"3L market is dead," BigLaw partner quoted in THE AMERICAN LAWYER

The conventional wisdom is currently that 3Ls who don't have job offers won't, not this 2009 graduation.  In THE AMERICAN LAWYER, Viva Chen quotes an AmLaw 100 partner who observes, "The 3L market is dead."

So? All that means is that, come May or June, newbie JDs will have to approach making a living non-conventionally.  Given their student loans, thinking out of the box is a must-do.

What many of us whose skills don't quite fit in with the current marketplace are doing is piecing together multiple streams of income.  Leonard Felder, Ph.D. provides that and other recommendations in his 2008 career guide "Fitting in is Overrated."

Felder's timing is right on the money since more of us find ourselves "outside" traditional career paths.  After my lucrative executive communications [speechwriting/ghostwriting] bumped up against downsized demand, I put together lines of business in marketing communications, social media, legal writing, and coaching.  Most importantly, I left the door open in executive communications where demand has, at times, gotten brisk. In short, the marketplace is too volatile to brand oneself as "only this."

Another road-less-traveled, especially for newbie JDs without much experience, is self-employment.  There's no reason why the the enterprise has to be in law.  It could be in dog grooming, for instance.  The pet-care business is booming. 

Our education might not be immediately applied in a direct manner.  After completing half of my dissertation on Thomas Hardy and not landing a job I had no need for that body of knowledge until several years later when I tried and succeeded big at being a freelance writer.  From there I moved on to corporate writer jobs in which the brass and media loved my literary allusions. 

A third mindset on making a good buck: Be a pest.  WASPy manners are out.  Maybe they were never in for the hungry and ambitious.  Bob Woodward of Watergate fame snagged his position at THE WASHINGTON POST, after being rejected on his first try, by burying the editors with his ongoing clips.  Here is my [free] e-book on the new ethos in hustling for work Download Savingsoulsonparkavenuekstreet.

Note: There's no reason for regret or self-pity.  I was 58 years old, with six-figure debt when my professional world collapsed.  The more pain, the more possible gain.  The best read on adversity as a career game-changer is the 2008 "When You're Falling, Dive," by Mark Matousek.

Comments

[Old News]

Sue your law school for fraud. Show the CSO statistics are false and that you detrimentally relied and your school will be paying you.

[Scooter]

Nice post, Jane. The path that many perceive as most desirable, Biglaw, is and has been unrealistic for the vast majority of rising 3L's and new attorneys. The sooner a new attorney or law student recognizes that an offer from Biglaw is not an option, the sooner that person can begin to carve out his or her own career plans (or, in Jane-speak, a niche).

While some may view a non-traditional path (i.e., non Biglaw) as a disappointment or failure, such a path can create opportunities to develop one's legal & business skills, contacts and the like, not to mention a fulfilling career.

Keep your head up legalese. Keep scratching and clawing - there is work to be had and with a little ingenuity and a lot of networking & hard work, you will find it.

[legalese_retard]

I agree that future law grads need to start looking outside the box when it comes to surviving financially, they should also look at additional opportunities to bolster his/her resume. I didn't have a job when I graduated from law school this year (still don't), but I am getting my bills paid by working at Starbucks AND volunteering at a free legal clinic in my city. I can only devote 10 hours per week there, but it is something more impressive to point to on my resume than working as a Barista at Starbucks.

I've been discouraged several times, especially when folks told me that legal temp work would flow in as soon as I got my bar results. The economy is getting worse and there are no contract positions in my town, but I am doing my best to better the world a little with my JD. Plus, I have met some well-connected attorneys at the clinic who are doing some pro bono work. Several have told me that if they catch wind of a position at their firms, they would be quick to tell and recommend me. False hope? Probably. But it is better than sitting at home doing nothing and swearing at my law degree.

[meh]

If I have to become a self-employed person with "multiple streams of income" from dog-grooming after paying $100,000 in law school tuition, I want my money back.

[Jane Genova]

My point of view wasn't meant to be humorous or to be taken literally.

It was meant to help those with no employment and significant student-loan debt to find work - any kind. From there they can begin to put together ways to make a good living, within or outside law.

In 2003, I was out of work, out of savings,in six-figure debt and almost out of hope. Then I took a job, any job. I find working to be the solution for not working. Today my work situation is both lucrative and aligned with my education. During 2004 I worked in Home Depot as a contract security guard.

Incidentally, dog grooming can be a lucrative, satisfying line of work. Not for everyone. Just for those who are able to face realities about the current attorney glut. I looked into a mobile grooming business but didn't have the motor skills - for the van or the hair-cutting.

[anonymous]

So lawyer, you honestly agree that graduating 3L's should become self-employed dog-groomers?

COME ON!

[lawyer]

Wow. Wonder when "Joe" and "sux" will grow up and realize not every legal blog out there is devoted to biglaw "snark"...

[yep]

Yep. If I don't find a job by February, I won't have a job until my bar results probably. And I missed being the top 10% of my class by 2 people. And my school is top tier. Damn.

[sux]

Seriously, I wish ATL would stop linking this blog. It is the worst.

[Joe]

Not funny. Not even remotely.