Exploring options, obtaining access to employment opportunities, and professional development are important components of legal education at William & Mary. Like other aspects of a positive law school experience, success in the job market requires shared responsibility between the school and each student. The Law School's Office of Career Services (OCS) relishes our role in this school-student partnership, and as evidenced by our mission statement, OCS also serves the needs of alumni and employers.

Mission Statement

      The mission of the Office of Career Services is to:

• Instill in students professionalism, ethics, and integrity in the career development and job search process so they will continue to demonstrate  those traits as citizen-lawyers;
• Partner with students and alumni to help them explore career options, learn about employment opportunities, further long-term professional development, and achieve career satisfaction;
• Maintain comprehensive career and professional development resources to prepare students and alumni to be competitive candidates; and
• Cultivate constructive, mutually beneficial relationships with employers.

Individualized Career Planning and Advising

Each student presents unique credentials, geographic and work preferences, and short- and long-term goals. We believe that one-on-one meetings provide the best setting to assess options, refine career goals and develop job search strategies. Our priority is knowing students, serving them as individuals, and introducing them to the many resources available through the Law School. Recognizing that career development is a lifelong process, we provide graduates with access to OCS services throughout their legal careers. Please see our Career Planning Resources for examples of our programs and student services.

Mutually Beneficial Relationships with Employers

During 2005, 75 percent of the law firms in the National Law Journal 250, Legal Times 100, and American Lawyer's Global 100 actively recruited our students. Over 170 employers registered for on-campus interviews for 319 offices in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Our students participated in 29 off-campus job fairs attended by more than 1,100 employers and searched over 4,000 job listings from non-visiting employers representing 49 states, the District of Columbia and several other countries.

To facilitate the career development process, OCS has established relationships with thousands of employers around the world. OCS aggressively markets the Law School and our students to an international employer base. These efforts produce contacts with law firms ranging in size from some of the world's largest to solo practitioners, public interest organizations, non-governmental organizations, prosecutors, corporations and businesses, federal, state and local government agencies, accounting firms, courts and organizations who hire lawyers for positions not involving the traditional practice of law. Our Emphasis on Public Service includes financial support for summer internships with public interest and government organizations. Loan Repayment Assistance is available to graduates entering public service employment.

Please see our Recent Graduate Employment Profile for information regarding the types of employment and locations the three most recent graduating classes and salary information for the most recent graduating class.

OCS Resources for Students, Alumni and Employers

To access the OCS resources for students, alumni and employers, please click on the corresponding links at left.