Big Law Dealmaking with Trump Administration Triggering (some) Recruiting (high-profile) Problems - So?

If you got a good news story, keep milking it. 

And that's what's being done with the fallout among some Generation Z law students about large law firms' dealmaking with the Trump administration. The Wall Street Journal is running with the bit of news that there are those law students at top school who are refusing to be interviewed for jobs at those firms such as Skadden which made "peace offerings" to the administration.

The story is getting attention. Of course, it is. News has hardened into entertainment. So much for the Edward R. Murrow revered media ethos. 

But the raw reality is that for every best and brightest shunning a job at Skadden, Willkie, Milbank, Paul Weiss and maybe soon Kirkland & Ellis there are many other best and brightest who will have the goal to land that kind of lucrative prestigious entry-level position in the legal sector. 

In addition, those best and brightest usually have a short shelf life in that up-or-out system. Most will be gone in about two years. Unless they do something to tarnish their brand, their exit options will be excellent. For most, hanging out in Big Law is a starter job, a platform for the real career. So, what's the big deal by doing a short drive-thru? 

Another even rawer reality is that fewer of those new recruits will be needed, probably sooner than later. Yes, generative AI can eliminate their low-value positions just as it's doing in marketing, content-creation, film production, graphic arts, old-line tech, recruiting, management consulting, media and more. Even cautious chair of Paul Weiss Brad Karp indicated that AI could eliminate associate jobs. Meanwhile that law firm is focusing on hiring technologists and data scientists. 

Is Karp being hyperbolic? Not at all. ChatGPT is destroying traditional search. Use the prompt for ChatGPT instead of keying in a term or search query on Google. Powerhouse OpenAI's Deep Search only costs $20 a month. 

As a content-creator I became a dime a dozen. Inexperienced associates could too. But, mau-mauing is fun. It was for us counterculture kids too. In America you're not expected to grow up until age 30. However, in Boomer times there was more opportunity for us in knowledge work. Get the MBA and we were golden. That doesn't seem what's in the cards for getting the JD for Generation Z. 

Staying marketable. Complimentary consultation with Intuitive Coach Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com).


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