News of the downturn in the legal job market has reached last Sunday's Styles section of the NY Times. The recent law grad's misfortunes are right in there with the fashion news and the wedding announcements. Someone needs to have a long talk with the editors about story placement.
But the online version of the article has a link to a video showing an alternative career path. Rather than starting as a first year associate in a Big Law firm, a recent law school grad is shown working as an advocate for a non-profit housing rights project. When he finishes his tour doing pro bono work he goes to work at the firm as a second year associate. Meanwhile, he gets experience interviewing clients and trying cases. This looks like deferral with a purpose. One wonderful scene is where he holds the baby bottles during the case conference...
