Law school is often seen as a stepping stone to becoming a promising professional in the field, but is it truly preparing students for the practical realities of the legal profession? In one of our podcast episodes, Kevin Keller and Aishwarya Saxena sat down and shared their thoughts on the current state of legal education and the importance of practical training. Today, we’ll share those insights with you here.

So let’s get to it!

Why is practical training important for law students?

Real-world practice works differently than how you are taught in law school. Most young graduates don’t know how to even draft a contract when they are fresh out of college. And you can’t blame them. They are never actually taught how to do that while in college.

Kevin Keller, an attorney with over 20 years of experience in the legal field, believes that law schools in the United States do not provide enough practical training for students. He argues that while students learn some black letter law and theory in law school, they don't learn how to practice law. This lack of practical training can make it difficult for new attorneys to navigate the real-world legal landscape.

Practical training ensures you are actually prepared for what’s coming once you graduate.

Aishwarya believes that practical training classes that teach newer attorneys about goal setting and other practical skills would be incredibly valuable.

So what kind of practical training classes can benefit law students?

Practical training such as how to use modern Legaltech tools, how to draft contracts, and how to communicate well with non-lawyer team members can be particularly helpful for these young lawyers since these are things that they will actually have to do once they graduate.

Kevin suggests that law schools should incorporate more classes like this that teach practical skills and give students a chance to simulate real-world scenarios.

Aishwarya shared her experience of taking an international business transactions class taught by DLA Piper attorneys at Berkeley and Stanford law. The class was a simulation of a negotiation experience and included non-lawyer MBA students as well. Aishwarya said that the most important thing she learned from the class was how to communicate with non-lawyer team members and not use as much legalese.

How can a diverse skillset benefit lawyers?

Both Kevin and Aishwarya believe that having diverse skillset can be incredibly beneficial for lawyers. Kevin suggests that students should pursue other interests before law school and bring that expertise with them. For example, if a student is interested in music, they should study music in college and bring that knowledge with them to law school. This can help lawyers find creative solutions and leverage their skills in different ways.

Aishwarya agrees and adds that having a diverse skillset can also help lawyers communicate better with non-lawyer team members. She suggests that having a background in a field other than the law can help lawyers understand the context of their client's businesses better.

Conclusion

The need for law schools to provide more practical training for students is real. Practical training classes that simulate real-world scenarios and teach practical skills can help newer attorneys navigate the legal landscape better. The faster we adopt this practice, the better future will be for new lawyers.

You can watch the full podcast here.