However, a portion of legal employers, namely the large law firms, require grades to be within a certain percentile, usually top 5 to 20 percent of the class, for a student to qualify for consideration. But keep in mind, the large employers compose a relatively small proportion of those employers seeking to hire law graduates. A solid academic record plays an important role in the hiring process. It demonstrates positive personal qualities that help to predict potential success such as motivation, goal orientation, productivity and the ability to concentrate. If your academic record does not reflect your potential, consider overcoming this through direct experience or law school activities.
Employers look very positively on improved academic record.
Low grades in the first year should not discourage anyone from attempting to excel through the remaining school years. This improvement can be expressed during an interview or in a cover letter. Academic training, such as a particular undergraduate degree or combination of degrees, can influence a hiring decision. For example, an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, coupled with a law degree, qualifies someone to practice intellectual property. An accounting degree, coupled with a law degree, makes for a tax law prospect.