Dirty LAWndry reader, “Sarah”, has lost confidence in certain graduates produced by law schools.

“I have worked as an attorney for the same firm for almost 40 years now. I know things are different for law school graduates now than when I attended. I would imagine that the quality of education and workforce preparation would be better. My firm claims to select graduates that are in the top ten percent of each class. If this is true, then I am frightened for the future of the legal profession. Quite frankly, I think that there are too many spoiled, ill-mannered, and clueless people graduating from law schools. I think the legal profession should adopt a three-year program similar to the medical residence program that would place JDs in firms or clerkships and weed out those who aren’t prepared for the workforce.

I have many examples to share, but I’ll begin with the most recent. On Good Friday, the firm was pretty much empty as it is on most holidays. So, there was more of a relaxed atmosphere. Around lunchtime, there was an email sent stating that there were Easter treats in all of the break rooms. Quite a few people on my floor ventured into the break room for these treats. There were associates, staff attorneys, paralegals, secretaries and JDs. The JDs aren’t permanent employees yet as they were waiting for their bar exam results. A few of the JDs were joking about the pros and cons of plastic surgery. One of the JDs decided to show off her new breasts by flashing everyone in the break room. She obviously thought it was funny because she kept doing it over and over, especially to those who seemed embarrassed by her behavior. Is this what law schools are producing? Shouldn’t she know better than to expose herself at work?”

“Sarah”, I witnessed pretty much the same thing when I used to work at a small firm. A legal secretary flashed the partner’s mother, but that’s a story for another time. Speak on it, people. Do you think law school prepares graduates for the workforce?