BigLaw hiring grew for the Class of 2024. Major U.S. law firms added thousands of new associates. A report from BCG Attorney Search found 5,291 associates across AmLaw 50 firms. These hires came from 157 law schools. The total rose 11% from the previous year’s group.
However, hiring remains uneven across the legal market. A small group of large firms and top law schools accounts for many of these jobs.
Learn more from this report: BigLaw Hiring: Class of 2024
Kirkland and Ellis Leads BigLaw Hiring
Kirkland and Ellis hired 385 associates from the Class of 2024. This ranked the firm first among the top hirers. Sidley Austin came next with 275 associates. Latham and Watkins hired 240.
Jones Day added 220 associates, while Davis Polk and Wardwell hired 175. Together, the top 15 firms accounted for 51.5% of the group.
These numbers show how a few large firms drive much of the hiring market.
Top Law Schools Remain Important
The report found hires from 157 law schools. Still, many associates came from a smaller group of schools.
The top 25 feeder schools supplied about 67.8% of the group. Columbia, Harvard, and Georgetown led the list. New York University and the University of Pennsylvania also ranked highly.
However, graduates from other schools also joined major firms. School ties matter, but they do not guarantee a job or rule out other paths.
New York Leads BigLaw Hiring
New York accounted for 38.9% of the associates in the report. Washington, D.C., ranked second at 12.3%. Chicago followed with 8%, while San Francisco reached 7.4%.
The ten largest markets accounted for 89.8% of the group. As a result, location can play a major role in a job search.
Candidates should research firms in their target cities. They should also consider local demand and their preferred practice areas.
Other Paths Can Lead to BigLaw
Most associates entered through direct hiring from law school. However, 786 associates took other routes. They made up 14.9% of the group.
Some had worked at other law firms. Others completed judicial clerkships. These paths can help candidates build skills and gain experience.
Therefore, missing the first round of recruiting does not end a candidate’s chances. Later hiring and moves between firms may create new openings.
Law Firms Are Hiring Earlier
Law firm recruiting now starts earlier in the year. The National Association for Law Placement reported that 85% of summer offers in the 2025 cycle came before July. In the previous cycle, the figure was about 34%.
This change puts pressure on students to act early. They should research firms, apply on time, and build contacts with lawyers.
Meanwhile, associate turnover remains part of the market. BCG Attorney Search tracked 620 departures from its Class of 2024 group. These included moves to other firms and judicial clerkships.
What the Hiring Trends Mean
The report offers useful lessons for law students and law firms. Students should start their job search early and explore more than one path. They should also weigh firm size, location, and practice area.
For firms, strong hiring requires careful planning. They must attract new talent while supporting and retaining current associates.
Overall, BigLaw hiring grew for the Class of 2024. However, access to these jobs still varies by firm, school, and location.
Learn more from this report: BigLaw Hiring: Class of 2024
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