Posted on 12/28/2013 4:49:57 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
As the New Year looms, many law graduates with heavy debt have yet to find work as attorneys — including the author of the self-deprecating new blog "Law Grad Working Retail."
The blog's anonymous author graduated from a law school that was in the top 50 ranked by U.S. News and World Report. He was on law review and even got a summer position at a firm after his second year. He didn't get a job offer though.
This grad still hasn't found legal work and took a job selling cologne just before the holidays to make ends meet. Now he says he's "liveblogging the loss of my last shred of dignity." His blog is both funny and heartbreaking.
The funny parts often involve his coworkers assuming he can answer every law-related question they have. His coworker Shaina grills him after it's discovered that another coworker named Julian is apparently "robbing the stock room blind." Here's the exchange:
"LawGrad, you a lawyer," Shaina began, "can Julian sue the store?"
"For what?"
"You know, accusing him of stealing because he’s Mexican."
"But he was stealing."
"So he can’t sue?"
"No."
Shaina also asks random questions like, "Is it illegal for a hospital to turn you away at the emergency room?" LawGrad tries to tell her he's not actually a lawyer, but she doesn't seem to get it and asks him at least three times what kind of law he practices.
"I told her cologne selling law," he writes.....
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
I thought they surgically removed that in law school anyway
It was the worst thing that ever happened!
It doesn't say that he passed the bar exam. Perhaps that's part of his problem?
Get a clue - we don’t need no more danged lawyers!!!
Anyone who thinks working retail removes his dignity doesn’t deserve a higher-paying job, and I would not have hired him for a college-based position. My three highest priorities in hiring were a work ethic, mathematical ability, and character. Anyone who thought custodial work, retail, waiting tables, construction, or any other “menial” position lacked dignity would not get hired.
Next to plumbers, attorneys probably make up the largest section in the Yellow Pages........
This grad still hasn’t found legal work and took a job selling cologne.
Problem with perception for him selling cologne is legal. At least he’s working and he deserves applause for that. A lot of people in the good old days (normal/ /prosperous times) took starter jobs beneath? there background/ education.
It used to be they would separate the academically inclined from the academically weak in sixth grade. Then they decided that everyone needs a complete elementary education, then a complete high school education, then a complete college education. Now it seems everyone needs a complete professional school education.
The world needs cologne sales people too.
It’s possible. However, it is also true that law schools have turned into largely diploma mills that have churned out law students well beyond what can be absorbed into society.
I think there is a larger need for plumbers than lawyers in people’s daily life. Afterall, you don’t get divorced, need a will, buy property, get arrested, or have a lawsuit everyday.
He should move to Chicago and become a community organizer.
Yes, there’s definitely a problem of oversupply.
There was a time when the legal profession was largely recession-proof. Not anymore. Law firms in my neck of the woods aren’t hiring. Many have downsized. And being on the law review doesn’t guarantee a job as it once did. If you aren’t exceptional, you can forget about being hired.
But plumbers have more value.
It’s even worse for paralegals/legal assistants. Because of the economy, a lot of lawyers just do their own work.
I graduated law school in 1978. I had a husband and a two year old. My grades were okay but not spectacular. I wasn’t on law review but had some good experience in a legal clinic. So I didn’t get picked up by the big firms. boohoo. I did go to work for Legal Aid. It was interesting and I had to learn on my feet. I then had another kid and took off for a year. I then set up my own practice, working in an office with other lawyers. And I advertised at a time when it was looked down on. So for more than 30 years I’ve worked for myself. It’s paying the estimated taxes that made me a conservative. That and being on the front lines of the culture. A scary place to be. So I don’t have any sympathy for these new grads. Get out and learn how to practice law because they don’t teach that in law school and then find other lawyers to mentor you and then start helping people. Get paid if possible but if not, do it anyway.
Ping
Check the YP and you will find that lawyers out number doctors. Of course, that has no bearing on the filing of frivolous medical malpractice suits. Nope, not at all....
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