Law Students and the Recession: The Fighters

The most proactive and optimistic law students aren't giving up on the American Dream just yet. Taking part in specialized courses and pumping up networking and recruitment efforts are some of the ways the fighters are planning to outlast the recession.

"Although [my law school] is very prestigious, the economy has made it very difficult for the class of 2010 and 2011 to find firm jobs. The good thing about [my law school] is that the professors serve as a network to students and they usually have very strong connections. Also, the clinics serve as networks and the folks who run the clinics usually have strong connections in their respective legal areas and are able to put students in contact with various employers. Although it may be a struggle, I believe everyone at [my law school] finds a job they are happy with and are proud to accept."

"I am a 1L, with a particular interest in finance. I was encouraged to take another class to fill my schedule which fit with my interests exactly: a special topics course on the economy in crisis. In this class, which took a first-person look at the economic crisis by researching the roots of the crisis and looking for proper governmental responses to the crisis by role playing as Senators, CEOs, SEC commissioners, and interest group heads. This class was a unique experience which demanded significant daily research on both the roots of the crisis and its continued unraveling. [My law school] may be the only class in the nation to have offered a course of that nature, and I am likely the only 1L in the nation who was able to take it."

"The prospects are excellent for graduates, although the current economic climate has been tough for everyone. The school has responded by adding, in addition to the large on-campus recruiting season and regular employment programs, additional clerkship talks, public interest discussions, and law firm search assistance. They have also been responding by trying to provide loan repayment advice. The career counseling office has been meeting with people frequently all year to help them be placed. Normally, there is a 100 percent placement in six months of graduation, although I think this year it might take one year for all to be fully employed."

-Posted by Megan Cassidy