- Quickdraw McLaw
- 16 Comments
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As we near the end of the school year, there are a lot of nervous 3Ls out there wondering what will become of them. Above the Law reported today that recent NALP job numbers are not looking good for entry level associates. This should not be too surprising to this class of 3Ls who knew it was bad going in, but are probably still caught off guard by the slow recovery and the realization that things are still bleak three years later.
With that in mind, what would you tell a soon to be new graduate who doesn’t have a job yet? First and foremost, we would recommend studying hard for the bar so that you make sure you pass the first time. Nothing hampers the job search like having to tell them you’ve got to retake the bar in February. Next, check out the sources listed here. After that, it’s kind of a crap shoot. Does anyone recommend hanging a shingle or is it better to just take anything that comes your way (including sandwich artist at Subway)? Are there internships or volunteer opportunities that are more likely to get you to hire an entry level associate?
So, what should you do when you can’t find a job?
Wait for Wilma to ask for a raise and then swoop in for her job when Flintone fires her a$$.
I'm surprised nobody has made a snarky comment yet, so here is my advice: FIND A NEW CAREER!
I honestly don't have much advice. It is strange to me that somebody who started law school in 2010, in the middle of the recession, would expect to have decent job prospects upon graduation.
The class that is graduating now had complete and full information about the misleading and unethical practices of law schools (ie, employment "statistics", etc). Very hard to feel bad for a 2013 grad.
Here is my advice: Accept that because of your student loans, you'll never own a home, will probably never have a family, and will be paying the federal government 10% of your income for the next 20 years on the PAYE program. Also, start saving those tips you earn at Subway now. At the end of the 20 years, the balance of your loan that is written off will be considered income by the IRS. You may want to start preparing for that tax bill now.
Would you still recommend someone attending law school should they finish with $239K in student loan?????
I wouldn't recommend someone attend any school, short of medical school with a guaranteed plastic surgery residency doing nose jobs for Beverly Hills socialites, for that kind of debt.
I sure as hell wouldn't recommend someone attend law school for that amount.
There are other degrees law school would only be half the amount ….. would it be reasonable to think that with a JD it could evevtually be paid off…or worth it i.e. life style work etc.
http://lvrj.com/news/government/pac-tied-harry-reid-gets-big-donations-federal-judge-nominees-law-firm
Is there any way Dorsey gets through now? It may be petty, but no one wants to be the guy that signed off on appointing a judge that "paid for their seat."
@9:17,
You will never pay off $240k in student loan debt with a J.D. To even consider it shows a woeful lack of realism. Seriously, how can you be considering law school in 2013 without being aware of the static (or falling) salaries, the dreadful employment rate, or the shenanigans law schools have pulled to overstate their employment statistics? It isn't like any of this is a secret.
The economy has to eventually rebound some states in the NE still report first year $160K what else would there be to do the balance is all ready at $127K what's the diff its a USA catch 22…
Lobby Congress to make student loans dischargable in bankruptcy.
We should do it when do we start.
What – exactly – do you think a law degree will allow you to do? Make more money than without it?
Law schools dump more than 40,000 new J.D.s onto the streets every year. Of those, maybe 8% get those lucrative positions in Biglaw. But here's the catch: if you needed to take out $127k in loans to get yourself through undergrad, that means you weren't swimming in scholarships. That also means that you aren't going to be getting into, much less get scholarships for the higher-ranked schools, which means your chances of getting that $160k salary just dropped down to below 1%. So, since there are only two salary clusters (wage rates where the vast majority of starting salaries begin), now you're looking at the $60k range. Still think you can make two house payments on $5k a month?
I think a good attitude helps.
1. Be willing to move to where the jobs are.
2. Be willing to take an "entry-level" position, even though you know that your moot court experience and law journal editorship make you the equivalent of a ten year experienced professional.
3. Be willing to take a job that isn't with your preferred type of employer. DAs, Counties and Cities, Non-profits, PD Offices, States, small firms, etc. are attorney jobs.
4.
Screw that. My advice? LOWER YOUR EFFING EXPECTATIONS.
The full time practice of law is miserable friggin profession. Find a new career.
If you cant find a job, whatever you do, DO NOT hang a shingle out. Committing Malpractice every day is no way to live until you get caught. I cant tell you how many cases I have cleaned up in the last few years, because some newby hung a shingle when he/she couldnt get a real job. Then when the HELOC on his home ran out, packed it in and screwed the client over, or at best, drmatically delayed what they should have achieved.
Dont do it. You cant do it. You HAVE to get some experience first.
/s/ A Bitter ASS SOLO PRACTITIONER (BASP)
11:11 am
DAs, Counties and Cities, Non-profits etc. are or are not preferred type of employer jobs?