A Symposium on Post War Problems of the Legal Profession

Boyd, Alan W.

English

Indiana University Bloomington Maurer School of Law

Indiana Law JournalVolume 19 | Issue 4 Article 5Summer 1944Problems of Practice in Large CitiesAlan W. BoydBarnes, Hickam, Pantzer and BoydFollow this and additional works at: http://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/iljPart of the Legal Profession CommonsThis Symposium is brought to you for free and open access by the LawSchool Journals at Digital Repository @ Maurer Law. It has been acceptedfor inclusion in Indiana Law Journal by an authorized administrator ofDigital Repository @ Maurer Law. For more information, please contactwattn@indiana.edu.Recommended CitationBoyd, Alan W. (1944) "Problems of Practice in Large Cities," Indiana Law Journal: Vol. 19: Iss. 4, Article 5.Available at: http://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/ilj/vol19/iss4/5PROBLEMS OF PRACTICE IN LARGE CITIESALAN W. BOYD*One of the most important responsibilities o-' the legalprofession generally which particularly affects law firmsin larger cities is that of aiding members who have gone intothe armed forces in reentering the profession after what hasalready proved to be an extended absence, the full durationof which no one at this time knows. Few of such firms haveremained intact, and the situation created by military de-mands has been met in various ways. Some have found itpossible to go forward with reduced manpower. Others havebeen able to meet the problem by temporary expedients. As-suming a revival of many phases of the practice which havebeen relatively inactive during the emergency period, theproblem of reabsorption in such instances is comparativelyeasy.Some organizations have been compelled to make replace-ments of a more permanent character, and consequently havea somewhat different problem.Several factors suggest reasons for the belief that theopportunity of those who return should be greater than inthe past. The normal annual contribution of the law schoolsto the profession has already been set back to an extentthat cannot at this time be estimated. The law school todaywhich has 10% of its normal enrollment is the exception.Many of the smaller schools have either actually or practicallyceased to function at all. This condition is now in its thirdyear and on the most optimistic predictions of today may beanticipated for at least two to three years more. Even as-suming a large increase over prewar enrollment after thecessation of hostilities, it is obvious that it will take yearsto make up the lost ground. Unfortunately, also, not allwill return. The necessary result is that for a substantialperiod of time there will be fewer lawyers than in the past.While it is not possible to forecast with any semblanceof accuracy either the volume or character of postwar lawbusiness, it seems reasonable to assume that certain phasesof the practice which have been relatively dormant will re-vive and that phases which have remained active will con-* Of Barnes, Hickam, Pantzer and Boyd, Indianapolis.(311)INDIANA LAW JOURNALtinue to be so. It is difficult to conceive of a situation overthe next few years where tax problems and the various phasesof labor relations will occupy a less important place than atpresent. General litigation of all kinds and matters connectedwith the financing of new enterprises and expansions ofexisting enterprises are certain to develop from the recon-version to production for civilan needs. Presumably receiver-ships and reorganizations will ultimately occur although itis to be hoped that the volume of these matters which fol-lowed the years leading up to 1929 will not be duplicated.The increasing complexity of civilization and the resultingcloseness of the tie between industry and the profession arenot likely to diminish in the immediate future.These considerations augur well for the younger lawyerable to return at last to the practice, whether to reenteran organization of which he has been a part, to enter a neworganization,or to resume an individual practice. The sameconsiderations should make the return to law school by thestudent who has been forced to interrupt his course, and thestudy of law by those in a position to commence upon theirdischarge from the armed forces, more attractive than beforethe war.No doubt government will continue to absorb a substan-tial number of younger lawyers, but there is good reason tobelieve that private practice will be able to absorb at leastas many as in the past. In this process the law firms inlarger cities will inevitably play an important part.[Vol. 19

Problems of Practice in Large Cities

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Problems of Practice in Large Cities

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