I’m at a Fourth-Tier Law School Near the Top of My Class – Do I Have What It Takes to Summer for a Big Firm?

Question: I've just finished my first year at a fourth-tier law school in Miami, where I am close to the top of my class (ranked 7th out of 243, pending the rest of my first-year grades). I'm at this school because of a full tuition scholarship.

I'd like to work for one of the big New York firms next summer, and I was wondering how much my choice of law school is going to factor in. I've got a great job this summer with a well-respected Miami firm and good work experience between college and law school, but I worry that going to such a low-ranked school will torpedo my application. What's your advice?

 
Answer: Generally, I would not hold out much hope for working at a major New York law firm if you are attending a fourth-tier school. However, there are always exceptions, and your performance in law school thus far puts you into that exceptional category. You are well within the top 5% of your class and that makes you a standout. Congratulations! You must have worked very hard this past year.

Given you are so highly ranked within your class, I think we can safely assume that you are definitely going to be asked to join the law review. And if you can hold onto your class rank you will be graduating with some very prestigious honors. Now, let's get to your question ... how in the world are you going to get a job offer from a major New York law firm when you are attending a fourth-tier law school? And how are you even going to be able to set up interviews with these firms? More than likely you will not see large numbers of them interviewing on your campus. But do not despair - there are ways to get your foot in the door!

First, march yourself over to your career services office and check to see which firms will be conducting on-campus interviews (OCI). If there are any of the New York firms coming, make sure you get on their interviewing schedule. Hone your interviewing skills and make sure to let the interviewer know that you plan on moving to New York right after graduation. But what if none of the major New York firms are interviewing on your campus? Ask your career services counselor to give you the names of your law school's alumni who are practicing in the big firms in New York
 
Armed with these names, you want to send your resume out to these people. Attach a warm and friendly, but professional, cover letter indicating your excellent class standing and the fact that you would very much like to spend your 2L summer working at their firm. Let them know that you will call them on such and such a date to discuss your possible candidacy, and then make sure you do call them on the exact date you have indicated in your letter.

Next, go through one of the several guides to top law firms and pull out the names of department heads or hiring partners at the firms that are of interest to you. Send them letters along with your resume, and cover the points discussed in the paragraph above.

Lastly, go through one of those guides once again and send your resume and a cover letter to the recruiting coordinators at the firms you have chosen. As with the alumni and the partners, indicate a specific date on which you will be phoning them.

This is a daunting task that takes a lot of your time and energy. Trust me though, there will be a payoff for you. As long as you send out enough resumes, and follow up exactly when you say you are going to do so, you are definitely going to get interviews. I hope to hear from you when you have all of your interviews lined up so that we might go over some interviewing pointers. Best wishes!

Summary: Generally, I would not hold out much hope for working at a major New York law firm if you are attending a 4th-tier school. However, there are always exceptions.