Career & Practice
Fewer law school grads head to government, public interest or clerkship jobs
The number of law school grads who took jobs in government, public interest and federal clerkship positions decreased in 2025. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt/For The Washington Post)
The number of law school grads who took jobs in government, public interest and federal clerkship positions decreased in 2025.
Looking at the data from the ABA Employment Outcomes 509 report released last month that shows the number of grads who went on to full-time, long-term positions in these sectors, about 14% fewer in 2025 than a year earlier moved into these sectors. Federal clerkships decreased by 11%. Notably, the 2025 graduating class was 7% smaller than a year earlier.
The Georgetown University Law Center and the George Washington University Law School ranked in the top 20 in all three categories, according to the story, and most of the schools sending graduates to federal clerkships were from the top 14 law schools (or the T14, as it is called).
Law.com has coverage.
Write a letter to the editor, share a story tip or update, or report an error.
