Beer Pong, College Sports Better Predictors of BigLaw Success Than Rank of Law School, GPA

ABA Journal: School Rank and GPA Aren’t the Best Predictors of BigLaw Success, by Debra Cassens Weiss:

Law school rank and grade point average aren’t the best predictors of success at large law firms, according to a study of more than 1,300 associates from one firm.

Law school rank and GPA were only moderately predictive of success, the study found. In general, one of the study’s authors, Ron Paquette, tells the ABA Journal, “The Harvard attorneys do not perform any better than those at the 30th-ranked law school.”

The study was conducted at a top 25 law firm trying to combat high associate attrition rates, according to a summary by the authors, consultants from Kerma Partners and Redwood, a unit of LexisNexis. The aim was to identify lawyer recruits who have the required educational credentials as well as the “stuff” to thrive at the law firm.

The study defined success as longer tenure at the firm, higher productivity, and being a good cultural fit, based on an evaluation by a human resources staffer.

The study identified 12 factors—Paquette wouldn't reveal them all—that are better predictors of success. Paquette, however, did identify one of them—participation in group hobbies and collegiate-level athletics. Another predictor of success, he said, was doing well in specific law school classes. He did not disclose the subjects.

• Moneyball Indeed! (Kerma Partners)
• Law School Rank and GPA Don't Predict Law Firm Success (Legal Blog Watch)
• Moneyball for Law Firms (Voir Dire)
• The Drift Toward Pure Numbers Admissions (Legal Profession Blog)

Update:  Above the Law has more.