Student in graduating class of JC please answer my Qs

1. If I go to any other lower tier school (eg USyd, QMUL, Nottingham etc) BUT get masters from a good uni, will firms still regard me lower?

2. My back up plan is to be a banker. How does practicing law compare, in terms of hours & pay? I understand both are stressful jobs, especially if I'm doing investment banking.

3. What's the best route to being financially successful as a lawyer? Go in-house? Go into legal banking (excuse my poor jargon)? Stay with the firm long enough until I become a partner?

4. ALSO I'm having trouble just keeping up with titles as I've yet to familiarise myself with some of these things. What's the ladder order? Associate, secondee, Senior Associate, Partner, Legal Director, Legal Counsel, Senior Legal Counsel...

5. What sort of firm is it best to work for? Local (probably not right?), British, American, European excluding British etc

6. What is typical starting pay