New Lawyers Do Face Some Challenges
Every fall, thousands of bright, ambitious students walk into law school with dreams of becoming successful attorneys. They invest years of their lives and take on staggering amounts of debt, believing their education will prepare them for practice. What many don’t realize until after graduation is how ill-equipped they are for the realities of the profession.
I learned this myself in 2008 when I opened my own general litigation practice on the west side of Columbus. Like many new attorneys, I discovered that while law school teaches theory, it leaves out the practical skills needed to manage a business, serve clients, and survive in a competitive market. The lessons came hard and fast, often through mistakes that could have been avoided with better training and mentorship.
Where Law Schools Fall Short
Our profession cannot afford to send new attorneys into the world without practical knowledge. Yet every year, graduates leave law school armed with case law and legal theory but little preparation for the day-to-day demands of practice. Too many are forced to stumble through client management, billing, and courtroom procedure—skills that should be part of their formal education.
This gap undermines not only young lawyers but also the profession itself. Clients increasingly compare attorneys to online legal form services. If we want to preserve the credibility of our profession, we need to produce lawyers who can deliver competent, ethical, and cost-effective representation from day one. That requires a reexamination of our law school curriculum, with a focus on real-world training.
We also need to be honest about the cost of legal education. For many graduates, the debt-load from law school no longer matches the economic value of a law degree. If we fail to address this, we risk driving away talented people who could contribute meaningfully to the field.
Continuing Education Isn’t Enough
The need for practical training doesn’t end with graduation. Our continuing education requirements should evolve to reflect the realities of practice. Too often, CLEs are academic in nature but fail to provide meaningful, applicable skills. Hands-on workshops could make a real difference—not just by sharpening practical abilities, but also by creating opportunities for attorneys to connect and learn from one another.
Equally important are mentorship programs. Law is an isolating and high-stress profession, and too many attorneys struggle with burnout, mental health challenges, and substance abuse. Strong mentorship relationships could provide guidance, accountability, and support that improve not only professional outcomes but also quality of life.
Why This Matters
Every lawyer, whether just starting out or decades into practice, represents the face of our profession. We cannot afford to allow inexperience or outdated practices to weaken public trust. By rethinking legal education, strengthening continuing training, and building systems of mentorship, we can ensure that attorneys at every level are better prepared to serve their clients and uphold the dignity of this noble calling.
I have practiced in both trial and appellate courts across Ohio. I have represented some of the nation’s largest banks and mortgage servicers in foreclosure and eviction cases, and I’ve built a career through years of learning, often the hard way. What I know now is this: our profession thrives when we learn from one another, when we adapt, and when we refuse to settle for a system that leaves new lawyers unprepared.
It is our responsibility—as educators, as practitioners, and as colleagues—to shape the future of law so it remains not only viable but also worthy of the trust the public places in us.
