[litAKAtor]

Hello my lovely sorors - particularly my LS Skeephistakate!!

As a practicing labor and employment attorney for the past four years (I can't believe it has been that long) I can say that ranking does matter when firms come to interview you for prospective clerkships and/or jobs. I graduated from Florida A&M's School of Business and Industry and recieved my law degree from the University of Florida Dec. 2001. Having a UF degree assisted me in getting my job with a boutique labor and employment firm as well as my federal clerkship. I am in agreement that many large law firms go to Howard to interview for the sole purpose of recruiting African American attorneys. However, firms come to predominantly white institutions and interview African American attorneys as well. So don't think that you HAVE to go to an HB law school to obtain a high paying job. If you desire the experience than an HBCU will bring, then that is a bit different - I had my HBCU experience during undergrad and chose to attend a predominantely white institution for law school. I can say that my experieince at UF, while trying at times, was memorable and rewarding. Where you attend law school - unless it is Harvard or Yale will only offer you an opportunity to be seen and heard - it will NOT win a job for you - your record (grades) must speak, your writing must speak and your law school activities must speak for you.

Being a "Gator" particularly in the southeast and in FLorida specifically has its advantages, but as I said, that alone will not suffice.