Can You Email a BigLaw Partner Directly?

Law students agonize over whether it is appropriate to email a BigLaw partner directly. The answer is yes, but the bar for doing it well is higher than you think.

When it makes sense

Emailing a partner makes sense when you have a genuine reason to reach out:

• The partner is an alumnus of your law school
• The partner spoke at an event you attended
• The partner wrote an article or gave a talk on a topic you are researching
• The partner practices in a niche area you are genuinely interested in
• Someone gave you a warm introduction

It does not make sense when you are mass-emailing every partner at a firm hoping someone will respond. Partners can tell, and it wastes their time.

How to write the email

Keep it short. Three to four sentences maximum in the body.

• Subject line: Clear and specific. "Columbia 2L interested in your structured finance practice" is good. "Quick question" is bad.
• Opening: Who you are and why you are writing to them specifically.
• Ask: One specific, reasonable request. A 15-minute phone call or a coffee meeting is standard.
• Close: Thank them for their time and make it easy to say yes or no.

Do not attach your resume unless they ask for it. Do not ask for a job. Do not write more than one short paragraph.

What to expect

Partners are busy. Many will not respond, and that is not personal. A 10-20% response rate on cold emails is normal. If someone does respond, be flexible with their schedule and prepared to have a real conversation, not a pitch.

If you get a meeting, research the partner's recent work and practice area beforehand. You can find firm and practice area details on the firm directory. Arrive with two to three genuine questions and be ready to talk about why their work interests you.

What not to do

• Do not email the same partner more than once if they do not respond
• Do not cc their assistant or secretary
• Do not mention your grades or class rank in the initial email
• Do not ask for anything that requires significant effort on their part
• Do not use templates that are obviously templates

Direct outreach to partners can work, especially for networking in law school. But it works best when you have a specific reason and a genuine interest. Partners can tell the difference.