Most large firms hire primarily from the ranks of their summer associates. Therefore, if you are interested in working for a large firm, it is important to look into hiring opportunities for summer associate positions.
On-Campus Interviews
Many large firms recruit students during on-campus interviews (OCI). In general, employers who participate in OCI are those with predictable hiring patterns and a recruiting staff able to process a large volume of student resumes and to organize formal recruitment programs, such as large law firms. In the fall, 2Ls interview for summer clerkships and 3Lsinterview for postgraduate positions. Some employers come to spring on-campus interviews to interview 1Ls and 2Ls for summer clerkship positions and 3L students for postgraduate positions. It's important to note that many OCI employers tend to have fairly stringent hiring criteria. If you choose to participate in OCI, it is important to keep in mind that this program is just one avenue for conducting your job search.
Job Fairs
The CSO conducts or participates in the presentation of more than a dozen job fairs across the country to help students connect with employers in a variety of geographic regions. Participating in a job fair can give you access to employers who do not come to interview on campus, and it shows the employers that you are committed to working in their cities. Rising 2Ls and 3Ls can interview with employers at our major job fairs in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. In addition, the CSO facilitates student participation in the Bay Area Diversity Career Fair, Cook County Bar Association Minority Job Fair, Dupont Legal Minority Job Fair, Equal Justice Works Career Fair, Loyola Patent Law Interview Program, Northwest Minority Job Fair, Rocky Mountain Diversity Legal Career Fair, San Francisco Intellectual Property Law Association Job Fair, Southeastern Intellectual Property Job Fair, Southeastern Minority Job Fair, Sunbelt Minority Job Fair, and the Texas Young Lawyers Association Job Fair.
Job Bank on Symplicity
Many large firms that do not participate in on-campus interviews or job fairs post job openings for both summer associate and entry-level associate positions on the Job Bank on Symplicity. Job bulletins from other law schools throughout the country are also a good resource for finding job postings.
LexisNexis Searches of Martindale-Hubbell Directories
The following law firm searches are linked from LexisNexis. You'll need a login and password to LexisNexis in order to review the reports. For more information or to obtain a login and password, contact Jaclyn Thompson, Esq., Account Executive for the Law School, at jaclyn.thompson@lexisnexis.com.
Texas Law Firms by Practice Type: Appellate Practice, Bankruptcy, Banking or Finance, Civil Rights, Constitutional, Construction, Contracts, Elder Law, Employee Benefits, Entertainment, Environmental, Government, Health Law, Intellectual Property, Immigration, International, Labor & Employment, Mergers & Acquisitions, Personal Injury & Torts, Products Liability, Securities, Sports Law, Tax, Technology or Science Law, Trusts & Estates, Workers Compensation
Targeted Mailings
You can identify law firms that interest you through researching the NALP Directory of Legal Employers, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Network, Lexis and Westlaw, and through informational interviews that you conduct as part of your networking. Send a cover letter and resume to each firm that you are interested in. The letter should mention any connection that you have to the firm, such as a referral from another attorney, and should show a strong interest in the specific firm. It is important to follow-up with a phone call within two weeks to introduce yourself and to express your interest in the firm.