Survey: Several law firms and legal departments are bringing back furloughed employees in 2021
LEGAL EXAMINER — Good news for law school graduates and others in the legal profession. A year after the earliest Covid-19 cases hit the United States prompting a near-shutdown of the economy, there are more law firms and corporate legal departments hiring employees in 2021 than there are letting them go.
Read More about Survey: Several law firms and legal departments are bringing back furloughed employees in 2021Survey looks at law firm salary and lawyer alma mater
LAW FUEL — A recent American law publication survey of partners earnings showed that over half of partners who earned over $500,000 were from the top 25 law schools in the US. By contrast, under 40 per cent that hit that half million dollar threshold attended law schools with rankings of 26 or higher.
Read More about Survey looks at law firm salary and lawyer alma materTips for taking a remote bar exam
THE NATIONAL JURIST — With many states administering the bar exam remotely in 2020 — and now into 2021 — what was already a very difficult and stressful time has become even more challenging as examinees are forced to navigate this new territory. Here are a few tips for taking a remote bar exam.
Read More about Tips for taking a remote bar examFebruary remote bar exams make minor adjustments from July administration
BLOOMBERG LAW — Despite thousands of students being initially flagged for possible cheating and then exonerated, bar authorities in California and New York say they don’t plan any major fixes this go around. “Given the volume of applicants that applied for this exam, 3,000-plus flags was not alarming,” said California State Bar Director.
Read More about February remote bar exams make minor adjustments from July administrationNALP survey finds slow progress in female and minority lawyer representation in law firms
ABA JOURNAL — Progress is slow for law firms seeking to increase representation of female and minority lawyers, according to a new report by the National Association for Law Placement. Even though representation of female, minority and minority female lawyers reached historic highs in 2020, the gains were small.
Read More about NALP survey finds slow progress in female and minority lawyer representation in law firmsUC Berkeley Law graduates sworn into California Bar during virtual ceremony
UC BERKELEY SCHOOL OF LAW — On Jan. 27, one more milestone happened via Zoom: More than 150 alumni were sworn in to the state bar and the bar of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Living rooms and laptops replaced the traditional auditorium gathering and champagne toast.
Read More about UC Berkeley Law graduates sworn into California Bar during virtual ceremonyCalifornia Supreme Court allows retroactive bar admission with supervised practice amid pass score changes
ABA JOURNAL — People who previously flunked the California bar exam but would have passed under a recently changed cut score can now obtain law licenses if they complete 300 hours of supervised practice. The change applies to test-takers between July 2015 and February 2020, who scored between 1390 and 1439 on the exam.
Read More about California Supreme Court allows retroactive bar admission with supervised practice amid pass score changesYoung lawyers struggle with work-life balance amid pandemic
LAW 360 — Young attorneys have faced unique mental health challenges since the coronavirus pandemic upended the legal industry and placed restrictions on how and where they could work. Less-established lawyers may lack the same support structures, making them more susceptible to depression, anxiety, stress, substance use.
Read More about Young lawyers struggle with work-life balance amid pandemicA look at Notre Dame Law’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program for graduates
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME LAW SCHOOL — The Law School’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program allows Carlos Cisneros-Vilchis to continue serving the agricultural community, a path he discovered while at ND Law. “It is fantastic to know that I have assistance through Notre Dame Law School’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program.”
Read More about A look at Notre Dame Law’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program for graduatesBiden Administration extends break on repaying student loans
INSIDE HIGHER ED — The Education Department said Wednesday night that at President Joe Biden’s request, it is continuing to give student loan borrowers a break from making their monthly payments for another nine months, until Sept. 30. The department’s student aid website was also updated to reflect the pause had been extended.
Read More about Biden Administration extends break on repaying student loans