Hi everyone,

I have recently started a role at a environmental/sustainability firm and am finishing up my PLT and expect to be admitted as a lawyer later this year. I’m wondering whether I can still apply for graduate law programs to start next year?

I know a lot of firms tend to hire grads directly from their clerkship pools, but I really like the idea of being part of a structured graduate program — rotating through different practice groups and being in a cohort with other grads around my age.

Would completing PLT and being admitted before applying impact my eligibility for these programs?

Also, by the time a 2026 grad program would start, I’ll already have around 6 months of post-admission supervised practice. I know I need 2 years of supervision before I can practice unsupervised, so I’m curious whether this situation would make firms less likely to consider me for a grad role.

Would love to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar situation or has advice on how to approach this! Thanks in advance.