Careers

Many Duke Law School graduates choose to launch their careers working for a private law firm. In fact, Duke Law students are heavily recruited by leading national and international law firms. The majority of the law firm hiring is done during the summer before 2L year through direct applications, resume collects, and on-campus interviewing (OCI). Our 2Ls are fortunate in that there are typically more than 300 interviewers participating in OCI, and each would like to hire multiple Duke students, while there are only 200 2Ls actually interviewing for positions. For statistics regarding the placement and career choices of Duke graduates, see our Employment Data. For those interested in private practice, students frequently will return to their 2L summer employer following graduation.

Duke students are also fortunate in that opportunities to meet with private practice lawyers abound outside of the interview context. Private law firms often host receptions to which they invite law students; they sponsor events and programs and send firm representatives; lawyers participate on panels or guest lecture; many of our alumni in private practice return for work or for reunions; and the list goes on. Often, relationships formed here lead to future employment or collaboration. In addition, employers, students groups, and the CPDC all host practice interview programs to help students feel prepared for law firm interviews.

Over time, a large number of Duke Law School graduates choose to change law firms, move in- house, join the federal or a state government, switch to the business side, join a non-profit organization, or to exit the practice entirely. At the same time, a number of our graduates follow the more "traditional" route and choose to remain and grow into a leadership position with the law firm they join upon graduation.

The following resources apply to students pursuing many different types of positions out of school, including in law firms: