As in any profession, there is a spectrum. Graduating from a top 5 law program, clerking for a Supreme Court justice, being a partner or on partner-track in a

As in any profession, there is a spectrum. Graduating from a top 5 law program, clerking for a Supreme Court justice, being a partner or on partner-track in a top firm, teaching at a top university - this represents the 1% among the legal profession, and very high status. Being an "average" lawyer from an "average" tier law program means average status, unless you break out from that and do something exceptional or entrepreneurial.