What do Top Law Firms Look for in Applicants
There comes that time in the academic calendar of law schools that law firms come a-knocking to harvest “summers” or interns and potential employees. Career services of law schools work closely with various law firms to set up mass interviewing to select and woo potential interns. Even if these law firms are the ones who are doing the chasing, their recruiting people still have a set of standards on which the potential summers and employees can be measured against.
Grades
Of course, law firms are quick to snatch up law students who exhibit high grades and academic achievements as these are the easiest ways to measure an applicant’s aptitude. Some top law firms explicitly look at the students who are in the top percentile of the class. However, despite grades being tangible factors, there are other attributes that would make a good lawyer.
Communication Skills
Undoubtedly lawyers should possess good communication skills. Potential summers and employees must be able to exhibit exemplary oral and written skills as they can be tasked to prepare memos, arguments, briefs, and other official documents that may be used in real court proceedings. Add to that excellent logical and analytical thinking and law firms have in their hands the makings of a great asset.
Staying Power
In the end, law firms also look for people who would fit into their own culture. Some prestigious law firms shower their summers with perks such as high allowances, paid nights out, lavish dinners, and even expensive trips just so they can see who would stay beyond the three months of the internship period. Those who can look beyond the perks and still do their tasks well will certainly be asked to stay on after the internship is over.
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