HLS EIP 2014 Forum

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[Anonymous User]

Hi all! I'm dead median at 3H/7P (or at least, the consensus says that's median). My preferred markets are Texas or Boston. I would love to avoid NYC if possible. It's not the best market for those with children. I have no prior ties to Boston, but have made ties to the area since moving here (e.g., my children are attending school here, my spouse has made friends here, etc.). I have never lived in Texas, but I have a lot of family who do live in Texas (brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparent).

Based on the above, can anyone provide some insight as to how I should be shaping my bid list? I don't care about prestige, I care about finding a job that will service my loans and put my kids in a good public school. I would gladly welcome whatever advice folks can offer.

Thanks!

If you're not White, consider participating in the Boston Job Fair: http://www.thebostonlawyersgroup.com/events/
Asians count.

You're in a different boat from most applicants re the ties idea re: Boston--NYC not being cost-effective (don't slam it in terms of actual quality of life, you never know what interviewer was raised in NYC, but all are going to sympathize with the overly expensive idea) for children is a pretty convincing reason to pick Boston instead, esp. if they're already enrolled in Boston schools and you can say things "I don't want to uproot my children".

Do a mix of Boston, Texas, and a little bit of NYC. Not too much NYC, but just in case. Ask OCS for help in picking out which NYC firms. For Boston, obviously do Ropes, Wilmer, Bingham, and Goodwin. Then throw in a couple other ones. Try to network over the summer. I expect you'll be fine in Boston.

How does the Boston Job Fair work with our EIP? Can we bid on firms we are set to interview with at the BJF? It seems like the BJF will occur before our EIP so.. and I am assuming we shouldnt be double dipping..

[094320]

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[delusional]

Hi all! I'm dead median at 3H/7P (or at least, the consensus says that's median). My preferred markets are Texas or Boston. I would love to avoid NYC if possible. It's not the best market for those with children. I have no prior ties to Boston, but have made ties to the area since moving here (e.g., my children are attending school here, my spouse has made friends here, etc.). I have never lived in Texas, but I have a lot of family who do live in Texas (brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparent).

Based on the above, can anyone provide some insight as to how I should be shaping my bid list? I don't care about prestige, I care about finding a job that will service my loans and put my kids in a good public school. I would gladly welcome whatever advice folks can offer.

Thanks!

I was in a similar position. If you are worried about ties, I would say that on the whole the family/kids narrative is sufficient. I spoke to several interviewers after OCI and the general sentiment was that if you come across as not flaky and not interviewing just to interview, the fact you chose to interview with Boston firms is enough of an indication that you are interested in Boston.

Regarding bid lists, you should probably aim for bidding on more slots than most bec. you probably want to add at least a couple NY safety firms. But that is not over the top because there are only about ten or so firms in Boston that would be relevant anyway. If you get ten interviews in in Boston and ten in Texas you still can bid on five-ten firms in NY that are not selective, just to have a safety net.

I would just caution you that the upper tier of Boston firms is a bit selective. I know others disagree but I have 6-7 friends at Ropes between c/o 2013 and 2014 and they all graduated with honors. Wilmer is also pretty selective for their Boston office, although I got that info from a friend at a different school so it may not apply to Harvard. Goodwin is selective holistically, so if you have relevant experience or education that should suffice (heard from a partner who does OCI). They are all worth a shot though - none of them are Wachtell-selective.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have any insight into how much grades come into play when interviewing with McKinsey during EIP?

[Anonymous User]

I know I saw a website at one point that would say how many pro bono hours are billable at each firm (i.e. whether there's a cap, what the cap is), but now I can't find that website. Does anyone know what I'm thinking of?

[kcam1991]

I know I saw a website at one point that would say how many pro bono hours are billable at each firm (i.e. whether there's a cap, what the cap is), but now I can't find that website. Does anyone know what I'm thinking of?

May be nalpdirectory.com

[delusional]

Anyone have any insight into how much grades come into play when interviewing with McKinsey during EIP?

I don't know much but since no one else answered: The two people I know who got through early stage interviews had average grades.

[wwwcol]

Is there a way on Symplicity to see how many interview slots a firm has?

Is the list of firms attending OCI pretty much set, or will firms continue to commit through beginning of bidding period? What about for resume collect firms? Do more of them join as we get closer to recruiting season?

[Anonymous User]

On the subject of ties, how sensitive are NYC firms to them? I often hear that NYC does not care about ties — but what if my resume screams "not NYC?" Lifelong ties to other coast, summer job there, etc, but I want to work on the east coast after graduation. Reason for wanting east coast is change of scenery, so not a particularly substantive reason.

Will my resume hold me back, and if yes, what can I say to persuade NYC interviewers that I am interested in the city in which their firms are located?

NYC really doesn't care.

I actually found that not to be true when I interviewed. I grew up close to NYC, but spent several years on the west coast after graduating college. My resume had all west coast stuff on it. Even my cell number has a west coast area code. I got asked in several interviews why I was interested in NY and not going back to the west coast. (Many people specifically mentioned the weather. It probably would not have been such a big deal if I lived in an area that was not considered a great place to live.) I was surprised by that. Luckily, I had an easy answer. I do not think that NYC is as tie-focused as other cities, but I would be prepared with an answer.

[delusional]

Is there a way on Symplicity to see how many interview slots a firm has?

Is the list of firms attending OCI pretty much set, or will firms continue to commit through beginning of bidding period? What about for resume collect firms? Do more of them join as we get closer to recruiting season?

There will be a couple adds and drops but for people in most markets it is not a significant difference. If there is a particular firm that you are interested in that is not coming, you can send them your materials yourself. In a way that's an advantage, since you can choose the process a bit more - timing, informational interviews with acquaintances, etc.

[mommalee]

How do we know how many interview slots a firm will have? Do we just look at last few years data and assume the same?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have specific info on Skadden NYC? My grades almost all Ps, with two Hs, but my work experience is well-rounded, business and finance-heavy, and I have a few leadership position-extracurrics from my 1L year.

[ph14]

How do we know how many interview slots a firm will have? Do we just look at last few years data and assume the same?

My memory is a bit hazy, but I want to say that you will get information on how many interview slots a firm has. It might not be until the bidding window actually opens though. I think most firms probably have similar number of interview spots every year so that is not a bad way to proceed.

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[Anonymous User]

Is the participating employers list up yet?

[ph14]

Is the participating employers list up yet?

I don't think I can see the EIP tab anymore, but according to the key dates page it says that the participating employers list should go up sometime in June.

[Anonymous User]

Is the participating employers list up yet?

I don't think I can see the EIP tab anymore, but according to the key dates page it says that the participating employers list should go up sometime in June.

Yeah, I couldn't find a link either, but the firm pronunciation chart might be a good tentative guide.

[Anonymous User]

Once you have your 35 firms how do people suggest ranking them?

[094320]

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[Anonymous User]

Thanks for all the advice re Texas/Boston bidding for median grades with a family!

Another quick question: Would it be weird to email HLS associates at firms I'm interested in and ask them about their experience and the pros and cons of their position? Perhaps more importantly, do you believe they would actually be inclined to answer honestly or would they try to sell the firm rather than the truth?

Any thoughts?

[wert3813]

bumping so that those that posting there bidlist in general threads will see this and post it here instead. Way better if they are in one spot. Also take make an anon alias that you tag so that people can know who is who but it can't be tagged back to you. See last year as an example.

[Anonymous User]

I'm median at HLS and can't decide between NY and DC. I have listed numerous firms I am interested in in two lists. I will either be going all in for NY, going all in for DC, or mixing up the bid lists. (Yes, I know it seems strange that my options are so open at this point, but I have good personal reasons for being undecided.)

That said, I have pasted both lists below and am hoping I can get feedback. I am K-JD and, again, median at HLS. Did I list any firms I have no shot at? (Firms like Wachtell for instance.) Should I consider any firms that are missing? I have very broad and flexible practice interests. Thank you, TLS.

list-DC

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
O’Melveny & Myers
paul hastings llp
Steptoe & Johnson LLP
Williams & Connolly LLP
Willkie Farr & Gallgher LLP
White & Case
Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
Arnold & Porter
cooley llp
Bingham McCutchen
Baker & McKenzie
Debevoise & Plimpton
Fish & Richardson
Foley & Lardner
Covington & Burling LLP
Epstein Becker & Green
Alston & Bird
Goodwin Procter
Jones Day
Latham & Waktins LLP
McKinsey & Company
WilmerHale
Ropes & Gray
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison


list—NYC

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, & Garrison LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP
White & Case LLP
WilmerHale
paul hastings llp
O’Melveny & Myers
clifford chance US LLP
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Porskauer Rose LLP
goodwin procter llp
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
Orrick, Herrington, & Sutcliffe LLP
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
cooley llp
clifford chance
Cahill Gordon & Reindel
Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Arnold & Porter
Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.
Jones Day
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

*I did not put these in a specific order--any general advice on how we should go about the ordering?

[Anonymous User]

You can probably cut Wilmer, A&P, and Covington based on grades to name a few that stand out.

What are your interests? Corporate? Lit? Regulatory? Specific issue areas? That will help us help you find firms of interest

[094320]

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