3L OCI Forum

[Anonymous User]

So it's been 3 weeks since my CB in a secondary market, and I've heard absolutely nothing since. I thought I would've heard after the 10/1 deadline, but nada. Anyone else in the same boat? Is this normal? Am I on some hold/wait list?

Any secondary market is probably going to take longer generally, and they might wait to see how many 2Ls they end up with. This may just be because I didn't expressly raise it, but I didn't have any firms express concern about the October 1 deadline or really even act like they were aware of it. Paul Weiss for example sent out a round of CBs on September 29th or something. So I wouldn't necessarily assume you would have heard especially if you didn't tell them about the deadline. In case you're on the wait list I think it might be worth it to send a follow up email at 4 weeks.

Law firms don't really give a shit about nalp, when it comes to tooth & nail.

[Anonymous User]

Hey guys, can I know what is 1L, 2L and 3L please?

Is it something like 1st class Honours, 2nd class and 3rd class Honours?

[Anonymous User]

Hey guys, can I know what is 1L, 2L and 3L please?

Is it something like 1st class Honours, 2nd class and 3rd class Honours?

No 0Ls in this forum.

[BVest]

Hey guys, can I know what is 1L, 2L and 3L please?

Is it something like 1st class Honours, 2nd class and 3rd class Honours?

No 0Ls in this forum.

[Anonymous User]

Friend got a WSGR offer (PA)

[Anonymous User]

OMM NY offer this morning.

[Tiago Splitter]

This is going to be me next year. Any wisdom that can be left will be greatly appreciated!

5. During your 2L start to get a story painted, whether it is M&A or Cap Markets or PE, do something, take business school classes, get an internship, take only those classes. The better story you can paint, the better you will do.

And get your grades as high as possible. Take advantage of the reduced competition.

[Anonymous User]

Just one question: are most of you guys switching markets? Or just trying to move to a better firm? Ie. Re-interviewing with firms that rejected you during 2l oci? Curious if anyone got "so its you again, why should we hire you now?"

[Anonymous User]

Just one question: are most of you guys switching markets? Or just trying to move to a better firm? Ie. Re-interviewing with firms that rejected you during 2l oci? Curious if anyone got "so its you again, why should we hire you now?"

Switched markets, practice groups, and technically traded up by a solid jump (though that's not really why I was interviewing or what I was aiming for -- it just worked out that way because of who was interviewing).

The places I interviewed with didn't reject me before, but I guess an analogous question would be about if/why I was trying to trade up and no one really asked (I think the market, practice group issues made it clear enough why I was going through the process). Not sure if that's helpful at all :\

[Anonymous User]

Just one question: are most of you guys switching markets? Or just trying to move to a better firm? Ie. Re-interviewing with firms that rejected you during 2l oci? Curious if anyone got "so its you again, why should we hire you now?"

Switching Markets (while moving up), not intentionally reinterviewing (or not) with firms that rejected me during 2L OCI, just mass mailed anyone and everyone in my desired market/practice area.

They also won't remember you. We are not snowflakes.

[Tiago Splitter]

The only guy I re-interviewed with definitely remembered me, but I was rejected at the screener stage both times so it didn't help.

[Anonymous User]

I actually interviewed to trade up in same market and to switch markets. My primary goal was to switch markets but I figured, what the hell why not apply to some "better" firms in the same market. I got one offer out of each market (out of two callbacks in each market).

The firm I ended up taking was in a different market and not only rejected me during 2L but a) brought it up several times and b) had the guy that rejected me 2L interview me. It was slightly awkward for a moment but he was pretty cordial about it, saying stuff like "It's good to see you, again." I think it takes an interviewer with some aplomb to handle such a situation though.

I actually brought it up with a couple firms in the process when it seemed natural, one seemed kinda awkward about, the other didn't seem to think it was a big deal that they had rejected me before at all.

My personal take on the process is that being candid is the best way to go--including discussing 2L recruiting if necessary. I don't think that was the best approach for some firms but it seemed to be with others. That's just how this stuff goes. I don't think there's a right answer to how to handle certain situations. It's all about exercising judgment.

[Anonymous User]

How does 3L OCI generally work? Do schools typically have a separate OCI section on symplicity for 3Ls, or do you have to go through the same list of firms 2Ls view and see which are looking for 3Ls?

[Anonymous User]

How does 3L OCI generally work? Do schools typically have a separate OCI section on symplicity for 3Ls, or do you have to go through the same list of firms 2Ls view and see which are looking for 3Ls?

Not at my school. OCI includes 3Ls and 2Ls. But, again only speaking to my school, relatively very few firms solicit bids from 3Ls at all. As far as symplicity, 3Ls will only see postings for firms interviewing 3Ls. The fact of the matter is, lots, maybe a majority of firms, at one point or another, will interview 3Ls, depending on needs. 3L OCI in here is often used as shorthand for 3L recruiting. You can't rely on OCI or symplicity. You have to direct mail all the firms you are interested in and follow up with them.

ETA: I think I misunderstood part of your question, at my school only those firms soliciting 3L bids at OCI would even appear on the bidding system.

[Anonymous User]

How does 3L OCI generally work? Do schools typically have a separate OCI section on symplicity for 3Ls, or do you have to go through the same list of firms 2Ls view and see which are looking for 3Ls?

Not at my school. OCI includes 3Ls and 2Ls. But, again only speaking to my school, relatively very few firms solicit bids from 3Ls at all. As far as symplicity, 3Ls will only see postings for firms interviewing 3Ls. The fact of the matter is, lots, maybe a majority of firms, at one point or another, will interview 3Ls, depending on needs. 3L OCI in here is often used as shorthand for 3L recruiting. You can't rely on OCI or symplicity. You have to direct mail all the firms you are interested in and follow up with them.

ETA: I think I misunderstood part of your question, at my school only those firms soliciting 3L bids at OCI would even appear on the bidding system.

Ahhh, thanks that makes sense. Do SA's typically start mailing other firms during their SA's? Or after they got an offer?

[Anonymous User]

How does 3L OCI generally work? Do schools typically have a separate OCI section on symplicity for 3Ls, or do you have to go through the same list of firms 2Ls view and see which are looking for 3Ls?

Not at my school. OCI includes 3Ls and 2Ls. But, again only speaking to my school, relatively very few firms solicit bids from 3Ls at all. As far as symplicity, 3Ls will only see postings for firms interviewing 3Ls. The fact of the matter is, lots, maybe a majority of firms, at one point or another, will interview 3Ls, depending on needs. 3L OCI in here is often used as shorthand for 3L recruiting. You can't rely on OCI or symplicity. You have to direct mail all the firms you are interested in and follow up with them.

ETA: I think I misunderstood part of your question, at my school only those firms soliciting 3L bids at OCI would even appear on the bidding system.

Ahhh, thanks that makes sense. Do SA's typically start mailing other firms during their SA's? Or after they got an offer?

Different views on this--I don't think there's harm to applying in late-July. In fact, I think that's the best. IMO worst case scenario you just update the firms once you receive an offer or just keep it hush if you don't. I interviewed before receiving an offer and got CBs out of it. But I was at a historically 100% offer firm.

[Anonymous User]

Any word on other big law firms hiring?

When is the best time to apply now or in the spring of next year?

[BVest]

Any word on other big law firms hiring?

When is the best time to apply now or in the spring of next year?

All the time. Now is good because you might still pick up a firm that didn't get its expected yield from its offered summers (though it might be getting late for that).

I heard recently that the Houston office of Andrews Kurth offered 25 and only got 17. I don't know what they expected to get, as this was a ramp up in their summer class size (really they've had about 30-32 summers consistently, but changed their mix from 20 2Ls and 10 1Ls to 27 2Ls and 4 1Ls), but the number I heard from last year was they offered 17 and got 15. I have not heard if they've been openly recruiting, but offer them here as an example of why firms might be looking anytime from now (really from last month) through bar results.

[Anonymous User]

Would it be better to have two continuous years of small botique experience (Think like feburary of 1L to 3L OCI), and pitch myself for a related group at large firms, or should I try and jump to a midlaw firm for my second summer?

I really like my current job, but don't want to limit/pigeon hole myself.

[michael2015]

Would it be better to have two continuous years of small botique experience (Think like feburary of 1L to 3L OCI), and pitch myself for a related group at large firms, or should I try and jump to a midlaw firm for my second summer?

I really like my current job, but don't want to limit/pigeon hole myself.

I don't think it matters too much (boutique vs. mid law) in their eyes. Also, I wouldn't be concerned about pigeon-holeing yourself. A lot of 3L OCI hiring is not dictated by your wants but their needs, so you'll get stuck in whatever group they need you in.

[Anonymous User]

Is it too early to start reaching out / mass mailing firms? If so, when's a good time to start?

[Anonymous User]

Blind leading the blind here, but that seems pretty early to me. At the least, I'm going to wait until grades/honors are finalized on transcripts, and even then probably wait a few more weeks so I'm toward the end of summer job. Opinion isn't uniform, but lateish July seemed to work okay for people last year.

[michael2015]

Talked to recruiters about this: Mid July - Late July is the best time. When OCI for 2Ls starts, they stop looking until September. June is too early, August is too late. Mid July also gives you the opportunity to follow-up in the start of August.

[Anonymous User]

Talked to recruiters about this: Mid July - Late July is the best time. When OCI for 2Ls starts, they stop looking until September. June is too early, August is too late. Mid July also gives you the opportunity to follow-up in the start of August.

wow, thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Summering at a great firm that I love. The office that I'm in is in the region where I initially wanted to end up post-grad, but now my husband is moving for his job to another city, where my firm also has an office. Hoping that I can transfer a potential offer (provided that all goes well this summer), but otherwise, I will certainly be jumping on the 3L OCI train.