An Essay on Rebuilding and Renewal in American Legal Education

Abstract

The American model of legal education is broken as a value proposition. Like a building with an undermined foundation, it must be rebuilt rather than refurbished. And, like any rebuilding project, it will be costly and disruptive to many of its occupants. However, it will also present unique opportunities for innovation and renewal. This essay suggests a few of the contours for such a rebuilding project and describes a few of the benefits that might result.

Keywords: Legal Education, Law School, Rebuilding and Renewal, cost, economic value, student loans, U.S. News and World Report, employment, market, tuition, lawyers, JD, bottom half, ABA