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Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:56 am
by Anonymous User
roranoa wrote:Anonymous User wrote:I have two offers from NYC V-30ish firms. Will be 36 at bar exam. Anecdotal, but still.
Do you think you would've gotten into a higher ranking firm if you were younger? Why do you think those firms (higher ranking) rejected you?
Another anon here (and '12 grad); I was in my early 30's when I graduated. When I went through OCI, I had 2 V5 offers and several V10 offers.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:58 am
by mr_toad
roranoa wrote:Anonymous User wrote:I have two offers from NYC V-30ish firms. Will be 36 at bar exam. Anecdotal, but still.
Do you think you would've gotten into a higher ranking firm if you were younger? Why do you think those firms (higher ranking) rejected you?
The second question includes an interesting assumption (i.e., that higher ranking firms have rejected me at the callback level, which is not the case).
Am awaiting results of a V-20 CB and still have a V-25-30 CB, a V-50 CB, and two V-90ish CBs (canceled a mid-law NLJ 350 CB and another V-90 CB based on geographic preferences once my first offer came in). The only one of the first four CBs I've been on to reject me was a V-50 (only takes 10 per summer). I'm barely top-third at DCNG, so I don't think I've underperformed (if anything, perhaps slightly over-performed). I've also had multiple interviewers, including one at a V-15, tell me they wished people would take much more time off before law school. That firm didn't call me back, but it was only based on my missing the grade cutoff (was told this directly).
Would I have gotten into a higher ranking firm if I were younger? No idea. But if my GPA had been 0.04 higher, I would have had a V-15 callback at a firm that offers a high percentage of their callbacks. I think as long as you still come across as quite energetic and ready to work very hard (and your resume and grades attest to that), then age, probably up to about my age +/- 3-5 years (e.g., 30-40) is a neutral that can be either positive or negative depending on how you spin it and how you come across.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 3:04 pm
by anon168
roranoa wrote:Do you think NYC Biglaw are reluctant to take in old candidates?
(Old: 33-36)
No. I think the biggest might be from the candidate side, not law firm side.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:51 am
by itbdvorm
Back (mostly) after a busy stretch. Generally agree with anon168's take on things, though obviously things vary firm to firm...
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:01 am
by roranoa
anon168 wrote:roranoa wrote:Do you think NYC Biglaw are reluctant to take in old candidates?
(Old: 33-36)
No. I think the biggest might be from the candidate side, not law firm side.
I don't know what you mean by this.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 10:28 am
by anon168
roranoa wrote:anon168 wrote:roranoa wrote:Do you think NYC Biglaw are reluctant to take in old candidates?
(Old: 33-36)
No. I think the biggest might be from the candidate side, not law firm side.
I don't know what you mean by this.
The only issue with being an older First Year Associate is the problem of taking orders from someone significantly younger than you. Firms generally don't care if you are 25 or 35 (generally speaking, although the older you are the more of an issue it may be).
In other words, if you're 32 (for example) are you going to be ok having someone that's 27 tell you to redo a doc review assignment on Friday afternoon that needs to be completed by Monday morning?
Before you glibly answer, "of course not" just think carefully about it.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 11:14 am
by Anonymous User
What are your thoughts on asking for an extension?
I interviewed with a non-NALP firm and received an offer that has an early deadline. IE: one that will likely expire before any of my CB's have taken place or gotten back to me.
I am setting up meeting with additional attorneys at the firm and would really like a little more time to digest this information. I really like the firm, but I have yet to hear back from my top choice.
My thought is to approach it by saying I have made other commitments that I would like to honor and that this is a big decision. Essentially say that I would like to ensure I am 100% sure on the commitment I am making and have all the information I need to make the proper decision. An extension of two weeks would allow me to gather all of the information and make an informed decision.
Thoughts on how recruiting would take this?
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 4:41 pm
by itbdvorm
Anonymous User wrote:What are your thoughts on asking for an extension?
I interviewed with a non-NALP firm and received an offer that has an early deadline. IE: one that will likely expire before any of my CB's have taken place or gotten back to me.
I am setting up meeting with additional attorneys at the firm and would really like a little more time to digest this information. I really like the firm, but I have yet to hear back from my top choice.
My thought is to approach it by saying I have made other commitments that I would like to honor and that this is a big decision. Essentially say that I would like to ensure I am 100% sure on the commitment I am making and have all the information I need to make the proper decision. An extension of two weeks would allow me to gather all of the information and make an informed decision.
Thoughts on how recruiting would take this?
The earlier in the process you ask for something like this (before they've filled up, they still like you, etc.) the better
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:26 pm
by Anonymous User
Should an applicant explain a semester of bad grades? How bad is bad enough to need explaining before anyone even asks?
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:51 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:Should an applicant explain a semester of bad grades? How bad is bad enough to need explaining before anyone even asks?
Along the same lines perhaps, now that I've got a V-whatever SA in a major market (that rarely no-offers), how much do I really need to worry about my 2L grades. (Sorry if asked before. If so, just disregard.)
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:14 pm
by anon168
Anonymous User wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Should an applicant explain a semester of bad grades? How bad is bad enough to need explaining before anyone even asks?
Along the same lines perhaps, now that I've got a V-whatever SA in a major market (that rarely no-offers), how much do I really need to worry about my 2L grades. (Sorry if asked before. If so, just disregard.)
Previous discussion here:
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=191266
If you have follow-up questions after reading through that thread, post again.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:05 pm
by Anonymous User
Thank you. Just trying to anticipate my anxiety level throughout the year. If I'm safe with my SA firm, I'll still work hard, but not anxiety-attack-hard (I'd like to leave that behind in my 1L year).
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:07 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:Do you have any general kickass CB advice that will really impress other than "do your research" and "be outgoing/yourself"? I've got one coming up, and unfortunately it's looking more and more like it will be my only shot at Biglaw. I'm a T14 transfer and will really regret the transfer if I don't land a job through OCI.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 10:23 am
by roranoa
anon168 wrote:roranoa wrote:anon168 wrote:roranoa wrote:Do you think NYC Biglaw are reluctant to take in old candidates?
(Old: 33-36)
No. I think the biggest might be from the candidate side, not law firm side.
I don't know what you mean by this.
The only issue with being an older First Year Associate is the problem of taking orders from someone significantly younger than you. Firms generally don't care if you are 25 or 35 (generally speaking, although the older you are the more of an issue it may be).
In other words, if you're 32 (for example) are you going to be ok having someone that's 27 tell you to redo a doc review assignment on Friday afternoon that needs to be completed by Monday morning?
Before you glibly answer, "of course not" just think carefully about it.
Well, to be honest, I wouldn't like it. Of course I wouldn't like it. But I would need a job at that point in my life and I wouldn't have a choice. So I would try not to care about it. What else would I do?
So as long as someone hires me I would try to think that I don't care.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:13 am
by Anonymous User
After checking out a number of OCI threads, I noticed a general theme that "offers" may be down from last year. You once alluded to a “lost generation” of attorneys, is ’2012 shaping up as “lost generation II” or is it way too early to tell?
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 12:49 pm
by itbdvorm
Anonymous User wrote:
Thank you. Just trying to anticipate my anxiety level throughout the year. If I'm safe with my SA firm, I'll still work hard, but not anxiety-attack-hard (I'd like to leave that behind in my 1L year).
I don't totally agree with the advice in that thread. I think you can certainly pull your foot off the gas somewhat, but I do know several firms (including mine) that check 2L grades.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 12:50 pm
by itbdvorm
Anonymous User wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Do you have any general kickass CB advice that will really impress other than "do your research" and "be outgoing/yourself"? I've got one coming up, and unfortunately it's looking more and more like it will be my only shot at Biglaw. I'm a T14 transfer and will really regret the transfer if I don't land a job through OCI.
Have really, really good, educated, insightful questions about the firm/practice groups/people.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 12:50 pm
by itbdvorm
Anonymous User wrote:Should an applicant explain a semester of bad grades? How bad is bad enough to need explaining before anyone even asks?
Not unless asked, or if you have a whopper of a reason and you're applying for a firm that you just wouldn't be qualified for otherwise...
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 12:51 pm
by itbdvorm
Anonymous User wrote:After checking out a number of OCI threads, I noticed a general theme that "offers" may be down from last year. You once alluded to a “lost generation” of attorneys, is ’2012 shaping up as “lost generation II” or is it way too early to tell?
Too early to tell I suspect.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 12:18 pm
by Anonymous User
itbdvorm wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Do you have any general kickass CB advice that will really impress other than "do your research" and "be outgoing/yourself"? I've got one coming up, and unfortunately it's looking more and more like it will be my only shot at Biglaw. I'm a T14 transfer and will really regret the transfer if I don't land a job through OCI.
Have really, really good, educated, insightful questions about the firm/practice groups/people.
What would some good examples be for a purely litigation firm?
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 1:45 pm
by roranoa
Do you, working as a Biglaw lawyer, feel like you spend too much time at work and not enough time with friends and family?
Have you seen some of your colleagues leave the profession altogether to pursue other dreams because of that? (or fantasies?
)
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:06 pm
by itbdvorm
Anonymous User wrote:itbdvorm wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Do you have any general kickass CB advice that will really impress other than "do your research" and "be outgoing/yourself"? I've got one coming up, and unfortunately it's looking more and more like it will be my only shot at Biglaw. I'm a T14 transfer and will really regret the transfer if I don't land a job through OCI.
Have really, really good, educated, insightful questions about the firm/practice groups/people.
What would some good examples be for a purely litigation firm?
Uh. Not totally sure (not being a litigator). But questions about recent cases, types of cases, other things that distinguish them, etc.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:06 pm
by itbdvorm
roranoa wrote:Do you, working as a Biglaw lawyer, feel like you spend too much time at work and not enough time with friends and family?
Have you seen some of your colleagues leave the profession altogether to pursue other dreams because of that? (or fantasies?
)
Sometimes, for sure. To both.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 4:01 pm
by harrijust86
Welcome back itbdvorm, hope the absence means you had a nice vacation after OCI. Thank you for this amazing thread.
Re: V15 Senior Associate/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions...
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 5:06 pm
by roranoa
How do lawyers who are single (that is, not in a relationship) meet other people if there so busy all the time (working 80-90 hours a week)?
Can you tell us any stories?