UC Law SF Among Top 25 Law Schools for Launching Grads into Big Law

• Law.com ranked UC Law SF No. 25 among law schools that send the highest percentage of graduates to jobs at the nation’s biggest law firms.
• The positions are incredibly selective and usually go to students with strong academic profiles and sharp interviewing skills.
• The ranking reflects the strength of UC Law SF’s academic programs, the talent and drive of its students, and the comprehensive support provided by the school and alumni throughout the job search process.

UC Law San Francisco serves as a top pipeline to the nation’s largest and most prestigious law firms, ranking No. 25 on Law.com’s latest “Go-To Law Schools” for Big Law list.

The annual ranking highlights law schools that send the highest percentage of recent graduates into associate positions at the country’s 500 biggest firms. At UC Law SF, a third of the Class of 2024, or 121 of 366 J.D. graduates, secured positions at these firms.

“This ranking speaks volumes about the strength of our academic programs, the talent and drive of our students, and the comprehensive support we, and our alumni, provide throughout the job search process,” said Amy Kimmel, Assistant Dean for the Career Development Office (CDO) at UC Law SF.

The coveted Big Law jobs are typically secured through highly competitive summer associate programs after a law student’s second year—roles that are not only prestigious but also stepping stones to long-term careers at major firms.

“These positions are incredibly selective and usually go to students with strong academic profiles, and sharp interviewing skills,” Kimmel said.

Amy Kimmel, Assistant Dean for Career Development, leads a team that provides students with one-on-one career counseling, mock interviews, and access to top employers—turning career goals into job offers.

To help students stand out, UC Law SF offers a robust slate of experiential learning programs designed to build both skills and professional networks. Among them are the Startup Legal Garage, where students advise real-world clients under attorney supervision; the Corporate Counsel Externship Program, placing students inside top companies; on-campus legal clinics; and the school’s nationally ranked Moot Court team.

Additionally, the CDO prepares students for the high-stakes hiring process. It offers one-on-one counseling, resume and application coaching, mock interviews with practicing attorneys, and access to an extensive network of alumni mentors, many of whom work at top firms. The office also hosts career panels, networking opportunities, and recruitment fairs, giving students direct access to  attorneys from many sectors, including Big Law.

Kimmel said the CDO builds strong relationships with alumni and recruiters at boutique, midsize, and major firms, enabling staff to provide key information and guidance to students seeking those jobs.

“We help students figure out where they want to go—and how to get there,” Kimmel said. “That means understanding what these firms are looking for, identifying each student’s strengths, and helping them present themselves in the most compelling way.”

While many students seek Big Law jobs for the chance to work on high-impact cases and legal issues, Kimmel said most students are interested in—and go on to build successful, fulfilling careers in—other areas. These include public interest roles focused on social justice or government service, in-house positions at companies, practicing in firms of all sizes, or providing direct legal services to individual clients.

“Whether a student is drawn to public interest work, government service, or a boutique firm, our commitment to their success remains the same,” Kimmel said. “Our goal is to help every student define what success looks like for them—and then equip them with the tools, experiences, and connections to thrive.”