Big Law BEFORE Law School? The Legal Apprenticeships No One Knows About
When people think of Big Law, they often picture it as the ultimate multi-six figure career you land after law school. What many—especially first-generation pre-law students—don’t know is that you can break into Big Law right after undergrad, even without legal experience.
What Are Big Law Apprenticeships?
Many top Big Law firms offer what I’d call “two-year apprenticeships.” These entry-level roles, often titled Program Assistant or Legal Assistant, are the most junior positions at these firms, sitting just below paralegals. They’re designed for recent graduates with no prior legal experience.
While many people use these roles as a stepping stone before heading to law school, others choose to stay and build a long-term career within the firm. After the two-year period, it’s common for employees to receive raises and promotions, potentially advancing to senior paralegal positions if law school isn’t in their plans.
How to Land One of These Roles
1. Research the Firms
Start by looking up the Vault 100 list of the top law firms in the country. Visit the “Careers” or “Work With Us” sections on their websites, and search for entry-level roles labeled as Program Assistant or Legal Assistant. Make sure the job descriptions explicitly state that no prior legal experience is required.
2. Tailor Your Application
Make sure your resume and cover letter are on point. These are highly competitive jobs, so it’s critical to stand out. Have competent people review your materials for feedback, and ensure there are no errors. Additionally, tailor your cover letter for each company—generic applications won’t cut it in this environment.
3. Apply Strategically
When applications open, act fast. These roles often have tight deadlines—sometimes applications are only open for a few days to a week because of the high volume of applicants. Create a spreadsheet to track:
The firms you’re applying to
Application links
Deadlines
Interview invitations
Most of these firms are located in major cities like New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles. Salaries for these roles typically start at $55,000 - $60,000, plus benefits.
4. Mass Apply and Follow Up
Don’t hold back—apply to as many firms as possible. Be proactive and check frequently for updates on job openings, particularly in early spring (January and February) when most summer roles become available.
5. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!
This is the single most important step. These roles are highly coveted, with hundreds of applicants from across the country. Unfortunately, 9 out of 10 times, it’s not first-generation, low-income college students landing these jobs—and there’s a reason for that. These roles are highly gatekept. The best way to boost your chances is to have someone at the firm flag your resume or refer you.
Here’s the thing: referrals benefit both parties. If you get hired, the person who referred you typically gets a generous bonus for bringing in a strong candidate. There’s a real incentive for people to help!
You don’t have to aim for a partner at the firm (though that’s what I did—I met one while interning at the White House when he was meeting with my boss… very niche, I know). Instead, connect with current program assistants on LinkedIn. They’ve been in your shoes and are often more approachable. After they give you feedback on your cover letter and resume, explicitly ask for a referral. It’s less intimidating and highly effective.
My Experience in Big Law
I landed a role at a Big Law firm straight out of undergrad with a humanities degree, despite having no formal legal experience. What I did have was a strong policy background, including internships at the White House and the Florida House of Representatives, and experience as an academic program facilitator at Cornell University.
While these roles often serve as excellent pipelines to law school and beyond, it’s important to treat them as full-time jobs—not internships or fellowships. The work is advanced and will prepare you for law school, but you’re expected to create tangible value for the firm. Your hours are billable to clients, and your performance matters. Each firm and practice area has a different culture, so not everyone's experience is the same. Ultimately, it wasn’t for me, but I still think it was an incredible opportunity, and more FGLI and Black students should know that pathways like this exist.
Why These Roles Are Worth It
Big Law apprenticeships don’t just pay well; they open doors:
Law School Summer Job Pipeline: Working closely with partners and building relationships within the firm increases your chances of securing coveted 1L or 2L summer associate roles and post-law school employment.
Practical Experience: The hands-on legal work prepares you for the rigor of law school.
Professional Network: You’ll gain connections with lawyers and partners who can write you rec letters and serve as mentors and advocates throughout your career.
Recommended Programs
Some of the best-known Big Law apprenticeship programs include:
Latham & Watkins: Business Services Training Program
ArentFox Schiff: Program Assistant Pipeline
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP: Legal Assistant Program
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP: Legal Assistant Program
These programs are incredible opportunities to get your foot in the door, gain real-world experience, and build a foundation for a successful career in law—whether or not you choose to pursue law school. You’re not going to find a lot of information online because these aren’t explicitly considered “programs” or fellowships per say, they are jobs. However the structure of the program feels similar to a fellowship. That’s why I am making this post, because I only know all this from having a conversation with someone I saw with a big law job post-undergrad and she put me on. These types of things are so gatekept, and that’s why I am writing about it!
