Why law students should pin their hopes on Indiana Tech.

Recently-opened Indiana Tech University School of Law  is not bashful about deeming itself a "better" kind of law school, in spite of its open enrollment policies and its lack of ABA accreditation. Better because of its emphasis on "legal ethics, professionalism, and civility." Until recently I was inclined to treat such claims with skepticism. However, unlike other law schools, which offer empty verbiage about professionalism, Indiana Tech's claims have substance, actual physical substance, in the form of a professionalism pin that will be awarded to Indiana Tech law students by their proud professors. Indiana Tech Law's website explains:

"As part of their first semester Professionalism class, students will, collectively, draft an Oath of Professionalism that captures and reflects their understanding of what it means to be part of the legal profession. After the Oath is administered, faculty present each student with a “scales of justice” pin to welcome them to the profession."  

http://law.indianatech.edu/ai1ec_event/oath-ceremony/?instance_id=54 

The ceremony will take place on October 10th. To think that only five weeks ago, these entering law students were utterly clueless about lawyering, and now they are on the brink of being awarded professionalism pins! And the pins will be bestowed during a memorably solemn ceremony at which the students will be administered an oath, I mean, an "Oath," of their collective devise. [1] The law students should be proud, and the crocodiles, I mean law professors, can be forgiven an unwonted tear or two.

I also think the Indiana Tech law students may benefit, although maybe not in the anticipated way. Here are two scenarios-- the first is the way that Indiana Tech would like its students to imagine their bright futures as symbolized by the oath and the pin. The second is what will probably happen.

1. Even 50 years hence, when Indy Tech law grads are rich and respected leaders in, uh, Global Law [2], they will remember with a nostalgic sigh that solemn rite of passage at the dear old mock courtroom of their Fort Wayne alma mater. Kind of like MacArthur in the fading twilight of his life recalling the oath he took as a young cadet at West Point. It all began there, with the ceremony, the solemn vow, and then the scales of justice pin to "welcome" them to the profession. Surely this pin will be proudly displayed in many judicial chambers, not to mention the well-appointed offices of jetsetting Global law firm partners in cities like New York, London, and Shanghai. 

2.  Unemployable due to having spent three years earning a professional degree from a notorious laughingstock of a scam school, unqualified even for document review, and looking down the barrel of a six-figure educational debt on top of run-of-the-mill living expenses, the Indiana Tech law grad will recall that he or she possesses a rare curiosity piece, that ridiculous professionalism pin. And, yes, the pin will have actual value, unlike his or her JD. The professionalism pin will be a little fragment of an evil scam, as well as an emblem of pure irony. As such, it will be appealing to collectors in the same way as authentic copies of the Enron Code of Ethics handbook, which sell online for an impressive price. The Indiana Tech "lawyer" will breathe a sigh of relief, as he or she realizes that the pin can be sold on ebay, maybe yielding enough cash to pay for a week's groceries, or to forestall eviction until next month.

notes:
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[1]  According to the Sarah Lawrence College Editorial Style Guide, "[f]ormal oaths and pledges are usually lowercased (the presidential oath of office), except for the Pledge of Allegiance."  Well, Sarah Lawrence, you are talking about a mere presidential oath of office. For something as momentous as an Indiana Tech Law School "Oath of Professionalism," definitely you've got to capitalize.

[2]  Indiana Tech Law School offers a "Global Law and Leadership" concentration because, according to its website:

"[e]ach day, the world becomes a smaller community of nations. Described by some as a world without borders, international law and international business transactions will require that lawyers around the world are equipped to participate in a complex marketplace where knowledge of other languages, customs, laws and cultures is essential. Enrollment in this concentration will expose you to a wide variety of courses that will prepare you to assume leadership in areas such as human rights, international trade, and international litigation."

 I would say something sarcastic, but words fail me.