Top Law Schools

Could be interesting to hear what happens to the same group at UT/USC/UCLA.

The same shit that happens to everyone else at every other school. Clerkship (state an fed, more likely state), small firm, midsize firm, various state and local govt., PI (if you somehow can show commitment), non legal jerbs, hired by school, unemployment.

What did you think would happen?

Could be interesting to hear what happens to the same group at UT/USC/UCLA.

I went to UT Law. If one strikes out at OCI, then they must, and I'm serious, blitz all sorts of small firms with cover letters and resumes. They have to really use their connections to work for them. UT has a small firm reception during the spring semester. One should go to that because it gives you a chance to meet the lawyers who own those small firms. But keep in mind that if you strike out at OCI, you'll have to stay in the region, within driving distance, of the school. UT is blessed to be right next to two major markets, in Houston and Dallas. One can forget about penetrating the Austin legal market in this manner.

Also, it's best to use whatever alumni resources/connections the school has. See if they know of anything to help you get on with someone. It sucks to be in this position. I can speak for UT, they only focus on Biglaw culture. But that only benefits half the class. The other half is pretty much left to fend for themselves. Every now and then, we'd get emails from Texas biglaw firms that were looking to hire one or two more associates at way below median. But those jobs are really competitive. My advice would be if you find yourself striking out, take your state's respective civil procedure. Many small firms litigate. Many don't. But many do. You want to understand litigation so you can help someone with the process. Taking civil procedure won't help a lot, but it's better than nothing.

I never wanted biglaw because I wanted to be a trial lawyer. Plus, I wasn't too thrilled about working those hours. Big law doesn't hire you because you are an aspiring trial lawyer. In fact, you may never see a courtroom if you go biglaw. So I wanted to go small firm or even midlaw. Then I got really sick after graduation. I was sick for three years. Once the economy tanked, I just said to hell with it and opened my own firm. So I'm better able to give firm ownership advice over OCI strikeout advice.

And like the above poster said, go state or federal. State government jobs are not too selective.

They become Chechen arms dealers.

They join the other 80% of their classmates who are in the same position (I kid . . . kind of).

rad lulz wrote:The same shit that happens to everyone else at every other school. Clerkship (state an fed, more likely state), small firm, midsize firm, various state and local govt., PI (if you somehow can show commitment), non legal jerbs, hired by school, unemployment.

What did you think would happen?

Wondering if the fabled creature of midlaw exists, and to what extent those that strike out at vandy oci get it. Also wondering how much self-selection plays a part at vandy given the argument that a decent number of vandy students elect to pass on NALP jobs in favor of smaller (but decent paying firms) or regional cities without NALP firms.

KMaine wrote:They join the other 80% of their classmates who are in the same position (I kid . . . kind of).

You really think only 20% get biglaw from Vandy/UT/UCLA? Because if so, that's absolutely incorrect.

Richie Tenenbaum wrote:

KMaine wrote:They join the other 80% of their classmates who are in the same position (I kid . . . kind of).

You really think only 20% get biglaw from Vandy/UT/UCLA? Because if so, that's absolutely incorrect.

And so continues the plethora of misinformation on this site. @Richie, at least you attempted to enlighten him.

aca0260 wrote:

rad lulz wrote:The same shit that happens to everyone else at every other school. Clerkship (state an fed, more likely state), small firm, midsize firm, various state and local govt., PI (if you somehow can show commitment), non legal jerbs, hired by school, unemployment.

What did you think would happen?

Wondering if the fabled creature of midlaw exists, and to what extent those that strike out at vandy oci get it. Also wondering how much self-selection plays a part at vandy given the argument that a decent number of vandy students elect to pass on NALP jobs in favor of smaller (but decent paying firms) or regional cities without NALP firms.

Decent number of "midlaw" exists, but a lot of them recruit during OCI season (if not at actual OCI), and they generally look at people with similar level grades as large firms. You gotta remember, a lot of these firms are biglaw firms in the market. A 90-odd man firm in Orlando would be probably the biggest firm in Orlando, for example. So people don't like strike out at OCI and get these firms during 3L year (generally).

And it's not really a viable option to count on midsize firms in parochial markets to which you don't have ties.