WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Talented attorneys are diverted from entering public service professions because of excessive law school debt, according to a new study released today by Equal Justice Works, the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), and the Partnership for Public Service.
Legal education debt prevented 66% of student respondents from considering a public interest or government job, according to the report, which outlined the findings of a voluntary survey of 1,622 third-year law school students (Class of 2002) from 117 law schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia who voluntarily participated in the survey.
"Bright, young lawyers are drowning in debt and being shut out of public service," said Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service. "At a time when the federal government is facing losses of over half its workforce due to retirements, we must do all we can to alleviate the debt burden that's driving young talent away."
"With the increasing costs of law school, it is in everyone's best interest -- law schools, public interest organizations, and the government -- that students have a myriad of career choices available when they graduate," said Jerry Nash, interim executive director for NALP.
"Debt levels like these have to produce enormous pressure on graduates to seek higher salaries," said Sheila Siegel Ketcham, Equal Justice Works program associate for research and advocacy and manager of the survey.
According to the report:
-- The vast majority -- 94% -- of law students reported borrowing money to attend law school.
-- While 39% of graduate respondents show significant interest in working for the federal government, fewer than 3% of respondents accepted federal government positions.
-- For 83% of student respondents, $6,000 a year in available loan repayment assistance would result in increased interest in a post-graduate federal government job.
-- About 68% of public interest employers reported difficulty recruiting the attorneys they need.
To review the report, visit http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/events/index.php?view=detail&id=5548 or call 202-466-3686 to receive a copy.