Introduction:
During orientation of the University of Colorado School of Law Class of 2004, some - and few - may recall then Dean Harold H. Bruff (1996 -2003) exclaiming how law students begin their legal career on the "first day" of the program. Following, Dean Bruff mentioned with various certitude regarding lawyers, especially young lawyers, their importance in society, namely and proudly the rank and file of the CU Law School alumni. Numbers were then presented extolling the numbers of such alumni sitting as judges on the Federal Bench or otherwise working in the prestigious firms around the nation earning six-figures.
Such may be reminiscent in the orientation speeches of many law schools throughout the country. The promises of prestige or wealth are, quite frankly, an attractive feature of going to law school and becoming a licensed attorney. There are other selling points such as the intellectual satisfaction and challenges, status in academia and in society, etc. The outlook following graduation for most in law schools was, and may yet still be, largely positive. However, the reality for many aspiring law graduates either taking the bar or having already passed is a hyper-competitive job market marked by a deficit of suitable employment or any at all.
