Page 4 - Law Schools

S4 | Monday, april 20, 2015 | Law Schools
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Career

J.D. Advantage Versus J.D. Required:

The Old Rules No Longer Apply

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indeed, a J.D. is a versatile degree—just ask new law graduates into several categories, the position is actually perceived as “less than”
by Jill baCker
25 of 44 u.S. Presidents how they used theirs. largest of which are “Bar passage required” a J.D. required position. in my view, this is
TSo why are the various regulators and review- and “J.D. advantage.” “Bar passage required” misguided, and in fact hurtful to the legal
here is not a law school in the nation ers of law schools making a sharp delinea- is the traditional bar-required, practicing law- industry.
whose tagline reads, “we only gradu- tion between graduates that are practicing yer position whose title is commonly “associ- Looking at the bar passage versus J.D.
ate people who practice law.” it would law in the traditional sense which requires ate” or “attorney.” “J.D. advantage” positions advantage distinction with a critical eye brings
simply be foolish to say such a thing when it the Bar exam and those using their degree are professional positions that utilize the J.D. up certain practical issues. it is assumed that
a J.D. required position is more prestigious
has long been acknowledged that practicing in other ways?
degree skill set but do not require that the
law is only one way to utilize a law degree.
it seems that in these changing times, our candidates necessarily take and pass the bar and has a better salary level. however, for
focus should be less on holding steadfast to exam (although most do). This issue is much many law graduates entering positions in
tradition and more on expansion of the profes- more than the regulating bodies proposing compliance, hR and entrepreneurial roles,
JILL BACKER is assistant dean of career and profes- sion. instead, our regulators, reviewers and these two distinctions. The real problem is this is not the case. in fact, the comparison is
sional development at Pace Law School.
surveyors have decided to categorize our
one of perception because the J.D. advantage
like the proverbial comparing of apples and