Target Audience: Law library directors, legal research instructors, private law librarians, reference librarians, academic librarians Learning Outcomes: 1. Participants will be able to analyze the relationships between law firms, law schools and vendors to create a new way of collaboration on training programs for new lawyers. 2. Participants will be able to incorporate their understanding of these significant changes in the training of law students and new associates in their efforts to plan, create and revise existing legal research and other knowledge management training at their institutions and firms.
Librarians have debated this issue for years. Now, with the economy putting pressure on law firms and law schools, the talk about who and how to train law students to become practicing attorneys is becoming action. Law firms have announced in-depth training programs where the incoming associates are paid less but enrolled in intensive training on practicing laws. Law schools have added practice-oriented courses, and some have instituted lawyering programs. There have even been suggestions of unpaid apprenticeships. This program will examine how the current economic crisis has shifted the focus on how to train associates. Panelists will discuss the challenges facing law firms and law schools and identify opportunities for librarians to map their future and be a part of these revolutionary changes.