The introduction to the collection of papers produced for or generated by a 1988 symposium titled "Law Student Debt, the Salary 'Gap' and Their Impact on the Legal Profession" notes the response of New York University (which adopted a loan forgiveness program) to the dilemma posed by the symposium. (DB)

Three law students at New York University (NYU) detail components and implementation of NYU's loan assistance program for graduates with low earnings (usually employed by public interest firms, the government, or small firms). NYU's program is intended to preserve student body diversity and minimize debt concerns as a factor in career choice.…

The paper reviews and critiques the 13 existing (1987) law school assistance programs and proposes a national repayment-assistance debt-forgiveness program which would involve an income-contingent repayment "tax" coupled with an assurance to creditors of repayment by means of a "guarantee" or "insurance" fund. (DB)

The trend in rising tuitions at law schools is documented as is the increasing reliance of students on loans to finance their legal education. Among concerns raised are that the need to "hustle" to make ends meet will present problems in maintaining standards of professionalism. (DB)

The article presents an econometric analysis of the interrelationships between law school tuition levels, law school quality, law faculty salaries, and the starting salaries of graduates. It then analyzes recent data and concludes that, while tuition increases have outpaced starting salaries, law school attendance is still a good investment.…

Reviews recent data on cost trends in professional (especially legal) education, including interest costs, repayment mechanisms, and the issue of foregone wages. Also examines placement data and the ability to repay and refinance college indebtedness, as well as the developing relationship among college cost, credit cards, and consumer finance.…

The paper details likely incomes and living costs of law graduates as related to educational costs and debts. Concern is expressed about the deterrent effect of potential high debt on minorities and an approach to financial aid which would take minority status into account is urged. (Author/DB)

Surveys of graduating students (n=336 and 917, respectively) at four lower-cost and five higher-cost law schools examined effects of various levels of student debt burden on career plans. High debt amounts were slightly related to taking a job in large private law firms. Debt burdens of one in five or six students was judged to be too high. (DB)

The examination of current and future trends in educational debts incurred by law students concludes that economics will force increasing numbers of law school graduates to emphasize wealth maximization at the expense of public service with resultant decreases in access to legal services for low- and middle-class clients. (DB)

The paper stresses that large debts, when coupled with discriminatory employment patterns and the self-selection of minorities into public service work, may discourage prospective minority law students. Government subsidies to groups likely to include significant numbers of minority attorneys are recommended. (DB)