No, only students with a 1st become lawyers. The rest either become HR or in-house personnel. Sarcasm aside, 2.1 includes a broad range of marks from 60 to 69. I would say that 64+ you should have no problems in terms of grades to get to interview stages, where your personality will take the centre stage. Around the 60 mark I wouldn't bet on it, at least not with the usual big firms. Btw 1st is the great minority of students and I have met quite a few 1st students who just weren't made up for being lawyers or having the wit to do anything aside from regurgitating ready-made information spoonfed to them. Also don't forget that numerous students have parents, relatives etc. who help them out by way of career advice and organisation. Substantially you could be on the same level but practically not due to different access to resources. As an example you can check Skadden's managing partner who finished with a 2.2 yet worked his way up. I would say the most common mark in big firm's is a high 2.1.