Apprenticeship Programs Becoming Common at Large Firms

The National Law Journal reports that more and more firms are instituting apprenticeship programs for their first-year associates, which they hope "will better train their attorneys for life at a law firm and for handling clients."

An added benefit for firms is that they can justify cutting the starting salaries of newbie attorneys, which were continually inching toward the $200,000 mark.

Is this development a good thing for firms? For new lawyers? For the law? And will it last once the economy picks up?