Covington & Burling References Forum

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone gone through this reference process? Do you know what kinds of references they prefer (professors, employers, both?) I want to notify my recommenders as soon as possible. I have heard that Covington requires five references, but I have also heard they require two or three. Does anyone know which it is?

Thank you!

[jbagelboy]

I think I did one law school professor, an attorney from my 1L summer, a supervisor I was still close with from my employer before law school, and one college professor, and that was fine. So a mix. I'm sure others did all law school professors and that worked too.

[polareagle]

I believe I gave them three. One was a summer supervisor, one was a law school professor, one was a law school writing instructor.

The writing instructor told me that they aggregated all of the students who had listed him and asked him to rank each of us against each other. Because we were all in a half-section together, this amounted to asking him to rank me against 10 or so of my close friends who also applied for Covington DC. He refused (fortunately), but know that it's a possibility.

[rpupkin]

I believe I gave them three. One was a summer supervisor, one was a law school professor, one was a law school writing instructor.

The writing instructor told me that they aggregated all of the students who had listed him and asked him to rank each of us against each other. Because we were all in a half-section together, this amounted to asking him to rank me against 10 or so of my close friends who also applied for Covington DC. He refused (fortunately), but know that it's a possibility.

LOL

[Anonymous User]

I believe I gave them three. One was a summer supervisor, one was a law school professor, one was a law school writing instructor.

The writing instructor told me that they aggregated all of the students who had listed him and asked him to rank each of us against each other. Because we were all in a half-section together, this amounted to asking him to rank me against 10 or so of my close friends who also applied for Covington DC. He refused (fortunately), but know that it's a possibility.

LOL

FYI OP, this should give you a pretty good indication of what Covington's firm culture is like. But I guess they do have a really nice office, so that's worth...something?

At any rate, be careful in picking your references because they will definitely call all of them. Last year they wanted 3; I also gave a mix.

[barkschool]

FYI OP, this should give you a pretty good indication of what Covington's firm culture is like. But I guess they do have a really nice office, so that's worth...something?
.

You don't even understand how prestigious they are though

[Anonymous User]

Do they require professors references or anything like that? Or are all work references okay?

[Anonymous User]

I submitted a mix, but I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about it. If they want a different type of reference or a reference from a particular position, legal recruiting will ask you for that information. Just a quick email -- no big deal.

If your school has an active alum who is involved in recruiting and still knows folks on campus, they will also contact professors who you didn't list.

[Anonymous User]

Do they ask for references after the screener? Because I emailed recruiting and got a screener at Covington NY without references -- or is the DC office the only one that requires references?

[Anonymous User]

Do they ask for references after the screener? Because I emailed recruiting and got a screener at Covington NY without references -- or is the DC office the only one that requires references?

Also interested.

[lavarman84]

Covington comes off as kind of crazy.

[rpupkin]

Covington comes off as kind of crazy.

Convington wants you to really want to work for them. That way, you're more likely to stay when they start paying you below-market compensation.

[lavarman84]

Covington comes off as kind of crazy.

Convington wants you to really want to work for them. That way, you're more likely to stay when they start paying you below-market compensation.

They could just try treating their associates humanely. That would distinguish them from most biglaw firms.