Rutgers School of Law Accused False Advertising of Salaries In Excess of $130,000 For Top Students

A marketing pitch sent to prospective students by Rutgers University School of Law at Camden touted a 90 percent employment rate in the legal field for its employed graduates and top private-practice salaries in excess of $130,000 for “many top students.”

Dean Rayman Solomon is defending the pitch to prospective students despite reports that no more than five recent graduates reported a salary of $130,000.

Solomon is quoted as responding to question with “I don’t know how to respond. If you have a hundred people, would four of them be misled? Would one be misled? Would 98 be misled? [It was] a piece that was designed to get people to think about something they hadn’t thought about. This wasn’t the only information they could get about it.” I am not sure that that is the best approach since any claimed misrepresentation or false advertising case could be denied on the grounds that some people might not be misled or that other information is available.

Associate Dean Camille Andrews sent prospective students information and is the focused of the criticisms. Her bio says that she is married to Congressman Rob Andrews. She teaches professional responsibility.

In my view, the advertising pitch is at best misleading — particularly at a time of depressed employment figures. The fact that this representation is made at a time of falling law school admissions raises additional concerns. The controversy will increase pressure for further disclosures and transparency from the law school.

Source: Higher Education as first seen on ABA Journal.