Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The King is dead. Long live the King.

The untimely death of the most successful scamblog ever, Inside the Law School Scam, led by Professor Paul Campos, leaves the law school reform movement without a central platform from which to make its message clear.  We are now left with no meeting point to discuss the the problems and the solutions to the multitude of issues facing law schools, law students, and law graduates.

And something has to be done – quickly – to prevent the hard work, the changes we’ve caused, and the momentum of law school reform from evaporating.  Something to prevent the legal education establishment from looking at us and concluding that our concerns were merely temporary, that we don’t care enough to make our voices heard, or that the problems have all been solved.  The departure of Professor Campos leaves us without a spokesperson, a figurehead, a standard bearer.

This blog proposes that we immediately push forward from where Inside the Law School Scam left off.  There were once many scamblogs and others who addressed the issues of law school reform, lawyer unemployment, rising tuition, student debt, and other life issues affecting those who decided to obtain law degrees and who are now struggling or succeeding.  Most have disappeared, and those that remain post only occasionally.  There are new writers too, commenters who made great contributions to the discussion at Inside the Law School Scam and on other blogs, who would make fine bloggers in their own right.  There is more than enough collective passion and creativity for us all to take this to the next level.

But regular blogging is hard.  It takes time.  And for many of us, time is something of which we have very little.  So here’s the proposition:

This blog, Outside the Law School Scam, will be a collaborative effort with no head writer.  If you want to write once a week, once a month, occasionally, or daily, please get in contact us via email and we will set you up as a contributing blogger, with full privileges to post pieces on this blog as you see fit.  If you are a lapsed scamblogger, you’re welcome to post here.  If you write elsewhere, you can also write here.  If you’re a law student, an applicant, someone who avoided law school, a graduate, a successful lawyer, an unemployed lawyer, a concerned law professor, we don’t care.  All are welcome to write here, to have their voices heard, to be more than just a comment on someone else’s blog.

The requirements of posts will be simple: (1) keep the tone as professional as Professor Campos did on Inside the Law School Scam, (2) keep the post relevant to legal education, life as an employed or unemployed lawyer, or student debt, and (3) keep the quality of the writing professional.

Comments will be unmoderated, but not uncensored.  Lively discussion will be encouraged.

Interested in making a change?  Email us: outsidethelawschoolscam at gmail.com.

70 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Goddammit! That was MINE! Sheesh...

      Delete
    2. Really? I guess old habits die hard.

      Delete
  2. Thank you for stepping up to the plate!

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  3. If I could make a suggestion. Someone (either here or another message board or blog) should quickly archive Campos' blog posts in case he simply pulls the plug on Inside the Law School Scam without warning. It would be a shame if all of his work just went up in smoke.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be a sad day if Campos pulls a Painter and trashes his blog.

      BTW, what happens if Painter comes here?

      Delete
    2. Be ye not afraide!

      ITLSS is backed up here (most of it):

      http://web.archive.org/web/20121223034324/http://insidethelawschoolscam.blogspot.com/

      Delete
  4. Good job jumping on this.

    Maybe there should be a real organization to start lobbying?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think so too. Let's regroup here and then see what we can do.

      I'm disappointed, VERY disappointed today with the loss of LawProf. But at the same time, I'm excited that we have something new. It would be a shame if this site flops. Then we have nothing and it would be like taking a step back three or four years.

      Delete
    2. I suspect he accomplished what he set out to do and the blog was taking too much time. He's telling us its time to grow up and organize.

      Delete
    3. So lets grow up and organize.

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  5. Thanks for starting this. When I read Paul's Blog this morning I got a sinking feeling in my stomach as if all his hard work and others was going down the tubes. That the establishment had won! Long live the fight...

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    Replies
    1. me too. i expect that he will delete that blog soon. looks like the pressure finally got to him and he chose money and tenure and security over us. oh well. thanks for helping lawprof but as i suspected it was a temporary thing. maybe we can all make this place work?

      Delete
    2. I was surprised by his departure because it was so unexpected. He gave us no hints or warnings whatsoever. At least he went out on a high but he will be a huge loss to the scamblogs. He was *the* scamblog. Now I guess it's up to us. And as I'm still fucking mad as hell about being scammed, I'm glad that I still have somewhere to go.

      Bring it on. I'm not shutting up just because ITLSS has disappeared.

      Delete
  6. Calling MacK, dybbuk and the rest of those prolific commenters. It would be awesome of you came over here.

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  7. A bold move, but I like it. Check your email. I'll write.

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  8. I suggest that we spread the word. Please repost this as much as possible. Comments elsewhere? Twitter? Facebook? Other blog coverage? I for one don't want to be left wtih nowhere to get my daily fix of scambusting. It is the only thing that keeps me sane, the thought that I am not alone in this fukking mess. Its cheaper than therapy.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Another supporter checking in. I expect big things and in a way I am glad that we are reclaiming OUR movement.

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  10. I think the name of this blog should be changed to "Ending the Law School Scam."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Could work. Although it would not have the same connection to ITLSS. And I like teh sounb of OTLSS as it does imply that it is a voice from outside and not from inside the law school machine like the late Professor Campos was. That seemed to be his downfall.

      Delete
    2. I like "Ending the Law School" because it summarizes our shared goal. Not merely surviving the law school scam, or coexisting with the law school scam, or accommodating the law school scam, but finally, irrevocably putting an end to the law school scam.

      Here's my strategy on the law school scam: We win, they lose.

      Delete
    3. I think that is the problem. It is not a "we win they lose" issue, and we do not have the power to play that game.

      We need to be working towards a "we win they win" result. We will never destroy law schools or get revenge on law professors. But I think we can change the system.

      Anyhoo, much to talk about in the future, and I look forward to carrying on the discussions via this blog.

      RIP ITLSS
      Welcome to the world, newborn OTLSS

      Delete
  11. I sent in an e-mail to blog. Keep up the publicity, post at TLS, Third Tier Reality, and Faculty Lounge, and other online legal education-oriented places.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're added. This is as much you as anyone else, so write as and when you see fit. Thanks for joining.

      Delete
  12. take paul's best blogs, summarize them into short videos and upload to youtube, in addition to writing on this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Interest is looking good so far. Again, if you want to be added as an author, with the ability to write posts and not just comments, just shoot us an email - outsidethelawschoolscam at gmail.com. We'll get you added as an author right away. This is a community effort, not the project of a single person, and we know it will not replace ITLSS. But the least we all can do is put some effort into creating something newer and hopefully better.

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  14. Emailing right now.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I just subscribed to this blog's atom feed - hope you keep it going! If you don't mind a recommendation in return, I discovered http://scholasticsnakeoil.blogspot.com/ via Campos's blog a while back and have found it's an awesome resource on all that is wrong with higher education and especially postgraduate education in America. Corruption, terrible employment outcomes, coverups, and more broad social reflections too; it could be a useful read for you guys.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Good luck - hopefully, the great work of ITLSS will continue here.

    ReplyDelete
  17. above 400 views already. This may work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it might too. Not a bad initial total. I hope the loss of LawProf and DJM doesn't kill the movement. Maybe he will endorse this follow up blog? Give it his blessing?

      Delete
    2. His "blessing"? C'mon, grow a pair and submit your own content. Whoever it is that set up this blog, s/he is asking for substantive submissions.

      Get to work, dude(tte)!

      Delete
  18. Does anyone really think this isn't just a new blog name for Campos? He posts early in the morning that he's stopping the "inside" blog, then there promptly are a half-dozen comments repeating the name of this new "outside" blog, whose first post is in the same stacatto-sentence cultural reference style of Campos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I doubt it. Or then again, maybe it is Campos, undercover (where he wanted to be originally).

      Maybe he left us a clue to that in his final post at ITLSS. He mentioned prominently that he started anonymously and ended up being outed by nosey law professors.

      Campos, have you risen again? Isn't it traditional to wait three days for that shit?

      But in all seriousness, if this is Campos.2, I'd be fucking overjoyed.

      Delete
    2. This actually makes sense. I didn't think Campos would fold so easily. This could be him, undercover. Same style of writing.

      Campy? Is it you? Show us a sign.

      Delete
    3. It's not even close. Whatchubeen a-smokin'?

      Delete
  19. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ...and that's why he quit.

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    2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    3. anyone going to moderate the comments?

      Delete
    4. Yes. Remember, diverse opinions are perfectly acceptable. Sexual content? Not so much.

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    5. OTLSS Mod: Thanks!

      Delete
  20. Up to 600 page views.

    I really hope this works. If not, what are we left with? Nando?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nando, JDP (assuming he hasn't offed himself), and some idiot who keeps commenting about large Seton Hall Logs.

      Delete
    2. What a smorgasbord of choices!

      Delete
  21. very convenient - law schools "graciously" allow applicants to apply after 3/1. I wonder how much longer they will give them for a 1 day glitch? 2-4 weeks?

    https://www.facebook.com/LawSchoolAdmissionCouncil/posts/420214868070953

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They did this last year, too. If you run back through Paul's `site, you'll see that some schools were accepting (fee waivered!) apps even into the summer.

      Desperation does have a certain lingering scent to it, neh?

      Delete
  22. this blog should be renamed quickly. outside the law school scam makes sense to no one who wasn't aware of campos and his ending his blogging.

    make it exposingthelawschoolscam or behindthelawschool scam. otherwise it will be hard for this to take off.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Heeeeeeeeelp!!! Some sick animal just left a huuuuuuuuuge rotten "Seton Hall Law" sticking out of the office toilet! The janitors' meager tools are powerless against it!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yeah! I never thought I'd be so happy to see that schtick.

      Delete
    2. ...

      Heard ya the first 246 times.


      After that, it got kinda repetitively BOOOOORRRRRRIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.

      Delete
    3. i can't get enough of these seton hall posts, keep em coming

      Delete
  24. I disagree. The name implies that it is a continuation of where Campos left off, rather than just another scamblog.

    I hope the name doesn't stop you from contributing. That would be a shame. This place is supposed to be a place where the old users of ITLSS can gather and keep going. I think splintering the scamblogs again would be a bad idea. Bring it all into one place - here - and move forward.

    ReplyDelete
  25. But at least we aren't whiners on a blog where a law professor is making fools of us.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Frankly, I hope we can do more than blog--though certainly blogging can only help get the message out more. But I think the message is mainstream now. I mean, if the Times and Forbes are covering the scam, I think the blogging (which in my opinion lacks credibility compared to the mainstream pieces) is kind of a drop in the bucket. That being said, we do need to have a way to counteract the propaganda BS that law deans and professor excrete in the blogosphere and via their school websites in real time, so this is probably the best way to do that. But I think we need to cross over into reality and do something to get the message to prospectives directly. Not saying that I do anything like that now (still working up the courage), but law schools are not just going to curl up and die. We need to get a hold of prospective email lists, LSAC lists, picket school events, something. I think one of the goals of this blog should be to be a depository of some of the guerrilla (but legal) tactics used to get at the source of the schools' lifeline--uninformed prospective students. I think action--in addition to words--needs to be taken at this point. (please note I am not grandstanding--I admit I have failed in this regard as well).

    ReplyDelete
  27. More seriously;

    Call your new blog, "Come See The Law School Scam!".

    It's no more than what it is. A scam, despite all the publicity, which the schools themselves will continue to try to hide with fake stats.

    ReplyDelete
  28. When everyone gets over the loss of LawProf, I hope they back this site with similar enthusiasm. This is a fight we cannot afford to lose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've already lost.

      The only thing you can do is spend your efforts on saving the souls of those who have not yet become "lost".

      Delete
    2. Exactly. I've talked myself blue in the face with some special snowflakes. Luckily, amazingly, in at least a couple of cases it 'took', and they came back after doing some of their own due diligence and had decided (in some cases) not to go to LS, or (in some others) not to go unless they had a complete (non-stipped) tuition scholly.

      Delete
  29. Not sure I understand the reference. Buzz LeitBeer, if you're referring to his blog - he doesn't permit comments.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Best wishes and thanks for undertaking this project! Hopefully the successor blog to this one will be named: "Gloating Over the Collapse of the Law School Scam."

    dybbuk

    ReplyDelete
  31. how do we contact the author(s) with links, stories, tips, etc? I feel like that was one of the most compelling parts of ITLSS - 0Ls through 25 year unemployed attorneys were emailing him highly personal stories and giving him plenty of blog fodder. could you set up a profile w/your email?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you for picking up the torch. I'll email you tomorrow about contributing. Though I don't have the clarity and style of MacK and dybbuk, maybe my experience as a long-term solo in the oceanic glut of lawyers will help. By the way, love the lobbying suggestion. I know that money is tight for many, but I've often thought getting together in person for a weekend to exchange ideas on how to mobilize further would be great.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'll follow, but I need a better font. Georgia or TNR.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Professor Campos says he's still going to occasionally comment on the law school scam on his other blog, "Lawyers, Guns & Money."

    http://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2013/02/vra-arguments-the-end-of-the-affair

    ReplyDelete
  35. A suggestion for increasing traffic - add a Links sidebar, with comments about each linked site. Suggested links would include LawSchoolTransparency.com, JDUnderground, Top-Law-Schools.com (with perhaps a comment that it shows how uninformed many OLs are), AboveTheLaw and AdamSmith.

    Also link as many relevant articles as possible so that people reading those articles will see that it's been linked by this site, and perhaps visit it as a result.

    ReplyDelete