Law Firm Background Checks Forum

[Anonymous User]

Anyone go through this this year for a biglaw summer associateship with something embarrassing in your past? How was it handled?

[Anonymous User]

bump

[Anonymous User]

No one?

[Sup Kid]

Try the search function, there are literally 10 pages of search results for the term "background checks" -- I'm sure many of them have to do with law firms.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, but they're a bunch of people without anything wrong with their background and one felon who was mad that his offer was revoked. I was hoping there were some people this year with negative things that aren't felonies and who have been through the process.

[Anonymous User]

I have something on my record- shoplifting from 2004. I wasn't doing it, but I was with a guy who did, and we both got charged. I ended up doing one of those classes (like driving school), and they dismissed the charge, but it's still on my record.

I was upfront about it when I was given the offer, and they didn't think it was a big deal. I also informed the human resources department when they called for my information for the background check, and they also didn't seem to think it was an issue, they were just glad I was upfront about it. As long as you were honest you should be okay. My impression was that as long as some time has passed, and you don't surprise them with it, you should be good.

[Anonymous User]

When in doubt disclose.

Always.

[Anonymous User]

I have a dismissed misdemeanor from high school. Career services said NOT to disclose unless they ask and then, of course, to be totally honest. Filled out the background info this week (just basic ID stuff: Driver License and ssn etc) and haven't heard anything yet.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, but they're a bunch of people without anything wrong with their background and one felon who was mad that his offer was revoked. I was hoping there were some people this year with negative things that aren't felonies and who have been through the process.

I have been extremely frustrated with the dearth of information on this topic as well. Even simple questions like what I ask below get ignored.

I have something on my record- shoplifting from 2004. I wasn't doing it, but I was with a guy who did, and we both got charged. I ended up doing one of those classes (like driving school), and they dismissed the charge, but it's still on my record.

I was upfront about it when I was given the offer, and they didn't think it was a big deal. I also informed the human resources department when they called for my information for the background check, and they also didn't seem to think it was an issue, they were just glad I was upfront about it. As long as you were honest you should be okay. My impression was that as long as some time has passed, and you don't surprise them with it, you should be good.

When did they conduct the background check? Did you receive any indication that they did? I have some things I am concerned about, but have no idea whether the firm conducted the check or not. I am a 2L with an upcoming SA.

[Anonymous User]

When did they conduct the background check? Did you receive any indication that they did? I have some things I am concerned about, but have no idea whether the firm conducted the check or not. I am a 2L with an upcoming SA.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I am also a 2L with an upcoming SA. They contacted me in March for my information. I called the person in charge of the background checks and explained my situation, and that's when they told me they didn't think there would be any issue, especially since I disclosed. I was left under the assumption that if there was an issue, they would let me know. Since then, they've taken care of my travel arrangements, and I'm supposed to start in three weeks, so I can only assume everything is fine. I haven't explicitly asked them if the check is finished, but I don't want to nag them, and again, if there was a problem, I'm sure I would have heard by now.

[Anonymous User]

When did they conduct the background check? Did you receive any indication that they did? I have some things I am concerned about, but have no idea whether the firm conducted the check or not. I am a 2L with an upcoming SA.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I am also a 2L with an upcoming SA. They contacted me in March for my information. I called the person in charge of the background checks and explained my situation, and that's when they told me they didn't think there would be any issue, especially since I disclosed. I was left under the assumption that if there was an issue, they would let me know. Since then, they've taken care of my travel arrangements, and I'm supposed to start in three weeks, so I can only assume everything is fine. I haven't explicitly asked them if the check is finished, but I don't want to nag them, and again, if there was a problem, I'm sure I would have heard by now.

Thank you, very much appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

I have a dismissed misdemeanor from high school. Career services said NOT to disclose unless they ask and then, of course, to be totally honest. Filled out the background info this week (just basic ID stuff: Driver License and ssn etc) and haven't heard anything yet.

Yeah they would tell you that. It depends on what is asked of you. Most law schools I know ask about "all arrests even if dismissed or expunged"

If they don't ask that way, then don't anwer it. If they do, then don't lie.

[Anonymous User]

I have a dismissed misdemeanor from high school. Career services said NOT to disclose unless they ask and then, of course, to be totally honest. Filled out the background info this week (just basic ID stuff: Driver License and ssn etc) and haven't heard anything yet.

Yeah they would tell you that. It depends on what is asked of you. Most law schools I know ask about "all arrests even if dismissed or expunged"

If they don't ask that way, then don't anwer it. If they do, then don't lie.

As other posters ITT, I also had a small blip on my record from high school. At some point before receiving an offer I was required to fill out a disclosure form. I didn't disclose because it was very clearly not covered by the question; however, after I received my offer, but before the background check was completed, I decided to disclose out of fear of coming across as dishonest if it came up in the background check. This was consistent with the advice of my career adviser when I talked to him about the situation. In the end, it did come up on the background check, and the firm was glad I disclosed it and indicated it wouldn't be a problem.

Lesson? DISCLOSE. As an attorney, your'e only as good as your reputation, and dishonest practices are a surefire way to ruin it.

[Anonymous User]

As other posters ITT, I also had a small blip on my record from high school. At some point before receiving an offer I was required to fill out a disclosure form. I didn't disclose because it was very clearly not covered by the question; however, after I received my offer, but before the background check was completed, I decided to disclose out of fear of coming across as dishonest if it came up in the background check. This was consistent with the advice of my career adviser when I talked to him about the situation. In the end, it did come up on the background check, and the firm was glad I disclosed it and indicated it wouldn't be a problem.

Lesson? DISCLOSE. As an attorney, your'e only as good as your reputation, and dishonest practices are a surefire way to ruin it.

Which offer? SA? Permanent?

[Anonymous User]

As other posters ITT, I also had a small blip on my record from high school. At some point before receiving an offer I was required to fill out a disclosure form. I didn't disclose because it was very clearly not covered by the question; however, after I received my offer, but before the background check was completed, I decided to disclose out of fear of coming across as dishonest if it came up in the background check. This was consistent with the advice of my career adviser when I talked to him about the situation. In the end, it did come up on the background check, and the firm was glad I disclosed it and indicated it wouldn't be a problem.

Lesson? DISCLOSE. As an attorney, your'e only as good as your reputation, and dishonest practices are a surefire way to ruin it.

Which offer? SA? Permanent?

SA.

[Anonymous User]

I have a dismissed misdemeanor from high school. Career services said NOT to disclose unless they ask and then, of course, to be totally honest. Filled out the background info this week (just basic ID stuff: Driver License and ssn etc) and haven't heard anything yet.

Yeah they would tell you that. It depends on what is asked of you. Most law schools I know ask about "all arrests even if dismissed or expunged"

If they don't ask that way, then don't anwer it. If they do, then don't lie.

As other posters ITT, I also had a small blip on my record from high school. At some point before receiving an offer I was required to fill out a disclosure form. I didn't disclose because it was very clearly not covered by the question; however, after I received my offer, but before the background check was completed, I decided to disclose out of fear of coming across as dishonest if it came up in the background check. This was consistent with the advice of my career adviser when I talked to him about the situation. In the end, it did come up on the background check, and the firm was glad I disclosed it and indicated it wouldn't be a problem.

Lesson? DISCLOSE. As an attorney, your'e only as good as your reputation, and dishonest practices are a surefire way to ruin it.

Yeah, I didn't have any disclosure forms or anything and I didn't think anything of it. Now that I've already filled out official background check forms, it feels too late to preemptively disclose.

[Jhuen_the_bird]

I was hired in the fall as a staff attorney at a big law firm ... I'm not sure how "embarrassing" of a past this is, but I was arrested during law school for a sort of "drunk in public" type of thing - it ended up being just a citation that I paid, though (it was a ridiculously stupid situation and I still resent that the cops were such assholes). I was also named in a malpractice lawsuit for a firm I contracted for (among many other attorneys, and the firm in general, of course) - the firm settled with the plaintiff on everyone's behalf.

I disclosed both of these things, and the firm where I work now didn't even bat an eye or ever say anything to me about either "issue."

[ben4847]

How about if I used to run a million dollar drug ring? I put it on my resume in vague terms, and usually when asked I just say we distributed pharmaceuticals. (which we did, they were just not prescribed, hee hee).

So will it be an extra problem when they discover that the business on my resume was really that? Should I disclose?

[Anonymous User]

How about if I used to run a million dollar drug ring? I put it on my resume in vague terms, and usually when asked I just say we distributed pharmaceuticals. (which we did, they were just not prescribed, hee hee).

So will it be an extra problem when they discover that the business on my resume was really that? Should I disclose?

If you're serious, you may have problems. What happens if they wonder what pharma company you worked for?

If you're not serious, gtfo.

[Anonymous User]

For those of you who heard back after filling out background check forms (either positively or with further questions) how long did it take for them to get back to you?

[Anonymous User]

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I am also a 2L with an upcoming SA. They contacted me in March for my information. I called the person in charge of the background checks and explained my situation, and that's when they told me they didn't think there would be any issue, especially since I disclosed. I was left under the assumption that if there was an issue, they would let me know. Since then, they've taken care of my travel arrangements, and I'm supposed to start in three weeks, so I can only assume everything is fine. I haven't explicitly asked them if the check is finished, but I don't want to nag them, and again, if there was a problem, I'm sure I would have heard by now.

OP here.

For those of you who heard back after filling out background check forms (either positively or with further questions) how long did it take for them to get back to you?

I just heard from them in the last week with my schedule for the summer. After I talked to them about my issue (in March), I never heard another thing about it.

If you're really nervous, you can email your contact person, and ask some BS question (but try to make it sound legit) about something, and see how they respond.

[Anonymous User]

I am sort off in a similar situation... I am working for big law this summer, and the firm got in touch with me a few months ago asking me to fill out previous employment information, conflict of interest etc forms... and after I turned it in, its almost like the firm disappeared!! I distinctly remember NOT giving them consent to do a background check because there was no form which said something around the lines that I give them permission to do a background check.

My question is:
a) Can they still do a background check even without letting the SA know about it?
b) Why havent they still gotten back to me? I mean, the Summer program starts in about 2 weeks, and yet, I havent heard anything back... I am kinda freaking out (serious comments only please)
c) would they tell you if you've failed the background check and that they dont plan on hiring you?

[Reprisal]

No news is good news.

[Anonymous User]

what about answering the other questions?? And by the way, I suspect my firm doesnt even do a background check-- even though they pay top compensation, they appear to be not that much interested in their SA. The only hire like a handful SA (say like 16) in all their offices (and this firm has offices all around the world)

Is that even possible??^^

[Anonymous User]

Sorry to bring this thread back up again, but I'm in a weird situation and it's freaking me out.

I went to take my driving test the other day and got my permit revoked by the DMV (long story, it's embarrassing and I made a stupid mistake on the test — it was not life-threatening or related to alcohol) with a letter telling me I could request a hearing (which I did). Thing is, I'm a 0L attending undergrad out-of-state so I can't actually have my hearing until winter break in December.

Three questions:
1) Will the record bar me from any internships (law-related or otherwise) before December or even after the hearing (assuming the officer has mercy on me and lets me take the test again)?
2) Will law school admissions care about this when I apply?
3) Will the bar or any law firms care about the blemish on my driving record when I apply for a job (assuming I make it there)?

I'm probably the only person in the world stupid enough to get myself into this situation, but if anyone knows about this, I'd be really grateful. I've got nothing else on my record (driving or otherwise) and this isn't a criminal charge, but I'm worried if adcoms and employers will see it on my record and/or if it might be a problem in the future.