A question about Law School?

Question

People always say that you have to go to a "top 25 law school" and graduate in the top 10% to get a good job out of law school. And I can understand that if you live in a large state with several schools. But I live in Mississippi and there are only two law schools: Ole Miss and Mississippi College. Ole Miss generally has the better reputation and it looks like I'm going to graduate in the top third of my class (or better).
Will I have trouble getting a job?

Yes, I am planning on working in Mississippi for the rest of my life.

Answer 1

I don't buy into the whole top 25/10% thing. I think if you want to move to New York and make $200K starting out then, yeah, you need to worry about that stuff. I know a lot of people who didn't go to a top 25 school and had no problem getting jobs either locally or D.C., for example. I also know people who went to top 25 schools and had to temp for a few years after they graduated. Generally, if you want to stay local, then local law schools might be better because 1) your courses tend to focus on state laws and you'll be more familiary with them and 2) you'll get to know people in the local legal community and you can use those connections to find a job.

No matter where you go, you'll need to perform well in school to be competitive in the job market. A lot of the larger firms won't even talk to you unless you're in the top 15-20%. The top 10% generally have their pick of jobs. On the other hand, it depends on what you want to do. If you don't want to work at some big corporate firm, then you don't need to be so highly ranked.

Answer 2

If you want to stay in Mississippi, then you shold be able to find something.

If you want to work as a lawyer in another state as soon as you graduate, you could have difficulties.

Answer 3

You should read this link.