“Creative Destruction” in Legal Jobs I – Employment Law
December 20, 2011 The notion of “creative destruction” is attributed to John Maynard Keynes. It certainly applies to today’s United States economy, although to date we have seen much more destruction than creation. The first Law Careers blog in this series focuses on Employment Law. By destroying the American economy for the medium term, the political capital (Washington, DC) and the financial capital (New York City) annihilated thousands of attorney jobs, among millions of others. However, unlike almost all other professions, the extraordinary fungibility of a legal education and experience makes it possible for attorneys to take advantage of opportunities inherent in the worst economic downturn in 80 years.
Employment Law Goes Stratospheric
The American worker has been hugely affected by the economic downturn. Real unemployment is at least 17 percent (and probably higher) and an even greater number of people fear for their job security. Job loss has been rampant and its impact has crossed socio-economic and class lines. Young people face a mediocre job market and aging Baby Boomers face forced retirement and, if they must look for a new job, age discrimination. Employee grievances are escalating throughout the economy and wrongful termination lawsuits are flooding the courts. Administrative hearings dealing with employment matters (such as workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability Income claims) are off the charts and alternative dispute resolution providers are doing a booming business in mediating employment disputes. Throw in economic uncertainty, policy uncertainty, massive economies of scale in such industries as retail and financial services, and the likelihood of a “lost decade” and you have a volatile mix of adversity that portends enormous opportunity for attorneys who position themselves to benefit.
Today, the average American worker (who is fortunate enough to be employed at all) changes jobs approximately every four years, a volatility factor that only adds to the turmoil and tumult that marks Employment Law practice. As job turnover increases in frequency, it provides nurture for an increasing number of employee grievances and more serious complaints.
Consequently, Employment Law will likely be a very hot practice area as far out as the eye can see. It is unique in that literally every single employer needs to be concerned about it. It affects every employer and cuts across every employment sector: private, nonprofit and government. Employers can ill-afford to be without legal advice concerning the crazy quilt of laws and regulations that govern the workplace relationship.
If you are an attorney or law student seeking either job security or a steady stream of clients in the near-, medium- and long-term, consider positioning yourself for an Employment Law practice.
The Long Term
If you are seeking a secure, long-term career where you build a practice that will be in demand as long as you remain in the work force, it would be difficult to beat Employment Law. The world is not going to become less volatile in the future. On the contrary, globalization and sudden economic disruption―anticipated and unanticipated―will see to that. The linkages and interconnections between national economies and multinational companies, combined with the increasing ease of communication, information flows and transportation all make for cascade effects that will dwarf any we have witnessed so far.
Boosting Your Employment Law Credentials
While the great majority of employment lawyers have only a law degree and often lack even a basic law school employment law course, you can elevate yourself above the competition by adding to your JD degree with an additional credential. A selection of inexpensive, relatively quickly attainable credential programs follows:
- eCornell – Foundations of Employee Relations Certificate (online)
- Mountain States Employers' Council
- Employment Law Certificate Program
- Employee Handbooks: Revising or Developing
- Mediating Workplace Disputes
- Workplace Risk Management Certificate Program
- Expert Rating - Employment Law Certification (online)
- Institute for Applied Management & Law, Inc.
- Certificate in Employee Relations Seminars
- Advanced Certificate in Employment LawSM Conferences
- Legal Compliance – Employment Law (online)
For More Information
Next: Labor Law
Reader Comments (2)
I like this because the information is great help to all employee. I hope other people will be happy if they read this post.
i think that is the reality "age discrimination" my father also had that problem he has still the capacity to work but he was force to take his retirement. I think this became natural to our government. People will always be the one to suffer.