Include Ohio among states where 3rd year law students are suddenly being rebuffed - as they graduate into the toughest job market in years.
They're finding established law firms routinely canceling previous job offers, cutting initial salaries, or pushing back start dates of new attorneys they `do' choose to hire.
Ohio Northern University's Cynthia Kitchen says her law school regularly sees the results of those corporate decisions.
CYNTHIA KITCHEN:"I have one third year that just heard from her firm in Cleveland that she will not be starting until January of 2010."
The University of Akron Law School reports some similar situations for their third years, but not in `overwhelming' numbers. CASE Western Reserve University reports no students have yet had offers rescinded, and that applications for law school admission are actually increasing despite the industry pressures.
But revoked offers and broken deals are becoming so frequent in many schools that state law school placement coordinators, including Kitchen, met to discuss it last week. The consensus was quick - and brutal.
KITCHEN: "Unfortunately 2009 is going to be worse than 2008."
The National Association for Law Placement reported last week that job offers are at a five year low, while the number of law school grads accepting 'whatever offer comes', is at a record 80%.
Additionally, recent layoffs at three Cleveland-based law firms mean experienced lawyers now compete with the region's NEW graduates; for what few attorney jobs are being offered.
The shift has some first year law students now reconsidering - or at least hoping 2011 will bring a stronger, and more litigious economy.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.
