Is there any place for a JD holder in the consultantcy field? or is an MBA the only way to go. I keep reading that firms are relying more and more on years of experience rather than simply having an MBA ..are there any ways to graduate with an "edge" as to not have to climb up the career ladder with an entry level job that pays crap??

That you need a MBA to consult is the biggest industry myth around. One "way in" although not entry-level is to join late 20s/early 30s with 5 to 10 years probably blue-chip industry experience. You will be in as foot-soldier and earn similar to most who started as graduates. Plenty of big firms use this model as well as graduate recruitment.

There are 3 (maybe 4) ways in to a Top Strat Firm (probably more ways for Big 4, IT consultancies, or boutiques). 1. Fresh MBA grad - probably the "easiest" way in if you go to the right B-school ("easy" here is used relatively). Freshly minted JDs, PhDs, etc. count in this bucket as well.2. From another consulting firm - this option assumes that you already have your "foot in the door"3. As a Partner with a "book of business" - i.e., you're being hired for your ability to generate revenue4. From industry (aka, "blue chip industry experience") - very rare. If I were to think of 100 of my closest consulting colleagues, maybe 2-3 of them came straight from industry, without prior consulting background, without an MBA.So is it a complete myth? Yes, of course, as there are always exceptions. But can you bet your life's savings on it? Only if your life savings don't amount to much.