UW Forum

[Largo219]

Outside of the T14, is the University of Washington the best place to go if I know that I want Biglaw in Seattle? Are there any T14 schools that would be worse than UW for gaining employment at Biglaw in Seattle?

[MrAnon]

I just looked for their employment stats and there isn't much transparency on this issue. I really couldn't tell you.

They are still posting the employers from 2008 as if that is some guide to today's market.

[MrAnon]

I found some information on law school transparency. It looks like 9 out of 10 graduates do not get biglaw. Looks like 8 out of 10 did not get midlaw. Any of the T14 should offer better odds than that. After the T14, yes its the best school.

[Bronck]

You have to keep in mind that the Seattle legal market is extremely small and insular... there are very few SA slots. My guess is you'd have to be somewhere near the top 10% to have a shot.

If you have ties to Seattle, then going to a T14 is a much smarter idea since that will open up other markets as well. But yes, outside of the T14, it's going to be your best shot at a good job in Seattle.

[Boggs]

Outside of the T14, is the University of Washington the best place to go if I know that I want Biglaw in Seattle? Are there any T14 schools that would be worse than UW for gaining employment at Biglaw in Seattle?

I can't really say if there are some T14 schools that aren't as good for Seattle Biglaw as UW, but it wouldn't surprise me. Firms in Seattle like UW grads. It's easier to interview or make more non-traditional connections. Plus you'll have built-in connection to the region.

If you're really set on Seattle, I'd go with UW. If you're really set on Biglaw, I'd go with T14. If you're really set on Seattle Biglaw, it's a toss-up.

[thexfactor]

I think it depends on which schools you are considering. If its USC,vanderbilt,UCLA vs UW, I would rather go to USC,vandy, UCLA vs UW. I would choose the best biglaw placing school. I'd rather have a job not in seattle than not have a job at all.


I think people place too much of an emphasis on location.

[Grizz]

I think it depends on which schools you are considering. If its USC,vanderbilt,UCLA vs UW, I would rather go to USC,vandy, UCLA vs UW. I would choose the best biglaw placing school. I'd rather have a job not in seattle than not have a job at all.


I think people place too much of an emphasis on location.

With pre existing ties I'd rather be at one of the schools XFactor mentioned than UW.

[Boggs]

I think it depends on which schools you are considering. If its USC,vanderbilt,UCLA vs UW, I would rather go to USC,vandy, UCLA vs UW. I would choose the best biglaw placing school. I'd rather have a job not in seattle than not have a job at all.


I think people place too much of an emphasis on location.

I'm not sure why you're talking about these schools since they aren't T14 and the OP specifically asked about UW v. T14. Additionally, I don't think the decision would be between Non-Seattle job v. No job. But, it may very well be Biglaw job v. Seattle job. UW has pretty strong job placement. And they do well in Seattle Biglaw. That said, Seattle Biglaw is a really small market.

I'll repeat what I said before. If OP is set on Biglaw, go to a T14. If Op is set on Seattle, go to UW. If OP is set on Seattle Biglaw, it's a toss-up.

[seattlegirl]

The Seattle legal market is really, really small. The way that I have heard Seattle Biglaw hiring explained is that 1/2 of the jobs go to UW and SU combined and the other 1/2 of the jobs go to T14 students with substantial ties to Seattle. If you have ties to Seattle / a compelling reason to be in Seattle, then going to a T14 is sure to help you over going to UW. If you have no ties to Seattle and are set on Biglaw, it might be wisest to go to a school that places well in Biglaw, get a Biglaw job, put in some years (2-5) in another city, and lateral into the Seattle market with that experience if you are still set on Seattle at that time. Seattle and Northern CA have a lot of movement between them (similar industries, etc), so you could always target Biglaw in Northern CA and lateral to Seattle (by switching offices, etc).

UW is pretty cheap to go to if you have in-state tuition, but their job prospects are nothing to write home about. But if you have in-state tuition, are not set on Biglaw (but would like it if you got it), and really want Seattle, then go to UW because you are not risking that much and there is some upside potential.

The takeaway from this is that the T14 will more likely open up Biglaw to you, but UW will almost certainly be cheaper.

[20160810]

I think it depends on which schools you are considering. If its USC,vanderbilt,UCLA vs UW, I would rather go to USC,vandy, UCLA vs UW. I would choose the best biglaw placing school. I'd rather have a job not in seattle than not have a job at all.


I think people place too much of an emphasis on location.

With pre existing ties I'd rather be at one of the schools XFactor mentioned than UW.

This is credited. Honestly, without ties, I don't even know if going to UW would be enough to get a good gig there. It's a super insular market, with a very, very small number of SA positions each year.

[tjddk]

The Seattle legal market is really, really small. The way that I have heard Seattle Biglaw hiring explained is that 1/2 of the jobs go to UW and SU combined and the other 1/2 of the jobs go to T14 students with substantial ties to Seattle. If you have ties to Seattle / a compelling reason to be in Seattle, then going to a T14 is sure to help you over going to UW. If you have no ties to Seattle and are set on Biglaw, it might be wisest to go to a school that places well in Biglaw, get a Biglaw job, put in some years (2-5) in another city, and lateral into the Seattle market with that experience if you are still set on Seattle at that time. Seattle and Northern CA have a lot of movement between them (similar industries, etc), so you could always target Biglaw in Northern CA and lateral to Seattle (by switching offices, etc).

UW is pretty cheap to go to if you have in-state tuition, but their job prospects are nothing to write home about. But if you have in-state tuition, are not set on Biglaw (but would like it if you got it), and really want Seattle, then go to UW because you are not risking that much and there is some upside potential.

The takeaway from this is that the T14 will more likely open up Biglaw to you, but UW will almost certainly be cheaper.

I've been wondering similar things, actually... Seattle's likely my top choice for after law school, but I just don't think turning down Northwestern or UCLA for UW would be a good idea...

My question is, what constitutes "substantial ties"? I didn't grow up there, but I absolutely love the PNW/Seattle. My SO's from Seattle and would relocate there in a heartbeat (he's been quietly rooting for UW)... would that be enough of a "tie" to the region? I'm from northern CA, so coming back here after law school for a few years definitely wouldn't be a bad consolation prize, though.