Is the Law School Race Too Long?

 I hope you feel sorry for Lance Armstrong. I do. The public humiliation, as well as the loss of seven victories in the Tour de France bicycle race must indeed be difficult to bear. His cancer come back to become a world cycle hero has been tarnished by his admitting to drug use. We Americans hate to see any of our superheroes have any human frailty. I have harbored doubts about the Tour de France once I learned that it covers more than 2200 miles in 23 days. Who in their right mind would ride a bike that distance? The race is divided into 21 day long segments. The longest race was in 1926 when 3570 miles were covered. The race started in 1903 and has been running continuously since then except for the period of the two world wars. In 1904 night riding was banned because of cheating. Apparently the judges were not able to keep track of the riders in the dark and they just could not be trusted. (Watch the movie “Breaking Away “for more of that sort of stuff) This is a very long race. Way too long if you ask me. Is it any wonder that Lance and many others resort to drugs to get through? When the race is too long people either get discouraged and give up or find a way to worm through it. These days, the race that is being spoken about is the law school experience. Without much effort, law school candidates will find themselves in debt to the tune of $120,000 at private law schools obtaining their three-year law school education. This race may in fact be too long. Members of the New York bar, judges and law school faculty members have been meeting to discuss a proposed rule change which would permit students to take the New York state bar exam after two years of law school instead of the three as is now required. Law schools would provide a third year for those so inclined. But students who opt out will be able to sit the exam and begin their legal careers one year earlier. It is hoped, if the amendment to the rules is adopted, that it would make law school more accessible to low income students, as well as lift the debt burden that many new lawyers may face made all the more heavy by a dwindling job market.