Top Law Schools

So, since most all not T20ish schools are regional, I'm curious about states with only TTT/TTTTs or Alaska (with no schools). Would a T2/T1 grad have a good chance of moving into that market despite it not being their regions market?

It seems like with a place, such as Vermont (judged by looking through firms' attorney listings), that about a quarter come from Vermont Law School, half come from T1/T2 schools in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, and then a smattering of people from various schools scattered about the U.S. and some T14s.

The same seems to be true with states like Maine (Though, they seem very loyal to UofME), NH, RI, WY, MT, ID. Alaska seems to be huge scattering of alma maters. Does anyone have any idea of how one breaks into a market like that without coming from the local TTTT or growing up there?

Usually you will have to be from that area or have a very good reason to want to work there. A lot of those people who didn't go to a school like UVM are from that area who just left for school and then decided to come back. If you were from California, went to school in Chicago, and then look for a job in Vermont, those Vermont law firms are going to doubt you really want to stay and will think you will leave as soon as a better job comes through.

Interested in this as well, although I did actually grow up (and go to UG) in the smaller market I'll be attempting to take my T14 JD back to. I'm hoping it will give me an edge over grads from the local TT/TTT schools.

From what I understand, OP, some markets are more insular than others. Some might be grateful to hire a T1 grad who expresses interest in their city, if you can convince them you won't be bolting for a NY job the first chance you get. And some might not be interested in you without proof that eight generations of your family were born and bred there.

I can only speak to a couple Southern markets, like SC, MS, AR, etc. Your chances of getting a job there if you're not from there are almost nil if you're not from there or go to the local school. Even if you're not from there but go to the local school you will probably have a not so great time finding work.