If the predictions in this post by Paul Caron are correct, all of Chicago’s law schools other than the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and John Marshall will perish in the near future. Since both Chicago and Northwestern are ranked in the Top 10 nationally, that suggests that, if you’re black or Hispanic, you probably won’t attend law school in Chicago. That in turn suggests that the pool of minority lawyers in Chicago will dwindle.
When I’m being represented in a law dispute, I want a lawyer who I think will win my case. If one bases their representation mostly or solely on physical characteristics or ethnicity, they’re doing themselves a disfavor at best. Reinforcing tribalism in the US is simply bad.
The lawyers who attend Top 10 law schools tend to go to work for the largest, most prestigious firms. A senior partner at Sidley Austin’s hourly rate is $1,800. Judging by their salaries an associate at SA’s hourly rate is $500 and up. They don’t represent a lot of people on the South and West Sides of Chicago.
I believe that the minority pool of of lawyers has been declining for about 25 years, this is at least true for blacks.
The story I hear from my biannual anti-discrimination education is that unconscious racial bias is responsible. Unless 1980s whites were more racially enlightened, that wouldn’t seem to be explanatory.
I wonder how much minority favoritism in the law school enrollment process ends up actually favoring foreign students. And I wonder how many minorities with the the ability to graduate from law school find other career paths they prefer.
I’m trying to imagine why I should care, Hispanics will be fine, AA’s will get their diversity slots.
How many Native lawyers practice in Illinois?
My recently deceased brother-inlaw was a white Hispanic (and orphan) who attended Loyola in Chi. He practice was defending the all-too-numerous low-lifes who infest Chi. Many funny stories about stupid criminals. He never got hired by any banker or politician. I suppose his colleagues won’t exist in the future, and his all-too-numerous clients will have to make do with public defenders. I’m sure he was better than any of those losers.
I bet you thought I didn’t have any Chi connections. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law were married in the gorgeous Methodist church in Evanston, the one with the black squirrels.
“They don’t represent a lot of people on the South and West Sides of Chicago.â€
Oh, I don’t know. Mike Madigan might be needing Sidley……..