Coronavirus’ Impact on Legal Education

The coronavirus pandemic is continuing to leave its impact on legal education.

Along with forcing law schools to switch online, cancel events, and drop grades, experts say the pandemic will usher in a new foundation for legal education.

Gabriel Kuris, a contributor at US News and founder of Top Law Coach, recently discussed how the outbreak may affect the future of legal education.

“In coming months, law schools may need to rethink basic elements of legal education, like student orientation, large lectures, public clinics, study-abroad programs and campus housing,” Kuris writes. “Even if the novel COVID-19 virus poses little risk to most students, law schools may need to accommodate the needs of vulnerable populations, as they have worked in recent decades to make legal education more accessible to those with other obstacles.”

EXAMS DROPPED

In response to the pandemic, the Law School Admission Council announced that it would be canceling the March 30 LSAT, with pending decisions about the April 25 exam date.

“Canceling the March test is a difficult step, but we believe it is the most responsible course of action to protect test takers, test center personnel, and the broader community,” an official statement by LSAC reads.

Additionally, state bars across the nation are in discussion about whether or not to cancel or postpone summer exams.

The National Conference of Bar Examiners is expecting to proceed with the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination in August.

HOW DOES CORONAVIRUS IMPACT APPLICATIONS?

Experts say the coronavirus, despite its impact thus far, should have limited impact in the long run when it comes to the legal field.

“Unlike the Great Recession, which was caused by structural weaknesses in the financial markets, a recession due to reduced economic activity during a public health crisis could be more short-lived,” Kuris writes.

In that case, Kuris says, people shouldn’t be discouraged from applying to law school.

“In fact, lawyers may be more needed than ever in a post-COVID-19 world,” Kuris writes. “If the pandemic burdens the justice system like the health care system, it may expose problems that require legal solutions, from unsafe jails and health care disparities to changes in insurance markets.”

Sources: US News, LSAC