How hard is it to get big law with work experience Forum

[withoutapaddle]

How difficult would it be to get a big law offer at OCI with work experience in a firms pratice area.

For example, if someone had experience in securities with an investment bank, would it be easier for that person to land a big law offer from Kirkland than someone who was straight K-JD (Or who didn't have prior work experience in the field they want to pratice).

[Desert Fox]

How difficult would it be to get a big law offer at OCI with work experience in a firms pratice area.

For example, if someone had experience in securities with an investment bank, would it be easier for that person to land a big law offer from Kirkland than someone who was straight K-JD (Or who didn't have prior work experience in the field they want to pratice).

If it's significant and related work experience it's a huge boost. You still have to be generally qualified though. If you went to UC hAstings and were like top 30% they'll still ding you.

[withoutapaddle]

I've read the forums on this site to know that it's T-14 + Maybe Vanderbilt and Texas or bust.

I don't think either of those schools would give me a shot at Kirkland or another private equity/securities firm.

[zoomzoom88]

I go to a T2 school and I have 2 V50 callbacks. No prior work experience aside from strong legal internships and a v200 1L summer position. I am just outside the top 10%. It is all about the hustle.

[JCougar]

I've probably mentioned this before, but it's a bigger boost if you're already within the firm's OCI cutoff. I know about a dozen people with the kind of experience you speak of in their relative fields that got zero interviews because they weren't top 25% (or whatever the cutoff was at their school).

It's one of those things that helps you compete with the pool of candidates who are already deemed "qualified" for Biglaw. In other words, GPA/school rank still come first as a screening process. Then, based on what's left, you'll stand out among the rest of the candidates who will mostly be K-JD or close--if you weren't already screened out due to GPA.

If your resume can't make it past the screening process, it doesn't matter if you've cured cancer. It will go straight into the trash everywhere. You might be able to luck out with networking, though.

[unlicensedpotato]

I've read the forums on this site to know that it's T-14 + Maybe Vanderbilt and Texas or bust.

I don't think either of those schools would give me a shot at Kirkland or another private equity/securities firm.

Don't know about Kirkland Chicago, but you can easily get Kirkland NY or STB NY from Texas if you have good grades. I think Texas had 4 at CSM this summer and that's a much more grade/school-focused firm. Know of at least one Kirkland 3L offer for corporate to Texas too.