Most prestigious summer positions Forum

[akaBlondie]

I am curious as to what people think are the most prestigious summer positions.

1) What are the universally considered prestigious positions?
2) Which ones are considered the best in the criminal law world?
3) What about in the litigation world?
4) What is your personal dream list?

[jpSartre]

this is relevant to my interests

[Cupidity]

IMHO

1. Summer SA Position at a V100 Firm
2. Federal COA Internship
3. SEC Honors Program
4. Federal District Court
5. State Supreme Court

[adonai]

IMHO

1. Summer SA Position at a V100 Firm
2. Federal COA Internship
3. SEC Honors Program
4. Federal District Court
5. State Supreme Court

Whatever happened to the notion that nobody likes court internships cause everyone has them?

[dakatz]

IMHO

1. Summer SA Position at a V100 Firm
2. Federal COA Internship
3. SEC Honors Program
4. Federal District Court
5. State Supreme Court

Whatever happened to the notion that nobody likes court internships cause everyone has them?

Thats a stupid rumor that represents a tiny minority of people. Also, Cupdity only mentioned the highest level judicial internships you can get and not "everyone" can get that level of judicial internship. No one is going to scoff at an internship with CoA, federal district court, or state supreme court. And just like any summer position, its also about what you can speak to at OCI. Even if you interned for some low level judge, if you got some good writing experience and saw some interesting things to talk about, then you can turn it into something really good to talk about afterward.

[Aqualibrium]

IMHO

1. Summer SA Position at a V100 Firm
2. Summer SA at a NLJ 250
3. Summer SA at a regionally powerful non NLJ 250
4. Any other legal position that gives you something to talk about during OCI
2. Federal COA Internship
3. SEC Honors Program
4. Federal District Court
5. State Supreme Court

If by "prestige" you mean "provides even a marginal boost during the 2L summer job hunt," that is my list with regards to litigation work and general firm work.

[dakatz]

IMHO

1. Summer SA Position at a V100 Firm
2. Summer SA at a NLJ 250
3. Summer SA at a regionally powerful non NLJ 250
4. Any other legal position that gives you something to talk about during OCI
2. Federal COA Internship
3. SEC Honors Program
4. Federal District Court
5. State Supreme Court

If by "prestige" you mean "provides even a marginal boost during the 2L summer job hunt," that is my list with regards to litigation work and general firm work.

I've spoken to multiple recruiters who said that they would view a COA internship close, if not equal to a Summer SA with a large firm, so I'm not sure why you would think it wouldn't provide a boost. And as for state supreme courts, if you want to establish or reaffirm ties to a state, this can give you a big leg up on those who don't have the strongest ties.

[Cupidity]

IMHO

1. Summer SA Position at a V100 Firm
2. Summer SA at a NLJ 250
3. Summer SA at a regionally powerful non NLJ 250
4. Any other legal position that gives you something to talk about during OCI
2. Federal COA Internship
3. SEC Honors Program
4. Federal District Court
5. State Supreme Court

If by "prestige" you mean "provides even a marginal boost during the 2L summer job hunt," that is my list with regards to litigation work and general firm work.

Meow. I'll throw my excellent writing abilities against your something to talk about any day.

[Aqualibrium]

I've spoken to multiple recruiters who said that they would view a COA internship close, if not equal to a Summer SA with a large firm, so I'm not sure why you would think it wouldn't provide a boost. And as for state supreme courts, if you want to establish or reaffirm ties to a state, this can give you a big leg up on those who don't have the strongest ties.

Meow. I'll throw my excellent writing abilities against your something to talk about any day.

Hey, I'm just talking what I know...just an opinion based on my own personal experience. The top three on my list give you the experience to talk about:

1. Interacting with people at a firm in a work environment
2. Projects you did while working at that firm
3. Your observations of firm life based on what you did/saw/and heard from others
4. What type of firm and environment would be best for you
5. Meeting deadlines and having your work evaluated by associates and partners
6. Billing systems

All are experiences you don't get from a court internship, regardless of the level it's on. The only people who get that experience are the people who got 1L SA's, and only a small number of people nationwide get 1L SA's...

Also, from my experience, the boost you get from a 1L SA is there regardless of where it is located, and can help you in many different regions. When a partner in another region says "tell me about the work you did at firm X," he may never have heard of firm X, but once you tell him that it's a 400 person, full service defense firm with offices in 6 states, he is very likely to say "oh so they are just like us."

[akaBlondie]

What is the process for getting a COA internship? (I'm an 0L, that's why I don't already know this.)

[vamedic03]

1L Summer prestige doesn't matter. Grades+LR+T14 = 2L SA at V100.
(Not actually trying to be snarky here, but in the long run 1L summer just doesn't matter)

[3ThrowAway99]

1L Summer prestige doesn't matter. Grades+LR+T14 = 2L SA at V100.
(Not actually trying to be snarky here, but in the long run 1L summer just doesn't matter)

+1. This is the main impression I have gotten as well. As long as it is a legal position (assuming we are talking 1L) it shouldn't be a problem or much of a boost regardless of what it is. Though I do imagine that certain positions can be looked as more prestigious/desirable than others.

[vamedic03]

1L Summer prestige doesn't matter. Grades+LR+T14 = 2L SA at V100.
(Not actually trying to be snarky here, but in the long run 1L summer just doesn't matter)

+1. This is the main impression I have gotten as well. As long as it is a legal position (assuming we are talking 1L) it shouldn't be a problem or much of a boost regardless of what it is. Though I do imagine that certain positions can be looked as more prestigious/desirable than others.

I'd add as a footnote that to the extent that there is any prestige, it's directly related to whether or not the 1L position is paid. Your overall goal for 1L summer should be to lose as little money as possible.

[Renzo]

1L Summer prestige doesn't matter. Grades+LR+T14 = 2L SA at V100.
(Not actually trying to be snarky here, but in the long run 1L summer just doesn't matter)

+1. This is the main impression I have gotten as well. As long as it is a legal position (assuming we are talking 1L) it shouldn't be a problem or much of a boost regardless of what it is. Though I do imagine that certain positions can be looked as more prestigious/desirable than others.

I'd add as a footnote that to the extent that there is any prestige, it's directly related to whether or not the 1L position is paid. Your overall goal for 1L summer should be to lose as little money as possible.

Amen. Nobody is impressed by any 1L summer job.

[crazycanuck]

SCOTTTUS?

[Renzo]

SCOTTTUS?

The first time it happens, it would be PREFTIGIOUS.

[TTH]

The most prestigious summer position is missionary. There's just so much to be said for the old school styling.

[Cupidity]

For all of my shit-talking, I think I'd have to say, at the end of the day after you factor in your 1L grades, the next most important thing is personality, not 1L job. If you get an interview, it is because of your numbers, and if you land the position-post interview, is it because of your personality. So learn to smile, make small talk, and suck-dick. Otherwise you will end up unemployed.

[dood]

1) What are the universally considered prestigious positions?

u guys didnt really answer OPs Q. but maybe he should have said "all other things being equal".

to answer the question:
US CoA internship with well-known / prestigious judge
OR
SA with watchtell, cravath, sullcrom, maybe skadden

nothing else qualifies as "prestigious". and getting paid =/= prestige. i.e. high class escorts make $3K/hour does not make sucking cock prestigious.

[Aqualibrium]

1) What are the universally considered prestigious positions?

u guys didnt really answer OPs Q. but maybe he should have said "all other things being equal".

to answer the question:
US CoA internship with well-known / prestigious judge
OR
SA with watchtell, cravath, sullcrom, maybe skadden

nothing else qualifies as "prestigious". and getting paid =/= prestige. i.e. high class escorts make $3K/hour does not make sucking cock prestigious.

I agree that "prestige" was the wrong word for OP to use...

[dood]

plus prestige is overrated...it only exists in the minds of people. i dunno man, each to their own, i just never saw the thrill of it i guess.

power money respect? lol

[Aqualibrium]

plus prestige is overrated...it only exists in the minds of people. i dunno man, each to their own, i just never saw the thrill of it i guess.

power money respect? lol

"It's the key to life..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAOgWDLo--w

[dood]

What is the process for getting a COA internship? (I'm an 0L, that's why I don't already know this.)

1. have good grades from a good school
2. mass mail early
3. make sure ur cover letter talks about a "connection" between u and the judge, even if minor. connection in this case just means like a way the judge can relate to u. i.e. posner (7th circuit) likes scientists for clerks and kozinski (9th circuit) likes UCLA law + local ties to socal. no idea if these 2 hire interns, but u get the idea.

the internet is a great thing. shit i even looked up their political POVs, and if they are also a member of the same groups im in (federalist society, NRA, SAE, etc).

[Cupidity]

2. mass mail early

This.

[seatown12]

2) Which ones are considered the best in the criminal law world?

For crim you just want whatever position will get you the most substantive trial experience. Once you can student certify (2L summer) you should look for a position in which you can go to court and if not handle your own cases at least conduct hearings.