They don’t teach business in law school.
That’s a common refrain we hear from lawyers all the time.
Fortunately, they do now. At least DePaul law does. According to their website:
Preparing to Practice (P2P): This year-long, required, 1L course prepares law students to more competitively and competently enter the professional world. P2P introduces 1Ls to the legal profession and provides an overview of the professionalism skills critical for success. For eight weeks each semester, students learn from Law Career Services (LCS) facilitators and practicing attorneys, mostly DePaul Law alumni. Students meet in assigned sections, watch online video modules, attend networking events, participate in mock and informational interviews, and work closely with their LCS advisors.
This Thursday, Jay will contribute to P2P speaking to students on a business of law panel discussing running/managing a law firm, marketing, etc.
We tip our hats to DePaul. In our view, more law schools should be providing business of law curriculum to students. Too many law students and young lawyers are admitted to the practice without even basic foundational business knowledge. For many of these young lawyers, this lack of preparation leads to a premature exit from the practice. Furthermore, lawyers who are ill-prepared from a business standpoint, can unwittingly subject their clients to negative consequences arising from poor business decisions.
Part of our firm’s ongoing commitment to the profession is preparing the next generation of lawyers for practice.
If you’re a law student, and have questions about running/managing a law firm, or anything else related to practicing, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments below. We’ve been in your shoes. Now we’re here to give back.
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