OP here- Thank you for your responses. My husband has worked with his school's career services department but has not had great luck. He went to a top tier school, but did not graduate top of his class. Since many of his job searching efforts have been fruitless, I am just trying to think of anything else he can do. I've just been encouraging him to network and keep searching, but after so long- it gets harder and harder. Good news is- he currently does have a job, but he is not practicing law. So while we are blessed he is employed, I guess I just hoped for more after all the work (and money!) of law school.

Thanks again!

OP, I agree with the PP. FWIW I am an ex-lawyer and work at a law school now. I'm assuming your DH has been working with the Career Services people at his law school -- what do they advise? Has be looked into smaller firms and how about contract legal work? Does his law school offer any sort of bridging stipend for new graduates who cannot find a job? I know some law schools have this sort of program? Where did he clerk over his summers in law school? Can they provide any leads on jobs for him (assuming he'd get good recommendations from them and they just don't have openings to hire him).

One additional thought? Would either of you be open to relocation? There definitely are openings for lawyers for people interested in going to smaller cities and towns outside of major areas like DC. I realize this may not be a practical option for you, but I thought I'd mention it in case it is something you'd consider.

Honestly, no.

Recruiters, especially legal recruiters, are in the business of placing people who are going to get them the most money. An entry level person with zero experience is hard to place and it's not in the interest of the recruiter investing time in them. So they are nice and bubbly and positive and take the application (and money) but they likely won't place you or spend time on you. In this town there are a million people who are easy to place and ultra qualified. Your DH (and to be honest, mine too, and many others) is not one of them. It's a tough market and a bad time to have just graduated from law school if you weren't in the top 10% at a top 10.

Did he go to a good school? Have a good placement in the class standings? Did he clerk? If not, that should be his first step as clerking paves the way to better work in a year or two.

My husband is a law school graduate who has had a very tough time finding a job as an entry-level attorney. He is becoming quite frustrated and I am feeling helpless in this situation. Many of the job listings require prior experience. Do any of you know of a legal headhunter that can help an attorney with zero law experience (except summer work in law school)? I know there have been mixed reviews on this board of headhunters, but I guess I figure that it can't hurt at this point. Thanks in advance!