Class of 2019 distinguishes itself in employment market
As of March 15, 94.1% of Duke’s 2019 graduates were employed in long-term, full-time positions requiring bar passage and not funded by the school, considered the “gold standard” of legal jobs.
Members of the Class of 2019 pose for pictures following their graduation from Duke Law
As they approach the one-year anniversary of their graduation from Duke Law School, the members of the JD Class of 2019 have distinguished themselves again, this time in the job market.
As of March 15, 94.1% of Duke’s 2019 graduates were employed in long-term, full-time positions requiring bar passage and not funded by the school, according to data submitted to the American Bar Association. Duke has ranked in the top three among all law schools for these positions, considered the “gold standard” of legal jobs, in each of the previous three years.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the Class of 2019 for their success launching their legal careers,” said Kerry Abrams, James B. Duke and Benjamin N. Duke Dean of the School of Law. “I am grateful to our Career and Professional Development staff, who provide personalized attention and counseling to every student from the day they arrive on campus, an approach that has produced exceptional employment outcomes year after year.
“As we begin to see the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global economy and the legal job market, this individualized approach to supporting our students in their employment search and career development will be even more important.”
Overall, 97.3% of the Class of 2019 had jobs as of March 15, with law firms making up the largest share of employers. Nearly two-thirds of 2019 graduates (65.6%) are employed at firms with more than 100 attorneys. The most popular location for employment was New York (30.3% of the class), followed by Washington, D.C., Texas, North Carolina, and California.
As in previous years, a substantial number of 2019 graduates are clerking for judges or working in the public or non-profit sector. A total of 17.2% of 2019 graduates were employed in judicial clerkships as of March 15, including 14.0% in federal clerkships. Another 8.6% were employed in positions in government or with public interest organizations.
“Government and public interest jobs are some of the most challenging for graduates to obtain, so we continue to strengthen our support for students who aspire to a career in public service,” Abrams said. “Our Certificate in Public Interest and Public Service Law program, which launched with the Class of 2018 and nearly 100 Duke Law students are now enrolled in, gives them the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills, experience, and mentorship needed to compete for these positions.”
The Class of 2019 also includes 3.2% of the class who were working in business or industry as of March 15 and 1.4% who were pursuing another graduate degree. Another 1.8% were employed in school-funded positions.
“Duke Law School works extremely hard to help each student build a career in their chosen direction,” said Bruce Elvin ’93, associate dean for career and professional development. “Our entire community – faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni – is committed to this mission, and will continue to be no matter the market challenges we face.”
To view Duke’s ABA employment summary for the Class of 2019 and previous classes, visit https://law.duke.edu/career/employmentdata/.