Law Schools and the Legal Profession: A Way Forward

This essay proceeds in four parts. Part II briefly examines the disengagement of law schools from the legal profession both in much of the scholarship produced and through courses required for graduation. Part III analyzes why some state bar regulators are imposing admission requirements in response to law schools failing to prepare students better for the practice of law. Part IV discusses the types of bar admission requirements being considered.

Finally, in Part V, I argue that rather than being reactive and resistant to change, law schools should be forward looking and incorporate changes that will not only better prepare students for the practice of law as it is today, but also for the legal needs anticipated in the future. In this way, law schools may proactively and positively influence the norms of the legal profession.