Is it unlikely to work your way up in to BigLaw? Forum

[reaisan]

Hello,

There are so many aspects of law that interest me. State, pro-bono work for a non-profit, and BigLaw. Is it possible to pursue my PI out of law school for a few years and then work my way in to BigLaw-- or is it really "by 3L or bust?"

[4for44]

Hello,

There are so many aspects of law that interest me. State, pro-bono work for a non-profit, and BigLaw. Is it possible to pursue my PI out of law school for a few years and then work my way in to BigLaw-- or is it really "by 3L or bust?"

From what I understand there is one on ramp(SA, maybe some 3L)... and Plenty of off ramps...

Unless you do a federal clerkship, then the on ramp comes later

[Anonymous User]

Hello,

There are so many aspects of law that interest me. State, pro-bono work for a non-profit, and BigLaw. Is it possible to pursue my PI out of law school for a few years and then work my way in to BigLaw-- or is it really "by 3L or bust?"

Do big law then PI if you want. Or do big law and be very active on pro-bono committee. Once big law train passes 2L OCI, it's extremely difficult to catch. If you do a couple of years of PI it will be damn near impossible.

edit: didn't mean to be anon, sorry

[LurkerNoMore]

Four basic routes to BigLaw:

1. 2L Summer (and sometimes 3L hiring)
2. Prestigious Federal Gov't work (clerkship or a couple of years at DOJ, SEC)
3. Economy turns and BigLaw is understaffed and desperate for laterals (happened in late '90s)
4. Make a name for yourself so that you come in as an actual expert in an area of law the firm needs or as a rainmaker.

I'm guessing you can see the path of least resistance here.

[vamedic03]

Four basic routes to BigLaw:

1. 2L Summer (and sometimes 3L hiring)
2. Prestigious Federal Gov't work (clerkship or a couple of years at DOJ, SEC)
3. Economy turns and BigLaw is understaffed and desperate for laterals (happened in late '90s)
4. Make a name for yourself so that you come in as an actual expert in an area of law the firm needs or as a rainmaker.

I'm guessing you can see the path of least resistance here.

What about:

5) starting your own BigLaw firm?

[reaisan]

Four basic routes to BigLaw:

1. 2L Summer (and sometimes 3L hiring)
2. Prestigious Federal Gov't work (clerkship or a couple of years at DOJ, SEC)
3. Economy turns and BigLaw is understaffed and desperate for laterals (happened in late '90s)
4. Make a name for yourself so that you come in as an actual expert in an area of law the firm needs or as a rainmaker.

I'm guessing you can see the path of least resistance here.

What about:

5) starting your own BigLaw firm?

Ha! Start yours then hire me, please.