A new twist for first-year lawyers: legal apprenticeships

Graduate School Law School
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<p>Here is a link to a report on a new approach to controlling the costs of first- and second-year attorneys while they learn the trade - apprenticeships. Salaries are lower than have been the case for the first two years, though still not bad compared to salaries in general, and the future of attorneys coming out of such programs is not exactly clear. However, in view of complaints by clients for high charges for work by inexperienced attorneys, together with the need for cost control at law firms while still assuring a supply of new associates for better times, and the need for graduates to have some way to pay off their loans, this might be the wave of the near future, if not the longer-term future.</p>

<p>[Screening</a> ‘BigLaw Apprentice’ at Law Firms - Above the Law - A Legal Tabloid - News, Gossip, and Colorful Commentary on Law Firms and the Legal Profession](<a href=“http://abovethelaw.com/2009/06/screening_biglaw_apprentice_at.php#more]Screening”>http://abovethelaw.com/2009/06/screening_biglaw_apprentice_at.php#more)</p>

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<p>I think this is a good idea. Rather than having first year associates do nothing but document review, they get paid less and actually get to see partners do real stuff. It’ll probably make them better lawyers for the long run. I don’t know if I’d necessarily be okay with a 50% pay cut for it though.</p>

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<p>This would be similar to the articling system used in Canada. All grads are required to article for a year. The difference being that a position is not guaranteed at the end of that year.</p>