We have given a couple of shout-outs to the students behind Building a Better Legal Profession. The student run organization tries to empower law students to make more informed choices about law firms.

But even if we stipulate that the students are motivated by the best of intentions, is now the right time for prospective associates to focus on a better working environment? Aren’t most students simply trying to find paying work, environment be damned?

The National Law Journal reports on BBLP’s National Conference of Student Leaders (which coincided with the launch of their new guide to law firms):

The two-day event focused on changing what were often painted as the evil ways of big law firms and included presentations and discussion from well-known practitioners and professors.

The goal of Building a Better Legal Profession is to create collective action among students and associates from top schools to prod large law firms to implement what it says are significant changes needed in billable hour requirements, diversity and the commitment to pro bono work. Their hope is that students and associates from the best schools will not accept jobs at firms that do not change their ways.

Is it 2006 again? It shocks the conscience to think that students would “not accept jobs” at firms that are profitable and not laying people off, simply because the profitable, not-firing-people firm doesn’t care about pro bono work.

Is BBLP doggedly idealistic, or hopelessly out of touch? More questions after the jump.