<p>Crankyoldman - Agree with your posting completely. Not to mention considerations about lifestyle, prospective chances of employment for a spouse, or great schools for their kids in these areas. </p>
<p>Some of my kid’s classmates from last year’s graduating class (a state/regional law school) are still looking for their first legal jobs. The placement office was useless, but took credit whenever anyone found a job on their own. A few students did find jobs with family members, and a top student was hired in a nonpartner track by a biglaw branch office. Some students found low paying associate jobs with small neighborhood firms. Of course, not everyone is reporting what they’re doing so perhaps some of the grads are doing well and just choose not to brag.</p>
<p>Optimistic applicants who intended to become energy lawyers, environmental lawyers, international lawyers, patent lawyers, corporate lawyers, litigators, biglaw, etc. are finding that it’s difficult to find any job at all. Specialty certificates only served to disqualify students from other jobs. New lawyers are competing in the marketplace with lawyers who are trying to change practice areas, 3Ls hunting for work, and unemployed or underemployed lawyers. </p>
<p>Maybe the T14 is still finding work, but IMO law school is a very dangerous and expensive investment for the majority of other students. And that’s before we talk about the fact that dreams of prestige, good pay, having clients that will do what you tell them to do, making policies, etc. are also na</p>