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Declining Enrollment Forces Area Law Schools To Change Strategies

By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Recent data from the American Bar Association shows declining enrollment in law schools across the country. Philadelphia area law schools are adjusting their strategy to deal with shrinking class sizes.

According the ABA, law school enrollment tumbled 11 percent since last year -- and it's down nearly 25 percent over the last three years.

"The legal market is telling us they'd like graduates with more experience," says Joanne Epps, dean at Temple Law School.

Epps says fewer entry level jobs have law school hopefuls questioning whether a JD is worthwhile. She says Temple is expanding legal clinics and real word opportunities that give students more practical experience. But no worries, lawyers aren't going anywhere.

"Lawyers provide important services to both individuals and institutions," Epps says.

Drexel University has also felt the decrease in applicants, changing its name from the Earle Mack School of Law to the Drexel University School of Law to make way for more benefactors to contribute to the school.

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