Better call Endler!

Do you have what it takes to go to law school? Eastern alumnus and retired lawyer Mike Endler ‘81 thinks you do. Endler gave advice to prospective lawyers on Oct. 21, providing valuable insights into the world of law.

After graduating from Eastern with a double major in public policy/government and communication, he earned his law degree at Georgetown Law School and later became an attorney at Boies, Schiller and Flexner LLP, a firm specializing in high-profile litigation.  

Among its clients, the firm represented presidential candidate Al Gore in 2000 in the landmark Supreme Court case “Bush v. Gore,” as well as the United States Department of Justice, leading antitrust lawsuits on corporations like Microsoft. 

Before attending Eastern, Endler explained that he "coasted through life" and didn't know what his next chapter was.   

“I didn't know what I wanted to do,” he said. "Neither of my parents had graduated from college ... we didn’t know a lot in our house.”   

After touring the University of Connecticut, Endler and his father stopped at Eastern to speak with then-director of admissions Arthur Frost, who immediately accepted him to the University. After much consideration, he decided to become a Warrior. 

Endler noted that the cost of education is much higher today and that the job market for lawyers presently is more challenging than it was in the 1980s.    

“You need to have a really good plan on what you’re doing and why,” he said, emphasizing the cost and time commitment of law school, compared to the job prospects on the other side.      

Endler emphasized that aspiring law students should prioritize becoming strong writers. Endler urged students to take courses that hone their writing skills so they can stand out to employers as persuasive, concise writers. He said it’s better to get an early start and improve now than it is to have your boss or judge read sloppy writing. 

Public speaking is another essential skill in law school. Endler said that law school uses the Socratic method, meaning professors ask students questions and then clarify the answers, making speaking skills incredibly Important.    

He added that an undergraduate program, like Eastern’s political science major, is the perfect time to develop speaking skills before law school. Explaining that using a mid-sized school like Eastern to get comfortable with talking in front of large crowds is integral to law school.   

Endler then moved on to the importance of pre-professional experience, describing his internship at a local congressmen’s office as the best learning experience he gained while at Eastern.  

“It wasn’t just grabbing coffee or answering the phone,” said Endler. “I had to do real work. If anyone came in with a problem, we tried to help them however we could.” 

Endler stressed the importance of preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), a standardized test law schools require that predicts students' performance. He encouraged students to take practice versions of the LSAT online and to spend time researching everything they get wrong.   

“You're going to find that [practicing the LSAT] builds a routine,” said Endler. “It’ll build a tremendous amount of confidence.”