3L OCI 2019 Forum

[Anonymous User]

Have not yet started mass mailing, but have started emailing alums/contacts at firms that I'm interested in trying to get an in.

So far all have told me that they expect to hire straight from their SA pool (if they have one), but that they'd be happy to forward my resume along anyway. Focusing mainly on midlaw in secondary markets or boutique/niche practices in major markets.

Don't see the point wasting my time with biglaw firms with my creds (40% at lower-mid T1). Only reaching out to those folks if they're in the specific practice group and market that I want to be in and will use that contact to try to get some guidance on whether there's a firm that has a need and would hire me.

Mass mailing seems like it would be a waste of energy based on the fact that most SA's don't even know with certainty if they're getting an offer yet, and therefore the firms and managing partners don't even know what their needs are. Only exception to my strategy are firms that don't have an SA program. But even then they seem to have a "pass the bar and get back to me" sort of approach.

[Anonymous User]

Any luck mailing? Based on prior comments it seems like a few offers had gone out at this point last year, even though the bulk happen after summer offers/retention is finalized

[JHP]

For trying to change markets for personal reasons, how did you address this when reaching out to alums? I assume something along the lines of I’m looking to switch to X market for personal reasons, looking for get a feel for the market?

Yes, this is the right approach. Key is to always be positive (i.e. don't hate on your previous market) and don't make it seem like the ONLY reason you're moving to the new market is for reason ABC (of course, people will understand when you have to move for a partner/spouse, for example, but it always helps to seem like you are equally also interested in the market and are looking forward to being there rather than "having to" live there).

Quick networking question. I know that alumni in your desired practice area is the best place to look for potential connections at a firm, but what's the next best pool of people to contact (if your school hasn't placed alumni in that practice at that firm)? Would that be alumni in tangential practice areas (so if I'm looking for a specific lit group, contacting alumni in another litigation practice), or is it better to contact attorneys in your desired practice area that didn't graduate from your school? Thank you.

My personal suggestion on contacting people at a firm in order of what I think is most likely to work: (1) Alums in the specific practice group you want, (2) alums in the general practice area you want (transactional v. lit) who can then refer you to someone else to contact in the specific practice you want, (3) alums not in the general practice area you want who can just talk to you about the firm as a whole and can maybe refer you to someone in the other practice area, (4) try undergrad alums as well, if your undergrad alum network is strong enough, and (5) people you have no connection to in the specific practice group you want.

[Lawman1865]

Quick networking question. I know that alumni in your desired practice area is the best place to look for potential connections at a firm, but what's the next best pool of people to contact (if your school hasn't placed alumni in that practice at that firm)? Would that be alumni in tangential practice areas (so if I'm looking for a specific lit group, contacting alumni in another litigation practice), or is it better to contact attorneys in your desired practice area that didn't graduate from your school? Thank you.

The sort of sliding scale should almost always put alums ahead of just random associates/partners. If you don't have alums in your specific area of litigation, definitely go after those who are in some other field of litigation in the firm. It's also fine to reach out to those who aren't alumni, there have definitely been stories of those things panning out.

I would also suggest really working to see if you have family/friends/distant cousins who are in firms, sometimes people don't do this thoroughly enough only to find out later than their Aunt had a close childhood friend who's a partner, etc. Those connections can sometimes be very strong and if you have those, definitely reach out to meet for coffee/speak on the phone

[Anonymous User]

Quinn was scheduled to interview 3Ls at my school, but today, as schedules were being released, we got an email saying Quinn was no longer interviewing 3Ls during their OCI visit. Curious if this happened at any other schools.

[Anonymous User]

Quinn was scheduled to interview 3Ls at my school, but today, as schedules were being released, we got an email saying Quinn was no longer interviewing 3Ls during their OCI visit. Curious if this happened at any other schools.

This happened at my school too.

[cornflake]

Quinn was scheduled to interview 3Ls at my school, but today, as schedules were being released, we got an email saying Quinn was no longer interviewing 3Ls during their OCI visit. Curious if this happened at any other schools.

Quinn is still scheduled to interview 3Ls at my school (T10).

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear of any more firms hiring?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear of any more firms hiring?

Seen job posts for structured finance at DPW, Cadwalader in Charlotte, and Paul Weiss for gen Corp. Also Ballard Spahr in Denver. All NYC but Ballard & Cadwalader.

Anyone seen any others?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear anything from Quinn yet post-screener at 3L OCI?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear anything from Quinn yet post-screener at 3L OCI?

Also haven’t heard back after my OCI screener this week. I wonder if the fact that Quinn 1) had a significant summer class this year and 2) dropped their OCI schedules at other schools suggests that they’ll be pickier with their 3L hires this year

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear anything from Quinn yet post-screener at 3L OCI?

Also haven’t heard back after my OCI screener this week. I wonder if the fact that Quinn 1) had a significant summer class this year and 2) dropped their OCI schedules at other schools suggests that they’ll be pickier with their 3L hires this year

That’s a good point. I have also heard Quinn is generally slow for 3Ls, but who knows.

Also know that CBs have gone out for 2Ls in NY, but haven’t heard anything about west coast, which is where I interviewed for. Not sure if 2L cb would mean 3L ones went out as well.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone had any movement from 3L OCI screeners on campus?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone had any movement from 3L OCI screeners on campus?

No movement at all from UCLA/USC. Anyone heard anything from these schools?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone had any movement from 3L OCI screeners on campus?

Any recent NY movement?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone had any movement from 3L OCI screeners on campus?

No movement at all from UCLA/USC. Anyone heard anything from these schools?

Radio silence for me, UCLA/USC.

[Anonymous User]

Bump. Any movement from K&E, STB, or LW?

[Anonymous User]

DPW movement?

[Anonymous User]

Nothing for me. Anyone hear from Quinn?

[Anonymous User]

Heard LA Quinn Emanuel callback from one classmate.

[Anonymous User]

Heard LA Quinn Emanuel callback from one classmate.

What school?

[Anonymous User]

3L OCI Question:

Moving from small regional firm to slightly larger regional firm. How should I let my old firm know I will not be returning? Is an email appropriate or should I call? Also should I give my reason (practice group availability)?

I apologize if this is the wrong thread, looks like you all are talking only about top top firms, but this is a 3L OCI question. Thanks!!

[Anonymous User]

Heard LA Quinn Emanuel callback from one classmate.

What school?

Bump.

[Anonymous User]

Heard LA Quinn Emanuel callback from one classmate.

What school?

USC/UCLA

[Anonymous User]

I'm actually going insane waiting to hear back from screeners and cbs.