The process of matching young lawyers to practice groups at law firms is more or less standard across the industry—and deeply flawed.

Law students heading into their third year of law school, many of whom have never held a full-time job, are exposed to a whirlwind experience meant to approximate the practice of law at a prospective employer. In between social events, training and other summer associate program elements, they are encouraged to undertake assignments from different practice groups with the firm.