Student Debt
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Law Schools, Money, Student Loans
Law Student Solicits Donations on eBay
We talk a lot about how expensive legal education is and how prospective law students need to think rationally about their debt exposure before they try to finance a legal education. I’m not sure if this law student did any of that thinking. But I am sure that her solution to the high cost of […] -
Job Searches, Law Schools, Media and Journalism, New York Times, Student Loans
Now That the New York Times Acknowledges the Perils of Law School Debt, the Next Question Is How to Recover From the Ruin
Like many of you, I read the epic New York Times article on law school debt over the weekend. To answer the most consistent question I’ve received in the past 36 hours: no, I don’t feel like I’ve “won.” And I don’t feel like the NYT has somehow validated some of my commentary over the […] - Sponsored
The Business Case For AI At Your Law Firm
ChatGPT ushers in the age of generative AI – even for law firms. -
American Bar Association / ABA, Blogging, Law Schools, Media and Journalism, Student Loans
The ABA Started 'Warning' People About Going to Law School Years Ago
I have no idea why this is blowing up today, but it looks like the mainstream media just figured that maybe going to law school isn’t the most awesome idea (especially in this economy). On New Year’s Eve, John Carney — our former colleague, from his days at Dealbreaker — noted on CNBC’s NetNet that […]
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Education / Schools, Law Schools, Money, Student Loans
How Much Are Educational Prestige Points Worth in Real Dollars?
How far are we from getting real answers about the value proposition of going to law school? Pretty far, if you read the New York Times Week in Review. An article by Jacques Steinberg illustrates that researchers don’t even really know if receiving an elite undergraduate education is worth the price. The Times asks: Is […] -
Law School Deans, Law Schools, Money, Student Loans
Kudos to Maryland Law for Protecting Its Students from Tuition Increases
Next month I’ll be appearing on a panel at the annual meeting of the Association of American Law Schools. The subject of the panel: how to get good press for your law school. One obvious answer: do good things for your students. Just like the University of Maryland School of Law. Our coverage of UMB […] -
Law Schools, Reader Polls, Student Loans
Should You Drop Out of Law School: The Sequel. A 1L Wants Your Advice.
Lat and I have already had a spirited debate about whether or not a 2L should drop out of law school. Predictably, Lat argued that the 2L should stick with it, while I extolled the virtues of running away and quitting. And the readers weighed in too: 66% of you said that the 2L should […] -
Blogging, Law Schools, Money, Small Law Firms, Student Loans
Small Firm Lawyers Balk at ASU 3L's Request for Sponsorship
While bonuses are burning up the comments here at Above the Law, there’s another discussion raging over at the ABA’s SoloSez Listserv — where solo and small firm lawyers from around the country share resources, practice tips and the occasional anecdote. It seems that a 3L at Arizona State’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law […] -
Job Searches, Law Schools, Student Loans
Even If You Told Prospective Law Students the Truth, Would They Care?
We’ve devoted a lot of coverage around here to efforts at forcing law schools to be more transparent about the true employment opportunities for law graduates. We’ve screamed at the ABA, at NALP, and at law school deans themselves. We’ve begged them to just tell the truth about jobs to would-be law students. Maybe it’s […] - Sponsored
Legal AI: 3 Steps Law Firms Should Take Now
If 2023 introduced legal professionals to generative AI, then 2024 will be when law firms start adapting to utilize it. Things are moving fast, so… -
Career Alternatives, Law Schools, Student Loans
In Defense of Going to Law School: A Prudential Perspective (Part 2)
On the Quote of the Day posted over the weekend, a commenter wrote: “In my head I’ve changed the name of this blog from ‘Above the Law’ to ‘The law is f**king stupid and dumb and anyone who goes into it is an idiot forever and did I mention it’s dumb.’ There are still reasons […] -
Law School Deans, Law Schools, Student Loans
13% Tuition Increase + 1% Faculty Salary Cut = 100% Screwing of Minnesota Law Students
CORRECTION: This post has been revised since it was first published to reflect the fact that the 13.5% tuition hike for in-state students occurred this summer and applies to the current academic year (2010-2011). Last year, the University of Minnesota contemplated imposing a significant tuition hike on its law students, while trying to keep college […] -
Erwin Chemerinsky, Law Schools, Money, Student Loans
UC Irvine School of Law: Now Offering 33% Scholarships to the Class of 2014
When the UC Irvine School of Law first burst onto the scene, the school offered free tuition to everyone in its inaugural class. Then, in its second year, UC Irvine offered a 50% discount to all students admitted to the class of 2013. And now, UC Irvine will knock 33% off its tuition, for members […] -
Job Searches, Law Schools, Student Loans, Videos, YouTube
How Many Jaded Attorneys Does It Take to Discourage One Law Student?
It has been a while since we’ve had one of these cut-rate animation movies discouraging people from going to law school. There have been some great ones in the past: A Law School Carol springs to mind, as well as Don’t Go To Law School. There was a time when I thought little video clips […] -
Education / Schools, Law Schools, Money, Student Loans
Arizona State Law School Moving Towards Private Funding Model: Prepare to be Gouged, ASU Law Students
Earlier this week, a story in the National Law Journal (subscription) reported that the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law is weaning itself off of public funding and trying to become self-sufficient on private dollars. Towards that end, ASU will be raising tuition and admitting more law students. I wanted to wait […]
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The Business Case For AI At Your Law Firm
ChatGPT ushers in the age of generative AI – even for law firms.
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Legal AI: 3 Steps Law Firms Should Take Now
If 2023 introduced legal professionals to generative AI, then 2024 will be when law firms start adapting to utilize it. Things are moving fast, so…
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Early Adopters Of Legal AI Gaining Competitive Edge In Marketplace
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Is The Future Of Law Distributed? Lessons From The Tech Adoption Curve
The rise of remote work has dramatically reshaped the relationship between Lawyers and Law Firms, see how Scale LLP has taken the steps to get…
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American Bar Association / ABA, Law Schools, Student Loans
Someone at the ABA Is Aware That New Law Schools Make No Sense
A year ago (almost to the day), we learned that Belmont University in Nashville was planning to start a new law school. At the time, I asked: “[H]ow colossally dumb are the people who sign up for a Belmont law degree next year?” Well, there’s an article in the Tennessean today suggesting that the new […] -
India, Law Schools, Outsourcing, Quote of the Day, Student Loans
Quote of the Day: Well, the Economy Is In the Toilet....
“Knowledge Economy” An environment in which a person has run up $150,000 in student loans to pay for a law degree only to see jobs exported to India whose citizens are apparently very knowledgeable about the U.S. legal system. Example: “The best job in the knowledge economy is plumbing because nobody with an advanced degree […] -
Law Schools, Money, Rankings, Student Loans
National Jurist's 'Best Value' Law School Numerical Rankings and Grades Are Out
Last month, we reported on the Best Value Law School Rankings produced by National Jurist. The initial list just mentioned the publication’s “honorees,” with a promise of numerical rankings later. That day has arrived, and the magazine is ready to tell us which is the very best value for law school in 2010. I’ve already […] -
Barack Obama, Money, Politics, Student Loans
Disgruntled Law Grad Brings Student Loan Woes to Obama's Attention
Yesterday President Obama held a town hall meeting with those affected by the terrible economy. But the New York Times reports that the televised meeting “turned into a therapy session for disillusioned Obama supporters.” A lawyer was among the disillusioned. Thanks to his question, Obama is now on notice that student debt is crushing the […] -
Citigroup, Education / Schools, Law Schools, Student Loans, Trendspotting
Citi Sells Student Loan Division: Can't You Hear the Bubble Bursting?
In a couple of years, we might look back on today as the first point where the giant, unsustainable bubble that is the student loan market began to burst. Check out this press release: The Student Loan Corporation (NYSE:STU – News), a subsidiary of Citibank, N.A., and a leading originator and servicer of student loans, […] -
Money, Quote of the Day, Student Loans
Quote of the Day: At Least You Don't Have Chlamydia
Unfortunately, I have a terrible secret that is making it difficult for me to get close to women: I have $190,000 in student loan debt. — a correspondent calling himself “Debt Leper,” who wrote in to advice columnist Dear Wendy (via Instapundit). Reading the full question on The Frisky, this guy sure sounds like a […] -
Law Schools, Quote of the Day, Student Loans
Quote of the Day: Actually, they just want your tuition dollars.
Law Schools Now Require Applicants To Honestly State Whether They Want To Go To Law School. — headline for an article in The Onion