Hello! Any tips on entering big law upon graduation. Currently, a 3L at a New York school (not top ranked), 3.17 GPA. I do have great work experience working as a state judicial law intern, member of a hybrid SA program between my school and a big-law firm, and currently as an intern working on Smart Contracts and a legal advisor to the company’s CLM team. However, its been difficult to get my foot in the door and I am worried its because of my grades. Can anyone provide some advice?

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Network like crazy. Also consider starting at a regional or midlaw firm and lateraling after a year or two, if biglaw is really what you want. It's hard to start out in biglaw without the resume they're looking for, but you'll have more skills and experience in just a few years.

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Thank you for that, I greatly appreciate your advice. Do you have any recommendations on seeing which firms hire or should I just send all my docs, etc. to firm recruiters like a cold email?

Thank you again!

Unlikely that you’ll get into a firm as a 3L with those grades right now. I would work on building up your skills and then start applying again after a year. I was in a similar situation and after a year of working in regulatory consulting I was able to get into a big law firm. I highly recommend working with a recruiter as they can often submit resumes without including a transcript.

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Thank you for the advice, it is greatly appreciated. I will be sure to take this into account as I’m applying to many positions now.

I had a 3.17 GPA, and I now do M&A in big law. Had terrible, embarrassing work experience that I still am not sure what to do with on my linkedin.

Network network network network network network network, and network. Literally network so much that it is your full time job.

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DM for questions and strategy advice. Happy Holidays!

Agree with what others have said on here. I took a job with the state in a department that had transactional applications. Did that for 18 months and then lateraled to a V30 as a corporate junior. Now a senior in the life sciences group. It’s definitely possible (if this market keeps up) so just find that first job and keep grinding.

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Thank you! I greatly appreciate the advice and personal experience!

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Cold email every single big law firm

helpfulfunny

Thank you!

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