University of Texas School of Law - Peregrinus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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Getting a Job Grade curve factor decides legal future The way a student falls against the Law School s numerical curve will dictate his future at Texas, his job offers, his choice of where to live and even his psyche. The struggle for good grades is handled in different ways by each student through careful outlining or maybe last minute cramming. All to get coveted honor grades that will sell in the job marketplace. If grades weren't important, law firms by now would not pay attention to them, said Professor Guy Wellborn. Firms continue to look at grades, but not to the exclusion of other factors; so they must be important. And it is the law firms who know what measures future performance. “Professors certainly believe that things we test are relevant to what lawyers do, but I don't think anybody considers testing skills comprehensive,” Wellborn continued. Grades are certainly a factor, but how large a factor must be very mysterious.

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Opening any a law student has wondered whose brilliant idea it was to plant weeds all over the 26th Street hill, instead of planting something practical like a staircase. As many intricate architectural details as Townes Hall possesses, a staircase doesn’t seem too difficult to negotiate. But such minutiae don’t seem to faze law students. The nasty details with which they are concerned are posted each semester on two little kiosks: grades. And section 38.12 of the Penal Code or Rule 10b-5 — those are the trivialities that concern law students. Never mind that UT is one of the most richly endowed law schools in America and the faculty one of the finest. Never mind that Tarlton Library houses one of Texas' finest art collections. Naw-, just details. But, they are the details that make it Texas Law Sc joo . Opening — 9

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Interview season both sweet, bittersweet Interviewing season finds law students dusting off their suits or purchasing new ones and trying to put their best feet forward in anticipation of receiving a summer clerkship or permanent law position. The big question, the one most frequently asked, is What do they look for? Different firms look for different qualities. One thing is certain however; grades matter. They figure prominently In selection primarily because grades arc the only objective indicator of success available. Being from a particular fraternity, a specific hometown or having an attorney father may do the trick. But grades arc in there somewhere. Second and third year students interview from late August until mid-November, while frcshlaws interview during early spring. The interview lottery is run by computer, so at times one person gets five interviews while another person gets one. Students may also drop-file into employee folders and get interviews that way. Those whose credentials look less impressive on paper rely more heavily on the lottery. The system does work for some. Students get flown out, wined and dined by eager firms from New York to Malibu. Thus the Placement Office process is the most efficient way to get one's name out and find a job, while at the same time minimizing costs. The first taste of the real world is often sweet for some law students, bittersweet for others. John Fox«-oott MkHtUt Rufabmon Left, students leaf through firm resume sheets to list choices for the interview lottery. Below, a first-year student utilizes the placement office library to learn more about his interviewing law firm. Getting a Job Getting a Job — 11