Think Big Law hiring is all about rankings and grades? Not even close. Fit, passion, and authenticity matter more than most students realize, especially in today's chaotic, early recruiting landscape.

In this episode of Lock In & Go Big Law, legal recruiters Genevieve Riccardelli and Jennifer Soltau sit down with Kevin Lam, National Hiring Partner at Goodwin, to pull back the curtain on what firms are actually looking for. From early 1L recruiting to cultural fit, grades, and finding the right practice area, Kevin shares candid insights from every angle of the hiring process.

👀 In This Episode:

• Kevin's path from summer associate to national hiring partner
• Why "fit" matters more than firm rankings in Big Law
• How students can realistically assess a firm's culture
• How grades factor into hiring, and what to do if your first semester doesn't go as planned
• Why passion for the law is the biggest predictor of long-term success

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Big Law success is about alignment, not prestige
• Trust your gut - meeting more people gives you clearer signals about culture
• Grades matter, but they're only one piece of a much bigger picture
• Passion turns law school from "studying" into real learning
• Everything works out. Focus on what you love, and the rest follows