To help new graduates, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice held a ''Deferred Associates Job Fair'' in Newark, N.J. to assist the graduates in finding temporary work until such time as a permanent position becomes available.
Although the number of unemployed lawyers is alarming for an industry that weathers harsh economic times quite well, the number of unemployed lawyers is relatively small compared to other industries such as the manufacturing or construction sector which each saw losses of almost 1 million jobs in 2008.
Wells added, ''Firms probably got a bit out of balance in terms of their practice areas and put a lot of resources into areas that unfortunately are not nearly as active as they were a few years ago.''
Several prominent law firms have recently reduced their staff or are closing down completely. In Philadelphia, the law firm of Wolf Block, is preparing to shut their doors for good after being in business for over 100 years and employing more than 300 lawyers nationwide. In New York City, the law firm of Thacher Proffitt & Wood, found itself in financial trouble and closed its doors in September 2008. Last week, Perkins Coie, the largest Seattle-based law firm, announced it was cutting jobs for the first time in its history and support staff salaries would be frozen. The firm was forced to lay off 12 associates and 26 other staff members in various locations across the country.
