Someone recently said the Golden Triangle is experiencing an influx of attorneys.
We checked it out. It’s not true.
Larry Houchins, executive director of The Mississippi Bar, told The Dispatch this week that in Lowndes, Clay and Oktibbeha counties today there are 171 lawyers. Ten years ago, there were 170.
The Oktibbeha County attorney population has grown, though, Houchins said. In 2005, there were 50 lawyers in Oktibbeha County. There are 63 today.
In Lowndes County the number dipped from 95 to 92 over the last decade. In Clay County, it dropped from 25 to 16.
Statewide, there are 7,085 active attorneys. Ten years ago, there were 6,640.
In the entire U.S., there were 1.28 million attorneys in 2014. In 2004, there were 1.08 million, according to the American Bar Association. (In 1878, the earliest year records were kept: 64,137.)
On the topic of attorneys: The Washington Post reported this week that 41,000-plus applied to U.S. law schools during the last admissions cycle. In 2004, 90,000 applied. The Dispatch reached out to Mississippi’s two law schools — University of Mississippi and Mississippi College — to see if they were seeing a similar trend. Mississippi College did not respond. The University of Mississippi did.
In 2004, approximately 1,942 people applied to the University of Mississippi Law School, according to Matthew R. Hall, a senior associate dean. Last year, there were 846 applicants.
Hall noted that the Washington Post report did not come as news to most law schools. It’s been a trend for several years. The reason, Hall suggested, is tied to a sluggish economy and students (mainly college juniors and seniors) making decisions to pursue careers in other fields during the recession. The University of Mississippi School of Law had approximately 190 graduates last year. The next class will graduate 150, the following 117, the one after that 128. The dip in graduates reflects the school’s effort to have the right size graduating to fit the job market, Hall said.
Moving on.
Columbus has a new business focused on the modeling industry.
Models Ink opened Feb. 2. Mignon Lang Isaac, the owner, said she provides training for people interested in pursuing a modeling career. She accepts clients from ages 7 to 27.
She stressed that Models Ink is not a modeling agency, but a business aimed at prepping clients for a successful career in modeling. She teaches clients about nutrition, about exercise, about makeup, about proper skin care, etc. She also helps them each build a portfolio.
Models Ink is located at 317 Main St. The phone number is 662-352-4412.
Speaking of modeling, there is an event at Trotter Convention Center in early June called “Competition Runway.” All are welcome. For details call Isaac at 662-352-4412.
Browning on Business is a weekly column that runs each Thursday. We want your input. Send items and tips to [email protected] or [email protected].
William Browning was managing editor for The Dispatch until June 2016.
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