The Job Market Has Declined —What Now?, 1020 COBJ, Vol. 49, No. 9 Pg. 21

AuthorBY JOHN HISKI RIDGE AND SUZAN KOBASHIGAWA
PositionVol. 49, 9 [Page 21]

49 Colo.Law. 21

The Job Market Has Declined —What Now?

Vol. 49, No. 9 [Page 21]

Colorado Lawyer

October, 2020

LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

BY JOHN HISKI RIDGE AND SUZAN KOBASHIGAWA

The legal community is going through challenging times right now, and the legal market is following suit. Nationwide, we're seeing layoffs, furloughs, pay cuts, job postponements, and the cancellation of new positions. Lawyers at every level of experience are being impacted, including new lawyers who have had their start dates postponed and their positions rescinded and law students who have seen the job market dry up. This short article focuses on these two groups, providing concrete steps new lawyers and law students can take to increase their marketability while weathering the current economic downturn.1

The Bar Exam

If you haven't taken the bar exam, this should be your primary focus. There's been a lot of debate across the nation about the impact of COVID-19 on state bar exams, including policy discussions regarding whether such exams should be canceled, postponed, taken online, or taken in person. Colorado recently held in-person exams, but against the wishes of some test-takers. Whether you agree with the policies or not, taking a bar exam is a necessary step to practicing law. So you should prioritize studying for the exam and, if you're able, sign up for the next scheduled test time.

Taking on too many activities between now and the next exam date (including the actions discussed below) is not advisable. Set aside sufficient time to study for the bar exam and hold that time as sacrosanct.

The Inevitable Question

Whether you're searching for a j ob or have had your start-date postponed, you'll inevitably be asked, "What have you been doing between graduating law school and now?"

You'll be answering this question in many different contexts—certainly in job interviews and during mentoring sessions. But you'll also need to respond to it in some unexpected places: your parents, brothers, sisters, and friends will raise the question over dinner, and you will need to explain your employment gaps on job applications and in your LinkedIn employment timeline. In other words, this question is going to arise many times and in different contexts, so you should carefully consider what you want your answer to sound like and look like in each of these arenas.

We recommend that you include some additional education, some practical experience, and at least one recreational or nonlegal experience in your response.

Continuing Education

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