<p>For</a> jobless lawyers, plan B includes good works - CNN.com</p>
<p>Despite the low pay, many, if not most, public interest legal positions are very competitive and difficult to obtain. I imagine with all of the out-of-work lawyers floating around out there right now, all of whom have at least some experience under their belts, newly minted law grads coming straight from the bar exam (before they even know whether they have passed the bar, and certainly before they have been admitted) will have some stiff competition for any kind of public interest position. </p>
<p>At least some of the law firms that have announced they will pay stipends to the new law grads who were, until recently, slated to join their ranks this autumn, have also announced that they will only pay these stipends if the new law grads who have been deferred can find public interest positions. </p>
<p>Even working for free is not necessarily an option -- office space, computers, etc. are all limited.</p>
<p>My cousin just joined the Air Force as a JAG for the tuition repayment when he was laid off from his Biglaw job. UVA, high in his class, and a full year of work experience didn't save him. Still, he's going in as an O3 with a fast track to O4, so the money isn't nearly as bad as he feared. Your rich uncle sam needs lawyers.</p>