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Philadelphia DA
Just heard back about a second- (and final-) round interview with the Philadelphia DA. 20 minutes, constant hypos, five or six ADAs. Anyone gone through the second-round interview here? Any tips?
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Re: Philadelphia DA
They are looking for FAIR, LEVEL-HEADED, and ETHICAL people who will follow the law. Repeat that to yourself 100x. Cheat-to-win prosecutors are the bane of DA office's existence because the proliferate work where there should not be any.
In hypos they will almost always be difficult or strange ethical questions. The correct answer is: "since I have never encountered that before I would contact my supervising attorney and seek advice. In the rare I am forced to act without the benefit of advice I would disclose this conflict/evidence/witness to the judge and opposing counsel."
I've also seen witness coaching questions. "Witness X previously told you that Y did Z. Now they tell you that they don't really remember what happened and were not sure at the time they told you. What do you do?"
Sometimes you'll see this question phrased before OR after they testify. "Witness X testifies that Z happened. Later they tell you that they were not sure about the facts in their testimony but they said it anyway because they know Y did it. What do you do?"
"I would seek advice, but in the absence of advice I would disclose."
In hypos they will almost always be difficult or strange ethical questions. The correct answer is: "since I have never encountered that before I would contact my supervising attorney and seek advice. In the rare I am forced to act without the benefit of advice I would disclose this conflict/evidence/witness to the judge and opposing counsel."
I've also seen witness coaching questions. "Witness X previously told you that Y did Z. Now they tell you that they don't really remember what happened and were not sure at the time they told you. What do you do?"
Sometimes you'll see this question phrased before OR after they testify. "Witness X testifies that Z happened. Later they tell you that they were not sure about the facts in their testimony but they said it anyway because they know Y did it. What do you do?"
"I would seek advice, but in the absence of advice I would disclose."
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Re: Philadelphia DA
The poster above has some good advice. But if you might also cite examples from your own life where you have handled difficult ethical issues successfully--simply saying I'd ask a supervisor it every time probably won't cut it.
That goes for other questions too-- if you can relate your answer back to a specific example in your own life it can be effective in getting across who you are.
They WILL try to grill you. I walked out feeling like I did not get the job-- most I have spoke with had similar experiences.
But it is for a good reason. MC court in Philly is not for the faint at heart...
The office is a great one to work in! Good luck!
That goes for other questions too-- if you can relate your answer back to a specific example in your own life it can be effective in getting across who you are.
They WILL try to grill you. I walked out feeling like I did not get the job-- most I have spoke with had similar experiences.
But it is for a good reason. MC court in Philly is not for the faint at heart...
The office is a great one to work in! Good luck!
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Thanks very much, friends. Did you have an idea how many people they interview for the second round?
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Hey--another 2nd round interview person here! I don't know how many people get call-backs but I do know it's very competitive. There were three 3L call-backs at my school (out of 20+ interviewed).
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Are you guys 3Ls or 2Ls?
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Re: Philadelphia DA
OP here. 3L interviewing for an ADA position.beach_terror wrote:Are you guys 3Ls or 2Ls?
I think they were taking 25/year a few years ago, but I don't know if that's still true ITE. I go to GULC and I think they gave nine of us second-round interviews.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
was late for my interview. didnt thinkt he panel was very friendly.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Did all of you with CBs do DA-esque work 1L and 2L summer?
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Re: Philadelphia DA
yes, i did both summers.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Have you gauged if that's a requirement for serious consideration? I'm a 2L at a T2 Philly school in the top 15% and am trying to pursue a career in a niche area of law (that is mostly public/regulatory anyway), so I haven't summer at a DA's office - will this be a definite sinker? I'm genuinely interested in this type of work, but it's a backup.Anonymous User wrote:yes, i did both summers.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Didn't do criminal stuff either 1L or 2L summer. Have CB.Anonymous User wrote:Have you gauged if that's a requirement for serious consideration? I'm a 2L at a T2 Philly school in the top 15% and am trying to pursue a career in a niche area of law (that is mostly public/regulatory anyway), so I haven't summer at a DA's office - will this be a definite sinker? I'm genuinely interested in this type of work, but it's a backup.Anonymous User wrote:yes, i did both summers.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
I have a 2L summer interview coming up - I would really appreciate any advice if anyone is in a similar position.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
School/grade range? Do you have Moot Court or a journal? T2 Philadelphian in the top 15% with a secondary, curious as to my chances next year if I bust at OCI (which is likely now). Thanks!Anonymous User wrote:Didn't do criminal stuff either 1L or 2L summer. Have CB.Anonymous User wrote:Have you gauged if that's a requirement for serious consideration? I'm a 2L at a T2 Philly school in the top 15% and am trying to pursue a career in a niche area of law (that is mostly public/regulatory anyway), so I haven't summer at a DA's office - will this be a definite sinker? I'm genuinely interested in this type of work, but it's a backup.Anonymous User wrote:yes, i did both summers.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
I'm also very curious about this. I have a ton of relevant experience but my grades are only mediocre.Anonymous User wrote:School/grade range? Do you have Moot Court or a journal? T2 Philadelphian in the top 15% with a secondary, curious as to my chances next year if I bust at OCI (which is likely now). Thanks!Anonymous User wrote:Didn't do criminal stuff either 1L or 2L summer. Have CB.Anonymous User wrote:Have you gauged if that's a requirement for serious consideration? I'm a 2L at a T2 Philly school in the top 15% and am trying to pursue a career in a niche area of law (that is mostly public/regulatory anyway), so I haven't summer at a DA's office - will this be a definite sinker? I'm genuinely interested in this type of work, but it's a backup.Anonymous User wrote:yes, i did both summers.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Poster above, are you saying my grades are mediocre or the school+grades combination makes me mediocre. (If that actually wasn't directed at me in the way I interpreted, then my bad!).Anonymous User wrote: I'm also very curious about this. I have a ton of relevant experience but my grades are only mediocre.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
I'm sorry I must have been writing carelessly, I did not mean to suggest anything about your grades. I also attend a T2 and am on a secondary journal--my grades are mediocre...only top 30-40% after 1L. Philly DA is where I would like to eventually end up, so I was just looking to see if anyone knows about the importance of grades for the process.Anonymous User wrote:Poster above, are you saying my grades are mediocre or the school+grades combination makes me mediocre. (If that actually wasn't directed at me in the way I interpreted, then my bad!).Anonymous User wrote: I'm also very curious about this. I have a ton of relevant experience but my grades are only mediocre.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
IMO and from my experience thus far grades are important to the large DA offices but not a deal breaker. I am a T1/Law Review/30-40% with a lot of substantive crim law experience and have my final round with Philadelphia next month.Anonymous User wrote:I'm sorry I must have been writing carelessly, I did not mean to suggest anything about your grades. I also attend a T2 and am on a secondary journal--my grades are mediocre...only top 30-40% after 1L. Philly DA is where I would like to eventually end up, so I was just looking to see if anyone knows about the importance of grades for the process.Anonymous User wrote:Poster above, are you saying my grades are mediocre or the school+grades combination makes me mediocre. (If that actually wasn't directed at me in the way I interpreted, then my bad!).Anonymous User wrote: I'm also very curious about this. I have a ton of relevant experience but my grades are only mediocre.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Has anyone else had an in-office screener for the 2L internship? I had one last week and was wondering how long it took for them to contact you about the panel interview or to reject you?
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Anyone know if they're still looking at 2Ls for the summer program? Way late, but yeah.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Deadline to apply was October 15 for 2Ls. I had a screener last week and I am waiting to hear back.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Answering my own question, for the record.
Screener last week, heard back today and will be going to panel interview in early December.
Screener last week, heard back today and will be going to panel interview in early December.
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Re: Philadelphia DA
Does anyone that had a second round interview for an ADA position know when we will find out about whether we got the job?
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Re: Philadelphia DA
They told me they'd make decisions in December sometime.
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
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