by Christopher Harbin
A White House administrator recently spoke to a seminar that I’m in and floated by an interesting idea. Her idea was that universities should require candidates for the academy to have some public service experience in order to be considered. Personally, I think it’s a great idea — especially for law profs — who would most likely have to get a license to practice prior to entering the ivory tower. Hear that sound? That’s the sound of the professoriate screaming in terror. Even a year of experience in the real world could bring a much needed practical focus to law school curriculum. Perhaps hiring would stop centering on “what have you published?” to “what have you done.” Maybe it would funnel bright minds into public service where perhaps some would stay and innovate. Exciting idea.
