Lateraling/Firms that Care about GPA Cutoffs Forum

[Anonymous User]

I've heard that even after being a mid/senior level associate or making partner, some firms still have strict gpa cutoffs for laterals such as Gibson Dunn and Latham. I was wondering if anyone knew what that GPA cutoff is typically coming from a school like Columbia/NYU?

Also would be really curious to know whether firms might care about seeing more C/Fs on a transcript than usual? Eg. my school allows 2 upper level courses to be C/F, but are allowing for more this semester and I am thinking of electing to take 2 more courses being C/F as it has been a tough year. But I am worried given that 1L spring was ALL P/F, and I'm planning to take 2 C/Fs in my 3L year, that having 2 more C/Fs this sem will look poorly on my transcript.

[Bosque]

I've heard that even after being a mid/senior level associate or making partner, some firms still have strict gpa cutoffs for laterals such as Gibson Dunn and Latham. I was wondering if anyone knew what that GPA cutoff is typically coming from a school like Columbia/NYU?

Also would be really curious to know whether firms might care about seeing more C/Fs on a transcript than usual? Eg. my school allows 2 upper level courses to be C/F, but are allowing for more this semester and I am thinking of electing to take 2 more courses being C/F as it has been a tough year. But I am worried given that 1L spring was ALL P/F, and I'm planning to take 2 C/Fs in my 3L year, that having 2 more C/Fs this sem will look poorly on my transcript.

I have no idea if that is true about having GPA cutoffs for lateral partners, but I highly, highly doubt it. I find it extremely hard to believe a firm would turn away an attorney who is otherwise attractive as a lateral (book of business, years of experience, ect.) just because a number no client is ever going to see, that has nothing to do with how good a lawyer they are today and at most a loose correlation to how good a prosepect they were 10+ years ago, is not above an arbitrary cuttoff point. It would be like an NFL team saying "no thanks" to Tom Brady at his peak just because he was a 6th round pick in the draft. Makes zero sense.

[Anonymous User]

I agree with the above poster. I'm a CCN grad with not so stellar grades and still had no problem interviewing with one of the firms OP mentioned when I lateraled.

[Anonymous User]

I heard about the Gibson story too. The way I heard it, though, it was that Gibson required the associates moving over with the rainmaker to have certain GPAs. I heard this from a recruiter. And FWIW, the GPA cutoff for these firms isn’t that high.

For midlevels from my non-14 school, GPA cutoffs (not set in stone, but generally what the firms like to see) were 3.5 at Gibson and Latham. Most other firms are either 3.3 or 3.4 (so, median).

Even still, my sub-3.5 GPA didn’t stop me from getting an interview at one of the two.

[lolwutpar]

From what I know, generally those firms "care" to a certain extent. But if their GPA cutoff is 3.65 and your GPA is 3.60 they are still going to hire you. If your GPA is 3.0 it may be a more dicey proposition. But it comes down to their discretion, so no hard rules.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks so much for the responses everyone, that is really helpful! Does anyone happen to know what the gpa cutoff is for Latham/Gibson coming from CCN?

[Anonymous User]

I heard about the Gibson story too. The way I heard it, though, it was that Gibson required the associates moving over with the rainmaker to have certain GPAs. I heard this from a recruiter. And FWIW, the GPA cutoff for these firms isn’t that high.

For midlevels from my non-14 school, GPA cutoffs (not set in stone, but generally what the firms like to see) were 3.5 at Gibson and Latham. Most other firms are either 3.3 or 3.4 (so, median).

Even still, my sub-3.5 GPA didn’t stop me from getting an interview at one of the two.

Thanks so much for this! Would you by any chance know whether they care about P/Fs on a transcript, or if they only care about the actual GPA?

[Anonymous User]

Anon because it involves someone currently in practice.

A partner who lateraled to one of the aforementioned firms was asked for his or her law school transcript (For a school between T6-T13), and had questions asked about a certain below par grade in one course during his or her 1L year. That partner eventually got the offer and went, but that story really threw me off because the said partner is a really capable person well established in his or her specialty (and is well-known in that field). I mean, give me a break...

[Anonymous User]

Not the OP, but just wanted to request more on this. Someone above said non-T14 grads roughly need above 3.6s to lateral into GPA-sensitive firms like GDC? Is that for a T20 school or could that apply to a T50 as well?

[Anonymous User]

Not the OP, but just wanted to request more on this. Someone above said non-T14 grads roughly need above 3.6s to lateral into GPA-sensitive firms like GDC? Is that for a T20 school or could that apply to a T50 as well?

I’m the anon that provided a datapoint. The recruiter said 3.5, which I didn’t have. I’m not from a T20 school, but there are a handful of alum from my school at GDC (and some of them didn’t graduate with honors meaning they also didn’t have a 3.5).

If you’re at a school GDC doesn’t really hire from and you’re not from a T14, you will realistically need very good grades to be considered (probably more than a 3.5).

Like I don’t think you can be median at UF or Bama, no matter how highly ranked the schools are. Like, for example, the only Bama law associate they have graduated valedictorian.

[Bosque]

Anon because it involves someone currently in practice.

A partner who lateraled to one of the aforementioned firms was asked for his or her law school transcript (For a school between T6-T13), and had questions asked about a certain below par grade in one course during his or her 1L year. That partner eventually got the offer and went, but that story really threw me off because the said partner is a really capable person well established in his or her specialty (and is well-known in that field). I mean, give me a break...

Lawyers gonna lawyer I guess (i.e., do the absolute most even if it shoots you in the foot), but that is so dumb.

[Anonymous User]

Anon because it involves someone currently in practice.

A partner who lateraled to one of the aforementioned firms was asked for his or her law school transcript (For a school between T6-T13), and had questions asked about a certain below par grade in one course during his or her 1L year. That partner eventually got the offer and went, but that story really threw me off because the said partner is a really capable person well established in his or her specialty (and is well-known in that field). I mean, give me a break...

Lawyers gonna lawyer I guess (i.e., do the absolute most even if it shoots you in the foot), but that is so dumb.

lol I got Bs in legal writing in both semesters but As in every doctrinal class. if a firm asked me about the Bs in legal writing I'm genuinely not sure i could keep a straight face.