Some mid-size firms like Phillips Lytle of Buffalo, NY have shifted their recruiting efforts away from the top schools like Harvard or Yale, and to regional, less prestigious schools. Because large firms are having to consider lower ranked students at top schools, mid-size firms are starting to look elsewhere. These smaller firms cannot compete with the top firm-salaries so large firms do have an advantage in first-year recruiting. However, mid-size firms are staying afloat thanks to their ability to keep experienced associates and acquire lateral recruits.
Source: www.nylawyer.com