The Best Law Schools for BigLaw: Your Path to a $225,000 Salary
For many applicants, the goal of law school is simple: secure a position at a large corporate law firm ("BigLaw"). These firms, typically defined as having 500+ attorneys, pay the industry-standard "Cravath Scale" salary—currently starting at $225,000 for first-year associates, plus bonuses.
However, not all law schools provide equal access to these elite jobs. While the T14 dominates, several "Super-Regional" schools punch well above their weight class. This ranking analyzes the latest ABA Employment Data to determine which schools offer the highest statistical probability of landing a BigLaw job.
65.9%
Avg. BigLaw Rate (Top 10)
14.2%
Avg. Clerkship Rate
80.1%
Avg. Elite Outcome
How We Rank BigLaw Placement
We calculate these rankings based on Employment Outcomes reported to the American Bar Association (ABA).
The Metric
We combine the percentage of the graduating class employed in Law Firms (501+ Attorneys) and Federal Judicial Clerkships.
Why Clerkships Count
Federal Clerkships are highly prestigious positions that almost always lead directly to BigLaw with a signing bonus. Excluding them would unfairly penalize schools like Yale and Stanford.
The "BigLaw Factories" (NYC & Corporate Feeders)
Schools where 70%+ of the class heads directly into corporate practice. These are the ultimate pipelines to Wall Street and major corporate law firms.
The Elite All-Rounders
Schools with massive national reach. These institutions send graduates to every major legal market in the country with exceptional placement rates.
Chicago Market Owner
Essentially owns the Chicago market while sending massive numbers to New York. Known for rigorous training.
57.8%
BigLaw
28%
Clerkships
$83k
Tuition
D.C. Pipeline
High placement rates with a focus on D.C. regulatory and litigation firms. Known for collegial culture.
70.5%
BigLaw
14%
Clerkships
$74k
Tuition
The "Overperformers" (Best Non-T14s for BigLaw)
You don't always need a T14 degree to get the job. These schools punch above their ranking and offer excellent BigLaw outcomes at potentially lower costs.
2025-2026 BigLaw Placement Rankings
Based on the Class of 2024 ABA Employment Summary Reports. Sorted by combined BigLaw (500+ firms) and Federal Clerkship placement rates.
Location, Location, Location
BigLaw is not evenly distributed across the US. It is concentrated in major legal markets. If you want BigLaw, you should generally attend a T14 school or a strong regional school in one of these hubs:
The largest legal market in the world.
Regulatory and Appellate focus. Highly competitive.
Corporate and Litigation hub.
Tech and Entertainment law.
Energy and Private Equity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BigLaw careers and law school placement.
What is the "Cravath Scale"?
The Cravath Scale is the lockstep compensation model used by major law firms. As of 2025, the starting salary for a first-year associate is $225,000, rising to $235,000 in the second year, not including year-end bonuses which typically range from $15,000 to $115,000.
Do I have to go to a T14 school to get BigLaw?
No, but it makes it significantly easier. At a T14 school, you can often be in the bottom half of your class and still secure a BigLaw job. At a regional school (like Fordham or Emory), you typically need to be in the top 25-30% of your class to secure the same position.
Why do Yale and Stanford have lower "BigLaw" percentages?
This is misleading. Yale and Stanford graduates have the luxury of choice. Many choose prestigious Federal Clerkships, academia, or high-impact public interest jobs over corporate law. If they wanted BigLaw, they could get it—that's why we include clerkships in our "elite outcome" metric.
What GPA do I need for BigLaw at a non-T14 school?
At most regional schools, you'll need to be in the top 10-30% of your class to be competitive for BigLaw. This typically means a GPA of 3.5+ depending on the school's curve. Law Review membership and strong networking can also help bridge the gap.