2L
Law & Legal abbreviation · Legal Profession
| Stands for | Second-year law student |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
2L stands for Second-year law student, a legal profession abbreviation.
Law student in the second year of a US Juris Doctor program, typically focused on electives, law review or journal work, moot court and the summer associate job that often leads to a postgraduate offer.
Example: Most 2Ls spend the summer as associates at the firms where they hope to work after graduation.
Usage notes
The second year was traditionally the peak of recruiting, through on-campus interviewing at its start, though large firms now recruit earlier. Many students take the MPRE during this year, and journal members spend much of it checking citations in other authors' articles.
Related abbreviations
More legal profession abbreviations
- 1L – First-year law student
- 3L – Third-year law student
- ABA – American Bar Association
- ABS – Alternative business structure
- ACC – Association of Corporate Counsel
- AGC – Associate general counsel
- ALI – American Law Institute
- ALSP – Alternative legal service provider
- AmLaw – The American Lawyer
- AOR – Attorney of record
- Atty. – Attorney
- AV – AV Preeminent rating
See all 46 legal profession abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.