At the “National Forum on the Future of Legal Education,” participants discussed a necessary renovation of the current legal education system, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. The main thrust of the forum was to revamp legal education in order to better prepare grads for the legal workforce. This move involves a focus on practical skills, and perhaps less time spent on litigation. An emphasis on mentors would also be invaluable, as lawyers have more practical experience to share than most law professors.
One suggested modification is to follow the example of medical schools and have the third year consist of clinical rotations. In this way, law students can graduate with practical skills and be more effective in their first legal jobs, while firms don’t have to spend their money and time training junior lawyers.
Students could potentially finish their basic course work in two years, similar to an M.B.A., and then focus more on training in the third year—either through personalized tracks or in rotations, splitting time among different legal work environments. Another suggestion entailed students receiving provisional licenses after their second year, followed by being trained and mentored while working in a firm, but with a lower salary.
With many proposals raised, a summary of the findings will be distributed to law schools nationwide. These concerns are also being addressed by the American Bar Association, which is considering changes to its accreditation standards.
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Read the full article: Legal Education Needs Overhaul? Look to Business and Medical Schools for Ideas
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