[blindlaw] 10 tips for getting noticed by recruiters

[Tim Elder]

I'm not sure both a top ranking and a top school are both necessary.  My
opinion is that one or the other will suffice for large or prestigious
firms.

Also, once you've been out for a couple years and develop a special skill
set the pedigree is less important.  Then the head hunters start calling
you.

The more important question becomes whether Big Law is an environment in
which you want to work.  Many, if not most, associates burn out after 3 to 4
years and either leave the legal profession entirely or find other career
paths (in house, government, smaller firms, etc.).  I think the legal market
is changing and many small to mid-level firms will thrive.

-----Original Message-----
From: Angela Matney [mailto:amatney at hf-law.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 2:20 PM
To: 'Blind Law Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] 10 tips for getting noticed by recruiters

Hi Dan:

I don't know Virginia's rank now, but when I was there, it was in the top
10. Certainly, some firms have more stringent requirements than others, but
the article referred to "Big Law" (note the capitalization). Many of my
classmates who were not in the top 5% got Big Law jobs. My point was that
not all "Big Law" jobs are foreclosed to people who did not graduate in the
top 5% of a top-10 law school (and I know this because I attended such a
school).

Best,

Angie





-----------------------------

Hirschler
Fleischer, A Professional Corporation Confidentiality Note: This e-mail and
any attachments are confidential and may be protected by legal privilege. If
you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying,
distribution or use of this e-mail or any attachment is prohibited. If you
have received this e-mail in error, please notify us immediately by
returning it to the sender and delete this copy from your system. Thank you
for your cooperation.


Circular 230 Notice:  Pursuant to Treasury Department Circular 230, tax
advice contained in this communication and any attachments are not intended
to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that
may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code, nor may any such tax advice
be used to promote, market or recommend to any person any transaction or
matter that is the subject of this communication and any attachments.

-----------------------------

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Daniel
McBride
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 2:12 PM
To: Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: [blindlaw] 10 tips for getting noticed by recruiters

When I was working for the corporate firm in my freshman year of law school,
the firm name was Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Brown & LaBoon.  Next to Fulbright
& Jaworski and Vinson & Elkins, it was the third largest firm in Houston,
with offices in Austin, Dallas and Washington, D.C.  At that time, Locke &
Purnell was the largest firm in Dallas, with offices in Austin and
Washington, D.C.  Lord & Bissell was a large corporate firm out of Chicago,
with offices in the United States, London and Hong Kong.



Somewhere along the line, Locke & Purnell merged with Lord & Bissell.
Shortly thereafter, Locke, Lord & Bissell merged with Liddell, Sapp.  The
firm is now Locke, Lord, Bissell & Liddell, with offices in 13 cities in
America, London and Hong Kong.



While employed at Liddell, Sapp, part of my job duties involved the
recruiting and hiring of new associates for fall and spring hiring classes.
I can tell you that their list of 'acceptable' law schools included the Ivy
League, Michigan, Stanford, Notre Dame, Illinois, UC Berkeley, Texas, Texas
Tech, Baylor & SMU to name a few.



And you had to graduate Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude to be considered.



I'm sure there are exceptions to every rule.  However, the top notch law
firms in this country recruit graduates only from the most prestigious
schools who are at the top of their class.



Angie, with all due respect to your alma mater, I cannot say that I have any
idea where Virginia ranks.  However, I would not believe it to be in the top
20 to 30 schools.  But, that's just a guess.  With all due respect to my
alma mater (South Texas College of Law), it isn't even on the list, and a
South Texas grad can forget about it.  And, perhaps, we might differ on what
is meant by a 'top' firm.  I am talking 'elite' firms such as Fulbright &
Jaworski, Vinson & Elkins and Locke Lord.  To get into one of these firms,
you best attend an Ivy League school and graduate no less than Magna Cum
Laude.



Now, of course, if one should attend any ABA accredited law school, graduate
Cum Laude and have an uncle or aunt in Congress, or a top executive at a
Wall Street firm, then they can probably be an exception to the general
rule.



And, if you lack these credentials, the other 10 tips are of little value.
That's just my 2 cents worth.



Dan McBride

Fort Worth, Texas

_______________________________________________
blindlaw mailing list
blindlaw at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blindlaw:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindlaw_nfbnet.org/amatney%40hf-law.
com