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Financial Crisis

Leadership When It’s Needed Most

Posted Nov 1, 2009, 09:50 pm CST
By Carolyn Lamm

Due to shrinking law firm summer programs and increased competition for public interest positions and clerkships, law students and young lawyers face great uncertainty. Many graduates have had job offers deferred until the economy gets back on track. And senior lawyers who planned to retire have instead watched their 401(k) plans evaporate.

The economic downturn also has placed our legal system’s fundamental values at risk. While government and public interest budgets are dwindling, the need for legal services for the poor is increasing. The record amount of pro bono hours lawyers are providing cannot alone fill the gap. Neither can the bar’s recent successful efforts to increase federal funding for legal services.

Budget shortfalls are also severely reducing funding for… Continue reading...



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