2L need advice Forum

[Anonymous User]

Top 1/3 at T30, still no job for the summer. I have some upcoming interviews: (1) in-house legal department (will not lead to permanent employment); (2) small law firm; (3) internship for a federal district judge; (4) District Attorney’s office.

If my goal is to work for law firms after graduation (but not in criminal law), which of the above is better for my 3L job search?

[Renzo]

Top 1/3 at T30, still no job for the summer. I have some upcoming interviews: (1) in-house legal department (will not lead to permanent employment); (2) small law firm; (3) internship for a federal district judge; (4) District Attorney’s office.

If my goal is to work for law firms after graduation (but not in criminal law), which of the above is better for my 3L job search?

Will the small firm take you after graduation?

[Anonymous User]

(OP): No, not sure if the small firm will offer anything. My question was just for what would be most helpful when I look for jobs in 3L.

[Renzo]

What general industry is the in-house gig? Something that might translate well?

[Anonymous User]

(OP): in-house is in the consumer product industry. Works will be some general corporate type legal work.

[Renzo]

I think I'd go with that , probably. It seems like the option most likely to result in some networking opportunities. Even if the GC office can't hire you, they might be willing to make some calls for you next year.

[TTT-LS]

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[Corsair]

..

[Anonymous User]

I think I'd go with that , probably. It seems like the option most likely to result in some networking opportunities. Even if the GC office can't hire you, they might be willing to make some calls for you next year.

(OP): Your advice makes sense. But someone told me even small firms are better than in-house legal department because you can earn the similar experience. Any thought on that?

Also, will your experience with a legal department makes law firms think that you are more interested in working for in-house than law firms when it comes to 3L job search (I know it is almost non exist)?

[Anonymous User]

I think I'd go with that , probably. It seems like the option most likely to result in some networking opportunities. Even if the GC office can't hire you, they might be willing to make some calls for you next year.

TTT-LS, J., concurs.

The district court sounds like a good second choice, as it may help you be a better clerkship applicant or even lead to the judge serving as a recommender. Because 3L hiring is almost non-existent right now, you should realistically be thinking about clerkship applications as a safety valve. And since some judges hire pre-plan, you'll need to be ready to apply well before this September if you really want to apply broadly (so as to give you the best possible chance of landing one).

(OP): I heard you need to be in top 10% or even top 5% for clerkship. I am only top 1/3. Will an internship with a judge help that much to make up the lower grades (assume you can get a good recommendation from the judge)?

[steve_nash]

I don't really understand the point of asking this when you don't have job offers from them, but I'll offer what I think, which isn't worth very much weight as it is. I also concur that the in-house gig sounds best, for reasons stated above. I wouldn't count on a clerkship with top 1/3 grades ITE, however, unless you hold an exec position on a journal and pull up your grades this semester.

[vanwinkle]

Take the one that offers you a job.

[Anonymous User]

By "clerkships," you are all referring to federal clerkships, correct? What about other kinds of clerkships, such as state appellate judges? Surely that would not require top 5%...

Does anyone have any knowledge of how competitive traditionally less-competitive clerkships are these days?