Unemployment rate increased by 30% for 2020 law school graduates

The unemployment rate for recent law-school graduates increased by about 30% from 2019 to 2020. And COVID-19 is likely to blame, according to the American Bar Association.

The ABA released 2020 employment data last week. The report showed 34,420 people graduated from the 197 schools that were ABA-accredited in the U.S. in 2020, a 1.4% increase from 2019.

Of those graduates, about 72% are employed in a role requiring the job holder either pass the bar or be authorized to practice law in at least one jurisdiction. Another 10% hold JD advantage roles. In 2019, those percentages were about 74% and 11%, respectively

The ABA said the change is most likely the result of COVID-19 on the legal market, canceled and delayed bar-admission exams, and an increase in the size of the graduating class.

The number of graduates who are unemployed increased by 30%. About 8% of all 2020 graduates were still seeking employment, up from 6% in 2019.

The increase was again likely due to COVID-19. The ABA said the delayed and canceled bar exams have made it harder for graduates to find employment.

Each year's employment outcomes are measured on March 15, approximately 10 months after spring graduation.