second floor

the new york times reports that:

Concerned by the low numbers of law students choosing careers in public service, Harvard Law School plans to waive tuition for third-year students who pledge to spend five years working either for nonprofit organizations or the government.

The program, to be announced Tuesday, would save students more than $40,000 in tuition…

what the article does not mention is whether students must serve their five years immediately following graduation/passing the bar. i assume it does, but also think that the scheme would make more sense without a time limit. why not allow recent graduates to make partner first, then transition into public interest work?

economically, foregoing five years’ salary at Whiteman & Douche LLP for a $40k waiver is a pretty dumb decision - think of the compound interest you’d be missing out on. by the time burnout from corporate law firms sets in, however, slower-paced public interest work may become more appealing.