Bridging The Gap Between Law School And On-The-Job Training - Above the Law

"Law schools have talked about the "practice-ready lawyer" for years. An aspirational goal that flits into recruiting materials on gossamer wings before collapsing under the weight of three years of casebook work. The legal academy developed its model over a century ago and it will cling to it with the tenacity of a lamprey with tenure. And despite efforts to bring more experiential training into the system, learning the practical side of the profession continues to rely largely on the apprenticeship model."

"Trial advocacy ends up one of the subjects lost in the law school shuffle. Classes turn on debating the finer points of appellate decisions, and trial practice only shows up when the Supreme Court declares, "dear God, whatever you do, don't do THAT in front of a jury." That leaves the finer points of trial work to on-the-job training, with all the added pressure and the time constraints that go with it."

"What's impressed me about the MoloLamken Advocacy Academy ever since I first heard about it, is that it stakes out some middle ground between the classroom and the sink-or-swim of being thrown into a case. The week-long course for rising 3Ls nestled at the end of summer associate gigs and before returning to campus, runs students through a practical advocacy curriculum. And they get paid to do it."

Law school curricula prioritize casebook-based, appellate-focused learning that often sidelines practical trial advocacy, leaving trial skills to be learned on the job. The apprenticeship model persists despite efforts to expand experiential training. The MoloLamken Advocacy Academy offers a concentrated, paid, week-long program for rising 3Ls between summer associate work and returning to campus, focusing on hands-on advocacy skills. Firm partners from multiple offices, including named partners, lead sessions and provide individualized, practical feedback. Attendees report strong praise for the program and emphasize the significant firm resources and mentor engagement committed to the training.

Read at Above the Law