NALP survey: First-year associate pay rises at large law firms
ABA JOURNAL — The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t curtailed base pay for beginning associates, according to the National Association for Law Placement’s survey of mostly larger law firms. The median base salary for first-year associates was $165,000 as of Jan. 1 this year, up $10,000 from 2019,t he time of the last survey.
Read More about NALP survey: First-year associate pay rises at large law firmsNew law firm coalition denounces and challenges voting restrictions in Georgia and Texas
ABA JOURNAL — Law firms are getting involved in the controversy over voting restrictions, already passed in Georgia and under consideration in Texas. Leaders of 62 of the nation’s top 100 law firms have signed a statement denouncing voting restrictions, as have 19 general counsels, report Law.com and Bloomberg Law.
Read More about New law firm coalition denounces and challenges voting restrictions in Georgia and TexasYale Law Women publishes report on law firm policies
ABA JOURNAL — Yale Law Women has named the top 2021 law firms for gender equity, inclusion and family-friendly practices in a number of categories, including the best law firm for a COVID-19 response and the best law firm for racial justice contributions.
Read More about Yale Law Women publishes report on law firm policiesUS Department of Education terminates Florida Coastal Law’s federal student loan eligibility
ABA JOURNAL — The U.S. Department of Education has terminated the Florida Coastal School of Law’s access to federal student financial aid, and the for-profit school has been directed to file a teach-out plan with the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.
Read More about US Department of Education terminates Florida Coastal Law’s federal student loan eligibilityAdvice for students seeking judicial clerkships
ABA FOR LAW STUDENTS — In 2017, I received a rejection letter from a district court judge I deeply respected and admired. In 2021, I received an offer letter to clerk in her chambers. The secret? Be patient, persistent, and prayerful.
Read More about Advice for students seeking judicial clerkshipsCommon reasons why law students fail the bar exam
ABA FOR LAW STUDENTS — If you failed the bar exam, you may feel a range of emotions—including anger, disappointment, frustration, and hopelessness. You may even question your decision to go to law school. Or wonder if you are cut out to be a lawyer.
Read More about Common reasons why law students fail the bar examUC Davis Law professor Aaron Tang publishes article on judicial partisanship
ABA JOURNAL — Conservative judges are guided by the original meaning of the Constitution, while liberal judges view the Constitution as a living document. Aaron Tang, a professor at the University of California at Davis School of Law noted that the two theories of constitutional interpretation have created an inverted bell curve of judges.
Read More about UC Davis Law professor Aaron Tang publishes article on judicial partisanshipGonzaga Law professor George Crithlow authors The Lifer and the Lawyer book
ABA JOURNAL — “Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”―Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. In 1979, George Critchlow was a young criminal defense attorney just a couple years out of law school.
Read More about Gonzaga Law professor George Crithlow authors The Lifer and the Lawyer bookTips for first-year law firm associates
ABA JOURNAL — Concerns about starting your first job after law school are justified. It is terrifying. For many, the first year as an associate will be your first professional job. Little has prepared you for the difficult, confusing and stressful first year ahead. Many summer associate positions fail to provide a realistic picture.
Read More about Tips for first-year law firm associatesSeveral states consider lower bar exam pass scores
ABA JOURNAL — Rhode Island has followed California’s lead in lowering the bar exam cut score to make the test easier to pass. The Rhode Island Supreme Court lowered the score needed to pass the bar exam from 276 to 270 and made the change retroactive to the February 2021 exam.
Read More about Several states consider lower bar exam pass scores