Hands-on Training
The New York Times has an article today that discusses the ways law schools are looking to modify legal education so that students actually get hands-on training in the work that lawyers actually do everday. Duh. What kills me more than anything about choosing my particular school over a lower-ranked nearby law school is that, as a night student, it is pretty much impossible for me to participate in any of the clinics my school offers. The other school offers Saturday legal clinics so that you meet with the clients on the weekend (better for them, better for you as a night student) and then do the related work in the evenings. If a court appearance is required, you tag team with a day student to make that happen or you take time off work. Why oh why can my school not think outside the box this way? No, it is all or nothing. That forces night students to either quit their jobs or try to find nontraditional ways to get experience. I am really bummed about the whole clinic thing. Hopefully this article is a sign that future night students won’t have to face this issue. Or it’s a sign that schools will just choose to eliminate their night programs in favor of day students who actually have the time to do clinics. Grrr.
