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Job Search Resources and Advice
Student Summer Employment Lists
Students can view list by:
Job Search Manual
The student job search manual describes the resources and activities of the Office of Career Services, gives an overview of the variety of legal career opportunities available to students, and describes the elements of good career planning and an effective job search.
Dean's Memo on Non-Discrimination Policy
Students can read the Dean's memo outlining the procedures for handling placement discrimination complaints.
On Campus Interviews
In the 2006-2007 academic year, over 750 employers from 32 states, Washington, D.C., and three foreign countries interviewed our students on campus.
Employer GPA Qualifications Profiles
To assist students in the on-campus interviewing program, the Office of Career Services (OCS) has compiled GPA information for employers that interview on campus. The Employer GPA Qualifications Profiles for 2Ls and the Employer GPA Qualifications Profiles for 3Ls track the cumulative GPA of those second and third year Michigan Law School students who received an offer from a particular employer, dating back to interviews held in the Fall of 2000, not just those students who accepted their offers. The information dates back to interviews held in Fall 2000 through interviews held in Fall 2006, so that it includes offers received when the economy was strong as well as when the legal market was less robust.
On behalf of your classmates, we ask that you please keep this information confidential. The data is specific to MLS students, and is made available exclusively for the use of MLS students. While it may be tempting to share it with others outside the MLS community, distributing it will only work to disadvantage you and your classmates. If an employer is giving the edge to MLS students -- digging deeper into the class than it does at other law schools -- that will end if word gets out. Moreover, employers may not submit the forms which enable us to compile this data if they know this information will be publicized. Please help yourself and your colleagues by maintaining confidentiality!
These Employer Qualifications are meant to assist students in planning their job search strategy. The information is not intended to propose limits or barriers to students interested in a particular employer; nor is it a formal statement of employer intent or requirements. Rather, this information is provided for guidance and to help students strategize their bids. OCS counselors are available to speak with you about these Qualifications and your bidding strategy.
Unfortunately, there isn’t data for every employer that interviews on campus. OCS bases the data on National Association for Law Placement surveys that the employers complete. If an employer did not return the surveys, results will not appear in the Employer Qualifications Profiles. If the employer has returned the survey, but there were fewer than three offers made to MLS students since Fall 2000, the name of the employer will appear but without GPA information. The data compiled for third year students is substantially less than the information for second year students because fewer third year students participate in on-campus interviewing.
In House Directory
The Office of Career Services has created an In House Internship Directory (PDF document) for students to utilize in their job search. Students who wish to pursue an internship listed in the Directory should submit resumes and cover letters directly to the employers listed, along with any questions regarding internship details. Other than the information in the Directory, OCS does not maintain any additional information regarding the internship opportunities or contact information.
Small and Medium-Sized Law Firm Lists by Market
The Office of Career Services is pleased to announce the availability of another resource for students looking for summer jobs with law firms that neither come to campus to recruit nor solicit resumes from our students. The Database lists small and medium sized firms in the cities where most of our students spend their 2L summer. In addition, some branch offices of large law firms are also listed. "LPA" is an abbreviation for "Limited Practice Areas" which means students should research the firm's practice areas before applying. The Database will be updated as we receive new information. If you have information to share, please email "lawcareers@umich.edu":
Top 3 Job Search Engines
- NALP Directory of Legal Employers is the most widely used directory in legal recruiting with more than 1,600 employers nationwide.
- Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory is powered by a database of over one million lawyers and law firms in 160 countries.
- PS Lawnet provides a comprehensive clearinghouse of public interest organizations and opportunities for lawyers and law students.
Finding Employment in the Big Markets
 For our Market Series, we invited several career service professionals to educate our students about about our major legal markets: California, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Detroit. The following are windows media audio files of those programs: Chicago - Frank Kimball 2008, New York - Carol Kanarek 2008, Bay Area - Stephen Engle 2008, Los Angeles/Orange County/San Diego - Rick Kolodny 2008, Washington, DC - Jackie Finn 2008, and Jonathan Chudler - Detroit 2008.
Preparing Your Resume
Sample resumes, cover letters and other professional correspondence can be useful tools when preparing a resume. Students should be careful not to use the exact language in the cover letter or sample resumes. Many law students will be looking at the same letter and may apply to the same job opportunities. It is best to use the examples for format and structure. Be sure to check out all of our resume tips.
Preparing for Your Interview
The articles below are designed to help students prepare for an interview.
Library Resources
The Office of Career Services has a comprehensive collection of specialized guides, many of which are written by Law School staff, readily available to use in the Office or to be borrowed. These resources include directories, periodicals, and audio and videotapes covering such topics as interview techniques, judicial clerkships, graduate programs and post-graduate fellowships, teaching opportunities, and public interest organizations.
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