For class of 2011, which was the one most hard-hit by the recession, Harvard Law was still at about 80% of people who wanted it getting those jobs. I'd imagine it's back over 90% now. Even Columbia is over 75% now.
As for getting in the top half... it's another highly game-able thing. Your grades are based entirely on exams that are basically like the LSAT---they test you on how quickly you can apply a relatively simple set of rules to ambiguous facts. The only classes that test your writing (which is what you actually do as a lawyer!) in the all-important first year are typically weighted very little, or even ungraded.
But what % of those 80% are getting top-tier biglaw jobs (or clerkships)?
I have no idea - but my dad does law in the public sector (read: not lucrative) and anecdotally he says he's able to hire lots of top 10 law school grads who never would have applied for that kind of job five years ago.
> But what % of those 80% are getting top-tier biglaw jobs (or clerkships)?
At Harvard, Yale, and Stanford? Yes. The other good schools (top 10/15-ish) are in the 60% range. Outside the top 20, it's probably in the 10% range and below.
As for getting in the top half... it's another highly game-able thing. Your grades are based entirely on exams that are basically like the LSAT---they test you on how quickly you can apply a relatively simple set of rules to ambiguous facts. The only classes that test your writing (which is what you actually do as a lawyer!) in the all-important first year are typically weighted very little, or even ungraded.