Karen Sloan

Karen Sloan is the Legal Education Editor and Senior Writer at ALM. Contact her at [email protected]. On Twitter: @KarenSloanNLJ Sign up for Ahead of the Curve—her weekly email update on trends and innovation in legal education—here: https://www.law.com/briefings/ahead-of-the-curve/

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June 29, 2021 | Law.com

Ahead of the Curve: Maybe Online Classes Aren't So Bad

This week's Ahead of the Curve legal education newsletter looks at new research on how law student perceptions of online classes have shifted over the past year. Plus, a former judicial clerk calls out legal academia for its role in shielding sexual harassers in the judiciary.

By Karen Sloan

9 minute read

June 25, 2021 | Law.com

Here's What You're Doing Wrong in Your Legal Writing

This week's episode is your chance to get some pointers on legal writing from a sitting judge without worrying about having your motion tossed out. Am Law Litigation Daily editor and columnist Ross Todd chats with 10th Circuit Judge Robert E. Bacharach, author of the recent book, "Legal Writing: A Judge's Perspective on the Science and Rhetoric of the Written Word." The book examines legal writing through the lens of psycholinguistics, a branch of cognitive science focused on how the brain processes language and speech.

By Zack Needles | Karen Sloan

1 minute read

June 24, 2021 | Law.com

Racial Disparities on the Bar Exam Have Persisted for Decades. Does the Legal Profession Care?

Recent data from the American Bar Association has cast new attention on longstanding racial gaps in bar passage rates. Experts say the problem can be addressed if regulators are willing to adopt new approaches.

By Karen Sloan

7 minute read

June 22, 2021 | Law.com

New ABA Data Shows Stark Contrast in Bar Pass Rates Among Racial Groups

White bar takers in 2020 had a first-time pass rate that was 22% higher than Black first-time takers.

By Karen Sloan

4 minute read

June 22, 2021 | Law.com

Virtual Judicial Clerk Interviews Seem Likely to Stick Around as Federal Judges' Hiring Plan Gains Momentum

Some federal judges have said they prefer the convenience of interviewing clerkship candidates online and have indicated they will continue that practice after the pandemic subsides.

By Karen Sloan

8 minute read

June 22, 2021 | Law.com

Ahead of the Curve: How Diverse Deans Are Changing Legal Education

This week's Ahead of the Curve looks at how diverse deans are helping to transform law schools, plus the Law School Admission Council seeks to help schools foster diversity with a new initiative.

By Karen Sloan

9 minute read

June 17, 2021 | New York Law Journal

Cornell Law Upgrades Interim Leader Jens David Ohlin to Full Dean Status

New Dean Jens David Ohlin aims to bolster the school's offerings in environmental and election law.

By Karen Sloan

4 minute read

June 17, 2021 | Law.com

'Associates Are Loving This.' How The Salary Race Is Shaking Up Big Law

Law firm recruiter and consultant Sharon Mahn breaks down the latest associate pay bonanza and why firms are scrambling to get on board.

By Karen Sloan | Zack Needles

1 minute read

June 16, 2021 | Law.com

Law Students Weighed in on Pandemic Learning, Offering a Road Map for Legal Education's Future

AccessLex Institute and Gallup polled more than 1,700 law students to find out how they felt about their pandemic learning experience.

By Karen Sloan

7 minute read

June 15, 2021 | Law.com

Ahead of the Curve: Struggling Law Professors

This week's Ahead of the Curve looks at new research by Southwestern law professor Meera Deo on how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the preexisting challenges that women of color, untenured faculty, and caregivers face in legal academia.

By Karen Sloan

8 minute read

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