Salaries for the KU Law Class of 2010

We have yet to receive national salary data for the Class of 2010. We can, however, discuss the number of students and the corresponding percentage of students in the KU Law Class of 2010 reporting salaries for jobs requiring bar passage and JD-preferred jobs.

Job Type	# Reporting Salary	% of Employed Reporting Salary	Median	Mean	25th percentile	75th percentile
All Reported	102	78%	$55,000	$61,888	$45,000	$71,000
Bar Passage Required	83	86%	$57,000	$66,042	$48,000	$80,000
JD-preferred	15	63%	$40,000	$45,405	$30,000	$58,000

The bar passage required mean of $66,042 for the Class of 2010 is down from $70,754 for the Class of 2009. 86 percent of 2010 grads with bar passage required jobs reported a salary, compared to 94 percent of the Class of 2009.

Here are the salaries of 2010 KU Law grads working in the public and private sectors:

Job Type	# Reporting Salary	% of Employed Reporting Salary	Median	Mean	25th percentile	75th percentile
Private sector	71	78%	$60,000	$66,743	$48,000	$86,000
Public sector	31	78%	$48,000	$50,768	$44,500	$57,000

The private sector mean of $66,743 for the Class of 2010 is down from $72,660 for the Class of 2009. 78 percent of 2010 grads with jobs in the private sector reported a salary, compared to 81 percent of 2009 grads.

The public sector mean of $50,768 is up slightly from $50,666 for the Class of 2009. 78 percent of 2010 grads with jobs in the public sector reported a salary, compared to 88 percent of 2009 grads.

Finally, here are Class of 2010 KU Law salaries in a number of additional employment categories:

Job Type	# Reporting Salary	% of Employed Reporting Salary	Median	Mean	25th percentile	75th percentile
Business	9	64%	$45,000	$45,533	$35,000	$58,000
Judicial Clerk	3*	-	-	-	-	-
Private Practice	62	81%	$60,000	$69,821	$50,000	$100,000
Government	18	78%	$52,520	$54,567	$45,000	$62,000
Public Interest	8	80%	$45,500	$46,500	$38,000	$51,000
*To calculate salary information, NALP requires at least five salaries in a category. The three KU Law judicial clerk salaries reported in 2010 were between $48K-$55K.

The private practice mean fell from $79,259 in 2009 to $69,821 in 2010, partially reflecting a decrease in the number of jobs accepted at large (101+ attorney) firms — from 23 reported in 2009 to 19 reported in 2010. Also, jobs reported at small (2-10 attorney) firms rose from 24 in 2009 to 31 in 2010.

Todd Rogers, Assistant Dean for Career Services

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Law librarians share words of wisdom with graduating class

I have worked here at the University of Kansas Wheat Law Library for just over three years. Technically, I too am a 3L. The first class I taught was the 2007 summer starters, but really that was a bit of a dry run. My true connection was with the fall starters, what was to be the Class of 2010. You are my first class of students who I actually get to witness walking across that stage. I have come to know so many of you as not only a librarian and teacher but also a mentor. I will miss each and every one of you.

I asked the librarians if they have anything to say to the graduates of 2010, be it words of wisdom or quotes they have found meaningful. Here is what they sent me:

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these." - George Washington Carver

Clean out your carrels, return your library books, CELEBRATE, then right back to the library to study for the bar. Good luck, and we’ll miss you! Seriously!

My only advice is don’t forget to thank your friends and family for their support these past three years!

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go."
- Dr. Seuss

"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

I sincerely hope that all of the new grads will take some time to relish their accomplishments, to celebrate their graduation from law school. Getting into and getting through law school was not an easy task, so I hope they will all take a moment to reflect, relax and release!

I do hope that you will remember that we at the Wheat Law Library are here for you whenever you need us. Keep us in your phone and call whenever you get stumped with a research problem or when you need a book. Or if you just need to talk to someone who has been through what you are going through.

W. Blake Wilson
Instructional & Research Services Librarian

Thanks to Chris Steadham, Su Johnson, Tammy Steinle McLain and Joyce McCray Pearson for their contributions.

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Fifth-generation Jayhawk proud to pass on family tradition of education

Over winter break, as I baked my grandmother’s recipe for Peanut Blossoms and counted down the days to Christmas on the Advent calendar, I thought a lot about tradition. Tradition is often the reason that we continue our perpetual behavior, without question of the origin or meaning. But while the tradition of being a Jayhawk runs incredibly deep in my family, I couldn’t help but stop and question, why?

Although I started my education at another Kansas school only 87 miles west on I-70, I ended up (as my father simply states) seeing the error of my ways and transferred to KU to finish my degree. Receiving my degree made me a FIFTH-generation Jayhawk, and on my graduation day, I followed
tradition and walked “the Hill.” However, I did it hand in hand with my grandfather. At the time, I hadn’t understood the importance of parading with my classmates through the Campanile, but he did. A 1949 graduate of KU, he returned to college on the GI Bill, running out of money before being able to purchase his cap and gown. My grandfather received a diploma but did not get to experience the camaraderie of “the walk.” During our walk, mine on graduation day and my grandfather’s nearly 60 years later, I finally understood the importance of belonging to this family. Sharing this bond with him was more than wearing crimson and blue or cheering on the Hawks during basketball season. We shared a valuable education obtained at an amazing university, and a continued love of learning.

It was this same bond that brought my father to return to KU for law school, and his sharing of those memories with me that brought me to KU Law. He shared with me the traditions of camping out for basketball games, 1L Bluebook Relays and the 3Ls Walk to Old Green Hall. The bond is evident in the friendships he still shares with members of his 1L small section, and with the colleagues he works with that he knew from ol’ KU. It’s obvious in the respect that he receives because his law degree has a small Jayhawk on it and in the glow I see in him when he wears a polo shirt with a Jayhawk on the chest (which is QUITE often).

Yes, affordability, value of education, and location were all attractive features of KU Law when I was deciding where to receive my education. But the traditions of wearing a Jayhawk, studying in a library carrel just like my dad, walking the Hill with my grandfather or seeing my little (6-foot-tall) brother on campus are why I chose KU.

I’m now a parent and am reflecting on the traditions that I may someday pass on to my son. I’m proud to dress him in KU clothing and teach him how to say, “Rock Chalk!” But the tradition that I’m most proud to pass on to him is that of education. I want him to know that with hard work and the right education, a person can achieve anything. KU is an institution committed to excellence, and dignity and integrity are valued within the education the university offers. But this isn’t something I’m going to have to teach him. He’ll know from the way that I live my life, just as I did from my family.

Of course, the polo shirt with the little Jayhawk can’t hurt!

Suzanne Billam, 1L and Student Ambassador

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