Oregon Supreme Court tentatively approves proposal for law practice licensing through supervision and experience
BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE — The Oregon Supreme Court has tentatively OK’d a proposal that would give would-be lawyers the option to skip the bar exam and instead become licensed to practice law through experience or supervision. The state’s highest court in a unanimous vote “expressed approval in concept” to a pair of alternative pathways designed for law students…
Read More about Oregon Supreme Court tentatively approves proposal for law practice licensing through supervision and experienceOpinion: How diploma privilege could help diversify the legal profession
THE HILL — When Kim Kardashian announced to her 272 million Instagram followers that she passed the “baby bar” exam on her fourth try, reactions ranged from celebration to derision, and then to confusion over what, in fact, is a baby bar. California’s First-Year Law Students’ Examination, or “baby bar” is a one-day test designed to allow prospective lawyers…
Read More about Opinion: How diploma privilege could help diversify the legal professionNALP report: 2021 law firm summer associates most diverse on record
REUTERS — Law firms brought on a historically diverse cohort of summer associates in 2021, according to new data from the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), outpacing diversity gains among more senior lawyers. The proportion of summer associates of color climbed to 41% in 2021, up from 36% in 2020. That represents the largest year-over-year increase…
Read More about NALP report: 2021 law firm summer associates most diverse on recordOpinion: Mental health questions on bar application prevent aspiring attorneys from seeking help
TEEN VOGUE — Weeks before the pandemic first began to ravage New York City, New York State Chief Judge Janet DiFiore announced that bar applicants will no longer have to answer intrusive questions about mental health conditions or treatment to become certified attorneys in the state via the Character and Fitness application. Upon hearing this news,…
Read More about Opinion: Mental health questions on bar application prevent aspiring attorneys from seeking helpMidsize law firms face recruiting pressure with labor shortage
REUTERS — Midsize U.S. law firms are facing recruiting pressure in a tight labor market, compelling some to raise early career attorneys’ salaries and offer other perks. These firms, which typically have 25 to 200 lawyers and often operate regionally, are extending benefits such as paid sabbaticals and law school loan repayment. Several have raised starting salaries,…
Read More about Midsize law firms face recruiting pressure with labor shortageLaw firm expands community partnerships to aid Black and Indigenous law students
BENZINGA — Stikeman Elliott is pleased to announce that the firm has expanded its community partnerships in support of Black and Indigenous students who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in law. Earlier this fall, Stikeman Elliott participated in the development of Avenue: Black Undergraduate Internship Program, in collaboration with various Canadian law firms and organizations in…
Read More about Law firm expands community partnerships to aid Black and Indigenous law studentsMinority Corporate Counsel Association study finds diversity gains are mostly in junior ranks
REUTERS — Large law firms collectively increased their hiring of diverse summer associates in recent years but struggled to retain those lawyers over time, according to a new report by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association. Based on lawyer demographic data submitted by 225 large law firms, it found that 36% of 2020’s summer associates – law students…
Read More about Minority Corporate Counsel Association study finds diversity gains are mostly in junior ranksHow law firms can help mitigate stress for early-career associates
NALP — Let’s begin with law schools. The humanizing legal education movement, among others, has called for substantive changes in legal education for over a decade and is credited with improving the learning environments in many law schools. Those changes include a demonstrated respect for students, a focus on collaborative learning, increased assessments and feedback, attention…
Read More about How law firms can help mitigate stress for early-career associatesQuinnipiac Law professor Jeffrey A. Cooper publishes novel
QUNNIPIAC UNIVERSITY — Jeff Cooper, professor of law and associate dean for research at Quinnipiac’s School of Law, will publish, “After the Fact,” on Tuesday. Cooper tells the story of Jack Collins, a lawyer who is sent on an unexpected journey regarding his career, and leaves behind his position at a small-time Connecticut law practice for the…
Read More about Quinnipiac Law professor Jeffrey A. Cooper publishes novelABA data shows increase in first-year JD students and decrease in non-JD students for fall 2021
ABA JOURNAL — There is an 11.8% increase in first-year law students for the 2021 admissions cycle, compared to 2020, according to data released Wednesday by the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. The data is from Standard 509 Information Reports that the section collects from law schools, according to a website summary.…
Read More about ABA data shows increase in first-year JD students and decrease in non-JD students for fall 2021