Top Law Schools

can we compile a list?

NALP lets you search for firms by whether or not they take 1Ls. That's not going to be exact, because some may say they take 1Ls but will fill up their class with 2Ls before 1Ls can apply, but it's a good place to start.

JusticeHarlan wrote:NALP lets you search for firms by whether or not they take 1Ls. That's not going to be exact, because some may say they take 1Ls but will fill up their class with 2Ls before 1Ls can apply, but it's a good place to start.

This is what I did. It helps that you can click on "Recruitment/Hiring" and look at how many 1Ls they've hired for the past 3 summers.

You probably need to differentiate between diversity programs and regular 1L SAs

bdubs wrote:You probably need to differentiate between diversity programs and regular 1L SAs

This is a really good point.

bdubs wrote:You probably need to differentiate between diversity programs and regular 1L SAs

How?
(even though I'm a walking diversity statement, I do not qualify for diversity programs)

dingbat wrote:

bdubs wrote:You probably need to differentiate between diversity programs and regular 1L SAs

How?
(even though I'm a walking diversity statement, I do not qualify for diversity programs)

One way is to assume they are all diversity spots until you have evidence to the contrary. Why would a firm hire a 1L when they can have 2L? Not meant to be snarky, it's a legit question. Oh and if you are asking around at your school for former non-diversity 1L SAs, be sure to eliminate family ties. Hard to spot and people often fail to offer this detail unsolicited.

dingbat wrote:

bdubs wrote:You probably need to differentiate between diversity programs and regular 1L SAs

How?
(even though I'm a walking diversity statement, I do not qualify for diversity programs)

Diversity SA programs are generally broader than URM for LS admissions, so don't rule them out unless you are a straight white male.

Many firms have pages about diversity programs on their website, but some don't advertise them that way. I would still resume bomb all of the firms in December whether they have hired in the past or not. The marginal time spent on an extra app is small.

The Birmingham firms always hire huge 1L classes. They pay about half what the SA's in Atlanta make, though.

Alston & Bird is increasing the size of its 1L class, at least in the Atlanta office. In Summer '10, Atlanta had 3, in Summer '11, they had 4, and in Summer '12, they had 5. Note that Atlanta does not have a diversity program. All of the 1Ls are hired exactly as the 2Ls are. A&B's strategy appears to be centered around the idea that 1Ls almost always return for round 2, even if they have offers from higher-ranked Vault firms. In Summers '11 and '12, 1Ls in Atlanta made $2600 a week (same as 2Ls).

bdubs wrote:

dingbat wrote:

bdubs wrote:You probably need to differentiate between diversity programs and regular 1L SAs

How?
(even though I'm a walking diversity statement, I do not qualify for diversity programs)

Diversity SA programs are generally broader than URM for LS admissions, so don't rule them out unless you are a straight white male.

Many firms have pages about diversity programs on their website, but some don't advertise them that way. I would still resume bomb all of the firms in December whether they have hired in the past or not. The marginal time spent on an extra app is small.

On that note, LGBT = diversity for 1L SA type stuff?

indigomachine wrote: On that note, LGBT = diversity for 1L SA type stuff?

Yes. Female as well.

bk187 wrote:

indigomachine wrote: On that note, LGBT = diversity for 1L SA type stuff?

Yes. Female as well.

Do lesbians get double credit?

Anonymous User wrote:Alston & Bird is increasing the size of its 1L class, at least in the Atlanta office. In Summer '10, Atlanta had 3, in Summer '11, they had 4, and in Summer '12, they had 5. Note that Atlanta does not have a diversity program. All of the 1Ls are hired exactly as the 2Ls are. A&B's strategy appears to be centered around the idea that 1Ls almost always return for round 2, even if they have offers from higher-ranked Vault firms. In Summers '11 and '12, 1Ls in Atlanta made $2600 a week (same as 2Ls).

Any chance these Atlanta or Birmingham firms hire outside the T-14 and local schools? Lets say T-30 or T-40 and strong ties to the area.

dingbat wrote:

bk187 wrote:

indigomachine wrote: On that note, LGBT = diversity for 1L SA type stuff?

Yes. Female as well.

Do lesbians get double credit?

And gay dudes in drag?

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Alston & Bird is increasing the size of its 1L class, at least in the Atlanta office. In Summer '10, Atlanta had 3, in Summer '11, they had 4, and in Summer '12, they had 5. Note that Atlanta does not have a diversity program. All of the 1Ls are hired exactly as the 2Ls are. A&B's strategy appears to be centered around the idea that 1Ls almost always return for round 2, even if they have offers from higher-ranked Vault firms. In Summers '11 and '12, 1Ls in Atlanta made $2600 a week (same as 2Ls).

Any chance these Atlanta or Birmingham firms hire outside the T-14 and local schools? Lets say T-30 or T-40 and strong ties to the area.

Re. T-30 or T-40, UGA, Georgia State, Emory, BU, Alabama, Wash U (STL), and UNC have all been represented in the A&B ATL summer class at some point in the last three summers.

Anonymous User wrote:
Re. T-30 or T-40, UGA, Georgia State, Emory, BU, Alabama, Wash U (STL), and UNC have all been represented in the A&B ATL summer class at some point in the last three summers.

Thank you, the BU gives me enough info to give it a shot.

Jones Day DC had 6 or 7 1L SAs last summer.

bk187 wrote:

indigomachine wrote: On that note, LGBT = diversity for 1L SA type stuff?

Yes. Female as well.

This is not accurate for most of the programs I know. It depends on the firm but the majority are strictly for URMS and LGBT. Honestly, some say they look at gender and socioeconomic status but they honestly only choose people who are facially diverse (with the exception of some LGBT candidates).

kwais wrote:

dingbat wrote:

bdubs wrote:You probably need to differentiate between diversity programs and regular 1L SAs

How?
(even though I'm a walking diversity statement, I do not qualify for diversity programs)

One way is to assume they are all diversity spots until you have evidence to the contrary. Why would a firm hire a 1L when they can have 2L? Not meant to be snarky, it's a legit question. Oh and if you are asking around at your school for former non-diversity 1L SAs, be sure to eliminate family ties. Hard to spot and people often fail to offer this detail unsolicited.

There are alot more than people know about.

EvilClinton wrote:

bk187 wrote:

indigomachine wrote: On that note, LGBT = diversity for 1L SA type stuff?

Yes. Female as well.

This is not accurate for most of the programs I know. It depends on the firm but the majority are strictly for URMS and LGBT. Honestly, some say they look at gender and socioeconomic status but they honestly only choose people who are facially diverse (with the exception of some LGBT candidates).

Asian/Indian (non-NA), from all accounts, seem to count as "diversity" for 1L SA's/SEO. I don't know about female, but I'd guess that everything under the SEO umbrella probably counts the same for 1L's. It's definitely not just admission URM's.

keg411 wrote:

EvilClinton wrote:

bk187 wrote:

indigomachine wrote: On that note, LGBT = diversity for 1L SA type stuff?

Yes. Female as well.

This is not accurate for most of the programs I know. It depends on the firm but the majority are strictly for URMS and LGBT. Honestly, some say they look at gender and socioeconomic status but they honestly only choose people who are facially diverse (with the exception of some LGBT candidates).

Asian/Indian (non-NA), from all accounts, seem to count as "diversity" for 1L SA's/SEO. I don't know about female, but I'd guess that everything under the SEO umbrella probably counts the same for 1L's. It's definitely not just admission URM's.

I suspect they consider asian/indian because they are facially diverse. Firms are all about having the appearance of diversity.

Anonymous User wrote:Alston & Bird is increasing the size of its 1L class, at least in the Atlanta office. In Summer '10, Atlanta had 3, in Summer '11, they had 4, and in Summer '12, they had 5. Note that Atlanta does not have a diversity program. All of the 1Ls are hired exactly as the 2Ls are. A&B's strategy appears to be centered around the idea that 1Ls almost always return for round 2, even if they have offers from higher-ranked Vault firms. In Summers '11 and '12, 1Ls in Atlanta made $2600 a week (same as 2Ls).

Do you have actual knowledge that they are increasing the number of 1Ls? Or are you just taking the NALP data and extrapolating? Their 2L class is smaller for this summer and I have heard that they were looking to take fewer 1Ls too. Also A&B does have a diversity position for a 1L. Almost all of the big ATL firms have a diversity SA through an Atlanta Bar Association program.