What exactly is big law?
Asked by: Dr. Tressa Kozey | Last update: October 3, 2025Score: 5/5 (8 votes)
What is Big Law? Big Law refers to the largest and most prestigious law firms in the US, characterized by multiple offices in major cities and often internationally. It's defined by factors such as attorney count, revenue, and prestige, with certain firms regularly featured in Big Law listings.
Who is the most feared law firm in the world?
Quinn Emanuel is the #1 Most Feared Law Firm in the World.
What GPA is needed for big law?
It varies by firm. The most credential-conscious firms tend to look for a 3.5 or higher, but many are more flexible, requiring a minimum GPA between a 3.0 and 3.25. A GPA below 3.0 is generally considered “low” in the lateral hiring world.
How many lawyers are in big law?
Today, many top firms employ more than 1,000 attorneys. Two firms, Dentons and Yingke, each have well over 12,000 attorneys. Dentons, the world's largest firm, has more than 160 offices in more than 80 countries.
How hard is it to get into big law?
It's Difficult, But Not Impossible
The fact remains that your odds of breaking into Big Law depend on the prestige of your law school, your 1L grades, your interviewing skills, networking, and your ability (and desire) to hustle.
Day in the life of a *big law* lawyer (back in the office)
Which schools do big law hire from?
- University of Pennsylvania (Carey): 89.2%
- University of Chicago: 88.5%
- Harvard University: 86.7%
- Yale University: 84.8%
- Cornell University: 84.3%
- University of Virginia: 83.2%
- Columbia University: 83.1%
- Stanford University: 82.7%
Is a 3.5 GPA bad for law school?
Among the 191 ranked law schools that submitted grade data to U.S. News in an annual survey, the average median GPA of entering law school students in 2021 was 3.55. But at the 20 highest-ranked law schools, the average median GPA is much higher – 3.86.
Can you get into big law without going to a top law school?
Conversely, if you attend a law school that is not considered one of the top schools in the country, other factors such as GPA, local ties in the legal community, prior work experience, and soft factors become significant factors in determining whether you will be hired by a big firm at all.
What is the number 1 firm in the world?
1. What is the largest company in the world by revenue? Walmart is the largest company in the world by revenue, generating $648 billion in 2024.
What is the boss of a law firm called?
The managing partner sits atop the law firm's hierarchy. In this role, the managing partner lays out a vision for the firm, then develops the strategic plan to achieve that goal. The managing partner dictates the firm's finances, including determining overall compensation packages and overhead costs.
Are Kirkland and Ellis big law?
Founded in 1909, Kirkland & Ellis is the largest law firm in the world by revenue and the seventh-largest by number of attorneys.
Why do people go into big law?
Large firms often provide excellent opportunities to learn, work on complex and/or high profile matters, and develop productive, collegial work relationships and friendships. The compensation doesn't hurt, and the experience can open a lot of professional doors.
How much do big law partners make?
Average compensation for partners in larger law firms is $1.4 million, a record high that represents a 26% increase since 2022, according to a new survey by legal recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa.
Is 174 a good LSAT?
So, a great score on the LSAT is a 172, but more than 100,000 people take the LSAT every year and only 1% score 172 or higher. For the top 50 law schools, the median LSAT score is between 164 and 174. A good LSAT score for top tier(defined by T14 schools for this article) law schools is between 171 and 174.
How hard is the LSAT?
This process is not only time-consuming but can be very expensive as well. So yes, the LSAT is hard, and it is designed that way. It's not so much a test that requires a student to remember random facts, but instead, it is a test that showcases a student's thought process.
What percentage of lawyers go to big law?
As many readers know, only approximately 18-20% of graduating lawyers end up in Biglaw with high salaries and many don't last more than 2-3 years before moving on to other pursuits. The vast majority end up making significantly less.
What is the hardest law school to get into in the US?
1. Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. Only around 1 in 15 of their highly qualified applicants makes it through.
What law firm did Obama work at?
While in law school he worked as an associate at the law firm Sidley & Austin in 1989, where he met his future wife, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, and where Newton N. Minow was a managing partner. Minow later would introduce Obama to some of Chicago's top business leaders.
What type of lawyer makes the most money?
Patent Attorney Salary
Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.
What is the most elite law firm in the world?
Top Law Firms by Prestige
Attorneys responded to the most recent survey between January and March 2023, and the results of the poll rank the following as the top five most prestigious firms in the world for 2024: Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Skadden.