A large graduating class and fewer law-school-funded jobs meant that the overall employment rate for the J.D. class of 2012 fell by 1 percent compared to a year ago, according to figures released June 20 by the National Association for Law Placement.

It marked the fifth straight year that the overall employment figure has fallen, according to NALP. The good news was that the actual number of jobs obtained by new graduates was up slightly, as was the median starting salary.