Future Prospects of Law Graduates Report and Recommendations

In June 2014, the Law Society Council established a Working Group to consider the question of employment prospects for law graduates. The Working Group represented a cross-section of the legal profession in NSW, including from large and small firms, corporate and government practice, regional and city areas, and young lawyers.

The following key findings were made:

• There is anxiety within the legal profession and law schools about a lack of employment opportunities for law graduates.
• There are numerous drivers behind this perceived problem, including economic, systemic and educational factors.
• Some of these factors are outside the Law Society’s sphere of influence.
• While anecdotal evidence is strong, more solid data must be collected in order to get a more accurate snapshot of the state of law graduate employment in NSW.
• The Law Society’s current offerings around graduate employment can be broadened and enhanced.
• The Law Society and universities should work more closely together to develop solutions.
• A co-ordinated, national response is desirable, given concerns about an over-supply of law graduates in other states.