Status Check with Spivey How Law School Hiring Has Changed (Rapidly) & How That Impacts Admissions
Aug 26, 2025
Kristen Mercado, a former admissions dean at UC Davis, and Rob Cacace, director of career strategy at Georgetown Law, dive into the shifting landscape of law school hiring. They discuss how these changes affect admissions decisions and the skills that are now being prioritized, particularly for diverse and first-generation students. The conversation emphasizes the need for proactive career planning and the role of networking. Mercado and Cacace also stress the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals as students navigate this competitive landscape.
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Recruiting Has Moved Earlier
- Recruiting timelines have shifted earlier due to firms wanting direct access to talent and virtual interviewing.
- Rob Cacace says schools lost leverage as employers now can reach students directly via video, pushing hiring earlier.
One Semester Grades Drive Pressure
- Earlier hiring compresses the decision window, increasing pressure on 1L grades and career readiness.
- Rob Cacace notes students must show practice-area knowledge, geographic preference, and networking ability much sooner.
First-Gen Students Felt Acute Overwhelm
- Kristen describes first-gen and diverse students arriving overwhelmed by simultaneous academic and recruiting demands.
- She recounts mentoring first-gen students who struggled to learn networking, professional emails, and interview norms quickly.
