Solos/Small Firms
Unable to Find Jobs, Law Grads Hang Out a Shingle
Posted Feb 3, 2009 1:15 PM CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
Two 2008 graduates of the University of Missouri-Kansas City law school took matters into their own hands when they were unable to find a job. They rented office space and formed their own law firm.
The new lawyers, Sarah Buckley and Alexandra Hutchings, “decided working for themselves would be better than not working,” according to the Kansas City Star.
“It’s scary,” Buckley told the newspaper. “We don’t know if we’ll have a paycheck every month.” Buckley lives with her parents to save money, and Hutchings has a second job as a restaurant hostess, according to the story.
“At least we have some place to go every day,” Buckley told the Star.
Usually about 3 percent of law graduates open their own law firms each year, according to the National Association for Law Placement. The number jumped to 7 percent in 1992-93, a possible response to the economic downturn at that time.
Will the percentage rise once again? NALP doesn’t yet have the data to answer the question, executive director James Leipold told the Star.
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Comments
Anon
Feb 3, 2009 5:21 PM CST
Good for them. It doesn’t have to be permanent, and I can’t imagine a law firm wouldn’t give you credit for the case management and marketing skills you’re bound to develop.
Honestly, how many other industries can you graduate and start working right away, whether you get hired somewhere or not?
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anon
Feb 3, 2009 6:52 PM CST
Good for them. This is clearly more of a possibility in a smaller town. Why? Fewer lawyers, lower costs, more collegiality (probably). Good luck.
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Big Mel
Feb 3, 2009 9:02 PM CST
Good for them!!! I hope they make it and stick it to those firms that wouldn’t give them a shot.
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B. McLeod
Feb 3, 2009 9:25 PM CST
Their careers will absolutely take off if they know anything about putting on a Bar Show!
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Allen Sheketovits
Feb 4, 2009 5:41 AM CST
Comment removed by moderator.
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associate
Feb 4, 2009 9:35 AM CST
Knowing how unprepared I was for practice by my law school, I find this pretty scary for potential clients. For the record, that’s a knock against the current state of law “schools” that don’t teach you anything that you actually need to know, not against these ladies for doing what they need to do to survive. I hope it works out for them.
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