When Rosemary McKenna completed a summer associate job with Blank Rome LLP in Philadelphia, she was happy to receive an offer of full-time employment. But instead of starting her new position last month as planned, Ms. McKenna, who graduated from Temple University's Beasley School of Law in May, will be working as a hostess at a local restaurant.

Law firms are asking new hires to defer their employment start dates, an unprecedented step for many firms that have weathered previous economic downturns without wide-scale postponements. Large firms such as Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP have delayed the start dates for their new associates for a full year or more. Summer internships -- usually the surefire way to land a job -- produced fewer offers than ever before, law firms and students say. And because law firms budget for hiring a year or two in advance, law-school classes of 2010 and 2011 face an equally difficult environment.

To cope, some would-be attorneys are seeking pro-bono fellowships, while others are taking jobs ranging from temporary work for their alma maters to waitressing or bartending. And law school career-service officials are advising students to take whatever work they can find to pay their bills.

Ms. McKenna has been working two hostess jobs at restaurants in Philadelphia to make ends meet. The 26-year-old was told she will be able to start work at the law firm in January.

LOS ANGELES- The members, families and business partners of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (GLA ALA) are teaming up to host the GLA ALA Justice Jog 5K on October 18, 2009  

Celebrity attendees include: the Los Angeles Laker Girls (leading the stretches) and Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine (an honorary server of breakfast), and Woodland Hills fire station #84 (displaying one of their fire engines at the finish line).  

GLA ALA will organize a 5K Walk/Run to support A Place Called Home (APCH), a South Central LA nonprofit offering youth education, gang prevention and mentoring programs. Youth members of APCH with dreams of attending law school will also walk in the 5K.

Last year’s GLA ALA Justice Jog 5K 2008 raised over $12,000 for charity with the support of 421 runners and 100 volunteers.  

The GLA ALA Justice Jog starts at 6:30 a.m. at Warner Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Woodland Hills.  

A Denny’s breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. Registration is still available for $30 per adult, $15 per child (5-12).

“I am proud to be a part of such a unique event, joining different sectors of the legal community together including large LA-based law firms, businesses, athletes, families, members and friends, for a worthy, charitable and fun cause,” says Cindy Fortune, GLA ALA event chair.  

The event is part of GLA ALA’s Community Challenge Weekend (CCW), a community service initiative that encourages community improvement.

For more information about GLA and the Justice Jog visit www.glaala.org or http://www.imathlete.com/events/EventOverview.aspx?fEID=6516&z=1253210384045