Vault Law

For those who are invested in such things, be they prospective students assessing which school to attend or alumni wondering how the prestige of their alma mater is faring, the new US News law rankings released on March 28. There was one extremely significant event in the ranking shifts this year, as some predicted given the changes in US News' methodology over last year.

On Friday, May 20, 2022, Vault Law will host an OCI Readiness Summit for law students looking to prepare for and find summer and other associate positions through OCI. You can register for this free informational summit here, and learn more about it below.

We all face challenges and changes—and we have had plenty of both lately—but it is how we cope and respond that helps frame our next steps. One approach worth exploring is having a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset.

Apologies for the dearth of content the last couple of weeks. One of my resolutions as a recovering lawyer is 1) to actually take vacation time and 2) actually not work while I'm doing that.

If you are attempting to do some last minute shopping for your legal assistant, secretary, or paralegal, we have some good news for you-the shopping on this front is going to be pretty easy. Unless you have a close enough relationship with this person that something more, well, personalized, is appropriate, a survey of folks in that profession suggests that the answer is very simple: straight cash money.

Mina Whangbo is an associate in Linklaters’ Investment Funds group. Her practice focuses on the representation of fund sponsors and institutional investors regarding the formation, negotiation, and governance of private investment funds across diverse strategies.

If you have a lawyer (or law student) in your life that you care about, you may be wondering just how to shop for their holiday gifts. We've used this space to highlight the stress and pressure of the profession before, and these issues are well-known.

When it come to legal job interviews, the No. 1 rule is to be prepared.

I am an attorney (though I no longer practice). My husband, my father, my father-in-law, and my brother-in-law (among other members of my extended family) are also attorneys.

It’s no secret that being a lawyer is a tough gig, whether you have several years of practice under your belt or you’re just familiar with pop culture references. The combination of late nights, tough clients and partners, and demands for perfection are not exactly a walk in the park.

The holidays are almost here, and if you're a 1L, that means 'tis the season to study for your first set of law school exams. Ideally, you've already started outlining—if you haven't, now is the time to start.

With many attorneys working remotely for the past year and a half, mentoring programs at law firms have become more important than ever. Associates can no longer count on impromptu run-ins at the proverbial water-cooler or on walking down the hall to problem-solve in a senior attorney’s office.

We are excited to welcome two new editors to the Vault Law team! Travis Whitsitt and Carter Isham are both former practicing attorneys who are excited to share their perspectives and advice about law school, legal careers, and more.

It’s a story law students hear often: The path to BigLaw is narrow and winds through a few short weeks of on-campus interviews. As the saying goes, if you miss your shot during this brief window of time, it’s game over.

Just how important is law firm prestige? This question might seem strange coming from a Vault Law editor, since we are, after all, known for the Vault Law 100—a ranking of the 100 most prestigious law firms in the U.S.

Allie Porter is a IP associate who resides in the Dallas office of Norton Rose Fulbright. Below, she shares her advice for getting the most out of social events during a law firm summer associate program.

Early in your legal career—whether in law school or practice—you are often given projects with deadlines broken out for you to ensure no last-minute scrambles. As you progress, however, there may come a time when you need to produce a polished work product in a very short window of time.

There is no perfect formula for success as a junior associate, but patterns of personal characteristics or best practices across standout associates can be identified. In this article, I share the hallmarks of successful junior associates at my firm, Jones Day.

The concept of mindfulness is having a heyday in United States culture. This trend began picking up speed well before the pandemic—almost as though people were already burning out in the American work culture—and has only accelerated over the last two years.

These sweet suggestions will help ensure your study plan includes some treats, not just tricks!

If you are a 1L, don't miss this chance to hear from experts at top law firms as they discuss legal careers, law school advice, and diversity initiatives! It’s never too early to start planning for your legal career—even if you are only in the first semester of your 1L year.

Monica R. Parker, Esq.

The journey to becoming an attorney is a windy road filled with late-night study sessions, high-pressure exams, and tough competition—all of which can contribute to mental health challenges. With an estimated 40% of law students experiencing depression by graduation, it is important to understand that you are not alone if you are suffering from depression.

There is one question you can always expect during your legal job interview: Do you have any questions for us? Preparing thoughtful, well-researched questions for this part of your interview is a great way to show your interest in the legal employer and that you have done your homework.