Legal Education

Shearman signs exclusive Kaplan deal to train up London associates

By Friederike Heine | September 24, 2010

Shearman & Sterling has signed an exclusive deal with Kaplan Law School to provide the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Graduate Diploma of Law (GDL) for its London trainees. As a part of the agreement, which will start in Autumn 2011, trainees at the US firm's London office will participate in Kaplan's 'Bridge to Practice' programme, which is designed to ease the transition from the LPC into a commercial law firm. The programme comprises practical modules and work experience, including workshops on topics such as working with partners, negotiation, legal ethics and internal law firm politics.

1 minute read

Number of US lawyers applying to practice HK law quadruples in two years

By Suzi Ring | September 22, 2010

The number of US lawyers applying to practice local law in Hong Kong has quadrupled over the past two years as the region becomes a hot spot for companies listing on its stock exchange. Figures from the Hong Kong Law Society show that 64 US lawyers took the Hong Kong overseas lawyers qualification examination (QLQE) exam last year compared to 14 in 2008, and the trend looks set to continue with an estimated 65 having taken the exam so far in 2010.

1 minute read

CC to offer accelerated LPC for trainees

By Suzi Ring | September 20, 2010

Clifford Chance (CC) has signed a deal with the College of Law to roll out an accelerated Legal Practice Course (LPC) for its incoming trainees. The course will span seven months rather than the standard 10, and is due to go live in January 2012 for trainees joining the magic circle firm in August 2012. The accelerated course will be provided by the College of Law and comes as trainees at Linklaters - which struck a similar deal with the college this year - prepare to start their accelerated LPC in January 2011.

1 minute read

Law Society floats aptitude test for Legal Practice Course entrants

By Friederike Heine | September 15, 2010

The Law Society is considering the introduction of an aptitude test for entry onto the Legal Practice Course (LPC) in an effort to reduce the numbers of students taking the course. The society has appointed a consultant to investigate the viability of such a test, in one of a number of initiatives discussed at its monthly board meeting last week (8 September).

1 minute read

SRA names Kaplan as sole provider of QLTS scheme for foreign lawyers

By Suzi Ring | September 3, 2010

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has selected Kaplan as the sole examining board for the new Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS), which came into force this week. As of 1 September, the QLTS replaced the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT) as the official qualification allowing foreign lawyers to practise in England and Wales. Kaplan QLTS will be the only assessment organisation for the QLTS after the training provider won a tender last month. The QLTT was previously administered by six different law schools.

1 minute read

Ropes & Gray set to launch graduate training scheme in City base

By Friederike Heine | August 18, 2010

Ropes & Gray is set to take on graduates in its London practice as the US firm looks to expand in the City. The firm's existing London strategy has been to grow through lateral hires, but as the burgeoning practice begins to consolidate its presence in the UK, management is beginning to consider a formal graduate recruitment arrangement.

1 minute read

American Bar Association considers plan to accredit foreign law schools

By Legal Week | August 18, 2010

The American Bar Association (ABA) is to consider proposals to accredit foreign law schools in what would be a closely-watched development in the international legal education market, writes The National Law Journal. The recommendation has come from a committee of law professors, lawyers, judges and law deans set up in June to examine whether foreign law schools should be allowed to seek ABA accreditation.

1 minute read

Those who understand, teach - Notts Law School's Rebecca Huxley-Binns on her classroom secrets

By Legal Week | August 10, 2010

Have you heard the phrase 'you can't enter the same river twice'? That is how I regard teaching; every class, every law student, every teaching experience and every learning experience is different. That is what makes the classroom such a dynamic and exciting place. Law students tend to be intelligent, hard working and eager to challenge the status quo. Tutorials can be hard to manage when students become passionate about what is seen as a miscarriage of justice, but that is to be encouraged because an animated student has the potential to become an autonomous and independent student. Many students choose to read law because they want to change the world, or at least make a difference in people's lives. But rules have to be mastered in order to be challenged and sometimes learning those rules can be boring. Sorry, but that's the truth. It's hard, hard work. To get the most of your legal studies, here's my advice.

1 minute read

The inside line - what law students need to stand out in a tough market

By Legal Week | August 10, 2010

Specialists involved in recruiting trainees to law firms are trying to become more honest. "We have all been saying the same thing to students - that we are fantastic," says one manager. The inevitable result, she feels, is that trainees are unprepared for reality. She has seen many students taken aback by daily life when they start the training contract: "It's a shock to the system on the first day." But Legal Week research for the 'Law Student Report 2010' suggests that both firms and prospective trainees are now trying to become more open with each other. By spending a few days together - in a placement scheme - the students and the firms can size each other up.

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London calling still worth following: why the capital is the place to be for pupillage

By Legal Week | August 10, 2010

It may be expensive, but the capital is the place to be for pupillage, says Field Court barrister Ayeesha Bhutta...

1 minute read

Law.com

Former GMU Law Professor Files $108M Lawsuit Against Women Accusing Him of Sexual Misconduct

By Christine Charnosky | August 25, 2023

Former George Mason University law professor Joshua D. Wright's complaint refers to the defendants as "scorned, former lovers" who "have embarked on a vendetta to destroy his reputation, portray themselves as #metoo victims, and make a fortune in the process."

6 minute read

The Recorder

Stanford Law School Dean Jenny Martinez Named Provost of Stanford U

By Christine Charnosky | August 25, 2023

Jenny S. Martinez, who is Stanford Law School's 14th dean, will become Stanford's 14th provost Oct. 1.

5 minute read

The Legal Intelligencer

People in the News—Aug. 25, 2023

By Victoria Pfefferle-Gillot | August 25, 2023

Fiduciary Trust International announced that attorney Scott S. Small recently joined the firm as trust counsel in its Radnor, Pennsylvania, office.

4 minute read

The Recorder

State Bar Gave Old Bar Exams to 2 Sacramento Applicants in July

By Cheryl Miller | August 22, 2023

Two applicants who sat for the exam in Sacramento received two essay questions and the performance test that appeared on the February 2023 exam, according to the agency.

3 minute read

New York Law Journal

2nd Circuit Rules Vermont Law School May Cover Controversial Mural

By Jane Wester | August 21, 2023

VLGS decided to stop displaying the mural in 2020 because of the way it depicts Black people. The artist objected to it being covered, and filed suit, citing his rights under the Visual Artist Rights Act.

5 minute read

The Legal Intelligencer

People in the News—Aug. 21, 2023—Fisher Phillips

By Victoria Pfefferle-Gillot | August 21, 2023

Additions Fisher & Phillips recently announced that Scott C. Oberlander has joined the firm as of counsel in the firm's Philadelphia office. Oberlander…

3 minute read

Law.com

ABA's Academic Freedom Proposal Sent Out for Notice and Comment

By Christine Charnosky | August 18, 2023

"Professors must be free to teach and discuss controversial topics, and students must learn how to confront offensive or controversial positions respectfully, so that they can understand the other position and advocate as to why it's wrong," Daniel Thies, the vice chair, said, adding that "shouting down or avoiding such positions cannot be a good way to train lawyers."

4 minute read

Law.com

Law Schools Can Apply for Variance to Admit Students Without LSAT

By Christine Charnosky | August 18, 2023

"We're aware that in light of the recent Supreme Court opinion [invalidating affirmative action], many schools, maybe all schools, are taking a new look at their admissions policies," Bill Adams, managing director of ABA accreditation and legal education, said Friday. "So we do welcome schools who, in considering their policies, may want to apply for a variance that would permit them in this policy period to admit some students without an LSAT."

4 minute read

Law.com

ABA: Students Can Now Earn Up to 50% of Credits Remotely for JD

By Christine Charnosky | August 18, 2023

Raising the number of distance education credits permitted without the need for a substantive change application will give law schools flexibility to offer more credits via distance education than were allowed under the standards, according to Daniel Thies, council member, now vice chair.

5 minute read

The Legal Intelligencer

LSAT Issues and Some Suggestions by Way of ChatGPT

By Aron Solomon | August 18, 2023

Given that an increasing number of applicants and schools believe that the LSAT is simply a great predictor of how much discomfort one can endure, these recent events might be best-remembered as a swan song for something that should have disappeared ages ago.

5 minute read