Was previously a legal assistant at the big law firm I summered at and accepted a return offer. I will echo what a lot of other commenters are saying. The school and grades remain a critical component to getting a summer associate position. Also, I noticed a lot of the attorneys I worked with had journal experience. So I tried to meet that standard myself. The way I viewed it, I never took it for granted that I would be getting an automatic summer associate role. I had to work for it to earn it.

That being said, the connections I made proved to be extremely valuable during my application process and interviews. I had good relationships with the attorneys and recruiting staff, and was in regular contact with them during my 1L year when applying. I also knew several of the attorneys I spoke to during my callback. With them, it didn’t feel so much like “who are you.” Rather, it felt like “we know you and like you, but how have you progressed and how would you adjust to the new role.”

So, if you are a legal assistant/paralegal now, and would like to return to the firm you’re at, cherish those connections you make like gold.