A recent survey by a legal recruitment company reveals that almost half of junior associates in the US feel their law school education left them unprepared for their roles. Meanwhile, Major, Lindsey & Africa’s managing director suggests that the UK’s Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) addresses this gap better. Dubbed “Beyond Tradition: Gen-Z’s Approach to Big Law,” the report highlights how the pandemic disrupted education for Generation Z, the first digital-native generation, shaping their reliance on online resources for decision-making.
With insights from 546 respondents, the survey aimed to understand junior associates’ early career impressions. Findings indicate that 45% believe law school lacked adequate preparation for their current responsibilities. Many expressed a desire for more practical skills training, particularly in transactional areas like corporate law and M&A. Additionally, a significant portion felt their experiences at law firms didn’t match expectations set during their education.
The survey underscores a prevalent theme: law schools’ emphasis on litigation, leaving little room for other essential practice areas. This gap in practical skills training extends to transactional lawyering, according to respondents. While the survey primarily focused on the US, Major, Lindsey & Africa’s director suggests that the UK’s SQE, requiring two years of qualifying work experience, aims to bridge this divide between academic learning and real-world application in law.
Source: Law school ‘not sufficiently preparing Gen-Z lawyers for work’ - US survey | Law Gazette
