Biggest marketing issue with the JD is that would-be students think
that it's a fast track to being called "Doctor".
I agree. Mostly not worth it. Your performance in the job after a few months/years is much more important than 2 letters in front of your name.
While my recent studies were nominally online, I spent a lot of time on campus. It took me a trimester, but getting into/forming a study group with like minded people really really helps. Use online chat groups and other online links to people. You might churn through a few to find the right people. I got lucky and stuck with the same group from the start.
I had no, zip, nil, zilch contacts already in the profession to assist me and found my study group to be invaluable.
There is no difference in content, and you sit the same exams, so it is only the method of delivery that varies. I really liked asking questions after/between lectures of the lecturers and tutors. Not so easy to do online as not all lecturers engage to the same extent online but you just cope and adapt. To some extent it is part and parcel of your training to see if you can adapt and cope. Those who can't probably should not be lawyers anyway. Being a lawyer is not easy, and to me it carries a large degree of responsibility that while was known in an abstract sense before becoming a lawyer, the weight of it is heavier than I anticipated.
Would I do it again, most definitely yes. Do I like being a lawyer and helping people - YES.