Introduction to U.S. Law Schools’ Pragmatic Education and Career Services

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the pragmatist nature of U.S. law schools. First, basic academic structures are introduced, with emphasis on Juris Doctor degree. Second, practical education is discussed through Socratic method and legal clinic. In U.S. law schools, law is taught as a pragmatic tool or conduit to be used in future careers of students. In essence, U.S. law schools are professional schools that serve as a gateway for employment. American law school administration and faculty strive to connect the students with jobs. Employers ranging from government organizations to private law firms are encouraged to have direct contact with individual students through extracurricular activities, on-campus seminars, and interviews. As result, students of A.B.A.-accredited law schools boast an employment rate exceeding 90% within 10 months of graduation. It can be concluded that pragmatism is an influential factor in U.S. law schools’ overall success throughout the history.