LawShucks.com has created a layoff tracker to compile data on the downsizing that is occurring at many large law firms. As of posting, the site reports that thousands of lawyers and support staff have been laid off since the beginning of the current economic downturn.
Notably, Law Schucks describes itself as a “legal tabloid” that provides “a self-deprecating look at life in and after BigLaw”. Many commentators, including Dan Filler of The Faculty Lounge, have provided analysis of how the current layoffs are transforming “life in” the mega-firms that came to overshadow much of the legal profession in the past few decades. Another interesting issue is how the current downsizing will transform “life . . . after BigLaw”. First, the lawyers and support staff who have been laid off from large firms will necessarily have to find other employment, which may force many of them into non-legal jobs. Second, if the mega-firm model isn’t viable, this may mean fewer jobs for lawyers in the future.
All of this suggests that law schools may need to provide students with greater training on business related topics. Legal academics may be forced to accept that they will be training a large number of traditional business people, as well as lawyers.
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