So they hired a consultant who has been the founding dean of two law schools to perform a feasibility study. What are the odds that he would find against starting a law school? Then I think this quote from the story is great.
"The report also concluded that Indiana had few lawyers compared with other states, which could put the state at an economic development disadvantage."
I would personally conclude that Indiana having fewer lawyers compared to other states might be one reason that our economy is the healthiest of any in the Upper Midwest especially during this time of economic struggle. And the story cites opinions of others who state that there are not sufficient jobs available now to offer gainful employment in the legal profession to graduates completing studies at existing law schools. The author of the story contacted large local law firms and an IU law professor to add credence to these concerns.
With those concerns for those already graduating to join the profession where jobs are not available in sufficient numbers, why would a student enroll at a new law school where a degree is going to have a cloud hanging over it in comparison to degrees from IU, Notre Dame, or Valparaiso (current law schools in Indiana)? And how is that student struggling to find a decent job in the legal profession going to pay off student loans that might reach six figures?
Indiana Tech also claims that "Increasingly, Wagner notes, law school graduates are taking jobs in business and other fields where law degrees are considered an asset." I have worked in industry for almost 40 years and I have known of few people in management positions that have relied solely on a JD degree. Without a background in Engineering or Business, a law degree alone is going to leave a job suitor at a major disadvantage especially in a difficult job market.
Indiana Tech defends plan for law school from The Journal-Gazette
Ironically in the same edition of the Journal-Gazette this story from the Washington Post appears concerning government regulators concerns about law school graduate loan default rates in a difficult and declining legal job market.
Law students’ debt load high from Washington Post via Journal-Gazette
Since it appears that Indiana Tech has committed itself to this course, I can only hope that they know what they are doing. By that I mean that they have properly assessed the need and level of interest to serve their future law students and our greater metro area. By that I do not mean that I hope Indiana Tech is following this course simply because they have determined that it will become a very lucrative profit center for them.
Since it appears that Indiana Tech has committed itself to this course, I can only hope that they know what they are doing. By that I mean that they have properly assessed the need and level of interest to serve their future law students and our greater metro area. By that I do not mean that I hope Indiana Tech is following this course simply because they have determined that it will become a very lucrative profit center for them.
