Practice Management

Is the economy for new lawyer'really that bad?

Regardless, it is always nice to have some help.

The University of Houston Law Center believes it understand the slow law market its recent graduates might be entering.  To help it as created its New Graduates Assistance Program, in which it intends to provide $500,000.00 in various benefits to assist its recent graduates.

UH Law declares that it is taking this proactive step in creating short-term employment opportunities and reduced-cost options that can help their recent graduates bridge the gap between graduating from law school and waiting for the bar exam results.

First, if specialization is the key, UH Law will cut its tuition by half for any LL.M. program a 2009 graduate intends to pursue.

Second, the nuts and bolts training that UH Law provides is its CLE programs.  Those are free to the recently graduated.

Third, still in the specialized knowledge area, the law school offers specialized courses during the summer.  These will be offered free and taught by real practitioners.

Fourth, the law school is offering $2,000.00 per month research fellowships for recent graduates that will last for three months, and many will start after the bar exam, and they will only be part-time so graduates have time to plan.

Fifth, the law school has extended its public interest fellowships where the graduates will work with a number of organization.  Real life experience and $2,000.00 per month for three months to boot.

Sixth, for a one month stipend of $2,000.00 UH Law graduates will tutor the foreign LL.M. students.

Seventh, for those that like law school the Office of External Affairs will offers temporary positions  to assist in external outreaches to alumni.  This will pay $2,000.00 per month.

Whether it is a realization finally that many of its graduates pursue self-employment of one type of another, the biggest concern that I hear about from recent graduates is what to do between the bar exam and bar results.  These graduates are in a type of limbo where they do not have a law firm to help support them, they lack in practical training, and they cannot practice law while they wait for a license.  Although not a lot of money in this day and age, it is better than the alternative.

For this UH Law should be congratulated.