Connecting Core Competencies: New Graduates and the Bar. National Association of Bar Executives August 8, 2013

Transcription

1 Connecting Core Competencies: New Graduates and the Bar National Association of Bar Executives August 8, 2013

2 What Does Your Bar Association Do Now to Prepare New Lawyers for Practice?

3 Today s Focus The employment market for new lawyers New and changing options How bar associations can help them develop: Competencies Which competencies? Professionalism New recommendations from the State Bar of California

4 2012 Graduates: Employment 46,364 graduates Largest class on record 5.4% more than 2011 (43,979) 56.2% held long term/full time jobs requiring a license to practice law 55.1% excluding law school funded jobs 54.9% for 2011 grads after 9 months 10.6% still unemployed after 9 months 27.7% under/unemployed, seeking other degree 9.2% in 2011

5 As of February 15, 2013 Source: ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Illustration by Brenan Sharp.

6 What Support & Learning Do New Graduates Need? How to find a job Information re new options How to practice law, ethically and responsibly Being a professional, serving clients How to find professional satisfaction Managing expectations, time, money, stress

7 New Legal Jobs E discovery specialists Legal IT systems experts KM specialists PSLs Contract lawyers Project managers & process analysts Legal risk analysts Others?...

8 New Types of Employers Legal staffing services LPOs Virtual firms Online legal and dispute resolution services Specialty vendors Global accounting firms Legal publishers Know how providers Legal management consulting firms Other?...

9 New Competencies?

10 What Are Core Competencies? Focus on future of law practice Collaboration and teamwork Communication skills Creative thinking Entrepreneurship How to start a practice How to reinvent legal services; innovation

11 The Business and Practice of Law Economics of practice Management Running a firm or practice Managing people, work and processes Client service Finding, serving and satisfying clients What value means to clients Technology Use and impact

12 Not Just What, But How Develop innovative formats Emphasis in law firms Tech enabled learning: % of L&D budget has doubled since 2009 (67% vs. 33%) Technology Web based, interactive; cost effective, efficient Self directed, just in time, access anywhere But junior associates prefer mentoring New lawyers need personal, hands on guidance

13 Importance of Mentoring Learning from an experienced practitioner Connection to profession, community Role models Transmission of professional values

14 State Bar Mentoring Programs 2005: Georgia mandatory mentoring for all newly admitted lawyers 18 states with Bar or Court sponsored programs 5 are mandatory

15 State Bar Mentoring Programs Objectives: Promote development of competencies and conduct necessary for responsible and effective law practice Inculcate in new lawyers a high sense of professionalism, ethics and civility Underlying premise: Lawyers who receive this guidance during their first year in practice will develop understanding, skills, judgment and good habits that will last throughout their careers.

16 California State Bar Proposal Reprinted with permission of the State Bar of California

17 State Bar of California Recommendations Competency Skills Training Pre Admission: 15 units Law school coursework designed to foster the development of professional competency skills, or Bar approved externships, clerkships or apprenticeships for courts, governmental agencies, law firms or legal service providers Post admission 10 extra MCLE hours in same competency areas 50 hours of legal services devoted to pro bono or modest means clients, either pre or postadmission

18 Practical Skills Competencies in CA Recommendation Nuts and bolts of operating a business Negotiation Speaking, writing, oral advocacy Negotiation and alternative dispute resolution (i.e. mediation, arbitration) Client counseling and problem solving for clients in practice settings Interviewing and effective client communication Law practice management and the use of technology in law practice Project management, budgeting and financial reporting

19 CA Recommendation (cont.) Practical writing (i.e. drafting of contracts and other legal instruments, drafting of pleadings, advanced legal research and writing) Trial practice and preparation of cases for trial during the pretrial phase, including e discovery Basics of the justice system, including how courts in California are organized and administered, and what responsibilities lawyers have as officers of the court Professional civility and applied ethics (i.e. ethics in practice settings

20 What Can Your Bar Association Do? Research: need for evidence based data re core competencies Expand, update bridging the gap programs Expand, update practice training programs Assist sources of pro bono work to provide opportunities, training and supervision Find/create/support externships, clerkships or apprenticeships Partner with law schools, business, others Create mentoring programs and resources Give CLE credit to incent practicing lawyers to participate as mentors, teachers, supervisors What else?...

21 Contact Details Ida Abbott Phone: