Elite v. Non-Elite

A small flame war has broken out on Balkinization over the economics of law schools and law firms. Starting with comments on how a new increase in base pay at the nations largest firms will yield an increase in the cost of legal education, Brian Tamanaha opened a proverbial can of worms. While his observation is sound, it did require some explanation.

School rankings add little to the legal profession. After all, we all learn the same law, at ABA accredited schools at least. I think the education I received at my non-elite law school was just as good as any of the first tier schools, and in some respects better. What is in a name? About the same as what is in a ranking. It's what you walk away with that makes a difference. Then again, this is coming from one of those people who graduated from a non-elite school, so take it with a grain of salt.