In today’s market, there are simply not enough positions for JDs graduating law school. Unfortunately, the same principle is holding true for attorneys. Most employed partners with lowered hours, decreased books of business and whose practice focuses on diminishing sectors (i.e., real estate), are terrified that they are next on the chopping block. Blogs as Lawshucks (with the brilliant “Lay-Off Tracker” ) offer the grim but accurate forecast for the big firm layoffs. With such terrible prospects ahead, should one even bother attending law school?
The answer is a resounding ‘maybe’. Some law schools programs reflect the market change and focus in on the growing importance of marketing for a book of business. Certainly, the role of the school is to prepare one for their state bar exam; however, the role of the school should also be to prepare the student for the ‘real world’ of the legal field. Additionally, some students enroll in law school and immediately purchase the JD-alternative careers books. These are the students who either wished they had not enrolled at all or realize that the traditional practice of law is not for them. There are numerous fields where a Juris Doctor degree is required, but the practice of law is not required.
If the prospective student is thinking about attending law school for the sake of the title “Lawyer” or “Attorney-at-Law” – then the student should think twice. There are many lawyers that are ‘on the dole’ right now and have large loans to pay back. The bragging rights of being “Lawyers, Bankers and Doctors” no longer means what it once meant.
If the prospective student truly has a passion for the law, whether it is for learning about rights under the Constitution or for the courtroom experience as a litigator, then that is the student that should enroll. If the student is looking to be a Big Law Partner one day, then they must do everything they can to gain a summer associate position with a big firm. In other words, the student must be prepared to be at the top of their class and become a member of law review (and in a very Paper Chase-esque moment, not have much of a social life for the first 2 years). Summer associate positions groom the candidate for the role of an associate pursuant to the firm’s ideologies, policies and procedures. The firm makes an investment in the summer associate for the purposes of bringing most of the successful graduates on as full time associates. (Caveat: with many firms deferring their offers to recent law graduates, it is paramount that the student avails themselves of the firm’s financial strength over the next few years. Some firms have even ‘suspended’ their summer associate programs.)
The bottom line, according to this recruiter, is one should attend law school if the idea of becoming a lawyer has played a role in one’s dreams and ideals. It is a fascinating learning experience, very humbling (in my case), and offers the unique understanding of the intracacies of the law versus common sense. Again, there are alternatives to the practice of law that require a JD or equivalent experience. Career services or any of your deans should be wonderful resources for discussing potential career paths. I can think of many deans of admission who are prepared to answer questions with amazing candor and kindness.
[...] Law School – To Attend or not to Attend? By Andrea Worland, Esq. Law School – To attend or not to attend? [...]