New York Times Editorial on Legal Education: Accentuating the Positive

The New York Times has another piece on legal education here.  However, this time the editorial takes a very different approach than previous articles: It focuses on the innovations some law schools are making.  The editorial states, "Instead of a curriculum taught largely through professors’ grilling of students about appellate cases, some schools are offering more apprentice-style learning in legal clinics and more courses that train students for their multiple future roles as advocates and counselors, negotiators and deal-shapers, and problem-solvers."  It continues, "In American law schools, the choice is not between teaching legal theory or practice; the task is to teach useful legal ideas and skills in more effective ways."  It concludes, "Law is now regarded as a means rather than an end, a tool for solving problems. In reforming themselves, law schools have the chance to help reinvigorate the legal profession and rebuild public confidence in what lawyers can provide."

I couldn't agree with the conclusion more.  While the editorial is a little short on details, it is moving in the right direction by encouraging more of the innovations some law schools are already undertaking.

(esf)