Question for anyone familiar with attorney or lawyer employment?

I have a question that is sort of complicated. I have asked it several times but have not gotten very good answers. I have always loved the law and have always wanted to be a lawyer. I live in Mississippi and am going to the University of MS (Ole Miss) law school next year.

I went to Millsaps and made A's so I am fairly confident in my ability to do well in law school (not that undergrad is comparable, but I am willing to work). I always hear people say that if you don't go to a "top tier" school and graduate in the "25th percentile" then you are screwed. But when I get out I actually would like to work in a "small" firm in MS with just a few lawyers. I also do not expect that great of a paycheck (55K or somewhere in that area).

I am asking this question because Ole Miss is obviously not a top tier law school, although it is well respected within the state. If I make "good" grades, will I be able to get a decent job with a small firm?

Absolutely. If you wanted to go to NYC and work with a Wall Street firm, you should go to any Ivy League school. If you want to stay in Mississippi, go to Ole Miss. I never had any desire to leave my adopted state and I went to the only law school in my state. It never has hampered my careet and after your first job, no one cares anyway. I think you'll make a lot more than 55K too, unless you begin at a government job. Beginning at the District Attorney's/Public Defender's office actually is a good way to get quick trial experience which makes you much more employable. Almost all the successful attorneys I know went to a state school. They got great jobs without massive student loans. I've been an attorney for more than 25 years and going to a state school was not the slightest hinderance. Even your grades don't matter much after you pass the bar exam. I was asked for my law school transcipts when I got my first job, then never again. One hint--study hard for the LSAT. Take a few weeks to devote yourself to doing nothing but taking practice LSAT sample exam. Fell free to email me for more personal information. EDIT: I can back after reading the first two answers, which were excellent. I really agree with the networking comment. It has helped me tremendously. I've gotten to the point in my career where I know all the local attorneys and we never fight--we represent our clients in a cordial and professional manner.

Yep. Especially if you want to practice in MS. Each state has a fairly large corps of attorneys that attended the state law school, and they tend to pick new associates from the (Ole Miss) alma mater.

Besides, not everyone can attend a top tier law school.

BTW, you should try and network while you're in law school. You'd be surprised the in-state contacts you can make there.

You have asked this question at least 4 times now and received GREAT answers several times.

There are not enough top level graduates from the top tier law schools to fill the market. The top 25% will get the best jobs at the big firms, however they are not even in the running for a small firm in MS. You should have no problem getting a decent job if you do well in school.

So long as you're already in law school, the advise these people are giving you is right on. Relax and take some law school prep courses bc I was in for a shocker going from undergrad to law school my first year. btw, how you do that first year is particularly important in law school. Good Luck!

you will be fine - I am sure both your undergrad and law school have placement offices where there are people to help you with exactly these sorts of questions.

Walk on over there first thing tomorrow and introduce yourself :) Oh well that is the day before Thanksgiving - wait until school is back in session, then do it right away.