Law student recruiting is changing fast. Barnes & Thornburg partner explains why.

Law firms are now locking in first-year law students for summer positions before they have finished a single full semester. David Durm, a partner at Barnes & Thornburg in Indianapolis, breaks down the forces reshaping law student recruiting and what students must do to stand out.Durm, who has coordinated law student recruiting for more than 25 years, explains how the traditional two-L summer associate model has shifted dramatically, with some Am Law 100 firms now extending offers to one-L students in January for summer classes more than a year away. He also addresses how artificial intelligence is influencing hiring decisions, why Indianapolis remains a strong recruiting market despite a statewide lawyer shortage and what Barnes & Thornburg looks for beyond grades when evaluating candidates.