Printer-friendly version Reader Comments

They are advised to look beyond the traditional route of landing a job as an associate at a law firm.

From staff reports May 24, 2009

Economic uncertainties are presenting challenges for most graduates this year, even those coming from law school.

But there are dozens of opportunities if new lawyers look beyond the traditional route of landing a job as an associate at a law firm, Steven Greenhouse, a reporter for the New York Times and author of "The Big Squeeze: Tough Times for the American Worker," told 93 graduates of the University of Maine School of Law on Saturday.

Traditional opportunities are few, Greenhouse, who is also a lawyer, said in remarks prepared for the commencement ceremony. "In truth, that might not be so bad," he said. "There are millions of Americans not getting enough of the legal help and legal resources they need. Perhaps the problems that Wall Street and corporate law firms face will help make more lawyers available to serve Americans on Main Street."

In addition to helping those people, Greenhouse said the expanded role of government in responding to the economic crisis and other problems creates opportunities in public service.

"Good, smart, caring lawyers are needed to help set things right," he said, "to protect the meek and humble among us – and to help clean up the many messes around us."

Some of those messes, Greenhouse said, can be laid at the feet of lawyers who didn't provide the guidance they were supposed to offer.

"Where were the lawyers, where were the wise counselors in the Enron scandal? In the WorldCom scandal? In the Tyco scandal? In the Bernie Madoff scandal?" he asked. "I do hope that you, the lawyers of tomorrow, will not fall down on the job."

The student speaker was Benjamin Tucker of Brunswick. Vendean V. Vafiades, who graduated from the law school in 1985, was named recipient of the L. Kinvin Wroth Award, presented to outstanding alumni.