Top Law Schools

Will a JD pay-off in the long run despite the poor economy/legal market? Sure, everyone knows the legal market is changing, high paying jobs are scarce, and too many jd's are graduating each year. but in the long run, say 10-20+ years from now, do you think having a law degree will pay-off for most practicing attorneys? Or is the USNWR statistic on those hired 9 months after graduation a reliable prediction of how your career will pan out? I know there is no way to know the correct answer, but what do most people think?

I think it will, but that's the wrong question to ask. Better questions are whether there are other investments of your time and money that would pay off better (and you're ok with), and what kind of risk is ok. I think for most people, most (51%) isn't good enough. And of course JDs are not all created equal.

Depends upon the school.

do you think having a law degree will pay-off for most practicing attorneys?

A lot depends on the ABA; but considering its track record, I'd answer NO.

And it may add that USNWR employment statistics are a pipe dream. Don't believe them.

Hannibal wrote:I think it will, but that's the wrong question to ask. Better questions are whether there are other investments of your time and money that would pay off better (and you're ok with), and what kind of risk is ok. I think for most people, most (51%) isn't good enough. And of course JDs are not all created equal.

True, but what if you're only career interest requires a law degree? Does personal interest provide ample reasoning for pursuing a JD despite there being better investments of time/money?

For most JD earners? Absolutely not. But for a lot of people it will.

booboo wrote:Depends upon the school.

All schools ranked 1-99.

nodummy wrote:

Hannibal wrote:I think it will, but that's the wrong question to ask. Better questions are whether there are other investments of your time and money that would pay off better (and you're ok with), and what kind of risk is ok. I think for most people, most (51%) isn't good enough. And of course JDs are not all created equal.

True, but what if you're only career interest requires a law degree? Does personal interest provide ample reasoning for pursuing a JD despite there being better investments of time/money?

I highly doubt that someone can know their only career interest...ever, really.

nodummy wrote:True, but what if you're only career interest requires a law degree? Does personal interest provide ample reasoning for pursuing a JD despite there being better investments of time/money?

It's not just the investment. A lot of people with JDs that REALLY want to practice law cannot; no one will hire them. It's beyond desire at this point.

I think a JD will pay off. We live in a highly regulated society and that isn't changing any time soon. The economy will pick up sooner or later which will help attorneys. The profession has been a path to success for centuries and I don't see that going away.

But why should you care what anyone here thinks? You have to decide based on what's happening now. And right now, generally, LS is only paying off for (a) T14 grads, (b) people with connections that will get them a job, and (c) a lucky few from lesser schools. So if you can get into a T14 or have connections, go to LS. If you're hoping to be one of the lucky few others, only go if (1) you're burning to be an attorney, (2) you appreciate the risks, (3) you're prepared to be flexible about where you live and what job you take to start out, and (4) you can avoid major debt.