Responding to reception invites that you can't attend Forum

[Anonymous User]

As a rising 2L summering at a v100 firm this summer, should I/how should I respond to reception invites that I get from firm/office combinations that I'm interested in.

Should I say something along the lines of "Thanks for the invite, but I'm currently doing biglaw in city X so I can't attend. I'm still really interested though, so keep me on the radar"?

People keep saying on here how important those receptions are and how beneficial it is to at least respond to them/get your name out there even if you can't attend but I'm not sure if mentioning the possession of a 1L SA gig in this type of email will be more apt to help/hurt in calling attention to yourself.

[Anonymous User]

As a rising 2L summering at a v100 firm this summer, should I/how should I respond to reception invites that I get from firm/office combinations that I'm interested in.

Should I say something along the lines of "Thanks for the invite, but I'm currently doing biglaw in city X so I can't attend. I'm still really interested though, so keep me on the radar"?

People keep saying on here how important those receptions are and how beneficial it is to at least respond to them/get your name out there even if you can't attend but I'm not sure if mentioning the possession of a 1L SA gig in this type of email will be more apt to help/hurt in calling attention to yourself.

I don't know why you would say it now. They'll have your resume come OCI and they'll know where you summered. That's a way less awkward way to get that info out.

[UVA2B]

As a rising 2L summering at a v100 firm this summer, should I/how should I respond to reception invites that I get from firm/office combinations that I'm interested in.

Should I say something along the lines of "Thanks for the invite, but I'm currently doing biglaw in city X so I can't attend. I'm still really interested though, so keep me on the radar"?

People keep saying on here how important those receptions are and how beneficial it is to at least respond to them/get your name out there even if you can't attend but I'm not sure if mentioning the possession of a 1L SA gig in this type of email will be more apt to help/hurt in calling attention to yourself.

Were these personal invitations or just blanket invitations from recruiting at the firm?

If you have personal invitations (which I kinda highly doubt because not many big firms are getting personal contacts to invite law students to receptions I would imagine), then you should be responsive. But if you're talking about the generic invitations to attend receptions at the firm, silence is better than mentioning your inability to attend due to your 1L SA. These invitations are sent out based on your participation in one of their events and/or applying to them for your SA previously, and they have zero investment in whether you'll attend that networking event.

Networking and 1L summer receptions are a great way to get employment moving early in the game, but your principle goal should be getting an offer from your 1L SA.

[dudders]

Maybe respond more vaguely. "I'm doing a summer internship/this summer i'm located/etc. (however much detail you decide to give) in X city. I'd be interested in attending any summer events in X city or future events in school city."