Where do Loyola Law School students and graduates obtain jobs?
How are job opportunities found?
What hourly rates can I expect as a graduate law clerk?
What kind of salary can I expect as an entry-level associate?
How do employers view evening division graduates?
Will I have to take a salary cut?
I'm older. Don't employers want to hire younger people?
How will the fact that I did not get any legal experience during law school affect my job search?
How should I proceed with the job search while waiting for bar results?
WHERE DO LOYOLA STUDENTS AND GRADUATES OBTAIN JOBS?
California continues to be a top choice for graduates. However, more graduates each year opt for employment in other areas, like Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington, DC. The Office of Career Services maintains on-going relationships with employers nationwide.
HOW ARE JOB OPPORTUNITES FOUND?
Our office vigorously pursues new employment opportunities and resources for the benefit of Loyola Law School graduates, working with them throughout their law school careers and beyond. Alumni play an important role in these efforts and offer continuing support through their participation in recruitment and hiring activities and through their involvement in Career Services programs. The Internet plays a prominent role in the job search and many graduates find jobs through Loyola Law School's job listings, which are posted on Emplawyernet and Symplicity. Other online resources include Craig's List and the Daily Journal (click here for a link to the Daily Journal and instructions on how to access the free classified ads). In addition, a large percentage of jobs are found through networking with personal contacts as well as Loyola alumni.
WHAT HOURLY RATES CAN I EXPECT AS A GRADUATE LAW CLERK?
Graduate law clerk salaries vary and depend on the employment setting and, for private practice, on the size of the law firm. Most graduates who work as temporary law clerks work with small (1-25 attorneys) and mid-size firms (26-50 attorneys). In the Los Angeles area these potisions typically pay between $15 and $25 per hour. In addition, staffing agencies offer temporary document review projects with large law firms, and these positions typically pay between $25 and $45 per hour. Rates are often negotiable depending on previous work experience.
Government and public interest organizations often do not have the budget to pay graduate law clerks and depend on externs and volunteer law clerks but on occasion will offer paid positions (e.g., District Attorneys, California Attorney General). The pay varies widely.
WHAT KIND OF SALARY CAN I EXPECT AS AN ENTRY-LEVEL ASSOCIATE ?
Review the Employment Report for more details on graduate, entry-level salaries, based on Loyola Law School's most recent graduating class.
HOW DO EMPLOYERS VIEW EVENING DIVISION GRADUATES?
Overwhelmingly, employers report that they are favorably impressed with the maturity, credentials and experience of evening students. In fact, many employers specifically seek graduates who have these qualities.
WILL I HAVE TO TAKE A SALARY CUT?
In some cases, evening students may be earning more in their present positions than they would as entry level attorneys. However, their long-term earning potential as attorneys may offset the initial opportunity cost of starting over as a lawyer. Some evening students explore possible opportunities for legal work or other advancement with their current employers; others choose non-traditional careers that will combine the use of the JD with some pre-existing expertise. Keep in mind that the largest salaries for entry level associates are paid by large law firms which prefer to hire out of their summer programs.
I'M OLDER. DON'T EMPLOYERS WANT TO HIRE YOUNGER PEOPLE?
While age cannot legally be considered in the hiring process, it may enter into the subjective decisions which employers make about candidates, even if subconsciously. The Office of Career Services can assist by talking with alumni about how to handle the issue of age in an interview or other situation, and by educating employers about the value that older alumni bring to the workplace. We also routinely "remind" employers to only engage in fair and lawful interview practices.
HOW WILL THE FACT THAT I DID NOT GET ANY LEGAL EXPERIENCE DURING LAW SCHOOL AFFECT MY JOB SEARCH?
Remember that pro bono experience counts as legal experience. In addition, many graduates have acquired "transferable skills" from their non-legal jobs that can be an asset in the permanent job search. Graduates who are no longer employed in a permanent position after the bar exam can work as temporary law clerks to build up the legal experience section and increase the marketability of the resume.
HOW SHOULD I PROCEED WITH THE JOB SEARCH WHILE WAITING FOR BAR RESULTS?
Graduates should apply for law clerk positions and attorney jobs that specify the employer will consider graduates awaiting results. Many graduates obtain permanent offers before the results come out, while others work toward getting their "foot in the door" by doing temporary work. Since employers gravitate toward candidates who are currently working, the key to success is to keep the resume active. Waiting for bar results to come out to begin the search is not recommended.