Reply to Seeking advice on Biglaw from lawyers: I'm below median at a T-30 school

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]You are not going to get hired at a big law firm any time in the next three years. Even if you are a brilliant networker and incredibly tenacious and have a million good intangibles, it is just not going to happen. Big firms are rigid and follow strict rules. Even a stellar recommendation from a current partner at the firm is probably not enough. They're THAT rigid about grading cutoffs.

Yes, you've heard a story about a person who managed to get through the door through a connection. What you're not hearing is that when this person said her grades were bad, she meant "I was top 1/3rd, not top 10%" And she's also not mentioning that she wrote onto law review, is a minority female, and sat for the patent bar while she was working as a paralegal at that firm.

I am [b]not[/b] saying this to be negative, but because I think it will help you prioritize your time. Do not spend time trying to get a job at a big law firm. Try to get a job somewhere else. Get a job where you worked. Or at a small firm. Or in a state DA’s office.

Then, work at that job and do a really dang good job. Try to work on subject matter that is hot, like intellectual property, healthcare law, etc. Get as much real world experience as possible. Do this for 2-3 years and then revisit where you want to end up.

At that point, I think there’s a good chance you’ll no longer want to be in a big firm. But suppose you do. Now you have some options:

1. Let’s say you went to a small firm and managed to take several dozen depositions in an IP case. Well, now a big firm with an immediate need might hire you as a mid-level associate.

2. Let’s say your went to a DA’s office, they love you, and you’ve got a ton of trial experience. Perhaps if you stay a few more years you will be promoted to a senior or deputy position. Then maybe you can come into a firm as a senior associate or counsel, prove your worth, and make counsel.

3. Let’s say you go to a government agency. You do a great job, get repeatedly promoted, and eventually become the Chief of Enforcement. Now a firm would love to have you as a partner.

4. Back at the small firm route again, you become a partner years before your classmates at big firms. You first chair a major trial against a big firm. (Your classmates who did better than you in law school watch from the galleys awaiting instructions from the trial team). You win the trial and get a reputation as an excellent trial attorney. A big firm offers you a partnership position.

5. You’re at any of these jobs and you network and remain politically active. A friend runs for the House of Representatives. You work hard on the campaign and he wins. He helps you get a political appointment at an agency. You work there until the President changes, and then lateral into a firm as partner.

There are still a lot of ways you can end up in big law, if that’s what you want. But note that: (1) all of them start with working hard and being good at some other job; and (2) none of them are going to happen in the next couple years.

Wishing you the best of luck. And if you work hard and network, that luck will eventually show up.[/quote]

THIS. THIS. THIS.

No need for me to add anything more.  Read THIS and take it to heart. And DO NOT try to stalk hiring partners. You will be removed by security.  At least at my old firm, they would have had you escorted out.

GOOD LUCK!!!![/quote]

I agree with this too.

I take one step back and question OP's premise of why you feel you want to or have to go to BigLaw.  If you have good reasons, so be it.  But after 20 yrs. as a senior manager in a federal enforcement agency, I've seen hundreds of BigLaw associates, counsel & partners applying for staff attorney positions because they want out of the BigLaw rat race.

I've worked in non-profits, private practice and govt., so have some perspective on each.  Don't limit yourself (IMO) to BigLaw and your options multiply.  If it happens down the line and that's what you want, fine.

My experience is probably not too relevant now because I've been at it a long time but I was Top 35% at a T-20/T-30 law school and was a Moot Court Director.  Started with 2 yrs. trial experience as a public defender, then 3 yrs. appellate experience at another well regarded public defender firm.  Tried 30 cases and argued 40 appeals (state appellate and supreme court and cert. petitions @ U.S. Supreme Ct.) in my first 5 years of practice, which was leverage to a medium sized private firm (civil litigation and appeals in state & fed courts).  From there, a staff attorney position in OGC at a well known fed. agency.  In 3 yrs. thanks to case work there got a supervisory position and was a manager for 23 yrs. including sr. management of a 340-person office with nationwide presence.

I don't know if in today's legal climate, that's a workable path, but it is part of what the PP who gave such good advice describes as an option.  Good luck.[/quote]

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