Many entering law students are former accountants, business owners, engineers, journalists, medical professionals or teachers. To accommodate this changing marketplace, many law schools have re-examined their admission policies to attract these students and offer dual-degree programs designed to help lawyers “transcend legal and professional boundaries.” Some schools offer 1L-only programs to help business professionals who need some “black-letter law” training but who do not plan to practice law. The integration of these nontraditional students into the classroom can help diversify perspectives and bridge gaps between law and business. There are also new options for advanced education in project management, law firm management and business administration to assist lawyers in navigating practical aspects of the profession.

But legal education doesn't begin or end in the classroom. Lawyers must grapple with emerging technologies, especially those such as artificial intelligence, that have the potential to disrupt all industries, not just the delivery of legal services. Law firms can supplement this training through summer associate programs, on-campus skills programs, pro bono programs, secondments, and other avenues.

But perhaps most importantly, law schools should nurture diverse talents of students no matter where they may ultimately land after graduation. Providing platforms for critical thinking, cultivating an appreciation of the need to protect rights, and instilling the “why” of the law are paramount considerations.