Got summer internship with firm, have to sign lease Forum

[gottago]

I emailed someone I knew at a firm "inquiring about summer positions." This is a Top-10 city but not NYC/DC/LA/Chi/SF. Within this city, the firm is Top 5 (I think), so it's not John Smith PLLC.

He forwarded me to the HR dept.

The first email the HR dept. sends me is "We look forward to your joining us this summer, stay tuned for more details next week."

Next Friday I email them asking for an update. They say they're still working on it.

Earlier this week another opportunity came back regarding an interview. I email the HR person about this and ask what the deal is.

She calls me a few hours later explaining that I definitely have a job there this summer, no additional process to go through. They're just figuring out how to best structure the summer to allow for educational experience. They said they'll try to get paperwork started Friday at the latest.

I found a nice housing spot but the person wants me to sign it tomorrow because he has other suitors. The HR specialist didn't call or email me today (Friday).

Should I just take her word that I got it, even if it's not in writing it, and just sign the housing lease? Or do I say no to the lease and just look again later once everything is set in stone?

[sparty99]

You already interviewed witht his firm? Regardless, I would not sign a lease until you have signed the papers or have been given a start date. There is nothing else to consider.

[DELG]

lol wtf

[brotherdarkness]

.

[anyriotgirl]

Pls tell us more about hiring practices in Des Moines

[Danger Zone]

Lol @ T10 city

My first thought

[TTRansfer]

Lol @ T10 city

My first thought

Top 10 city . . . (in Iowa)

[gottago]

jokes about the city aside, the firm is 250+ (multi-office) and pays NYC 160 and 145 in the city I'm looking at.

Like I said they said over the phone I definitely got it and they hope I join them but they're looking to best "structure" the internship so that I get the most out of it educationally.

Nothing in writing yet beyond the first email where they say:

"It’s so nice to hear from you. We look forward to you joining us this summer. My colleague and I are finalizing the details of your summer internship and will reach out to you sometime next week. In the meantime should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me."

After they called me on Wednesday, they said they'll get the paperwork started and will email me by Friday at the latest. It is now Friday: still nothing in the inbox.

I don't know my start date or whether the gig will be paid. If it's unpaid I'll just tell them "thanks but no thanks."

The housing is a 3 month lease and is a good deal (probably best I can find). Should I just take the lease and try to craigslist it off if things are looking bad with the firm? I gotta decide on the lease soon, probably this weekend before the HR dept gets their act together next week.

It's not a formal 1L thing but I don't know how it can take HR 2 weeks to add 2 + 2.

[DELG]

Uh you would turn down a market paying firm if it's not going to pay you for the summer? What do you have lined up in the alternative?!

[brotherdarkness]

.

[A. Nony Mouse]

OP, as a 0L you're not allowed to post in Legal Employment, even (especially) posting anonymously. I'm going to lock this, but feel free to PM me about moving it to the proper forum (in which case your OP won't be anonymous).

Edit: unlocked and moved.