Do law schools need to change?

Preparing students for the post-recession landscape was the theme of the day at a recent College of Law get-together

Amid continued uncertainty over the long-term viability of the global law firm business model - and suggestions that law schools need to reconsider the way they deliver legal education in response to the market - the York branch of the College of Law held its 20th anniversary celebrations last week. Speakers included the College CEO Nigel Savage and Law Society Vice President Robert Heslett; both of whom reflected on the likely long-term impact of the recession on the future of legal education.

In emphasising the need to prepare students for the new environment emerging in the wake of the economic crisis, Savage drew an analogy with 20/20 cricket: "Here is a sport that has had to adapt to respond to the demands of the market place and in doing so has delivered a new business model and reshaped the experience of attending a cricket match. The legal services market needs to do the same, with lawyers changing to fit the needs of their clients - not vice versa."

Savage also highlighted the importance of law schools and firms maintaining their commitment to diversity despite the reduced number of jobs available after the recent wave of training contract deferrals.

Meanwhile, Heslett (pictured) focused on the forthcoming relaxation of regulations governing the way law firms operate - which will allow external investment and non-lawyers to enter partnership - and how law schools must tailor their approach to fit in with the changes.

"The contrast between 20 years ago and now is stark. And as the boundaries between law and business become increasingly blurred, legal education needs to develop to reflect this," he said.

But it was junior lawyer national executive board member Kevin Poulter who had some of the most forthright things to say on the future of legal education.

"At the moment there are lots of students enrolling at law school who are completely unaware of the reality they will face in the job market at the end of it," he commented, adding that even if students do land a training contract, the chances of securing a job upon qualification are far from certain. Indeed, Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer recently announced that they are to retain only 70% of trainees from their September intakes.

Poulter continued: "I think law schools have an obligation to be more realistic with students - and at the very least should be tailoring their courses to provide more transferable skills which will give graduates greater flexibility in what is a very competitive job market."