How to create "ties" to an area? Forum

[PrideandGlory1776]

I grew up in the Northeast but don't want to go back and work there. In any case, I would literally love to work just about anywhere but the Northeast including South, Midwest, Pacific Northwest and/or SoCal. Problem is - how does one go about convincing firms that they will stay in that specific area without familial "ties" or any cognizable connection to the area? Appreciate any info or experiences from those who have trodden the path before - thanks!

[jthomas.7489]

I grew up in the Northeast but don't want to go back and work there. In any case, I would literally love to work just about anywhere but the Northeast including South, Midwest, Pacific Northwest and/or SoCal. Problem is - how does one go about convincing firms that they will stay in that specific area without familial "ties" or any cognizable connection to the area? Appreciate any info or experiences from those who have trodden the path before - thanks!

Join the National Guard of a state where you would like to live should do it.

[PrideandGlory1776]

lol that's certainly a strong sign of commitment

[transferror]

lie

[manillabay]

Meet & Greet. Buy people drinks. Take them to your dad's country club, things like that. You just gotta wag some tails for a bit but upward mobility isn't hard w/ a little money & personality

[swampman]

Summer 1L and 2L years in a specific city you love, have a convincing reason why you love that city, and graduate at the top of your class.

If you haven't started law school yet, work in that city for a year or two.

[unc0mm0n1]

I grew up in the Northeast but don't want to go back and work there. In any case, I would literally love to work just about anywhere but the Northeast including South, Midwest, Pacific Northwest and/or SoCal. Problem is - how does one go about convincing firms that they will stay in that specific area without familial "ties" or any cognizable connection to the area? Appreciate any info or experiences from those who have trodden the path before - thanks!

The need for ties becomes less necessary the higher ranked school you can attend and the better your GPA is. So my advice would be to get into the best school possible and do as well as possible (which is the standard TLS advice for everybody).

[banjo]

Work in the area for two years after graduation. Go to school in the area. Start seriously dating someone in the area (and get married in 3L before you start big law). Edit: Or just say you will.

Getting grilled on ties sucks. The sooner you get past that topic the sooner you can have a natural, fun conversation. Of course, if you grew up in the same town as the partner you're interviewing with, you get an offer.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Meet & Greet. Buy people drinks. Take them to your dad's country club, things like that. You just gotta wag some tails for a bit but upward mobility isn't hard w/ a little money & personality

God, you are such a terrible poster.

OP, I think it is possible to create ties to a region by attending law school there. It's not just that going to law school there shows you want to be in that region (though this is part of it), it's that if you're local you can more easily do all the other things that create ties: work (over the summers, obviously, but also during the school year); join a local Inn of Court & go to meetings; go to local free CLEs (more useful if you know what practice area you're interested in, but if you do they can be a good way to meet people); do informational interviews; join the local bar association and go to events. Also all the stuff that was described in the recent networking post (http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... g#p7561986) - if you do that intensively in a particular market, and make clear to all the people you talk to that you want to stay in that market, I think it will help.

(And, of course, have the other qualifications that make you a competitive candidate. )

[PrideandGlory1776]

Thanks everybody this was all very informative - in summary meet & greet lunches and networking opportunities will be key along with grades, 1L and 2L summer jobs, and potentially finding a SO with same area in mind (as an anchor point of insurance for the firm) all of which could potentially function cumulatively to my benefit during OCI to improve my chances of landing the job in desired area/city - appreciate the insight everybody!

[Tuxedo]

This is a helpful thread.

By the time I attend law school, I will have lived in my current city for 8 years. I might not attend law school here, but I will probably try to find a job here. I have lots of ties (from a teaching gig, grad school, getting married, church, etc.) to the area as well. One of my mentors throughout the whole law school application process is a partner at a large firm here.

Assuming that the firm was hiring, would that be a shoe-in? Or would ties to such a partner be a good thing in the city regardless of where I was applying?

[TigerDude]

pretty sure 8 years is enough of a tie.