The NALP Foundation and NALP have released their joint study, Law School Alumni Employment & Satisfaction for the Class of 2017, their eighth such report focusing on US law schools. Reflecting the legal profession's increasing focus on diversity and inclusion, this year’s study includes new information about diverse and first-generation graduates as well as data on educational debt and the impact of COVID-19 and the economic downturn, along with insightful narrative responses from study participants.
 
Among the key findings:
High employment and satisfaction rates: Even with a slight overall reduction in graduates’ employment rate three years out, both the employment rate (96%) and career satisfaction levels (85%) remain remarkably high. 
High mobility levels: Over two-thirds of alumni have held two or more sequential positions since graduation.
Limited impact of COVID-19 and the economic downturn.
Outstanding educational debt varied considerably.
Decline in overall satisfaction levels with current job.
 
This year’s study reflects data from 1,750 alumni participants, with 1,444 responses from alumni of 26 U.S. law schools and 306 responses from four Canadian law schools’ graduates.