\n
var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.pubads().disableInitialLoad(); });
device = device.default;
//this function refreshes [adhesion] ad slot every 60 second and makes prebid bid on it every 60 seconds // Set timer to refresh slot every 60 seconds function setIntervalMobile() { if (!device.mobile()) return if (adhesion) setInterval(function(){ googletag.pubads().refresh([adhesion]); }, 60000); } if(device.desktop()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [728, 90], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } else if(device.tablet()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } else if(device.mobile()) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { leaderboard_top = googletag.defineSlot('/22018898626/LC_Article_detail_page', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1591620860846-0').setTargeting('pos', ['1']).setTargeting('div_id', ['leaderboard_top']).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); }); } googletag.cmd.push(function() { // Enable lazy loading with... googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ // Fetch slots within 5 viewports. // fetchMarginPercent: 500, fetchMarginPercent: 100, // Render slots within 2 viewports. // renderMarginPercent: 200, renderMarginPercent: 100, // Double the above values on mobile, where viewports are smaller // and users tend to scroll faster. mobileScaling: 2.0 }); });

Law School Admissions: Residency, Legacy and Other Factors

Most law firms avoid posting jobs on Indeed or LinkedIn due to high costs. Instead, they publish them on their own websites, bar association pages, and niche legal boards. LawCrossing finds these hidden jobs, giving you access to exclusive opportunities. Sign up now!

published January 25, 2013

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Public law schools—i.e., law schools at state-funded universities—generally give preferential admissions treatment to their own state's residents. The degree of preference varies from school to school. Hastings, for example, gives no preference, Michigan gives very little, and North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia give substantial preference. Virginia, for instance, appears (on rough calculations) to give residents a preference equal to 0.25-0.3 undergraduate grade points or 4-5 LSAT points. Given the admissions impact—plus the lower tuition at state schools—it is well worth exploring the possibilities of becoming a resident, either before or after you apply. If you become a resident before applying, of course, you can reap both the admissions preference benefit and the lower tuition; if you become a resident only after applying, perhaps during a deferral year, you will stand to gain only the tuition advantage.
 
Law School Admissions: Residency, Legacy and Other Factors

Residency

Public law schools—i.e., law schools at state-funded universities—generally give preferential admissions treatment to their own state's residents. The degree of preference varies from school to school. Hastings, for example, gives no preference, Michigan gives very little, and North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia give substantial preference. Virginia, for instance, appears (on rough calculations) to give residents a preference equal to 0.25-0.3 undergraduate grade points or 4-5 LSAT points. Given the admissions impact—plus the lower tuition at state schools—it is well worth exploring the possibilities of becoming a resident, either before or after you apply. If you become a resident before applying, of course, you can reap both the admissions preference benefit and the lower tuition; if you become a resident only after applying, perhaps during a deferral year, you will stand to gain only the tuition advantage.

Click Here to Find Law Student Jobs on LawCrossing

States generally take a number of factors into account in determining residency. You are likely to be considered a resident if you attended high school in the state, your parents were and remain state residents, and you have not left the state for any substantial, full-time purpose other than education or military service.

To become a resident, on the other hand, expect some or all of the following to be considered:
  • Where you are registered to vote (and have voted)
  • Whether you have a state driver's license (or identity card, if you do not drive)
  • Which address you designate on school, employment, and military records
  • Where you register your automobile
  • Whether you pay state income taxes as a resident
  • Where you reside (and for how long each year), and where your belongings are kept
  • Whether you return to your prior state of residence on a regular basis
It will be necessary to provide documentary evidence of the relevant factors. You will have difficulty establishing residence in a state if you are considered a dependent of your parents and they live elsewhere, because this single factor will tend to give you the same state residence as they enjoy. To be considered financially independent of your parents requires at a minimum that you not be claimed as an income-tax deduction. Some states will also consider your age, whether you are married, whether you have dependents (other than your spouse), and whether you are financially self-sufficient.

To be sure of your status, check with the law school's admissions department to find out who at the university can advise you. (This is a function generally handled on a university-wide basis.) Note that in some states it is easy to convert from nonresident to resident status during your time in law school; in other states, this is all but impossible while you remain a student.

Legacies

Being a "legacy"—i.e., related to someone who attended a given school—can greatly improve your chances of admission to college. At the graduate-school level, however, the situation is dramatically different. First of all, schools tend to pay little attention to "legacies" from any other school within the university. In other words, if your mother attended Northwestern Medical School, Northwestern Law School will not consider you a "legacy" at all. Even those applicants with relatives who attended the law school itself seldom receive much of a leg up in the admissions process.

Private schools tend to put slightly more weight on legacy status than do state schools, due largely to the latter relying traditionally on public rather than private funding.

United States
Click Here to Find Summer Associate Jobs on LawCrossing

International Applicants: JD and LLM Degrees

International applicants represent a small but rapidly growing segment of the JD market. As the legal market itself has become more and more global, so too has the admissions game at American law schools. It is, of course, testimony to the positive reputation American law schools enjoy that so many non-Americans are applying. In the past, of course, international applicants generally did a Bachelor of laws degree (a first degree) in their home countries, worked for some years, and then applied to an American school for an LLM. They continue to do so—in larger and larger numbers—but many foreign applicants now look to do a JD in the United States instead of doing a first law degree in their home countries, or in addition to such a first law degree.

The reasons for a foreign applicant to do an LLM are clear. The traditional reason was to learn about American law, so as to go back to the home country and be a better informed lawyer, professor, diplomat, or government administrator. Of course it did not hurt to add the cachet of a Harvard or a Georgetown or a Columbia degree to their curriculum vitae, either. A new reason has been added in recent years. Many international candidates for LLM degrees at the leading American law schools have come intending to practice in America after finishing their degrees. Candidates with just an LLM degree can be admitted to the bar in states such as New York.

Why, then, do foreign applicants consider doing a JD in the U.S.? Some may have done a non-law first degree, thereby necessitating about three years of study, whether in the home country or in the U.S. Similarly, some may want to practice in an American state, such as Illinois, that does not admit candidates to the bar with only an LLM. Others may want to undergo the rigorous training of an American JD degree, preferring it to their home degree options. Still others may wish to have the built-in marketing opportunities afforded by being at an American school for three years (they are able to pitch themselves to potential American employers throughout their stint) or by virtue of earning the most well-understood of American degrees.

Several things are different for international applicants whether applying for a JD or an LLM. American law schools often find it difficult to understand the nature and quality of the high school or university work done by applicants educated abroad. The same is true for work experience, extracurricular and community activities, and so on. As a result, foreign applicants need to make their credentials clear and readily understood. Thus, it can be very helpful to show how exclusive (in meritocratic terms) a given university or high school is; the way a grading system works, in full detail; the hiring policies of a firm; and so on.

Your rationale for studying in the United States will inevitably matter. At the JD level, it is particularly valuable to show that you will be able to handle the rapid flow of idiomatic English, plus the need to read large volumes of detailed materials, and to discuss them in a sophisticated manner.

One curiosity about the international application process; For a JD, a TOEFL score is not generally required but an LSAT score is; the opposite is true for an LLM.

Click Here to View the 2015 LawCrossing Salary Survey of Lawyer Salaries in the Best Law Firms

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

( 452 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.