I am sadened to read today that the legal market for summer associates in New York City is the lowest since 1991 according to a Law.com newswire. Considering, at least for now, that I really want to return to NYC upon graduation, this comes as a blow. I prepare to leave the city I love in 10 days and, now, I may not be able to return to a solid job market.
Actual details in the article highlight that major firms, on average, decreased summer associate programs by 44%. I better bring my ‘A’ game to school come fall.
The Wall Street Journal Law Blog published an article by Nathan Koppel detailing the findings of a recent study into employment practices by leading law firms (50+ people) across the United States. High-level bullet points include:
- 50% reduced or discontinued first-year hiring 2009
- 20% to fire non-equity partners
- 40% made fewer partners in 2009
- 50% to be more aggressive in headcount going forward
- Billing rates increased slightly
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I am often frustrated when I am presented with a resume detailing countless programming, querying, networking, and other technology languages that a candidate knows to only find out that he or she had taken one class in college that touched the topic. Not only am I let down, because I expect the candidate to be able to act in a professional capacity using those skills, but I am also surprised that they decided to use the space for a skill they have not really developed.
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