If you're a law student looking to enter this challenging  job market you need to do your homework and we're not talking about those "law books" we're talking about researching the firms you want to work with.  Here are a few tips on researching a law firm:

1.    Go to the law firm's website and actually read it.  Read the newsletters, press releases, and learn about promotions, new clients etc.

2.    Research articles on the law firm using search engines, the library or the tools at Leopard Solutions.

3.    Use Leopard Solutions to identify key personnel at the law firm.

4.    Conduct an informational interview with employees at the law firm.

5.    Talk to former employees of the law firm to find out the negative aspects of working for that particular firm.

What you want to find out is the philosophy, culture and reputation of the firm you want to work with. You also want to find out the vision of the law firm and what their plans are for the future.  Do you really want to work for a firm that may be considering a move to another state in five years?  Or, do you want to work with a firm that has a business model that isn't viable or sustainable in the long-term? Remember, you can never know too much information about a law firm that you're considering investing your time with.  And it is an "investment."