GSB Vol. 18, NO. 5, Pg. 56. Professionalism Page.

• Author: by Avarita L. Hanson

Georgia Bar Journal

Volume 18.

GSB Vol. 18, NO. 5, Pg. 56.

Professionalism Page

GSB JournalVol. 18, NO. 5February 2013Professionalism PageCommission Explores the Future of Legal Educationby Avarita L. HansonThe Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism (CJCP) convened the stakeholders in the future of legal education on Nov. 15, for full day of discussions on the legal profession and how it is meeting the needs of the people. Under the leadership of Chief Justice Carol W. Hunstein, CJCP chair, the 2012 Convocation on Professionalism addressed the theme: "The Future of Legal Education: Will It Produce Practice-Ready Lawyers?"

Avarita L. Hanson, CJCP executive director and program chair, brought in law professors, administrators, mentoring program advocates, ethics professors, recent graduates, advanced law students, law firm hiring partners, major public attorneys, legal aid lawyers, prosecutors and public defenders, along with the bench and bar from across the state and country to look at current trends in legal education and options for educating graduates on how to effectively serve client needs into the future.

Based on the general premise that law schools earn top grades for educating students about the doctrinal law, passing grades for teaching lawyering skills and marginal grades for conveying professional values, this conference looked at what could be done for a "straight A" performance. Against the backdrop of the Carnegie Report, a 2007 study on educating lawyers and preparing them for the legal profession, this event explored law schools' performance in inculcating values and teaching the skills required for today's legal professionals. Participants looked at programs, activities and policies that can advance recent graduates' skills and values to meet the demands of today's practice and the environment for practice today and tomorrow. Moderated by Prof. Steven Hobbs, University of Alabama School of Law, this continuing legal education program included two morning sessions giving an overview of the issues and two afternoon roundtable sessions where Georgia stakeholders discussed options and opportunities for innovation in law school and for recent graduates to practice.

The first session provided an overview of current and future trends of legal education in light of notable reports, law school accreditation...