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The ABA is Broken
According to a recent study by the ABA's Commission on Loan Repayment and Forgiveness, law school costs too much and it's hurting the legal profession [link may require subscription]:
Between 1992 and 2002, the report noted, the cost of living in the United States rose 28 percent, and average tuition at public law schools jumped 134 percent, to $9,252, for in-state students, and 100 percent, to $18,131, for out-of-state students. Tuition at private law schools increased 76 percent, to $24,920, during the same period. ... In 2002, the average starting salary for lawyers in private practice was $90,000, more than twice the $36,000 average for public-interest jobs.
No kidding? Here's what the ABA recommends to change the situation:
More law schools should create their own loan-forgiveness programs, along with scholarships and fellowships for students who choose public-service jobs.
State and local bar associations should create or expand loan-forgiveness programs.
Here's a better idea: Make law school 2 years instead of three and put a cap on tuition. I'm sorry, but when most law school classes hold 150 or more students, I can't see how the costs of professors' salaries and infrastructure could require each of those students to be paying $30k/year for the privilege of being in class. You could also eliminate the costs of doing legal research by creating a public domain research service that will put Lexis-Nexis out of business, which would cut costs dramatically for both law schools and practicing lawyers. I'm sure there are other ways the system could be reformed, but judging by this report, the ABA doesn't seem too serious about it. Tell me again why the ABA exists?
Oh yeah. The legal world and I are going to be best friends, aren't we?
Posted August 12, 2003 09:52 AM | law general law school
Just wait until you start classes. It's appalling what I pay for - actually, I'm not exactly sure. And some of the profs I've had so far could never cut it in the business world - they'd be stuck at the bottom of the totem pole. Much too much time is wasted explaining things which don't matter. Ugh.
Posted by: greg at August 16, 2003 11:32 PM
