u/No-Result-2773

I'm a 3L who is passionate about public defense. My partner and I have a lot of family in Colorado and are interested in moving there post-grad. I do not want to live in the Denver metro area and would actually prefer a more rural placement.

I plan to take the bar in February 2028 and will not be able to start working until March 2028. I'm having a baby next year and intend to take some time off.

Should I apply to positions now and request a delayed start date if I get hired? Or should I apply for positions next year? Is it possible to start working as a junior PD after the February bar exam (as opposed to the July exam?

Any insight from current or former Colorado PDs is appreciated! Thank you!

Hi! I'm a rising 3L who is incredibly passionate about public defense. I'm also expecting a baby in the spring. I interned with a defense organization during my 1L summer and a public defender's office during 2L summer. I will have participated in both of my school's defense-oriented clinics by graduation. I've also done a lot of criminal defense-related pro bono work. My goal is to take the bar in July 2027 and start working in January 2028. Our plan is for my partner to quit his job to stay home with our baby once I start working.

I'm excited to become a mom, graduate, and start my career! However, I really don't know when to apply for entry-level public defender jobs. Before I got pregnant, I planned to apply for positions during 3L. My partner and I are not sure exactly which state we want to move to but we have a general region in mind.

Should I still apply to positions now (as they become available) and ask to delay my start date to January 2028? Or should I take the UBE and apply to jobs afterwards (which would mean eliminating non-UBE states from my list)?

Suggestions, comments, and advice are all appreciated! Thanks in advance!

I'm a rising 3L and pregnant with my first child. Due mid-April 2027. I graduate law school in early May. Should I take the F28 exam instead of the J27 exam??? I'm worried about studying with such a new baby and missing out on precious time. However, I also don't want to wait so long to start working. I feel like both options are really bad. That said, if I do take the bar in July, my partner will be off work with me and the baby through test day.

Advice, personal anecdotes, and suggestions are all appreciated!!

Edit: Thank you so much to everyone who's commented. I feel like I now have a better sense of what my options look like. It's been helpful to read your varying perspectives.

I'm a FTM and about 5.5 weeks along. Is it weird to feel so much love for my tiny embryo at this stage? I just feel so awestruck by the tiny tadpole inside of me. Sometimes I cry because I'm so overcome with emotion and love for my future child. Is this normal??? I somehow feel amazing and full of joy and love. I am not usually this happy!!