<p>I live in Chicago and I want to keep living in Chicago. I heard as far as law firms go, Chicago is one of the few cities where you can go to a so-so law school (Law Schools like Loyola and DePaul and still have a get chance of getting hired). Is this true? Or do I have to go to Chicago/Northwestern/ Illinois College of Law to have a good chance of getting hired in Chicago?</p>
<p>Why don’t you take a look at the websites of top law firms in Chicago, like, for example, Sidley Austin LLP, Kirkland & Ellis, Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw, Winston & Strawn, Jenner & Block, Katten Muchin, Schiff Hardin, and McDermitt Will & Emery, to see where these law firms do their hiring? You can also look at the rosters of attorneys who work at these firms to see what law schools (and undergraduate schools) the attorneys attended. Even if you are not interested in pursuing a career at a big law firm, this approach would give you a pretty good idea of what law schools generally are successful in getting their graduates hired in Chicago.</p>
<p>You can go to any of the 6 law schools in Chicago, including John Marshall, and get a job at a big firm, including some of the most competitive jobs in the city. But you have to be a superstar. The blunt truth is that someone in the bottom third of the class at Chicago may have similar prospects to the #1 or #2 graduate at John Marshall. The further down the food chain you go, the better you’ll have to do to even get your foot in the door for competitive jobs. If you’re just looking to make a living in law, not get one of the plum jobs, then there won’t be quite as much pressure.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that many Chicago Law firms don’t even table at John Marshall.</p>
<p>Hey soulineed, I also want to practice in Chicago when I grow up, so I’m interested in the same question. If you go to nalpdirectory.com, you can find out at which law schools Chicago lawfirms conduct their interviews. Typically, DePaul and Loyola are considered even by the more prestigious ones. I don’t know about DePaul, but the average starting salary of a Loyola Law School graduate is ~$90,000. As long as my debts are paid off, I think I would be fine with that salary. But, I know I want to try for Northwestern as well.</p>
<p>^Are you serious? That’s great! I would love a starting salary of $90,000.</p>
<p>Oh yes, I’m certain that I read that figure somewhere. It may have gone up or down over the years.</p>
<p>I’m looking at some of these law firms in Chicago, it’s amazing just how many people are hired from John Marshall Law school, I’ve found more for that than say Illinois or DePaul.</p>
<p>Soul: Are you talking about places like Kirkland and Ellis; Sidley, Austin, Brown, and Wood; Mayer, Brown, Rowe, and Maw; and Winston and Strawn?</p>
<p>Them and Jenner too. Many more than I expected, it’s surprising.</p>