in U.S. law for international students. Five
states, including New York and California,
allow foreign lawyers who complete a one-
year LL.M. at a U.S. law school to sit for
their bar examinations.
The newest type of law school program on
the horizon is the awarding of a bachelor’s
degree in law. The University of Arizona
is at the forefront in this area. One of the
reasons for the drop in JD-required jobs is
the fact people with undergraduate degrees
can now handle some of the work previously
done by lawyers. A bachelor’s degree in law,
at least as envisioned by Arizona, consists of
applied courses in law in addition to some
courses on legal policy and structure. It has
courses like legal analysis, legal writing, and
research and risk management. This differs
from traditional undergraduate legal studies
programs that focus heavily on legal theory.
In addition to these non-JD programs that
already exist, I expect law schools to look to
MEDIATION
BY RETIRED
JUDGES
Resolve cases by
mediation more
effectively and
efficiently than
through litigation
and trial.
increase revenue by offering microdegrees.
A microdegree, also known as a nanodegree
or micromasters, is roughly the same as
a certificate. They generally consist of
limited course work in a narrow discipline,
sometimes as few as one class. The idea is
to let the student, who is usually a working
professional, get up to speed very quickly in
a new area. The microdegree is significantly
more intensive than even the most rigorous
CLE, but not near long enough to justify
a master’s degree. Microdegrees started in
the technology field, where they have an
established reputation.
in the past few years, the business of legal
education must also adapt to make sure we
can provide our students the education they
need. While the attention paid to how we
teach has been very valuable, paying close
attention to the business of legal education
is the only way to make sure we have the
revenue we need to offer the variety of
experiences needed in the marketplace.
The need for people who understand the
law has never been higher. Not all of these
people need a JD, but they do need the core
skills of reach and legal analysis. The future
of legal education will be adapting what we
have done in the past to make what we know
available to the people who can use it in the
most economically efficient way possible. As
so many other businesses have had to adapt
Karen K. Klein
US Magistrate Judge, Retired
30 years of judicial experience
Successfully mediated thousands of cases
Teaches mediation skills to federal judges
[email protected]
701-715-4629
Mary Muehlen Maring
ND Supreme Court Justice, Retired
20 years of litigation experience
Almost 18 years judicial experience
Mediation training: National Judicial College
[email protected]
701-425-6340
www.kleinmaringmediation.com
SPRING 2019
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