1L summer job application apathy/encouragement thread Forum

[get it to x]

So far I have two offers and one upcoming interview. Can anyone help me rank these positions? I'm very happy to even have a choice, but I'm pretty confused at this point.

1) Offer from a small firm (10-15 attornies).
2) Offer from a DA's Office in one of the NY boroughs.
3) Upcoming interview with a state equity & probate judge.

They're all very different, and I'm not sure if one would look better than the other or give me better experience. Help?

1) What kind of work does the small firm do? Is it a practice area you want to get into in the future? Does it pay? Do you have the potential to get an offer for 2L summer that pays and can lead to permanent employment?
2) Do you have interest in criminal work?
3) Working for a judge is fine if the firm doesn't pay and won't lead anywhere and you have zero interest in criminal work.

1) The firm does a little bit of everything, including arts & entertainment law, which is of particular interest to me. The partner who interviewed me is extremely flexible and basically told me I can jump in on whatever projects seem interesting. It's part time and unpaid, but if all goes well over the summer I have the option of working there during 2L and maybe next summer. Since it's part time I'd either have to find another legal job (maybe RA?) or maybe bartend.

2) I find criminal work interesting and I have no idea if it's something I'd want to do in the future, which is why I applied to the DA's office. I figure, I'll finally know if it's something I'd like to pursue. I've heard that even if you don't end up liking the work it's great experience.

The firm seems to make the most sense, but like I said I'm confused and I've heard so many different things. One of my professors told me to take a clerkship if I get it because you can always work at a firm later. Two different attornies I've spoken to told me to take the DA position.

If the DA's office is in Brooklyn, I've heard horror stories about interning and working there. Nothing on Bronx or Queens offices though.

[Anonymous User]

So far I have two offers and one upcoming interview. Can anyone help me rank these positions? I'm very happy to even have a choice, but I'm pretty confused at this point.

1) Offer from a small firm (10-15 attornies).
2) Offer from a DA's Office in one of the NY boroughs.
3) Upcoming interview with a state equity & probate judge.

They're all very different, and I'm not sure if one would look better than the other or give me better experience. Help?

1) What kind of work does the small firm do? Is it a practice area you want to get into in the future? Does it pay? Do you have the potential to get an offer for 2L summer that pays and can lead to permanent employment?
2) Do you have interest in criminal work?
3) Working for a judge is fine if the firm doesn't pay and won't lead anywhere and you have zero interest in criminal work.

1) The firm does a little bit of everything, including arts & entertainment law, which is of particular interest to me. The partner who interviewed me is extremely flexible and basically told me I can jump in on whatever projects seem interesting. It's part time and unpaid, but if all goes well over the summer I have the option of working there during 2L and maybe next summer. Since it's part time I'd either have to find another legal job (maybe RA?) or maybe bartend.

2) I find criminal work interesting and I have no idea if it's something I'd want to do in the future, which is why I applied to the DA's office. I figure, I'll finally know if it's something I'd like to pursue. I've heard that even if you don't end up liking the work it's great experience.

The firm seems to make the most sense, but like I said I'm confused and I've heard so many different things. One of my professors told me to take a clerkship if I get it because you can always work at a firm later. Two different attornies I've spoken to told me to take the DA position.

If the DA's office is in Brooklyn, I've heard horror stories about interning and working there. Nothing on Bronx or Queens offices though.

Nope, not Brooklyn. I guess I can say Queens since I'm anonymous.

[keg411]

I'd take the DA. Unpaid firm jobs scream looking for free WL/Lexis.

[phonepro]

I'd take the DA. Unpaid firm jobs scream looking for free WL/Lexis.

I agree. I'd never work for a firm that was unpaid. A firm that small is probably not even considering hiring you upon graduation.

Although, I might take the judge over DA too. This is a personal preference though. I don't think either one is more "prestigious."

[romothesavior]

I'd take the DA. Unpaid firm jobs scream looking for free WL/Lexis.

How do people even do this? I'm pretty sure our accounts are deactivated in the summer.

[drdolittle]

I'd take the DA. Unpaid firm jobs scream looking for free WL/Lexis.

How do people even do this? I'm pretty sure our accounts are deactivated in the summer.

Yeah, activated for the summer only with special permission, if I understood correctly.

[romothesavior]

The most annoying thing in this whole process is the dead silence from most places. Like, are you people so unprofessional that you can't return my email or phone inquiry and say, "Sorry, we don't have a program" or "Our internships have been filled" or "Thanks, we got your resume and we'll be in touch"? Really annoying.

[09042014]

The most annoying thing in this whole process is the dead silence from most places. Like, are you people so unprofessional that you can't return my email or phone inquiry and say, "Sorry, we don't have a program" or "Our internships have been filled" or "Thanks, we got your resume and we'll be in touch"? Really annoying.

Firms were good about this, but other stuff is just awful.

No wonder so many PI people end up in big law anyway. OCI seem a lot easier than this shit.

[snowpeach06]

The most annoying thing in this whole process is the dead silence from most places. Like, are you people so unprofessional that you can't return my email or phone inquiry and say, "Sorry, we don't have a program" or "Our internships have been filled" or "Thanks, we got your resume and we'll be in touch"? Really annoying.

Firms were good about this, but other stuff is just awful.

No wonder so many PI people end up in big law anyway. OCI seem a lot easier than this shit.

Yup. I'm into PI, want to do it when I graduate, my resume supports it, and pretty much the only interviews i've gotten have been through OCI. WTF? Most PI places didn't even have the courtesy to return my phone calls.

[dakatz]

Of the 150 judges I applied to, I couldn't have heard back from more than 30-40 at most. I'm amazed that 110 apps could just disappear into thin air. For firm applications, the same is probably true. About 40 out of 80 I haven't heard back from.

[Anonymous User]

I'd take the DA. Unpaid firm jobs scream looking for free WL/Lexis.

I agree. I'd never work for a firm that was unpaid. A firm that small is probably not even considering hiring you upon graduation.

Although, I might take the judge over DA too. This is a personal preference though. I don't think either one is more "prestigious."

Thanks for the advice! If I get an offer from the judge I'd probably end up taking it over the DA. Either way, I don't think I can really go wrong.

[Anonymous User]

I'd take the DA. Unpaid firm jobs scream looking for free WL/Lexis.

I agree. I'd never work for a firm that was unpaid. A firm that small is probably not even considering hiring you upon graduation.

Although, I might take the judge over DA too. This is a personal preference though. I don't think either one is more "prestigious."

Thanks for the advice! If I get an offer from the judge I'd probably end up taking it over the DA. Either way, I don't think I can really go wrong.

Honestly, I think interning for a judge (with the exception of a paid firm position) is the best way to spend your first summer. A lot of the DA/gov't positions are filled with busy work and really end up as resume fillers. This is not saying that they're all like this. Some judges work the same way with their interns, but most opportunities are great experiences to hone your writing and research skills and make some connections. Judges know a ton of people personally or know people who people who could get you a call back for OCI etc. This coming from a 2L who was in a similar position and took the judicial internship (for credit) and got a door opened that led to firm job I would never have gotten otherwise.

[Anonymous User]

I'd take the DA. Unpaid firm jobs scream looking for free WL/Lexis.

I agree. I'd never work for a firm that was unpaid. A firm that small is probably not even considering hiring you upon graduation.

Although, I might take the judge over DA too. This is a personal preference though. I don't think either one is more "prestigious."

Thanks for the advice! If I get an offer from the judge I'd probably end up taking it over the DA. Either way, I don't think I can really go wrong.

Honestly, I think interning for a judge (with the exception of a paid firm position) is the best way to spend your first summer. A lot of the DA/gov't positions are filled with busy work and really end up as resume fillers. This is not saying that they're all like this. Some judges work the same way with their interns, but most opportunities are great experiences to hone your writing and research skills and make some connections. Judges know a ton of people personally or know people who people who could get you a call back for OCI etc. This coming from a 2L who was in a similar position and took the judicial internship (for credit) and got a door opened that led to firm job I would never have gotten otherwise.

Point well taken. It's good to hear from someone who's been in my shoes.

[romothesavior]

The most annoying thing in this whole process is the dead silence from most places. Like, are you people so unprofessional that you can't return my email or phone inquiry and say, "Sorry, we don't have a program" or "Our internships have been filled" or "Thanks, we got your resume and we'll be in touch"? Really annoying.

Firms were good about this, but other stuff is just awful.

No wonder so many PI people end up in big law anyway. OCI seem a lot easier than this shit.

I agree, firms (especially larger ones) were pretty good. Some of the smaller ones (especially ones that I emailed) were not so hot, but I did get rejection letters and email responses from most of the firms I contacted.

[Anonymous User]

I was offered a firm job on the spot after a call back.

Was it wrong of me to accept on the spot?? Or should I have waited a few days?

[romothesavior]

I was offered a firm job on the spot after a call back.

Was it wrong of me to accept on the spot?? Or should I have waited a few days?

No, why would it be? Unless you wanted a few days to wait on other jobs, I don't see much harm in it. Is it a job you really want?

[Kretzy]

I was offered a firm job on the spot after a call back.

Was it wrong of me to accept on the spot?? Or should I have waited a few days?

I told a firm they were my top choice, and I'd accept on the spot if offered. My phone call offer conversation consisted of "So, we'd like to extend you an offer, and you promised you'd accept. Um, you were serious, right?"

If you wanted that particular firm job, definitely not silly. Even if you didn't, and you just wanted a firm, not silly.

[Anonymous User]

what do you guys think about RA versus position with a non-prestigious direct legal services org? the money from the RA position would be nice, but i want to put myself in the best position for OCI next year.

[Anonymous User]

I was offered a firm job on the spot after a call back.

Was it wrong of me to accept on the spot?? Or should I have waited a few days?

No, why would it be? Unless you wanted a few days to wait on other jobs, I don't see much harm in it. Is it a job you really want?

Yes they were my top choice. The reason I doubted myself is when my sister told me I should have made myself look like I considered the firm for a few days, and then accept. But they were happy with my decision on the spot.

[Anonymous User]

As I already posted, yesterday I got hired by a boutique DC law firm. The guy I interviewed with said he'd have to check with accounting, but the pay would be in the $xx/hr - $yy/hr range. I don't start until June... when is the appropriate time to ask for a clarification? Also, how to do it without sounding like a soulless money-grubber? I already accepted and will be happy with whatever they give me, it'd just be nice to nail down an exact figure so that I can figure out my summer finances.

[snowpeach06]

As I already posted, yesterday I got hired by a boutique DC law firm. The guy I interviewed with said he'd have to check with accounting, but the pay would be in the $xx/hr - $yy/hr range. I don't start until June... when is the appropriate time to ask for a clarification? Also, how to do it without sounding like a soulless money-grubber? I already accepted and will be happy with whatever they give me, it'd just be nice to nail down an exact figure so that I can figure out my summer finances.

I think it's fine to ask. I mean, money is a part of jobs and obviously a consideration. But, I would ask along with some other practical questions, just so the call/e-mail/whatever will be less awkward.

[pleasetryagain]

The most annoying thing in this whole process is the dead silence from most places. Like, are you people so unprofessional that you can't return my email or phone inquiry and say, "Sorry, we don't have a program" or "Our internships have been filled" or "Thanks, we got your resume and we'll be in touch"? Really annoying.

Oh man, I was just thinking the same thing. Every firm, corporation, PI jobs (fucking public interest work when I am offering them quality work for FREE) I have contacted has been dead silence until the rejection letter; some stil haven't even given me rejection letters after 2+ months. I have sent emails, follow up emails, etc and nothing.. silence.. If we did that shit they would brand us unprofessional/unreliable and move on to the next person.

[Helmholtz]

what do you guys think about RA versus position with a non-prestigious direct legal services org? the money from the RA position would be nice, but i want to put myself in the best position for OCI next year.

Between those two options, I don't think it's going to matter a whole lot, although the last few upperclassmen I've talked to about summer jobs said that they almost always recommend against RA's. They said some employers don't really see it as "real" legal work and that it's more difficult to give interesting stories about summering as an RA as opposed to being at a firm/gov't/public interest/court. Then again, this is hearsay, so take with a grain of salt. I'm not sure what kind of work you'd be doing at the legal services org.

[Anonymous User]

I have two judicial opportunities and am conflicted over which one to chose: A criminal court judge who is doing fascinating work or a district court magistrate judge in a neighboring state. I would prefer to work in the state where the criminal court is located. Do district court internships (even ones with magistrate judges) always trump state courts even if they're not located in the same state?

[Anonymous User]

If the DA's office is in Brooklyn, I've heard horror stories about interning and working there. Nothing on Bronx or Queens offices though.

Could you share what these horror stories are?