Career Portal

On-Campus Interviews (OCI) take place each fall for 2L and 3L students. Firms schedule interviews on campus, and students bid for interview slots using the bidding system. This is the primary way BigLaw and many mid-market firms hire.

• Timing: Typically begins late August through October for 1L summer and permanent positions
• Bidding System: Students receive points to bid on interviews. Strategy is key—prioritize firms carefully
• Interview Format: 20-30 minute interviews conducted by partners and associates
• Callback Interviews: Successful OCI interviews lead to callback interviews at firm offices
• Offer Timeline: Offers typically extend through November and December

Federal judgeships include Supreme Court, Circuit Court, and District Court clerkships. These are highly competitive and prestigious positions, often leading to partner-track positions at top firms or government service.

• Circuit Court Clerkships: 12 U.S. Courts of Appeals hiring clerks for 2-year terms
• District Court Clerkships: Federal trial courts offering 1-2 year clerkship positions
• Supreme Court: Only ~36 Supreme Court clerk positions available each year (extremely competitive)
• Application Timeline: Applications begin ~18 months before clerkship start date
• Hiring Criteria: Class rank, writing sample, recommendations, school prestige
• Salary: Federal clerkship salaries are standardized (~$70K-80K depending on location)

State Supreme Court and appellate court clerkships. Less competitive than federal clerkships but still prestigious. Requirements vary significantly by state.

• State Supreme Courts: Higher salaries than federal courts in many states
• Appellate Courts: Intermediate appellate court clerkships in state systems
• Trial Court Judges: Some students clerk for state trial court judges
• Varied Requirements: Each state has different hiring processes and timelines
• Geographic Considerations: Often students return to their home state for clerkships

Work for nonprofits, government agencies, and public interest organizations advancing social justice. Often offers more meaningful work and work-life balance than BigLaw.

• Legal Aid Organizations: Serve low-income clients in civil matters
• Public Defender Offices: Represent defendants who cannot afford private counsel
• Prosecutor Offices: Work for state attorneys general or district attorneys
• Advocacy Organizations: ACLU, Environmental Law, LGBTQ+ advocacy, immigrant rights
• Government Agencies: EPA, FTC, SEC, EEOC, and other federal agencies
• Loan Forgiveness: Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program available for qualifying positions

Post-graduate fellowships provide funding and mentorship for recent law graduates pursuing public interest work.

• Equal Justice Works: Funds 1-2 year post-grad fellowships at nonprofits
• Skadden Fellowship: Prestigious fellowship supporting civil rights and public interest organizations
• Other Fellowships: Environmental law, immigration law, youth advocacy
• Funding: Fellowships provide salaries (~$50K-60K) plus loan repayment assistance

Large law firms (200+ attorneys) with multiple office locations. Known for high salaries, prestige, and intense work environments.

• Salary: Market rate salaries ($180K-215K starting) with annual bonuses
• Partner Track: 7-10 year partnership track (becoming less common)
• Practice Areas: Corporate law, litigation, tax, IP, real estate, etc.
• Work Culture: High billable hour requirements, competitive environment
• Recruitment: OCI is the primary recruitment mechanism for BigLaw
• Prestige Premium: Attended top law school = significantly better BigLaw recruitment prospects

Mid-sized firms (20-200 attorneys) and solo practitioners offer different advantages: more specialization, client contact, and often better work-life balance.

• Specialization: Deeper experience in specific practice areas
• Client Relations: More direct client contact and relationship building
• Work-Life Balance: Generally lower billable hour requirements than BigLaw
• Salary: Varies widely; may be lower than BigLaw but with better quality of life
• Partnership: Faster path to partnership or ownership
• Entrepreneurship: Solo practice offers maximum autonomy but requires business development skills

Attorneys in federal agencies shape policy and enforce the law. Positions include DOJ honors program, specialized agencies, and regulatory work.

• DOJ Honors Program: Prestigious 2-year program for recent law school graduates
• Specialized Agencies: EPA, FTC, SEC, EEOC, CFPB, and others
• Work-Life Balance: Generally superior to BigLaw (40-45 hour weeks)
• Salary: Lower than BigLaw but with job security and federal benefits
• Expertise Development: Deep specialization in regulatory/administrative law

State attorneys general, prosecutor offices, and local government legal departments offer important public service opportunities.

• State Attorney General: Constitutional and appellate litigation on behalf of the state
• Prosecutors: Criminal law and trial experience through district attorney offices
• Public Defenders: Criminal defense for indigent defendants
• Local Government Counsel: Municipal and county legal departments
• Policy Experience: Direct input on legislative and regulatory matters

Law degree holders also pursue careers outside traditional legal practice.

• Business & Consulting: General counsel roles, corporate strategy, management consulting
• Tech & Startups: General counsel for tech companies, legal tech startups
• Finance: Investment banking, hedge funds, asset management
• Policy & Lobbying: Legislative advocacy, think tanks, policy organizations
• Academia: Law professor or legal scholar (typically requires LLM/PhD)
• Entrepreneurship: Starting your own business or legal tech venture
• Nonprofit Leadership: Executive director or board member roles