How Much Does the Law School You Went to Matter When You Lateral Firms?

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Most attorneys believe that the law school they went to matters a great deal when they are lateralling law firms. Does it? I decided to find out how much it matters by simply tallying BCG interview and placement data from attorneys coming from different law schools. This is a very interesting and likely accurate way to assess how much the law school an attorney attends matters and how seriously the market treats each law school.

This article contains many charts created from BCG interview and placement data. Each chart has a slightly different focal point or emphasis in regards to the issue of how much law school matters for law firm interviews and placements. There are 15 charts located throughout the article, so to help orient the reader as to what can be expected, here is an index of the charts:


OVERVIEW DATA FOR INTERVIEWS AND PLACEMENTS DURING 2015 AND 2016
    

1. Chart A. Frequency with Which BCG Candidates from Various Law Schools Received Law Firm Interviews in 2015 and 2016
2. Chart B. Frequency with Which BCG Candidates from Various Law Schools Received Law Firm Placements in 2015 and 2016

DATA RELATED TO LAW FIRM INTERVIEWS IN 2016
 

1. Chart 1. Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Interviews in 2016 by Law School
2. Chart 2. Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Interviews in 2016 by Law School, As Weighted for Class Size
3. Chart 3. Top 10 Law Schools for BCG Candidates That Received Interviews in 2016, Not Accounting for Class Size
4. Chart 4. Top 9 Law Schools for BCG Candidates That Received Interviews in 2016, Accounting for Class Size
5. Chart 5. Top 5 Law Schools for Laterals Getting Interviews in 2016 (Accounting for Class Size and Not Accounting for Class Size and Listed on Charts 3 and 4)
6. Chart 6. Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Placements in 2016 by Law School
7. Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Placements in 2016 by Law School, As Weighted for Class Size
8. Chart 8. Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Placements in 2015 by Law School
9. Chart 9. Top 20 Law Schools for BCG Candidates That Received Placements in 2016, Not Accounting for Class Size
10. Chart 10. Top 20 Law Schools for BCG Candidates That Received Placements in 2016, Accounting for Class Size
11. Chart 11. Top 15 Law Schools for Laterals Getting Placements in 2016 (Accounting for Class Size/Not Accounting for Class Size and Listed on Charts 9 and 10)
12. Chart 12. Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Placements in 2015 by Law School
13. Chart 13. Top 6 Law Schools for BCG Candidates That Earned the Most Placements in 2015 and 2016

The lateral market is different from the entry-level market. In the entry-level market, the school that an attorney attends really does matter, and it is important. There are no other criteria for firms to evaluate candidates by at such an early stage in their legal careers. This is how law firms separate the “wheat from the chaff.”

Do you think it is fair that law firms mainly use an attorney's law school ranking in the selection process? Share your comments below.
 

Harrison Barnes

For more information about the current state of the market, by practice area as well as by geographic region, please see the following:
 

• The BCG Attorney Search 2017 State of the American Lateral Law Firm Legal Market Report

At BCG Attorney Search, we only work with attorneys in the lateral market. The attorneys we work with are interested in new lateral opportunities.
 

• We find our candidates using a variety of methods, including advertising, our existing databases, networking, traditional recruiting, and more.
• Each year, tens of thousands of attorneys approach us looking for positions. If the attorney is coming out of a practice setting where he or she is getting good experience and appears to be someone for whom our few decades of experience indicate a placement is likely, we will try to work with the attorney.
• We want to work with anyone we believe is marketable because this is how we get paid.
• A good school will bias us in the candidate’s favor, of course, but the most important criteria for a law firm deciding whether or not to hire a particular candidate is whether or not the attorney has the experience that they are looking for and is coming out of a practice setting that suggests they are going to be able to perform for the firm’s clients.
• The fact that an attorney is looking for a position through us may suggest that the attorney is not happy at his or her existing firm, trying to move to a better firm, not doing well at his or her current firm, or doing well but simply looking for something better.

Out of all of this information, however, the most important point is that law firms that hire attorneys through legal recruiters are doing so because they are extremely concerned about whom they hire. They hire and use legal recruiters to go out into the market seeking talent because they have serious concerns about quality: They want the absolute best people they can find.

How can you show a law firm that you are the absolute best candidate for them?

See the following articles for more information:
 

• The Only Six Factors Prestigious Law Firms Care about When Hiring Lateral Attorneys
• Be the Person You Are Capable of Being
• The Importance of High Standards in Your Life and Career: What High Standards Mean

In order to do the study, this is what I did:
 

1. I made a spreadsheet by including data from all the interviews and placements made by our firm during the past two years (2015 and 2016).
2. I counted the number of interviews that attorneys from each law school received.
3. I did a separate calculation controlling this information for class size from each school, since this had an impact on how many attorneys the law school sent into the market each year to compete.

A. OVERVIEW DATA FOR INTERVIEWS AND PLACEMENTS DURING 2015 and 2016

Chart A. Frequency with Which BCG Candidates from Various Law Schools Received Law Firm Interviews in 2015 and 2016
 

Law School	Yearly Class Size	Year 2015(%)	Year 2016(%)	Growth or Decline Based on 2015	Weightage	Rank as per Weightage
University of Chicago Law School	206	1.4%	3.9%	170.24%	17.99	1
Columbia Law School	388	3.1%	2.1%	-32.58%	5.15	30
Albany Law School of Union University	121	0.1%	0.1%	-12.35%	0.82	108
American University	351	0.4%	0.8%	133.72%	2.28	72
Ave Maria School of Law	89	0.1%	0.1%	-12.35%	1.12	97
Baylor University School of Law	131	0.2%	0.5%	119.11%	3.82	49
Boston College Law School	231	1.2%	1.8%	49.00%	7.35	16
University of California	312	1.3%	2.3%	75.29%	7.06	18
Brooklyn Law School	302	0.4%	0.5%	46.08%	1.65	81
Boston University School of Law	224	1.3%	2.6%	99.19%	11.16	2
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law	294	0.7%	0.6%	-12.35%	2.04	77
Chapman University School of Law	145	0.2%	0.1%	-56.18%	0.69	114
Charlotte School of Law	237	0.1%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	124
Thomas M. Cooley Law School	58	0.5%	0.4%	-12.35%	6.90	20
Cleveland State University	93	0.1%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	125
The Catholic University of America	94	0.1%	0.4%	250.58%	4.24	39
Interamerican University - School of Law	255	0.0%	0.1%	100.00%	0.39	123
Drexel University School of Law	129	0.2%	0.2%	-12.35%	1.55	85
Fordham Law School	319	2.9%	1.8%	-37.92%	5.33	27
University of Southern California, The Law School	199	2.3%	0.5%	-76.94%	2.51	67
George Washington University	490	1.9%	1.7%	-12.35%	3.27	56
Harvard Law School	589	2.2%	1.6%	-26.96%	2.55	66
Indiana University McKinney School of Law	173	0.2%	0.4%	75.29%	2.31	71
John Marshall Law School	248	1.4%	1.4%	-5.05%	5.24	29
Chicago-Kent College of Law	212	0.2%	1.6%	557.34%	7.09	17
Arizona State University College of Law	208	2.5%	1.0%	-62.44%	4.33	38
State University of New York at Buffalo Law School	165	0.4%	0.2%	-41.57%	1.21	94
Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School	131	0.5%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	126
Capital University Law School	85	0.1%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	127
Case Western Reserve University School of Law	127	1.6%	0.4%	-73.03%	3.16	57
De Paul University College of Law	201	0.2%	0.5%	119.11%	2.49	69
University of Denver, Sturm College of Law	234	0.1%	0.2%	75.29%	0.86	107
Duke University School of Law	223	1.4%	1.6%	9.56%	6.74	21
Duquesne School of Law	102	0.2%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	128
Emory University School of Law	279	1.9%	0.3%	-83.57%	1.08	99
Florida International University College of Law	125	0.0%	0.2%	100.00%	1.60	83
Georgetown University Law Center	575	6.4%	4.9%	-23.93%	8.00	12
George Mason University School of Law	110	0.7%	0.1%	-85.39%	0.91	104
Gonzaga University School of Law	112	0.0%	0.1%	100.00%	0.89	106
Hofstra University School of Law	226	0.8%	0.3%	-62.44%	1.33	92
Howard University School of Law	138	0.0%	0.3%	100.00%	2.18	74
University of Illinois College of Law	159	1.2%	1.2%	-3.59%	6.92	19
Indiana University Maurer School of Law	179	1.3%	0.2%	-84.06%	1.12	98
University of Kansas School of Law	121	0.4%	0.5%	46.08%	4.14	44
Marquette University Law School	174	0.1%	0.6%	425.87%	3.45	52
University of Miami School of Law	303	0.2%	0.6%	162.94%	1.98	79
Michigan State College of Law	236	1.4%	0.5%	-63.48%	2.12	76
North Carolina Central University School of Law	157	0.0%	0.4%	100.00%	2.55	65
University of Notre Dame Law School	194	0.6%	1.0%	57.76%	4.65	34
Northwestern University School of Law	219	0.0%	1.5%	100.00%	6.38	25
New York University School of Law	465	4.5%	4.8%	6.60%	9.68	7
University of Oklahoma College of Law	156	0.0%	0.2%	100.00%	1.28	93
Pace University School of Law	155	0.0%	0.4%	100.00%	2.58	63
Pepperdine University School of Law	199	1.1%	0.5%	-51.31%	2.51	68
University of Pittsburgh School of Law	151	0.6%	0.3%	-47.41%	1.99	78
University of Richmond School of Law	156	0.4%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	129
Rutgers School of Law - Newark	298	0.7%	1.0%	31.47%	3.02	59
University of South Carolina School of Law	206	0.0%	0.7%	100.00%	3.40	54
Santa Clara University School of Law	169	0.5%	0.7%	53.38%	4.15	43
Seattle University School of Law	186	0.4%	1.0%	162.94%	4.85	32
Seton Hall University School of Law	118	1.8%	0.4%	-76.63%	3.40	53
St. Louis University School of Law	139	0.2%	0.2%	-12.35%	1.44	90
Stanford University Law School	191	1.6%	0.1%	-93.26%	0.52	121
Stetson University College of Law	224	0.2%	0.1%	-56.18%	0.45	122
Syracuse University College of Law	168	1.6%	0.5%	-66.29%	2.97	61
Temple University, Beasley School of Law	178	0.1%	0.2%	75.29%	1.12	96
Texas Tech University School of Law	187	0.2%	0.1%	-56.18%	0.53	120
Tulane University Law School	190	1.2%	2.0%	66.53%	10.00	6
University of Alabama School of Law	144	0.2%	0.1%	-56.18%	0.70	113
University of Arkansas School of Law	117	0.2%	0.3%	31.47%	2.57	64
University of Baltimore School of Law	165	0.1%	0.7%	513.52%	4.23	40
University of Cincinnati College of Law	92	0.1%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	130
University of California, Davis School of Law	165	0.1%	0.1%	-12.35%	0.61	116
UCLA School of Law	325	1.0%	2.6%	173.89%	7.70	14
The University of Connecticut School of Law	109	0.4%	0.6%	75.29%	5.49	26
School of Law, University of Detroit Mercy	146	0.0%	0.1%	100.00%	0.68	115
University of Florida College of Law	320	0.1%	0.7%	513.52%	2.19	73
The University of Georgia School of Law	192	0.4%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	131
University of Houston Law Center	202	0.8%	0.3%	-62.44%	1.49	88
The University of Iowa College of Law	129	0.5%	0.2%	-56.18%	1.55	86
University of Maryland School of Law	171	2.0%	1.2%	-43.29%	6.42	24
The University of Michigan Law School	311	3.9%	3.4%	-12.35%	10.30	4
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law	129	0.2%	0.3%	31.47%	2.33	70
University of Minnesota Law School	211	0.6%	0.8%	40.23%	3.80	50
University of North Carolina School of Law	219	0.4%	0.2%	-41.57%	0.91	103
Franklin Pierce Law Center	69	0.4%	0.7%	104.51%	10.14	5
University of Nebraska College of Law	110	0.0%	0.1%	100.00%	0.91	105
William S. Boyd School of Law	126	0.1%	0.2%	75.29%	1.58	84
University of Oregon Law School	122	0.0%	0.2%	100.00%	1.64	82
University of Pennsylvania Law School	251	1.1%	2.2%	104.51%	8.37	11
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law	107	0.2%	0.2%	-12.35%	1.86	80
The University of Texas School of Law	316	0.8%	1.5%	75.29%	4.43	37
University of Washington School of Law	165	1.1%	0.1%	-90.26%	0.60	117
Vanderbilt University Law School	179	0.7%	0.8%	16.86%	4.46	36
Villanova University School of Law	164	0.4%	0.5%	46.08%	3.05	58
The University of Virginia School of Law	311	1.2%	3.1%	154.17%	9.31	8
Wayne State University Law School	122	0.5%	0.1%	-78.09%	0.82	109
Wake Forest University School of Law	164	0.4%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	132
Whittier Law School	109	0.0%	0.1%	100.00%	0.92	102
University of Wisconsin Law School	173	0.1%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	133
Washington & Lee University School of Law	105	0.6%	0.4%	-29.88%	3.82	48
William & Mary School of Law	215	1.3%	1.2%	-12.35%	5.12	31
Washington University School of Law	109	1.9%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	134
Yale Law School	205	0.8%	2.3%	175.46%	10.75	3
Cornell Law School	196	1.3%	1.4%	3.58%	6.63	23
Lewis & Clark	138	0.2%	0.1%	-56.18%	0.72	112
Loyola Law School	267	0.7%	2.5%	250.58%	9.00	10
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School	101	0.0%	0.3%	100.00%	2.98	60
Loyola University Chicago School of Law	194	1.3%	1.0%	-28.29%	4.64	35
McGeorge School of Law	119	0.2%	0.5%	119.11%	4.21	41
William Mitchell College of Law	125	0.0%	0.1%	100.00%	0.80	110
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law	174	1.1%	0.7%	-31.83%	4.02	45
Northeastern University School of Law	151	3.5%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	135
University of Mississippi	126	0.0%	0.1%	100.00%	0.79	111
Ohio State University	174	0.0%	0.1%	100.00%	0.57	119
Quinnipiac University School of Law	69	0.0%	0.1%	100.00%	1.44	89
University of San Diego School of Law	211	1.1%	0.7%	-31.83%	3.31	55
Southern Methodist University	187	0.0%	0.4%	100.00%	2.14	75
South Texas College of Law	265	0.2%	0.3%	31.47%	1.13	95
St. John's University School of Law	201	1.2%	1.7%	40.23%	7.95	13
University of St. Thomas Law School	210	0.0%	0.2%	100.00%	0.95	101
St. Thomas University School of Law	113	0.5%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	136
Suffolk University Law School	263	1.4%	0.4%	-70.78%	1.52	87
Southwestern Law School	220	0.0%	0.8%	100.00%	3.64	51
Thurgood Marshall School of Law	169	0.1%	0.1%	-12.35%	0.59	118
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law	132	0.2%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	137
University of California, Hastings	301	1.0%	2.1%	119.11%	6.64	22
University of Dayton School of Law	85	1.9%	0.4%	-78.09%	4.69	33
University of Kentucky	125	0.0%	0.5%	100.00%	4.01	46
University of North Dakota	75	0.1%	0.2%	75.29%	2.68	62
University of New Hampshire	72	0.0%	0.1%	100.00%	1.40	91
University of San Francisco	144	0.4%	0.6%	75.29%	4.18	42
University of Toledo College of Law	65	0.0%	0.6%	100.00%	9.18	9
Valparaiso University School of Law	40	0.0%	0.3%	100.00%	7.44	15
Vermont Law School	125	0.0%	0.5%	100.00%	4.00	47
Widener University School of Law	106	0.4%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	138
Willamette University College of Law	100	0.0%	0.1%	100.00%	1.00	100
Washington University	228	0.0%	1.3%	100.00%	5.26	28

Chart B. Frequency with Which BCG Candidates from Various Law Schools Received Law Firm Placements in 2015 and 2016
 

Law School	Yearly Class Size	Year 2015(%)	Year 2016(%)	Growth or Decline Based on 2015	Weightage	Rank as per Weightage
University of Arizona	120	0.7%	0.9%	40.74%	0.84	27
American University Washington College of Law	351	2.0%	1.9%	-6.17%	0.57	39
Baylor University	131	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	57
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law	294	1.3%	0.9%	-29.63%	0.34	54
Boston College Law School	231	3.3%	1.9%	-43.70%	0.86	23
Boston University School of Law	224	0.7%	2.8%	322.22%	1.34	9
Brooklyn Law School	302	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	58
Case Western Reserve University School of Law	127	2.0%	0.9%	-53.09%	0.79	29
The Catholic University of America	94	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	59
Charlotte School of Law	237	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	60
Chicago Kent College of Law	212	0.7%	0.9%	40.74%	0.47	49
Columbia University School of Law	388	2.6%	7.4%	181.48%	2.06	2
Cornell Law School	196	0.7%	2.8%	322.22%	1.53	6
Dayton University School of Law	85	0.7%	0.9%	40.74%	1.17	14
DePaul University School of Law	201	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	61
Duke Law School	223	1.3%	0.9%	-29.63%	0.45	51
Emory University	279	1.3%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	62
Fordham University School of Law	319	3.3%	0.9%	-71.85%	0.31	56
George Mason University School of Law	110	2.6%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	63
George Washington University Law School	490	3.9%	2.8%	-29.63%	0.61	36
Georgetown University Law Center	575	2.6%	3.7%	40.74%	0.70	33
Georgia State University College of Law	152	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	64
Gould School of Law	199	4.6%	0.9%	-79.89%	0.50	42
Harvard Law School	589	4.6%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	65
Howard University School of Law	138	1.3%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	66
Indiana University Maurer School of Law	179	0.7%	0.9%	40.74%	0.56	40
Indiana University Mckinney School of Law	173	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	67
Loyola Law School	267	0.7%	2.8%	322.22%	1.13	16
Loyola University Chicago School of Law	194	1.3%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	68
Michigan State College of Law	236	0.7%	0.9%	40.74%	0.42	53
New York University School of Law	465	3.9%	3.7%	-6.17%	0.86	24
Northeastern University School of Law	151	1.3%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	69
Northwestern University School of Law	219	2.6%	2.8%	5.56%	1.37	8
Notre Dame School of Law	194	0.7%	1.9%	181.48%	1.03	18
Pennsylvania State University	118	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	70
Seton Hall University School of Law	118	2.0%	0.9%	-53.09%	0.85	26
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law	187	0.7%	0.9%	40.74%	0.54	41
Stanford Law School	191	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	71
Suffolk University Law School	263	0.7%	1.9%	181.48%	0.76	32
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law	174	0.7%	1.9%	181.48%	1.15	15
The University of Chicago Law School	206	3.9%	1.9%	-53.09%	0.97	20
The University of Kansas School of Law	121	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	72
The University of Texas School of Law	316	2.6%	3.7%	40.74%	1.26	12
The University of Virginia School of Law	311	2.0%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	73
Thomas M. Cooley Law School	58	0.7%	0.9%	40.74%	1.72	5
Tulane University Law School	190	1.3%	1.9%	40.74%	1.05	17
UC Berkeley School of Law	312	3.3%	5.6%	68.89%	1.93	3
UCLA School of Law	325	1.3%	1.9%	40.74%	0.62	35
University at Buffalo Law School	165	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	74
University of Connecticut School of Law	109	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	75
University of Iowa College of Law	129	0.7%	0.9%	40.74%	0.78	31
University of Maryland School of Law	171	1.3%	0.9%	-29.63%	0.58	38
University of Michigan Law School	311	0.7%	3.7%	462.96%	1.29	11
University of North Carolina School of Law	219	1.3%	0.9%	-29.63%	0.46	50
University of Pennsylvania Law School	251	1.3%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	76
University of Pittsburgh School of Law	151	2.0%	1.9%	-6.17%	1.32	10
University of Richmond School of Law	156	1.3%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	77
University of San Diego School of Law	211	1.3%	0.9%	-29.63%	0.47	48
University of San Francisco Law School	144	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	78
University of Wisconsin Law School	173	1.3%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	79
Utah University School of Law	107	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	80
Vanderbilt University Law School	179	1.3%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	81
Vermont Law School	125	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	82
Villanova University School of Law	164	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	83
Washington and Lee University, School of Law	105	0.7%	0.9%	40.74%	0.96	21
Washington University School of Law	109	2.0%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	84
William S. Richardson, University of Hawaii	77	0.7%	0.0%	-100.00%	0.00	85
Yale Law School	205	0.7%	0.9%	40.74%	0.49	45
Drexel University School of Law	129	0.0%	0.9%	100.00%	0.78	30
Franklin Pierce Law Center	69	1.3%	1.9%	40.74%	2.90	1
Hastings College of the Law	301	0.0%	2.8%	100.00%	1.00	19
John Marshall Law School	248	0.0%	2.8%	100.00%	1.21	13
Pepperdine University School of Law	199	0.0%	0.9%	100.00%	0.50	43
Santa Clara University School of Law	169	0.0%	0.9%	100.00%	0.59	37
St John’s School of Law	201	0.0%	2.8%	100.00%	1.49	7
University of Arkansas School of Law	117	0.0%	0.9%	100.00%	0.86	25
University of Denver Sturm College of Law	234	0.0%	0.9%	100.00%	0.43	52
University of Florida Levin College of Law	320	0.7%	1.9%	181.48%	0.62	34
University of Houston Law Center	202	0.0%	0.9%	100.00%	0.50	44
University of Miami School of Law	303	0.0%	0.9%	100.00%	0.33	55
University of Minnesota	211	0.0%	0.9%	100.00%	0.47	47
University of Missouri	108	0.0%	1.9%	100.00%	1.85	4
University of South Carolina School of Law	206	0.0%	0.9%	100.00%	0.49	46
Wayne State University Law School	122	0.0%	0.9%	100.00%	0.82	28
Whittier Law School	109	0.0%	0.9%	100.00%	0.92	22

B. DATA RELATED TO LAW FIRM INTERVIEWS IN 2016

Here are the results regarding law schools from which our candidates received interviews in 2016:

CHART 1

Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Interviews in 2016 by Law School
 

Georgetown University Law Center	4.90%
New York University School of Law	4.80%
University of Chicago Law School	3.90%
The University of Michigan Law School	3.40%
The University of Virginia School of Law	3.10%
UCLA School of Law	2.60%
Boston University School of Law	2.60%
Loyola Law School	2.50%
University of California	2.30%
Yale Law School	2.30%
University of Pennsylvania Law School	2.20%
Columbia Law School	2.10%
University of California, Hastings	2.10%
Tulane University Law School	2.00%
Fordham Law School	1.80%
Boston College Law School	1.80%
George Washington University	1.70%
St. John’s University School of Law	1.70%
Harvard Law School	1.60%
Duke University School of Law	1.60%
Chicago-Kent College of Law	1.60%
The University of Texas School of Law	1.50%
Northwestern University School of Law	1.50%
John Marshall Law School	1.40%
Cornell Law School	1.40%
Washington University	1.30%
William & Mary School of Law	1.20%
University of Maryland School of Law	1.20%
University of Illinois College of Law	1.20%
Rutgers School of Law – Newark	1.00%
Arizona State University College of Law	1.00%
Loyola University Chicago School of Law	1.00%
University of Notre Dame Law School	1.00%
Seattle University School of Law	1.00%
American University	0.80%
Southwestern Law School	0.80%
University of Minnesota Law School	0.80%
Vanderbilt University Law School	0.80%
University of Florida College of Law	0.70%
University of San Diego School of Law	0.70%
University of South Carolina School of Law	0.70%
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law	0.70%
Santa Clara University School of Law	0.70%
University of Baltimore School of Law	0.70%
Franklin Pierce Law Center	0.70%
University of Miami School of Law	0.60%
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law	0.60%
Marquette University Law School	0.60%
University of San Francisco	0.60%
The University of Connecticut School of Law	0.60%
University of Toledo College of Law	0.60%
Brooklyn Law School	0.50%
Michigan State College of Law	0.50%
De Paul University College of Law	0.50%
Pepperdine University School of Law	0.50%
University of Southern California, The Law School	0.50%
Syracuse University College of Law	0.50%
Villanova University School of Law	0.50%
Baylor University School of Law	0.50%
Vermont Law School	0.50%
University of Kentucky	0.50%
University of Kansas School of Law	0.50%
McGeorge School of Law	0.50%
Suffolk University Law School	0.40%
Southern Methodist University	0.40%
Indiana University McKinney School of Law	0.40%
North Carolina Central University School of Law	0.40%
Pace University School of Law	0.40%
Case Western Reserve University School of Law	0.40%
Seton Hall University School of Law	0.40%
Washington & Lee University School of Law	0.40%
The Catholic University of America	0.40%
University of Dayton School of Law	0.40%
Thomas M. Cooley Law School	0.40%
Emory University School of Law	0.30%
South Texas College of Law	0.30%
Hofstra University School of Law	0.30%
University of Houston Law Center	0.30%
University of Pittsburgh School of Law	0.30%
Howard University School of Law	0.30%
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law	0.30%
University of Arkansas School of Law	0.30%
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School	0.30%
Valparaiso University School of Law	0.30%
University of Denver, Sturm College of Law	0.20%
University of North Carolina School of Law	0.20%
University of St. Thomas Law School	0.20%
Indiana University Maurer School of Law	0.20%
Temple University, Beasley School of Law	0.20%
State University of New York at Buffalo Law School	0.20%
University of Oklahoma College of Law	0.20%
St. Louis University School of Law	0.20%
The University of Iowa College of Law	0.20%
Drexel University School of Law	0.20%
William S. Boyd School of Law	0.20%
Florida International University College of Law	0.20%
University of Oregon Law School	0.20%
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law	0.20%
University of North Dakota	0.20%
Interamerican University - School of Law	0.10%
Stetson University College of Law	0.10%
Stanford University Law School	0.10%
Texas Tech University School of Law	0.10%
Ohio State University	0.10%
Thurgood Marshall School of Law	0.10%
University of Washington School of Law	0.10%
University of California, Davis School of Law	0.10%
School of Law, University of Detroit Mercy	0.10%
Chapman University School of Law	0.10%
University of Alabama School of Law	0.10%
Lewis & Clark	0.10%
University of Mississippi	0.10%
William Mitchell College of Law	0.10%
Wayne State University Law School	0.10%
Albany Law School of Union University	0.10%
Gonzaga University School of Law	0.10%
University of Nebraska College of Law	0.10%
George Mason University School of Law	0.10%
Whittier Law School	0.10%
Willamette University College of Law	0.10%
Ave Maria School of Law	0.10%
University of New Hampshire	0.10%
Quinnipiac University School of Law	0.10%

This information is useful and interesting because it certainly does demonstrate what most people already understand: You are generally better off going to a better school.

How much has the law school you attended affected your legal career?

See the following articles for more information:
 

• Do Grades and School Rankings Matter If Aiming for a Big-Law Job?
• How Easy Is It to Relocate If You Went to a Second-Tier Law School?

I also believe it is important to control for the size of the school, as schools should be weighted according to the number of people they send out into the market. When this is done you get different results:


CHART 2

Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Interviews in 2016 by Law School, As Weighted for Class Size
 

Law School	School Size	Year 2016(%)	Weightage	Rank as per Weightage
University of Chicago Law School	617	3.90%	6	1
Boston University School of Law	672	2.60%	3.72	2
Yale Law School	614	2.30%	3.58	3
The University of Michigan Law School	932	3.40%	3.43	4
Franklin Pierce Law Center	207	0.70%	3.38	5
Tulane University Law School	570	2.00%	3.33	6
New York University School of Law	1,395	4.80%	3.23	7
The University of Virginia School of Law	934	3.10%	3.1	8
University of Toledo College of Law	196	0.60%	3.06	9
Loyola Law School	800	2.50%	3	10
University of Pennsylvania Law School	753	2.20%	2.79	11
Georgetown University Law Center	1,725	4.90%	2.67	12
St. John’s University School of Law	604	1.70%	2.65	13
UCLA School of Law	974	2.60%	2.57	14
Valparaiso University School of Law	121	0.30%	2.48	15
Boston College Law School	694	1.80%	2.45	16
Chicago-Kent College of Law	635	1.60%	2.36	17
University of California	935	2.30%	2.35	18
University of Illinois College of Law	477	1.20%	2.31	19
Thomas M. Cooley Law School	174	0.40%	2.3	20
Duke University School of Law	668	1.60%	2.25	21
University of California, Hastings	903	2.10%	2.21	22
Cornell Law School	588	1.40%	2.21	23
University of Maryland School of Law	514	1.20%	2.14	24
Northwestern University School of Law	658	1.50%	2.13	25
The University of Connecticut School of Law	328	0.60%	1.83	26
Fordham Law School	956	1.80%	1.78	27
Washington University	684	1.30%	1.75	28
John Marshall Law School	744	1.40%	1.75	29
Columbia Law School	1,165	2.10%	1.72	30
William & Mary School of Law	645	1.20%	1.71	31
Seattle University School of Law	557	1.00%	1.62	32
University of Dayton School of Law	256	0.40%	1.56	33
University of Notre Dame Law School	581	1.00%	1.55	34
Loyola University Chicago School of Law	582	1.00%	1.55	35
Vanderbilt University Law School	538	0.80%	1.49	36
The University of Texas School of Law	949	1.50%	1.48	37
Arizona State University College of Law	623	1.00%	1.44	38
The Catholic University of America	283	0.40%	1.41	39
University of Baltimore School of Law	496	0.70%	1.41	40
McGeorge School of Law	356	0.50%	1.4	41
University of San Francisco	431	0.60%	1.39	42
Santa Clara University School of Law	506	0.70%	1.38	43
University of Kansas School of Law	362	0.50%	1.38	44
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law	523	0.70%	1.34	45
University of Kentucky	374	0.50%	1.34	46
Vermont Law School	375	0.50%	1.33	47
Washington & Lee University School of Law	314	0.40%	1.27	48
Baylor University School of Law	393	0.50%	1.27	49
University of Minnesota Law School	632	0.80%	1.27	50
Southwestern Law School	659	0.80%	1.21	51
Marquette University Law School	521	0.60%	1.15	52
Seton Hall University School of Law	353	0.40%	1.13	53
University of South Carolina School of Law	618	0.70%	1.13	54
University of San Diego School of Law	634	0.70%	1.1	55
George Washington University	1,469	1.70%	1.09	56
Case Western Reserve University School of Law	380	0.40%	1.05	57
Villanova University School of Law	491	0.50%	1.02	58
Rutgers School of Law - Newark	893	1.00%	1.01	59
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School	302	0.30%	0.99	60
Syracuse University College of Law	505	0.50%	0.99	61
University of North Dakota	224	0.20%	0.89	62
Pace University School of Law	466	0.40%	0.86	63
University of Arkansas School of Law	350	0.30%	0.86	64
North Carolina Central University School of Law	470	0.40%	0.85	65
Harvard Law School	1,767	1.60%	0.85	66
University of Southern California, The Law School	598	0.50%	0.84	67
Pepperdine University School of Law	598	0.50%	0.84	68
De Paul University College of Law	602	0.50%	0.83	69
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law	387	0.30%	0.78	70
Indiana University McKinney School of Law	519	0.40%	0.77	71
American University	1,052	0.80%	0.76	72
University of Florida College of Law	961	0.70%	0.73	73
Howard University School of Law	413	0.30%	0.73	74
Southern Methodist University	560	0.40%	0.71	75
Michigan State College of Law	709	0.50%	0.71	76
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law	881	0.60%	0.68	77
University of Pittsburgh School of Law	453	0.30%	0.66	78
University of Miami School of Law	909	0.60%	0.66	79
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law	322	0.20%	0.62	80
Brooklyn Law School	907	0.50%	0.55	81
University of Oregon Law School	366	0.20%	0.55	82
Florida International University College of Law	374	0.20%	0.53	83
William S. Boyd School of Law	379	0.20%	0.53	84
Drexel University School of Law	386	0.20%	0.52	85
The University of Iowa College of Law	387	0.20%	0.52	86
Suffolk University Law School	788	0.40%	0.51	87
University of Houston Law Center	605	0.30%	0.5	88
Quinnipiac University School of Law	208	0.10%	0.48	89
St. Louis University School of Law	418	0.20%	0.48	90
University of New Hampshire	215	0.10%	0.47	91
Hofstra University School of Law	679	0.30%	0.44	92
University of Oklahoma College of Law	467	0.20%	0.43	93
State University of New York at Buffalo Law School	494	0.20%	0.4	94
South Texas College of Law	794	0.30%	0.38	95
Temple University, Beasley School of Law	534	0.20%	0.37	96
Ave Maria School of Law	268	0.10%	0.37	97
Indiana University Maurer School of Law	538	0.20%	0.37	98
Emory University School of Law	836	0.30%	0.36	99
Willamette University College of Law	301	0.10%	0.33	100
University of St. Thomas Law School	630	0.20%	0.32	101
Whittier Law School	326	0.10%	0.31	102
University of North Carolina School of Law	657	0.20%	0.3	103
George Mason University School of Law	329	0.10%	0.3	104
University of Nebraska College of Law	330	0.10%	0.3	105
Gonzaga University School of Law	336	0.10%	0.3	106
University of Denver, Sturm College of Law	701	0.20%	0.29	107
Albany Law School of Union University	364	0.10%	0.27	108
Wayne State University Law School	365	0.10%	0.27	109
William Mitchell College of Law	375	0.10%	0.27	110
University of Mississippi	379	0.10%	0.26	111
Lewis & Clark	414	0.10%	0.24	112
University of Alabama School of Law	431	0.10%	0.23	113
Chapman University School of Law	436	0.10%	0.23	114
School of Law, University of Detroit Mercy	438	0.10%	0.23	115
University of California, Davis School of Law	494	0.10%	0.2	116
University of Washington School of Law	496	0.10%	0.2	117
Thurgood Marshall School of Law	508	0.10%	0.2	118
Ohio State University	523	0.10%	0.19	119
Texas Tech University School of Law	561	0.10%	0.18	120
Stanford University Law School	572	0.10%	0.17	121
Stetson University College of Law	672	0.10%	0.15	122
Interamerican University - School of Law	766	0.10%	0.13	123

CHART 3

Top 10 Law Schools for BCG Candidates That Received Interviews in 2016, Not Accounting for Class Size
 

Georgetown University Law Center

New York University School of Law

University of Chicago Law School

The University of Michigan Law School

The University of Virginia School of Law

UCLA School of Law

Boston University School of Law

Loyola Law School

University of California

Yale Law School

CHART 4

Top 9 Law Schools for BCG Candidates That Received Interviews in 2016, Accounting for Class Size
 

University of Chicago Law School

Boston University School of Law

Yale Law School

The University of Michigan Law School

Franklin Pierce Law Center

Tulane University Law School

New York University School of Law

The University of Virginia School of Law

University of Toledo College of Law

What is interesting about this is that certain schools simply get “blown out of the water” when you consider them based on class size. For example, Georgetown Law Center has close to 1,800 students and like three different schools in one when you when you compare it to the University of Chicago Law School or Yale Law School. There are fewer graduates from Yale and the University of Chicago to compete with graduates from Georgetown.

The most meaningful numbers to me seem to be the schools that make both lists.

Why do you think some of the smaller schools received more interviews from big law firms in 2016?

CHART 5

Top 5 Law Schools for Laterals Getting Interviews in 2016 (Accounting for Class Size and Not Accounting for Class Size and Listed on Charts 3 and 4)
 

University of Chicago Law School

Yale Law School

The University of Michigan Law School

New York University School of Law

The University of Virginia School of Law

This data correlates with what I have observed in my practice as a legal recruiter. These five schools are the schools that the market (and not US News and World Report) seem to indicate most consistently pique the interest of most law firms. These law schools consistently send people into large law firms. They have excellent reputations and their graduates do well in the market generally.

However, it is important to note that these schools may not be the ones from which people get the most jobs. For example, I have found students from Yale Law School often go into interviews with a sense of entitlement, which turns off law firms. I have found University of Virginia Law School students earnest and hungry for positions, but not nearly as academic as Yale Law School students. I have found New York University Law School students motivated, direct, and willing to work hard.

For more observations about the top law schools, see the following article:
Top Law Schools Analyzed and Ranked By America’s Top Legal Recruiter Harrison Barnes

Each law school has its pluses and minuses. In general, the real test of what happens is when these students show up for interviews: Getting an interview is not the same thing as getting a job. Law firms will hire the very best people they can find in the market for their jobs. Hiring decisions are based on “fit,” the quality of the attorney, and whether or not the law firm believes the attorney has the personality characteristics to perform in their firm, will stay, and will work hard.

What other factors have you seen law firms look for when hiring attorneys?

See the following article for more information:
 

• 10 Factors That Matter to Big Firms More Than Where You Went to Law School: Why the Law School You Went to Ultimately Does Not Matter as Much as You Think It Does to Major Law Firms

C. Data Related to Law Firm Placements in 2016

These are the schools that yielded the most placements in 2016:

CHART 6

Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Placements in 2016 by Law School
 

Columbia University School of Law	7.40%
UC Berkeley School of Law	5.60%
New York University School of Law	3.70%
The University of Texas School of Law	3.70%
Georgetown University Law Center	3.70%
University of Michigan Law School	3.70%
George Washington University Law School	2.80%
Northwestern University School of Law	2.80%
Cornell Law School	2.80%
Boston University School of Law	2.80%
Loyola Law School	2.80%
St John’s School of Law	2.80%
John Marshall Law School	2.80%
Hastings College of the Law	2.80%
The University of Chicago Law School	1.90%
Boston College Law School	1.90%
University of Pittsburgh School of Law	1.90%
American University Washington College of Law	1.90%
Franklin Pierce Law Center	1.90%
Tulane University Law School	1.90%
UCLA School of Law	1.90%
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law	1.90%
Notre Dame School of Law	1.90%
Suffolk University Law School	1.90%
University of Florida Levin College of Law	1.90%
University of Missouri	1.90%
Gould School of Law	0.90%
Fordham University School of Law	0.90%
Seton Hall University School of Law	0.90%
Case Western Reserve University School of Law	0.90%
University of Maryland School of Law	0.90%
University of San Diego School of Law	0.90%
University of North Carolina School of Law	0.90%
Duke Law School	0.90%
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law	0.90%
Thomas M. Cooley Law School	0.90%
Dayton University School of Law	0.90%
Washington and Lee University, School of Law	0.90%
University of Arizona	0.90%
University of Iowa College of Law	0.90%
Indiana University Maurer School of Law	0.90%
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law	0.90%
Yale Law School	0.90%
Chicago Kent College of Law	0.90%
Michigan State College of Law	0.90%
Whittier Law School	0.90%
University of Arkansas School of Law	0.90%
Wayne State University Law School	0.90%
Drexel University School of Law	0.90%
Santa Clara University School of Law	0.90%
Pepperdine University School of Law	0.90%
University of Houston Law Center	0.90%
University of South Carolina School of Law	0.90%
University of Minnesota	0.90%
University of Denver Sturm College of Law	0.90%
University of Miami School of Law	0.90%

Weighted for class size, these are the schools that yielded the most placements in 2016:

CHART 7

Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Placements in 2016 by Law School, As Weighted for Class Size
 

Franklin Pierce Law Center	207	1.90%	0.97	1
Columbia University School of Law	1,165	7.40%	0.69	2
UC Berkeley School of Law	935	5.60%	0.64	3
University of Missouri	324	1.90%	0.62	4
Thomas M. Cooley Law School	174	0.90%	0.57	5
Cornell Law School	588	2.80%	0.51	6
St John’s School of Law	604	2.80%	0.5	7
Northwestern University School of Law	658	2.80%	0.46	8
Boston University School of Law	672	2.80%	0.45	9
University of Pittsburgh School of Law	453	1.90%	0.44	10
University of Michigan Law School	932	3.70%	0.43	11
The University of Texas School of Law	949	3.70%	0.42	12
John Marshall Law School	744	2.80%	0.4	13
Dayton University School of Law	256	0.90%	0.39	14
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law	523	1.90%	0.38	15
Loyola Law School	800	2.80%	0.38	16
Tulane University Law School	570	1.90%	0.35	17
Notre Dame School of Law	581	1.90%	0.34	18
Hastings College of the Law	903	2.80%	0.33	19
The University of Chicago Law School	617	1.90%	0.32	20
Washington and Lee University, School of Law	314	0.90%	0.32	21
Whittier Law School	326	0.90%	0.31	22
Boston College Law School	694	1.90%	0.29	23
New York University School of Law	1395	3.70%	0.29	24
University of Arkansas School of Law	350	0.90%	0.29	25
Seton Hall University School of Law	353	0.90%	0.28	26
University of Arizona	359	0.90%	0.28	27
Wayne State University Law School	365	0.90%	0.27	28
Case Western Reserve University School of Law	380	0.90%	0.26	29
Drexel University School of Law	386	0.90%	0.26	30
University of Iowa College of Law	387	0.90%	0.26	31
Suffolk University Law School	788	1.90%	0.25	32
Georgetown University Law Center	1725	3.70%	0.23	33
University of Florida Levin College of Law	961	1.90%	0.21	34
UCLA School of Law	974	1.90%	0.21	35
George Washington University Law School	1,469	2.80%	0.2	36
Santa Clara University School of Law	506	0.90%	0.2	37
University of Maryland School of Law	514	0.90%	0.19	38
American University Washington College of Law	1,052	1.90%	0.19	39
Indiana University Maurer School of Law	538	0.90%	0.19	40
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law	560	0.90%	0.18	41
Gould School of Law	598	0.90%	0.17	42
Pepperdine University School of Law	598	0.90%	0.17	43
University of Houston Law Center	605	0.90%	0.17	44
Yale Law School	614	0.90%	0.16	45
University of South Carolina School of Law	618	0.90%	0.16	46
University of Minnesota	632	0.90%	0.16	47
University of San Diego School of Law	634	0.90%	0.16	48
Chicago Kent College of Law	635	0.90%	0.16	49
University of North Carolina School of Law	657	0.90%	0.15	50
Duke Law School	668	0.90%	0.15	51
University of Denver Sturm College of Law	701	0.90%	0.14	52
Michigan State College of Law	709	0.90%	0.14	53
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law	881	0.90%	0.11	54
University of Miami School of Law	909	0.90%	0.11	55
Fordham University School of Law	956	0.90%	0.1	56

When you do the same thing for the 2015 year, this is what you get.

Here are the results for the law schools from which our law firm clients hired attorneys in 2015:

CHART 8

Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Placements in 2015 by Law School
 

Georgetown University Law Center	6.40%
New York University School of Law	4.50%
The University of Michigan Law School	3.90%
Northeastern University School of Law	3.50%
Columbia Law School	3.10%
Fordham Law School	2.90%
Arizona State University College of Law	2.50%
University of Southern California, The Law School	2.30%
Harvard Law School	2.20%
University of Maryland School of Law	2.00%
George Washington University	1.90%
University of Dayton School of Law	1.90%
Emory University School of Law	1.90%
Washington University School of Law	1.90%
Seton Hall University School of Law	1.80%
Syracuse University College of Law	1.60%
Case Western Reserve University School of Law	1.60%
Stanford University Law School	1.60%
University of Chicago Law School	1.40%
Duke University School of Law	1.40%
John Marshall Law School	1.40%
Michigan State College of Law	1.40%
Suffolk University Law School	1.40%
Boston University School of Law	1.30%
University of California	1.30%
Cornell Law School	1.30%
William & Mary School of Law	1.30%
Loyola University Chicago School of Law	1.30%
Indiana University Maurer School of Law	1.30%
The University of Virginia School of Law	1.20%
Tulane University Law School	1.20%
Boston College Law School	1.20%
St. John’s University School of Law	1.20%
University of Illinois College of Law	1.20%
University of Pennsylvania Law School	1.10%
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law	1.10%
University of San Diego School of Law	1.10%
Pepperdine University School of Law	1.10%
University of Washington School of Law	1.10%
UCLA School of Law	1.00%
University of California, Hastings	1.00%
Yale Law School	0.80%
The University of Texas School of Law	0.80%
Hofstra University School of Law	0.80%
University of Houston Law Center	0.80%
Loyola Law School	0.70%
Rutgers School of Law – Newark	0.70%
Vanderbilt University Law School	0.70%
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law	0.70%
George Mason University School of Law	0.70%
University of Notre Dame Law School	0.60%
University of Minnesota Law School	0.60%
Washington & Lee University School of Law	0.60%
University of Pittsburgh School of Law	0.60%
Santa Clara University School of Law	0.50%
Thomas M. Cooley Law School	0.50%
The University of Iowa College of Law	0.50%
Wayne State University Law School	0.50%
Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School	0.50%
St. Thomas University School of Law	0.50%
Seattle University School of Law	0.40%
American University	0.40%
Franklin Pierce Law Center	0.40%
The University of Connecticut School of Law	0.40%
University of San Francisco	0.40%
Brooklyn Law School	0.40%
University of Kansas School of Law	0.40%
Villanova University School of Law	0.40%
State University of New York at Buffalo Law School	0.40%
University of North Carolina School of Law	0.40%
University of Richmond School of Law	0.40%
The University of Georgia School of Law	0.40%
Wake Forest University School of Law	0.40%
Widener University School of Law	0.40%
Chicago-Kent College of Law	0.20%
University of Miami School of Law	0.20%
Baylor University School of Law	0.20%
De Paul University College of Law	0.20%
McGeorge School of Law	0.20%
Indiana University McKinney School of Law	0.20%
University of Arkansas School of Law	0.20%
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law	0.20%
South Texas College of Law	0.20%
Drexel University School of Law	0.20%
St. Louis University School of Law	0.20%
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law	0.20%
Chapman University School of Law	0.20%
Stetson University College of Law	0.20%
Texas Tech University School of Law	0.20%
University of Alabama School of Law	0.20%
Lewis & Clark	0.20%
Duquesne School of Law	0.20%
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law	0.20%
University of Baltimore School of Law	0.10%
University of Florida College of Law	0.10%
Marquette University Law School	0.10%
The Catholic University of America	0.10%
University of Denver, Sturm College of Law	0.10%
Temple University, Beasley School of Law	0.10%
William S. Boyd School of Law	0.10%
University of North Dakota	0.10%
Albany Law School of Union University	0.10%
Ave Maria School of Law	0.10%
University of California, Davis School of Law	0.10%
Thurgood Marshall School of Law	0.10%
Charlotte School of Law	0.10%
Cleveland State University	0.10%
Capital University Law School	0.10%
University of Cincinnati College of Law	0.10%
University of Wisconsin Law School	0.10%

CHART 9

Top 20 Law Schools for BCG Candidates That Received Placements in 2016, Not Accounting for Class Size
 

Columbia University School of Law

UC Berkeley School of Law

New York University School of Law

The University of Texas School of Law

Georgetown University Law Center

University of Michigan Law School

George Washington University Law School

Northwestern University School of Law

Cornell Law School

Boston University School of Law

Loyola Law School

St John’s School of Law

John Marshall Law School

Hastings College of the Law

The University of Chicago Law School

Boston College Law School

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

American University Washington College of Law

Franklin Pierce Law

Tulane University Law School

CHART 10

Top 20 Law Schools for BCG Candidates That Received Placements in 2016, Accounting for Class Size
 

Franklin Pierce Law Center

Columbia University School of Law

UC Berkeley School of Law

University of Missouri

Thomas M. Cooley Law School

Cornell Law School

St John’s School of Law

Northwestern University School of Law

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

University of Michigan Law School

The University of Texas School of Law

John Marshall Law School

Dayton University School of Law

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

Loyola Law School

Tulane University Law School

Notre Dame School of Law

Hastings College of the Law

The University of Chicago Law School

Boston University School of Law

CHART 11

Top 15 Law Schools for Laterals Getting Placements in 2016 (Accounting for Class Size/Not Accounting for Class Size and Listed on Charts 9 and 10)
 

Columbia University School of Law

UC Berkeley School of Law

The University of Texas School of Law

University of Michigan Law School

Northwestern University School of Law

Cornell Law School

Boston University School of Law

Loyola Law School

St John’s School of Law

Hastings College of the Law

The University of Chicago Law School

Boston College Law School

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

American University Washington College of Law

Tulane University Law School

Because this information did not “seem quite right” to me, I ran the statistics for 2015 as well to see what the top schools were for that year. In 2015 we saw the following:

CHART 12

Percentage of BCG Candidates That Received Law Firm Placements in 2015 by Law School
 

Gould School of Law	4.60%
Harvard Law School	4.60%
George Washington University Law School	3.90%
New York University School of Law	3.90%
The University of Chicago Law School	3.90%
Boston College Law School	3.30%
Fordham University School of Law	3.30%
UC Berkeley School of Law	3.30%
Columbia University School of Law	2.60%
George Mason University School of Law	2.60%
Georgetown University Law Center	2.60%
Northwestern University School of Law	2.60%
The University of Texas School of Law	2.60%
American University Washington College of Law	2.00%
Case Western Reserve University School of Law	2.00%
Seton Hall University School of Law	2.00%
The University of Virginia School of Law	2.00%
University of Pittsburgh School of Law	2.00%
Washington University School of Law	2.00%
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law	1.30%
Duke Law School	1.30%
Emory University	1.30%
Howard University School of Law	1.30%
Loyola University Chicago School of Law	1.30%
Northeastern University School of Law	1.30%
Tulane University Law School	1.30%
UCLA School of Law	1.30%
University of Maryland School of Law	1.30%
University of North Carolina School of Law	1.30%
University of Pennsylvania Law School	1.30%
University of Richmond School of Law	1.30%
University of San Diego School of Law	1.30%
University of Wisconsin Law School	1.30%
Vanderbilt University Law School	1.30%
Franklin Pierce Law Center	1.30%
University of Arizona	0.70%
Baylor University	0.70%
Boston University School of Law	0.70%
Brooklyn Law School	0.70%
The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law	0.70%
Charlotte School of Law	0.70%
Chicago Kent College of Law	0.70%
Cornell Law School	0.70%
Dayton University School of Law	0.70%
DePaul University School of Law	0.70%
Georgia State University College of Law	0.70%
Indiana University Maurer School of Law	0.70%
Indiana University McKinney School of Law	0.70%
Loyola Law School	0.70%
Michigan State College of Law	0.70%
Notre Dame School of Law	0.70%
Pennsylvania State University	0.70%
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law	0.70%
Stanford Law School	0.70%
Suffolk University Law School	0.70%
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law	0.70%
The University of Kansas School of Law	0.70%
Thomas M. Cooley Law School	0.70%
University At Buffalo Law School	0.70%
University of Connecticut School of Law	0.70%
University of Iowa College of Law	0.70%
University of Michigan Law School	0.70%
University of San Francisco Law School	0.70%
Utah University School of Law	0.70%
Vermont Law School	0.70%
Villanova University School of Law	0.70%
Washington and Lee University, School of Law	0.70%
William S. Richardson, University of Hawaii	0.70%
Yale Law School	0.70%
University of Florida Levin College of Law	0.70%

What is so fascinating about this data is that in 2015 we placed 10+ attorneys from both the University of Southern California Law School and Harvard Law School. In 2016, those schools were almost completely absent from the list of schools from which we made placements. Why? Obviously, USC Gould School of Law did not suddenly jump up in the rankings in 2015 and Harvard did not take a fall in 2016. What this suggests is that what happens in the market—and, yes, at BCG Attorney Search as well—is somewhat random. It also should be quite clear that we are happy to work with people from a wide variety of schools and that it is not extremely important where you went to school when looking for a job—but it does matter.

Do you think law firms should place more or less emphasis on law school for lateral attorneys? Why?

CHART 13

Top 6 Law Schools for BCG Candidates That Earned the Most Placements in 2015 and 2016
 

New York University School of Law Boston College Law School UC Berkeley School of Law Columbia University School of Law Georgetown University Law Center The University of Texas School of Law

 
In the lateral market, the quality of the law school you went to matters, of course, but it is not as important as attorneys think it is. While not the focus of this article, the real motivating factor for most law firms is often the law firm that the attorney is coming from. While I did not share this data (for obvious reasons we do not want law firms to know where our candidates are coming from), the law firm an attorney is coming from has the most significant impact on whether or not the attorney will be interviewed and hired. The practice area the attorney is in also is extremely important.

See the following articles for more information about law schools and law school grades:
 

• Are Law School Transcripts Necessary When Applying for Jobs?
• Law School for Mature Students
• How Can I Find a Job When I Didn’t Graduate at the Top of My Class?
• I've Heard that [X Law Firm] Only Accepts Top 10 Law Schools/Laterals from Amlaw100 Firms/Top Gpas. Should I Still Submit My Materials?
• Do I Need to Submit my Transcript When Applying for Jobs Years After Law School?
• Are Law School Transcripts Necessary When Applying for Jobs?
• Do Grades Matter If You Have Good Litigation Experience?
• Law School Grades and Your Career
• Grades vs. Experience
• What Yale Law School Teaches about How to Approach Your Legal Career That No Other Law School Does
• The 2016 BCG Attorney Search Guide to America's Top 50 Law Schools

 

About Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.

With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.

Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.

Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.

One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.

One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.

Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.

In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.

Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.

In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.