Ihave been in BigLaw for 8+ years, and I’ve always enjoyed mentoring associates who invest in themselves. It takes courage to speak up about anxiety, and my door was always open.
Since launching a coaching course, several 3Ls have reached out with the same concerns:
- Mediocre grades
- OCI interviews that felt stiff and went nowhere
- Graduation coming fast
The big question: “Is BigLaw off the table for me?”
The big question: “Is BigLaw off the table for me?”
Short answer: no.
My solution: apply to specialist practice areas.
Focusing on a Specialty
Specialists don’t learn their craft in law school—they learn in practice. And they’re often the most willing to train first-years who show curiosity and hustle.
Take Executive Compensation (my lane): it’s securities + contracts + tax + partnerships all blended together. No single class covers that (except maybe NYU’s Prof. Arthur Kohn), yet firms need exec comp specialists on every M&A deal.
Same with Restructuring (finance + litigation under pressure) and Privacy/Cyber (fastest-growing, constantly evolving). These groups hire 3Ls because practitioners know the real training starts once you’re in the seat.
Bottom Line
Specialist groups hire for character—grit, determination, creativity, and personality—just as much as grades. Law school exams don’t mimic real practice.
So if you’re anxious, don’t give up. BigLaw isn’t just for the top 10%. If you’re strategic and aim at the right lanes, it’s still on the table.
