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Partner, Law Offices of Frank L. Branson, PC
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2008 Ms. JD and The Project for Attorney Retention Essay Competition

EXPIRED: February 29, 2008.

Ms. JD and the Project for Attorney Retention Essay Competition

Essay Competition First Place Prize = $1,000

How Do We Close the Gap Between Baby Boomers and Millennials on Work/Life Balance?

Ms. JD and The Project for Attorney Retention promote work/life balance in the legal profession. When recent law school graduates push for more part time, flex time, or balanced hours, they are sometimes dismissed as "slackers." The message is: if you don't want to put in the work, pick another profession.

What would you say to a baby boomer law firm partner who thinks young lawyers are lazy and don't understand what the profession is all about? What would you say to a senior colleague who says she had to put in the work, so why shouldn't you? In short: what's your rationale for work/life balance reform in the legal profession?

You might contrast the work styles, lifestyles, or priorities of recent graduates with preceding generations of lawyers; compare the practice of law with other professions; assess the economics of work/life imbalances; or share persuasive personal experiences. Or, feel free to get creative and write us an argument unlike any of the examples we just mentioned.

Visit www.ms-jd.org/essaycontest to learn more or to submit your essay of 1500 words or less. No minimum word count is required.

Submissions will be accepted until February 29, 2008.

The $1,000 winner will be announced in March and published on www.ms-jd.org and www.pardc.org.*

*Final publication decisions will be made at the sole discretion of the Ms. JD Board of Directors and the Project for Attorney Retention and will depend on things such as quality and suitability.