How Can I Confidently Address a Lower-Ranked Law School Background in Interviews Without Overcompensating?

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As someone who went to a lower-ranked law school—yet has done very well at my firm—I often feel like I have to overcompensate during interviews. How do I know when to stop defending my background and shift the conversation toward my value and contributions? Is there a tactical way to approach these discussions? If you're getting interviews, it already means your background—law school included—is not disqualifying you. That’s something many attorneys overlook. Law firms don’t waste time interviewing candidates they have no intention of seriously considering. So the moment you're in that interview chair, the focus has already shifted away from your law school and onto what really matters: your value.

Still, it’s completely natural to feel the need to defend your background if you didn’t attend a top-ranked law school—especially when you know the firm is full of attorneys who did. But here's the reality: constantly trying to justify your law school can actually do more harm than good. It signals insecurity. It keeps the focus on something that doesn’t help you. And it wastes time that could be used highlighting what truly sets you apart. The best tactic is to stop apologizing and start owning your value. If you’ve done well at your current firm—if you’ve outperformed others, gotten strong reviews, taken on major responsibilities, or earned partner trust—that is what firms care about. Talk about those things.


Show that you’re competent, hardworking, easy to work with, and committed to the profession. Those are the traits every firm wants in a hire, regardless of where your degree came from. It helps to reframe the narrative in your mind, too. You didn’t get where you are in spite of your background—you got here because of how you performed. There are plenty of people from top schools who didn’t make it. You did. That means something. When interviewers ask about your background or where you went to school, answer confidently and briefly—but then pivot.

For example: “I went to X school, and I’ve been fortunate to build a strong track record at my current firm where I’ve handled [X types of matters], received positive feedback from partners, and consistently met performance expectations.” Then transition right into discussing your work and results. That subtle pivot allows you to acknowledge the question without lingering on it. Also, remember this: law firms are businesses. They want attorneys who can do great work, bill hours, make clients happy, and stick around. Once you’re in an interview, that’s what they’re evaluating.

They're thinking: Can this person handle the job? Can they add value immediately? Will they fit in? Very few are sitting there still focused on where you went to law school if you’re seven, five, or even three years into practice. Of course, there are exceptions—some elite firms do weigh pedigree more heavily, and in those cases, you might not be able to change their minds. But most of the time, your experience, attitude, and performance far outweigh your academic history.

So don’t spend your energy defending what doesn’t matter. Use that energy to show them why you’re the best choice going forward. That’s the mindset that gets offers.

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