I talk to law students every day—whether they’re just starting out or about to graduate. And most of them want the same thing:
A job at a top-tier law firm.
But they often feel stuck for the same reasons:
They’re first-generation lawyers with no family connections.
They didn’t go to an NLU, and feel like they’re already behind.
Their law schools aren’t adding much value, so they’re figuring things out on their own.
Law firms seem distant and disinterested in hiring freshers.
Despite all this, many still believe:
“If I just get into a Tier 1 law firm and work twice as hard, I’ll make it to the top.”
But here’s the truth:
You can’t skip straight to the starting line and expect to win the marathon.
Getting There Takes Preparation
Before you even reach the starting line—before interviews, internships, or offers—you need to plan, train, and build yourself up.
I’ve seen classmates with strong legal family backgrounds and early law firm placements. But even they struggled later, because they thought the journey would be automatic. It never is.
What Actually Matters?
Here are three things that matter far more than shortcuts:
🔹 Planning – Know what you want early. Start shaping your path from law school.
🔹 Perseverance – Keep going, even if you don’t see instant results.
🔹 Focus – Work smart, build skills, and improve consistently.
You Have Time (Even If You Think You Don’t)
You get five full years in law school to prepare.
Even if you feel like you’ve wasted the first two, you still have time to catch up.
And even if you’re in your final year, there’s still time to build a strong foundation and stand out.
What Should You Do Now?
Before you run after job openings or send random applications—pause.
Sit down and honestly ask yourself:
What have I done so far?
What have I learned?
Where are my gaps?
What skills or experiences do I still need?
Write them down. The biggest problem is not knowing what you don’t know.