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With fees prepared to soar, is a law degree really worth it?
With 2020 delivering a global pandemic, new ways of online learning and now a major, controversial increase in law degree fees, is studying law still really worth it? According to some of the world’s top legal academics, those with a passion for law will find a way.
Naomi Neilson
The political party that put a nail in the coffin that was passing the higher education bill credited the major influx of law students as a reason to hike up degree fees almost 28 per cent. Centre Alliance’s Rebekha Sharkie said it was “ridiculous” that thousands of law students are graduating each year – assuming that “many will never work” in law – and effectively dashing the hopes of disadvantaged, young almost-students.
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While the competitive nature of the profession will forever prevent some students from pursuing a top-tier, exclusive position – looking at BigLaw graduate roles and the seats next to formidable judges – there are still many, many positions across the profession (and out of it) that law students can one day find themselves excelling in.
Speaking at an American Bar Association (ABA) event for law students, Rodney Fong, the associate dean at UIC John Marshall Law School, pointed out that a lot of the jobs that law students today will be applying for when they graduate don’t even exist yet.
“There are new jobs, there are new positions coming up all the time,” he said. “Create your own jobs. Create your own positions. Part of it is being proactive, part of it is being creative and thinking about what you want and then either finding that job, convincing an employer that they need that type of person or creating a position to fill needs.”
Professor Fong said that lawyers have to be problem-solvers, and that includes young people wanting to get into law but are finding it hard to see through the 2020 fog. While COVID-19 – and the fee increases – may act as a deterrent, lawyers have to be willing to be resourceful, hopeful and creative if law is what they really want: “Think of a client. They don’t want you making excuses. They want you helping them to solve a problem.”
“Perception is really important; being a successful law student is about having a good attitude, being resourceful and studying hard. Sometimes, students get into law school and realise they are up against a lot of really bright students and they get intimidated, but I’ll tell you that in all my years, credentials are not as important as being willing to work hard, be resourceful and have a positive mindset,” Mr Fong added.
On the other side of the coin, Judge Dean Leam from King County, Washington added that costs are still very important to consider when pursuing a law degree but as is the purpose for going to law school in the first place. Students should be considering their next 20, 30 or 50 years and deciding if the passion for law is strong enough to pursue.
Then there is being flexible about where students want to end up. If they are studying for their Plan A only, they are likely to end up without a job. Judge Leam said students have to be ready to consider other opportunities outside of their comfort zone.
“At the end of the day, when you get the job to begin your career, when you start as a lawyer, when you get your legal education, you have the ability to transform,” he said.
