Law Schools’ Failure to Prepare Students…It’s Complicated Forum

[homestyle28]

Just to share b/c I doubt there's a ton of overlap between TLS and the Chronicle of Higher Ed:
This was up today:

http://chronicle.com/blogs/brainstorm/l ... ated/42163

Worth a quick read I thought.

[FlanAl]

although the lsat was something you can study for I don't feel like it was rote memorization. I think most of this stuff is just old fogies who like to think they worked harder than all of us. sure there is grade inflation but the level of competition now has to be way fiercer than it was for them.

[homestyle28]

I think there's something interesting about the increased MBA mind set of firms and the general complaint that we don't come out of law school as finished products. I suppose it's mostly objectionable because biglaw way overpays new associates for 1-3 years at least.

[BlueDiamond]

"Here, grades are not the only factors."

I got to that line (may have read it out of context) and decided that the article was a flame

[kennethellenparcell]

I've heard this over and over again at the law firm I work at from attorneys. It's unfortunate that the costs of legal education are so high - and also might I add - that the salaries for first year associates are so high. Firms are paying six figure salaries for kids who (despite coming from top legal institutions) know nothing about the PRACTICE of law - and clients increasingly don't want to pay such high billable rates to provide practical training to freshly minted JDs.

The whole system is messed up. In any case, I think the JD curriculum would benefit from mandatory training on how to market yourself.

[Gail]

Nothing is easy.

[ColtsFan88]

I have heard this idea here on the boards but I think a two year JD with a mandatory 1 year externship/on the job training would be a good idea.

[WSJ_Law]

See W&L 3rd year curriculum

[paul34]

.

[NoleinNY]

Definitely agree that learning either through a practical curriculum or a through doing is better than being thrown to the wolves like current JDs are.

In addition to W&L, LLS also just started an optional "Concentration" program. Part of it is to teach you the skills required to practice in that area. For example, Civil lit program = drafting pleadings, discovery motions and interrogatories, meet and confer letters, mock arguments, etc. Corporate and tax have their own skills, etc. To complete the program you have to do experiential stuff (like externships and clinics.)