Page 5 - Law Schools

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Law Schools | Monday, august 17, 2015 | S5
turers from the WWBa membership, and New Directions participants who become WWBa members have access to several networking opportunities. For the WWBa, collaboration with New Directions results in members who enrich the association with their life experi- ences. moreover, New Directions participants who become WWBa members are a source of legal interns and talent for other WWBa members. one of the most rewarding experi- ences of being President of the WWBa was addressing the incoming participants of the New Directions program and presiding over the certificate ceremony for the participants that completed the program. The career and life journeys of these participants are inspir- ing.
Law schools can also address the needs of attorneys returning to the practice of law without establishing a formal program like New Directions. Law schools can offer semi- nars or series of workshops in basic areas such as the latest updates in legal research, the use of social media for job hunting, presentation skills and interview tips. Very often, law schools already include many of these programs as part of their curriculum or career development programs. Thus, add- ing these lectures or seminars should not require extensive preparation or coordina- tion. In addition to assisting these experi- enced attorneys, law schools can help law firms by connecting these talented attorneys to available positions. many law firms reach
In general, the legal profession is reticent to change and this re- luctance to embrace alternative legal staffing models may result in a lost opportunity for firms to add valuable legal talent to their staff.
solutions. and, life experience increases the ability to build business through con- nections.
Like it or not, the legal profession is under- going constant change. To be successful, law firms must be flexible and adapt to changes. one way that law firms can adapt to change is to increase the value of their services by considering attorneys whose careers may not have progressed through the traditional law firm path. In addition to their legal experience, these attorneys have life experience, which adds to their ability to creatively problem solve, manage clients and develop business. adding these lawyers to the legal team has many advantages for both the law firm and the attorneys seeking to re-enter the legal profession.
Law schools, as the bridge between stu- dents and their future employers, can do a great deal to support these students in this time of transition, helping both the students/ prospective hires and the law firms. Law schools can provide the information and train- ing that these experienced lawyers need to re-enter the practice from existing curriculum and career development programs. at the same time, law schools can assist the legal community by identifying this pool of talented attorneys for law firms.
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1. See http://www.americanbar.org/publications/ gp_solo/2012/september_october/opting_out_law_prac- tice_back_in.html.
out to law schools to find attorneys, so law schools are a source of available positions. By aiding both this pool of attorneys and law firms seeking to add to their legal staff, law schools can become even more valuable to the local legal community.
For those attorneys seeking to re-enter legal practice that may not have access to programs like New Directions or other law school programs designed for them, many of their networking and substantive law update needs can be met by participation in local and regional bar associations. In addition to offering a wide variety of continuing legal education programs, bar associations are, by design, excellent networking forums. Indeed, the advancements of the careers of many WWBa members are directly attributable to their participation in the WWBa.
another example of a program that focuses on the attorneys returning to legal practice is onRamp Fellowship. This organization, which started its program in 2014, fits women lawyers returning to legal practice with law firms that participate in the program for a one-year, paid training contract. The program
is designed to match experienced, diverse lawyers with the needs of law firms that may not be aware of this group of talent.
Advantages of a Different Path
There are many advantages to hiring a law- yer who does not fit the typical law firm career trajectory. These lawyers have professional work experience and as such, typically need little or no oversight or training. as the saying goes, they can “hit the ground running.” at this point in their lives, they learned how to manage their time and how to manage others. Therefore, they can meet deadlines for mul- tiple matters and know how to communicate with and manage clients.
In addition, by virtue of their age, these attorneys have something that no young lawyer right out of law school has or can be taught—life experience. The importance of maturity and life experience should not be underrated. This experience allows these attorneys to understand clients’ perspec- tives and needs. It adds a level of thought and ideas to strategy to foster creative
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