In the bustling corridors of Columbia University in New York, the echoes of success reverberate as Columbia Law School claims the coveted crown for ushering the highest percentage of 2023 graduates into the realms of Big Law. According to freshly unveiled employment data from the American Bar Association, a staggering 76% of Columbia’s juris doctor alumni secured positions within law firms boasting 251 or more legal eagles within a mere 10 months post-graduation.
This triumph marks a dethroning of sorts, as Columbia ousts Cornell Law School from its perch atop the Big Law hierarchy. Once reigning supreme in 2021 and 2022, Cornell now finds itself relegated to the fourth spot, with a still commendable 69% of its graduates finding footing in the domains of large law firms. No words emerged from Cornell’s quarters regarding this shift.
In a close second, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law parades with pride, boasting a commendable 70% of its 2023 JDs wading into the waters of Big Law. Following suit, the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School marches gallantly, with 69% of its graduates setting sail for the shores of large firms. The top five list concludes with the University of Virginia School of Law, proudly showcasing a robust 68% of its class venturing into the realms of Big Law.
The recent release of employment data by the ABA paints a picture of a thriving job market for these legal prodigies. Among the 30,160 newly minted JDs in the year gone by, a staggering 85.6% found themselves ensconced in full-time, permanent positions that either mandated bar passage or where a JD proved advantageous within the span of 10 months post-graduation—an unparalleled zenith over the past decade.
A closer examination of the data by Reuters unveils the stalwart institutions that steered the highest percentage of their 2023 graduates into the bosom of large law firms. These legal juggernauts, predominantly engaged in representing corporate behemoths in transactions and litigation, wage a relentless battle for associate talent. With starting salaries at many of these prestigious firms soaring to a princely sum of $225,000 annually, the allure for aspiring legal luminaries is undeniable.
Yet, a somber forecast looms on the horizon for the cohorts of 2024 and 2025. With the former witnessing a significant surge in numbers, the scramble for coveted positions amplifies, intensifying the competition amongst aspirants. Furthermore, an 11-year nadir in summer associate recruitment, as unveiled by NALP, serves as a stark harbinger, suggesting a prudent tightening of reins by law firms on their headcounts.
As the legal landscape evolves, the narrative of triumph and challenge continues to unfold, with institutions like Columbia Law School leading the charge, carving pathways for their graduates into the illustrious realms of Big Law.
