Veterans are few and far between in the legal industry, accounting for just 2.8% of attorneys and 1.8% of those in Big Law, but they bring a unique set of skills and varied life experiences that firms would be remiss to overlook.

"This is a population of people who have a strong work ethic, values, aptitude and grit," said Matt Reeder, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and an associate at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe. "Any firm that doesn't give serious consideration to someone who has gained that life experience and demonstrated a desire to join a big firm is missing out on an incredible talent pool."