Top Law Schools

So, say you go to a T14 and shell out the extra $ (partial scholarship).
Then you work in State A (ex: California) for 3-4 years.
However, you then want to move to NY/NJ or something for personal reasons.
Assume you can pass all bar requirements

Question is this: does where you went to law school matter all that much after your first few years as a practicing lawyer? Wondering if the degree from a top school continues to pay dividends beyond the first job?

Maybe this is a stupid question, but we have no lawyers in my family so, don't sure how all of this plays out at as a career.

It's going to be a difficult question to answer due to the lack of lawyers that far along in their career on TLS.

Assuming we are talking biglaw, it probably isn't that hard. Good midlevel associates tend to be in demand so it shouldn't be that hard to lateral to another firm even if it's in a different area. That being said, the area does need to be hiring and your experience probably should be relevant to the type of law that is practiced in that area (though not necessarily).

I don't know much about smaller firms, but my suspicion is that it would be harder. You're more likely dealing with state law which will be different if you move. You're also more likely to be banking on local reputation that isn't really going to help you get hired elsewhere.