With all the discussions about the economy and how it's affecting hiring, WWL thought it would check in with the person who gets paid to keep an eye on the legal economy in Vegas: Cynthia Asher, Director of Career Services for UNLV's Boyd School of Law.We asked her a few questions and she was kind enough to give us her thoughts:
What's your take on the state of the legal economy in Las Vegas?
The LV legal market as a whole has slowed down along with the rest of the economy but we seem to be doing better than the primary markets. We've
seen some layoffs and movement between firms but nothing like what we've seen in
CA, for example. Some practice areas are at a standstill but we're seeing a lot
of job postings by personal injury and insurance defense firms.
How are recent Boyd graduates doing finding work in the current market?
We're still getting in data on this year's graduating class at Boyd but the
numbers appear to be right on track with last year's placement numbers. We'll
know for certain in February (the deadline for reporting placement data to NALP)
so please check back with me then and I'll be happy to share them. The number of
judicial clerkship placements for the Class of 2009 came up a bit with a few
more federal court placements than in prior years.
[Editor's note: according to Boyd's website, the Class of 2008 had a 93.6% employment rate 9 mo. after graduating with 77.9% having a job offer before graduation; 83% of the 2008 class was employed in Nevada (stats here thanks to Anon)]
Has Boyd's jump in US News rankings opened the doors to more employers or new markets for Boyd students?
I think it's too early to know if our improved US News ranking will causeSeems like the verdict's still out on how hard it's been for 2009 Boyd grads to find work, but those looking for work should have take heart. Apparently, the inability of Vegas drivers to drink coffee, change the radio station, text their friend and drive all at the same time means personal injury and insurance defense firms are still hiring.
out-of-state employers to take notice. Larger out-of-state employers in the
region already interview on-campus but I'm interested in seeing if some of the
smaller firms start to do so as well. For the 2009-10 year, we are focusing our
efforts on creating opportunities for Boyd students outside of the state
(Portland, Seattle, SLC, Sacramento, Denver, etc.).
If things are on par, I'd like to know what par is.
ReplyDeleteHow many people typically get jobs from OCI, have jobs at graduation, how many have to go into shitlaw, how many clerk in district court versus NV supreme versus federal, etc.
Doesn't the Boyd publish that information regularly?
ReplyDeleteHold on, I'll check for you/us. . .
HereNow, how much you believe these reports from schools is another issue. . .
How many people from any lawschool end up taking shitlaw?? I would say the vast majority. Law, for the most part, is shitlaw. This is the profession we have chosen, and it sure is a shitty one.
ReplyDeleteI'm not entirely clear what "shitlaw" is but I'm assuming PI, Family Law, & Construction Defect are included.
ReplyDeleteThese comments made me laugh - I'm sure glad I don't practice shitlaw. Then again, maybe I won't be laughing if I get canned in the next 12 months...
That's a good start but I'm trying to get down to the nitty gritty. These stats can be misleading.
ReplyDelete16% in clerkships. How many of those are muni court or district court?
55% in private practive. How many of those are the top firms (i.e., OCI) and how many are shitlaw?
The top 15% will get OCI firm jobs.
ReplyDeleteWhat would be considered 'shitlaw'?
ReplyDeleteIs it a classification based on the size of the firm? If so, does the size of the firm's local office change that classification if the main office is 30x the size of the local office?
Is it a classification based on the area of law within which the attorney practices? e.g. Personal injury?
Is it a classification based on the area of law and the size of the firm or local office? e.g. Personal injury at Vannah & Vannah is OK, but not for a one owner office with a couple associates?
Is it based on the salary that the firm pays? e.g. <$85k/yr?
Is it based on the benefits the firm provides? e.g. basic health coverage, no 401k matching, no covered reserve parking in a garage?
Enquiring minds want to know - what exactly IS 'shitlaw'?
"I can't define it, but I know it when I see it".
ReplyDeleteE.g., http://www.halfpricelawyers.com/
If you have to ask, you're probably in shitlaw. However, I'm not entirely convinced that most law is shitlaw, just different shades.
ReplyDeleteFor example, BigLaw may be big cash (I know it's all relative). However, work environment-shitty. So maybe we should be asking the question: What is NOT shit law?
Edit: Not entirely convinced that most law is not shitlaw.
ReplyDeleteCynthia Asher is probably the most professional and competent person at Boyd. I'm a big fan. That said, if you believe the placement data, especially the salary info, I've got a bridge to sell you. I'd say the same for any law school outside of the top 10-15.
ReplyDeleteI'd wager a pile of cash that if you actually interviewed alumni at Boyd or elsewhere 9mo.s after graduation and got the real story, the figures would be much, much different.
How motivated am I to honestly tell you how much I make if I'm doing shitlaw?
ReplyDeleteThe Career Services lady at Boyd looks pretty hot. Can anyone confirm or deny?
ReplyDeletep.s. I have developed a niche practice area of representing crack whores against their pimps for FLSA violations, is that shitlaw? Thanks in advance.
Yeah, she's hott. Classy, smart, and very down to earth as well. And, of course, married.
ReplyDeleteThis is inspiring a hotest lawyers in Vegas poll. I can think of a few boys at Lewis and Roca I would nominate.
ReplyDeleteHaving s hottest lawyer contest is kind of like having a smartest Schnauzer contest. Sure, you'll get a top ten, but after all's said and done...they're still just dogs.
ReplyDeleteIs Alverson Taylor shitlaw? Discuss!
ReplyDeleteCynthia is very hot, the picutre doesn't do her justice.
ReplyDeleteYes! Hot lawyers poll.
ReplyDeleteCareful with the "hottest" contest: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/clinicalwiki/Internet_Speech_Panel_at_HLS
ReplyDelete@12:11 p.m.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warning. I think we'll stay away from getting sued.
Law school income and employment stats are bogus, mostly lies, outside of schools like Harvard, Yale, etc.
ReplyDeleteAnd by citing them and treating them legitimately, you just help perpetuate the law school scam.
Any TTT law school grad who has kept in touch with classmates knows that most of them cannot make a decent living after passing the bar. And so they eventually get out of the legal industry all together. Most law school grads are out of law entirely within 5 years.
it is a simple question of supply and demand.
And the law schools can keep faking their stats because the people at the top of the profession want to keep that position.