is cheaper, and its much closer/convenient to where I currently live. 

So, do specializations really matter? If I apply to firms in BC with/without a specialization, do I stand a roughly equal chance? Or would a JD with a focus on Marine/Environmental Law give me a significant edge? 

*if this should go in school comparisons, my bad. 

 

Hey firms don’t care about specializations. But I do know that Dal has the best marine law stuff (profs, materials and courses) in the country and is one of the best in environmental law. They are also strong on Indigenous law. Just take the courses you want to take. Firms will look at that. I do know that Dal has a great rep as a national law school so you will be fine in BC. Students from bc regularly place back. So ur good. I would say go to Dal  

But at the end of the day it’s your call