This week in the law school insider I am bringing you Dean Charles Toy, Associate Dean for Career and Professional Development at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.
This week we are talking with Dean Toy about the job market. In 2014 there was a lot of media attention to the downsizing of large law firms and an outcry that there was no jobs in the legal profession. Dean Toy is setting the record straight today as it comes to legal jobs.
Dean Toy mentioned that many of the statistics that were stated back in 2014 were based on large law firms. One thing that he wanted to make sure that people understood was that nationally about 50% of all lawyers will be working in small law firms which was not where jobs were Begin lost at the time.
In the United States, we live in a regulated society. Dean Toy that the legal career market is always changing because of this. Based on NALP (National Association for Law Placement) data, they are saying that the legal carer slump has ended and there is more and more demand for lawyers today. Also, he stated that there are burgeoning fields such as drone law, social media law and more that are expanding daily that can open up even more opportunities for lawyers.
When you are looking for your first job, Dean Toy said that employers are looking for many different things but some of the areas that he continues to see that employers are looking for include:
- Passion for the job
- Confidence
- Must be a good writer
- Must be a good researcher
- Getting along with others
Dean Toy did not think there would be a shift in the job market outside of legal areas that will continue to grow and expand.
Did you like this interview? Do you have a question for Dean Toy? Leave a comment below to let me know!
Are you a practicing lawyer? A law student? Would you like to be a guest on an upcoming episode of the Law School Insider? Send me an email at lawschoolinsider@cooley.edu
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