UChicago OCI 2014 Forum

[Crowing]

It was clear to me after one sentence.

Bwahaha

[Anonymous User]

No but for reals, all of you future 2Ls, I wouldn't recommend doing the Keystone Program, or even if you do it, I wouldn't write it on your resume because several employers actually asked me about it and I had to come up with something that made going to 20 free lunch talks sound impressive.

Was it as good as what you came up with for why you were interested in working in Seattle/London? If so, please, please, PLEASE share.

[beepboopbeep]

Hey now, anon.

[Rahviveh]

Did anyone else commit a crime against humanity during their S&C callback and get dinged. Wondering if I'm the only UChi student with this dubious honor

[Anonymous User]

For the rising 1L's -

Finally done so here are my results:

179.8, no journal, no moot court, URM

Pre-OCI:

2 CBS at CA V20's -> 2 Offers
1 CB at one of the big 3 Chicago firms -> Ding

OCI:

13 screeners total
5 in CA -> 1 CB -> 1 Offer, 4 dings
7 in NY -> 3 CB's -> 1 offer, 6 dings
Bill and Conny - Ding

My thoughts are that everyone should bust their ass for 1L SA's. You are unlikely to get one, but its basically a very strong networking opportunity that can turn into an early 2L offer as it did in my case.

Also, being a URM didn't really seem to make much of a difference, but I am not AA so maybe it's different for them.

[Anonymous User]

No but for reals, all of you future 2Ls, I wouldn't recommend doing the Keystone Program, or even if you do it, I wouldn't write it on your resume because several employers actually asked me about it and I had to come up with something that made going to 20 free lunch talks sound impressive.

Was it as good as what you came up with for why you were interested in working in Seattle/London? If so, please, please, PLEASE share.

No, but the first time I was asked about it was during an interview with GDC LA (which was one of the random firms I grabbed during open sign-ups that I had no interest in since it was in California), so I just told them that it is a semi-new program instituted by our dean of students and you basically rack up points by going to free lunch talks, but everyone pretty much had most of the points needed to complete the program simply by attending orientation. For my other interviews where I got asked about it, I just told them that it is program where you learn about various areas of the law by attending lectures in addition to class. Seriously though, I regret both completing the program and following the school's instructions by including it on my resume.

Did anyone else commit a crime against humanity during their S&C callback and get dinged. Wondering if I'm the only UChi student with this dubious honor

They probably heard about your screener with DPW.

[Anonymous User]

A friend of mine (who doesn't TLS) got Fenwick Seattle. Will add to the spreadsheet on her behalf.

Any update from your friend? I had a callback with Fenwick Seattle (I'm not from UChicago) and haven't heard back yet. I'm assuming they have a couple offers out and I'm on a waitlist. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[MyNameIsFlynn!]

Did anyone else commit a crime against humanity during their S&C callback and get dinged. Wondering if I'm the only UChi student with this dubious honor

Did you forget to wear pants?

[Anonymous User]

Skadden Chicago offer.

I think I might have been held until another person declined since I had my callback over two weeks ago. So just an FYI for future people.

[Anonymous User]

I did get asked a couple of times about Keystone and had a chirpy one-liner about being encouraged to think about the realities of practice in the midst of giant 1L casebooks. Also had a "favorite" Keystone event (it was actually an orientation event, but since they all counted for Keystone I figured why not). Seemed to go over well. More randomly -- and this is totally not a reason to do Keystone, but is a reason to have positive things to say about anything that may be part of the package you offer -- I happened to say something offhanded and positive about Keystone to a partner I met at a networking reception this summer, who turned out to be a UofC grad, on our board of trustees, someone who really pushed for Keystone… and the head of a firm based in Chicago.

[Anonymous User]

I did get asked a couple of times about Keystone and had a chirpy one-liner about being encouraged to think about the realities of practice in the midst of giant 1L casebooks. Also had a "favorite" Keystone event (it was actually an orientation event, but since they all counted for Keystone I figured why not). Seemed to go over well. More randomly -- and this is totally not a reason to do Keystone, but is a reason to have positive things to say about anything that may be part of the package you offer -- I happened to say something offhanded and positive about Keystone to a partner I met at a networking reception this summer, who turned out to be a UofC grad, on our board of trustees, someone who really pushed for Keystone… and the head of a firm based in Chicago.

Also, before I get jumped on for the obviously low odds of something like this happening -- this was probably one of 3-4 times this past year where "networking" really paid off big-time. I did all the dumbass stuff you're encouraged to do (go to school sponsored/student group sponsored events, follow up, use existing contacts etc) and I'd say for every 4 efforts on my part that were an absolute waste of time and made me feel like a moron for having bothered, I had 1 experience (like this thing with the partner and Keystone) that was unpredictably useful. So again, not saying Keystone is "worth it" but if you decide to get the free lunches, do take the five seconds required to think of something positive to say because you never know when it will pay off.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have (informed) thoughts on the wisdom of accepting an offer from Mayer Brown? There seem to be whispers about them ever since the TNR article but its hard to get a sense of their financial footing these days.

[Mal Reynolds]

I would contact people from the last two summer classes just to see if you can get any info from them. But I'm not too sure what the protocol is on asking things like "hey are you a rat on a sinking ship, jw."

[Neal Patrick Harris]

Our school added the Keystone program to make our students less aspie, and it was specifically asked for by employers. I had a one-liner that said basically this combined with how they were somewhat helpful (good for helping shyer people move out of their comfort zone, good for networking for me). Most responded positively to it I guess, but I don't think it helped me.

Networking is always good (mocktail) and some of the lunch talks weren't terrible.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have (informed) thoughts on the wisdom of accepting an offer from Mayer Brown? There seem to be whispers about them ever since the TNR article but its hard to get a sense of their financial footing these days.

Pretty sure everyone this past summer got an offer. MB had their best fiscal year ever in firm history in 2013 so I think they should be in good shape. Litigation was oversubscribed this past summer, not sure if everyone who wanted lit got lit, but transactional practices (especially the finance group) are booming.

[Anonymous User]

How long does it typically take NYC firms to reimburse you for travel? I submitted a week ago and haven't heard anything (didn't even get confirmation of receipt of my e-mail).

[Mal Reynolds]

I think another week or two is still within the expected timeline. A week is way too soon.

[2014]

How long does it typically take NYC firms to reimburse you for travel? I submitted a week ago and haven't heard anything (didn't even get confirmation of receipt of my e-mail).

They won't confirm usually, you just get a check in the mail. I'd say 2 weeks is average.

[20141023]

.

[Anonymous User]

Alums, what are good (meaning - useful) questions to ask on a second look?

[Neal Patrick Harris]

Alums, what are good (meaning - useful) questions to ask on a second look?

This depends on what you're interested in and what firms you're choosing between. Can you give us more info on what you're basing your decision on?

[Anonymous User]

Cravath ding yesterday

[Anonymous User]

Alces RA ding

[beepboopbeep]

[Mal Reynolds]