The Aspen Advisor Week in Review for April 20, 2018
This week’s legal education roundup includes several interesting stories. For students applying to law school, it used to be the LSAT was the single required entrance exam. Now, an increasing number of law schools are allowing the GRE for consideration. As a result, the ABA is evaluating changing the rules around placement testing in “ABA Looks To Roll Out The Red Carpet For The GRE.”
The next hurdle for law students is passing the Bar Exam which is a major topic of conversation among students, professors, institutions, and law firms. The passage rates from February’s Bar were at an all-time low. As a result, many people are thinking creatively on how to improve these scores. “Judge Helps Next Generation of African-American Attorneys” highlights innovative ideas to ensure a more diverse group of future lawyers through free tutoring for the California State Bar exam. For 3L students planning to take the Bar Exam in July, “You Can Beat the Bar Exam. Here’s How.” offers tips and motivation for students.
After you pass the exam, you’ll want a great job. One article provides a list of the best legal job search sites and another ranks which firms are the most female friendly and the most family friendly. For the first time, Yale Law Women puts those into separate categories.
Last but not least, Albany Law School is recognizing Alexander Hamilton next month with an honorary law degree. This founding father and author of the federalist papers died in 1804 but has never been more popular!
Diversity
Judge Helps Next Generation of African-American Attorneys
Bruce L. Brodie, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge originally from Yeadon, has teamed up with retired L.A. prosecutor Al Jenkins, a transplant from New York, to provide African-American law school graduates free tutoring for the California State Bar exam.
Law School Students
Top 13 Legal Job Search Sites for Legal Jobs and Alternative Legal Jobs
Online job listings remain the most effective and easiest way to conduct a successful job search. Whether you are interested in a traditional legal job or an alternative career, included is a list of online resources that can help you achieve your search toward a satisfying legal career.
Proposed Student Loan Cap Could Devastate Law Schools
Experts worry that provisions within the pending reauthorization of the Higher Education Act will exacerbate legal education's diversity challenges and put a J.D. out of reach of low-income students.
You Can Beat The Bar Exam. Here's How.
What I realized afterward was how easy it is to get overwhelmed by this test. My advice for those studying is not to let the test overtake you. It will be stressful; it’s supposed to be, but you can find small ways to be smarter than the exam.
Yale Law Women Names Top 10 Female-Friendly Firms
Yale Law Women has released its 13th annual Top 10 list of family-friendly law firms, which for the first time includes a separate list of female-friendly firms.
Legal Education
February Bar Exam Performance Hits Record Low
A decline in the average MBE score from the February 2018 bar exam does not bode well for pass rates, which are beginning to trickle out.
No Loans, No School, and Now No Charlotte School of Law Students Pass Bar Exam on First Try
A chaotic year at Charlotte School of Law has given way to a disastrous performance by its graduates on the most recent bar examination, according to newly released state figures.
ABA Looks To Roll Out The Red Carpet For The GRE
The LSAT isn't the only game in town.
Florida Law Schools Post Low Bar Passage Rates
Florida International University College of Law had the highest bar passage rate for first-time takers while the University of Florida had the lowest among law schools in the state.
Online Learning
Monterey College of Law Announces New Hybrid Online J.D. Degree Program
Monterey College of Law (MCL) has announced a new hybrid J.D. law degree that will allow students to complete up to 70% of their law school curriculum online. As an accredited law school, MCL received approval from the State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners to initiate the new degree program for Fall 2018. The innovative new degree program will be one of the first hybrid law degree programs offered in California.
Alexander Hamilton Gets Honorary Degree From Albany Law School
The Founding Father never attended a formal law school, but Albany Law School plans to give him an honorary degree next month to recognize his influence in the city and his contributions to the country.
The Aspen Advisor Week in Review is a collection of interesting articles from the past week that pertain to Legal Education. Some may be especially relevant to law professors and others to law students. Many stories focus on the pedagogical, technical, and financial innovation occurring in law schools today. We hope that these articles inspire you.
Nicole Pinard is the Executive Director of Market Development for the Legal Education division of Wolters Kluwer Legal and Regulatory Solutions U.S.