Business school candidates often are required to demonstrate a work history as a part of their admission process. According to some schools, a work history demonstrates potential career success. For others, a work history ensures that incoming students have a context for interpreting classroom material and an ability to contribute to class discussions. For most, a candidate's work history demonstrates his or her leadership potential.

Law schools, however, do not. Law schools value demonstrated and potential cognitive abilities in their students. Law schools value cognitive ability because the “job” of a law school student is to process information. Law school students read, write and occasionally regurgitate. Law school students are valued on their ability to compete with others in a stressful environment with tight deadlines, too much work and not much team work.

While law schools do offer classes in negotiation, mediation and alternative dispute resolution, these are often “side notes” to core classes in contracts, torts, criminal procedure and corporations. Some law schools go so far as to offer accounting and opportunities to cross-specialize by obtaining a joint masters. These are great programs—perfect for training the next batch of judges, constitutional law gurus and more professors. And, society will always need talented jurists, gurus and professors.