Law firm recruiter answering questions for a bit Forum

[lawfirmrecruiter]

I go to a T14 law school, I got no offered, but I did get accepted into a highlly competivite honors program (through a personal connection). If I bring by grades up (above median), and get onto law review... publish something. Do you think 3L OCI, I would get something?

It is certainly possible. Those of us that are in the 3L market are looking for candidates that show growth throughout law school. Focus on getting your grades up and begin networking with firms in your market that you know hire 3Ls. CSO should be able to help you make a target list.

[Anonymous User]

Hi,

If your firm were to distribute holiday gifts to incoming summer associates, what is the proper response for the recipient of the gift? Thank you card? email? call? Or nothing?

Thanks for the help!

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Thanks for taking questions. You are an asset to the boards.

I wanted to ask a question that I don't think has exactly been asked (at least not in the page history I checked to try to avoid a duplicate question. When it comes to 2L OCI looking at candidates, how would you rank the importance/positive impact/benefit or whatever for the different general categories of 1L summer work. I would assume things like a Big Law 1L SA are at the top, but as I work to get apps out for this summer for everything from firms to PI, it would be nice to know what looks better. I was thinking the following general categories, and thank in advance for your input.

Law Firm SA
Judicial Internship
Federal/State/Local Gov't
PI
RA
Non-legal work/Corporate

I think the order of this list looks about right. Of course, the main point is to get some sort of legal experience, regardless of type. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to land a firm job - 1L positions (at least in my market) are really hard to come by now.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Hi LFR,

I had a question about the way law firms view the courses you take. I have yet to take Trial Ad, Evidence, or any other litigation centric courses. In fact, my courses up to this point have been pretty much focused on transactional practices. Assuming I would prefer a litigation job over no job, would not taking evidence bar me from serious consideration in such job opportunities? Or is it more of a course that shows some interest in litigation but not something that would stop me in my tracks. I have other courses I'd prefer to take in its stead. Also, i'm a 3L who worked a litigation SA.

Thanks if you're still answering questions and sorry if this was already answered. I didn't look through the 50 something pages this thread is at.

Personally, we do look closely at the courses and tracks that students follow because we hire specific entry level associates for specific jobs in each practice area. We need to hire students that really want to be in those areas. I am not sure that other firms follow this direction, but they most likely do to some extent.

You look like you really want to be a transactional lawyer though. My suggestion would be to really think about the type of lawyer you want to be in 15 years. If litigation makes you miserable, stick with transaction-type track and focus all of your efforts in that area. While you can change the course of your career, it can be surprisingly difficult.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Hi,

If your firm were to distribute holiday gifts to incoming summer associates, what is the proper response for the recipient of the gift? Thank you card? email? call? Or nothing?

Thanks for the help!

A nice thank you card or e-mail acknowledging the gift would be appreciated and appropriate.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Exams must be over . . . welcome back everybody!

[Anonymous User]

Exams must be over . . . welcome back everybody!

Last one is on Wednesday...

Can't wait for it to be done so I can see my family and friends!!! :

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Exams must be over . . . welcome back everybody!

Last one is on Wednesday...

Can't wait for it to be done so I can see my family and friends!!! :

Well, good luck! And try to have fun and relax during your time off . . . .

[Anonymous User]

Hi: I have a question about how recruiting committees function. What exactly happens in the committee meetings--Do committee members just come in and give their "votes" on candidates, or does the group go through each candidate and have discussions about them? Also, do committee chairs usually have the final say on who gets hired, or is it more of a group decision?

Thank you!

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Hi: I have a question about how recruiting committees function. What exactly happens in the committee meetings--Do committee members just come in and give their "votes" on candidates, or does the group go through each candidate and have discussions about them? Also, do committee chairs usually have the final say on who gets hired, or is it more of a group decision?

Thank you!

It would be hard for me to say because I do not have one. My colleagues at other firms have talked about their committees and they all seem to function differently depending on the culture of the firm. More democratic firms all vote and have a strong equal say. More dictator style firms follow committee chairs, etc.

In our particular case, each practice group chooses their candidates. The practice leader, partners and associates meet the candidate and all evaluate on experience and fit with the group.

[Anonymous User]

I informed my oustanding V-100 that I have a two-week deadline with an offer from a midsize firm. The recruiter then requested a second writing sample "for further review." Is this standard? What does this mean?

It sounds like they are definitely interested and want to see something a bit more. When we ask for something like this, we are looking for a sample that shows intellectual curiosity and takes a issue just a bit further. I agree with the later poster - submit something that really knocks it out of the park. Good luck!

Would my law review writing comp entry suffice? I worked for an appellate judge over the summer, so all opinions I drafted are still confidential.

[Anonymous User]

Hi. I'm a 1L at Wisconsin, at recently was accepted to a clinic there. It's essentially a fulltime summer job (12 weeks/40+ hours a week). It deals mainly with wrongly convicted criminals. My real goal is to get a 2L SA (like everyone else pretty much). So, would it be more beneficial to try to get ANY sort of law firm experience during 1L summer? Or would just having the experience from the clinic be sufficient? Do firms look down on clinics in any way vs. outside employment because they are provided by the school? Just an fyi: I don't have law-related or professional work experience, but plenty of pubic service and volunteer experience. Thanks for any info you can give!

[Anonymous User]

Hey LFR,

I was wondering if you could give an update on how Waller's first S2J program went. I'm in your region and will certainly be looking next year. Thanks.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Hi. I'm a 1L at Wisconsin, at recently was accepted to a clinic there. It's essentially a fulltime summer job (12 weeks/40+ hours a week). It deals mainly with wrongly convicted criminals. My real goal is to get a 2L SA (like everyone else pretty much). So, would it be more beneficial to try to get ANY sort of law firm experience during 1L summer? Or would just having the experience from the clinic be sufficient? Do firms look down on clinics in any way vs. outside employment because they are provided by the school? Just an fyi: I don't have law-related or professional work experience, but plenty of pubic service and volunteer experience. Thanks for any info you can give!

1L positions at firms are hard to come by these days and students generally are not dinged for not having a firm job. Work hard in the clinic, learn as much as possible and meet as many attorneys as you can and you will be well positioned for OCI in the fall.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Hey LFR,

I was wondering if you could give an update on how Waller's first S2J program went. I'm in your region and will certainly be looking next year. Thanks.

Thanks for your intereest. We were thrilled with the results of our inaugural Schola2Juris apprentice program. Our 8 apprentices worked on projects developed from real client matters that were based on actual client cases and deals we have handled. The apprentices worked with senior associates and partners in simulated client teams that taught them how we staff matters. Because the projects each week build on work from the previous assignment, the students recieved more feedback on their progress and gained a greater understanding of how junior associate work fits in with the overall client matter.

We look forward to continuing Schola2Juris and offering this unique training opportunity (and scholarships) to 3L students next fall!

[Anonymous User]

Hey LFR,

I was wondering if you could give an update on how Waller's first S2J program went. I'm in your region and will certainly be looking next year. Thanks.

This entire time, you kept your firm anonymous (I think)...and now it's out there.

I love Nashville, was born there...

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Hey LFR,

I was wondering if you could give an update on how Waller's first S2J program went. I'm in your region and will certainly be looking next year. Thanks.

This entire time, you kept your firm anonymous (I think)...and now it's out there.

I love Nashville, was born there...

I was outed around page 30 or so but still try not to generally broadcast who I'm with ... Just glad to be a resource on this board and hope I've been of some help to everyone on some level regardless of where they want to go and what they want to do.

[Anonymous User]

I have accepted a summer SA position in the market I am most interested in. However my mother lives in another market and has received a diagnosis of terminal cancer - they are giving her less than a year. The firm has offices near my mother. I know I should talk to the firm, but I am wondering if most firms would consider allowing the SA to work in a different market than where their offer was given under these circumstances, and if they would then consider the SA for a permanent offer in the original market?

In other words, long term I want to be in the city of my offer, but I also want to be there for my mother during this time.

I am guessing if I can't work in a different office with the firm over the summer, there would be no long term hard feelings if I now backed out of the offer, given the circumstance, or would I be burning bridges? It would be tough to find a paid position in my mom's market now given it is a smaller market, but some times family does have to come first - which is maybe not a good position to take when trying to land a legal job.

[Anonymous User]

For a summer associate at a firm, can his suit be too nice? I know it's a general good rule of thumb to sort of blend in, not stand out. Would it be a bad idea for a summer associate to have a really high end suit, even though it's just plain blue or charcoal? Would this still be a bit flashy and a bad idea?

[Anonymous User]

Why are grades the almost exclusive distinguishing factor (at least outside the T14) for applicants? Are grades actually a fairly good indicator of ability? Is it a poor indicator, but nonetheless, the best one that you have?

[Anonymous User]

So let's say you were pretty average, grade-wise, after 1L and struck out at OCI and mass mails, but killed it 2L and jumped way up. When is an appropriate time to re-apply to firms that showed some vague interest for a permanent instead of summer position?

[Anonymous User]

Hi there!!

Question - I'm a 2L at a T14 who currently has no job for next summer. My grades from 1L are horrible (like 2.5 on B+ curve horrible). I have a great resume (even got several preselects for OCI). At least 3 firms directly told me that my grades were the only thing preventing them from hiring me (liked my resume & personality would fit well with firm). What are the chances that a big improvement in my grades might result in a big firm I previously interviewed with reconsidering me?

If my grades for Fall semester are substantially higher, I plan on emailing every firm I interviewed with to inform them of the change. After each ding, I emailed the recruiters and interviewers thanking them for their consideration, I know you can't hire everyone, please keep me in mind for the future. I figure it's worth a shot...but what are the chances it will lead to anything?

[erico]

For a summer associate at a firm, can his suit be too nice? I know it's a general good rule of thumb to sort of blend in, not stand out. Would it be a bad idea for a summer associate to have a really high end suit, even though it's just plain blue or charcoal? Would this still be a bit flashy and a bad idea?

yeah. like the guy in the $20k suit is going to work for the guy who doesn't even make that in a week?!

[lawfirmrecruiter]

I have accepted a summer SA position in the market I am most interested in. However my mother lives in another market and has received a diagnosis of terminal cancer - they are giving her less than a year. The firm has offices near my mother. I know I should talk to the firm, but I am wondering if most firms would consider allowing the SA to work in a different market than where their offer was given under these circumstances, and if they would then consider the SA for a permanent offer in the original market?

In other words, long term I want to be in the city of my offer, but I also want to be there for my mother during this time.

I am guessing if I can't work in a different office with the firm over the summer, there would be no long term hard feelings if I now backed out of the offer, given the circumstance, or would I be burning bridges? It would be tough to find a paid position in my mom's market now given it is a smaller market, but some times family does have to come first - which is maybe not a good position to take when trying to land a legal job.

First of all, I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I would call the recruiter and explain the situation. Most firms would be understanding in this type of situation. As for whether they would let you clerk in one office and be hired for the original one, it would be too hard to speculate. Especially given this particular situation. Give them the opportunity to work with you.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

For a summer associate at a firm, can his suit be too nice? I know it's a general good rule of thumb to sort of blend in, not stand out. Would it be a bad idea for a summer associate to have a really high end suit, even though it's just plain blue or charcoal? Would this still be a bit flashy and a bad idea?

This would completely depend on the culture of the office you are working in. If the suit is well tailored and in a conservative color/fabric, I cannot imagin that it would be a problem. Of course, if the office is very casual anyway, any suit might be over the top. When it doubt, ask your recruiter. Part of our job is to help you with these issues!