V15 Partner/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions... Forum

[anon168]

Piggybacking off that question--is it true that even if you have a Federal COA, it's unlikely you'll be able to get into one of the top flight appellate groups unless it's like...D.C. Cir. or a feeder? That's been floated around on this board before and I wonder how true it is

Depends, but generally not true. That said, if you clerked for Garland or Kavanaugh (or folks like Kozinski or Posner) you'll certainly have a heads up over some COA clerk from a nondescript judge in the 8th Cir.

[jd20132013]

That makes sense. Thanks for the answer. I was just hoping it wasn't quite as insular as feeder or bust.

[itbdvorm]

Piggybacking off that question--is it true that even if you have a Federal COA, it's unlikely you'll be able to get into one of the top flight appellate groups unless it's like...D.C. Cir. or a feeder? That's been floated around on this board before and I wonder how true it is

Depends, but generally not true. That said, if you clerked for Garland or Kavanaugh (or folks like Kozinski or Posner) you'll certainly have a heads up over some COA clerk from a nondescript judge in the 8th Cir.

I'm not as sure about this one. In terms of true "appellate" practitioners (nearly-all appellate, all the time) I think the competition is extremely fierce. I could be wrong but believe nearly all of that group at our firm has SCt/top "feeder" clerkships

[Anonymous User]

OP thanks so much for this thread btw....

Do you have any advice for explaining a significant drop in grades between first semester and second semester 1l year during oci assuming one can even land an interview

[Anonymous User]

General interviewing question. Just recently graduated. Grades are decent, top 25% from a T-14, however, I have a semester of not-so-good grades because my spouse was going through severe depression at that time. Should I explain or volunteer that? Wait to be asked? Still don't have a job and was wondering if this is keeping me down.

[itbdvorm]

General interviewing question. Just recently graduated. Grades are decent, top 25% from a T-14, however, I have a semester of not-so-good grades because my spouse was going through severe depression at that time. Should I explain or volunteer that? Wait to be asked? Still don't have a job and was wondering if this is keeping me down.

was that semester during first year? i frankly value first year grades more for all the appropriate reasons

in general, i think explanations for grade drops are of limited utility. i don't want excuses, i want production.

how much have you been hustling? do you interview well or poorly? have you talked to professors? current 1st year associates? family members? these questions have much more to do with whether you have a job than a non-explanation

[jd20132013]

Piggybacking off that question--is it true that even if you have a Federal COA, it's unlikely you'll be able to get into one of the top flight appellate groups unless it's like...D.C. Cir. or a feeder? That's been floated around on this board before and I wonder how true it is

Depends, but generally not true. That said, if you clerked for Garland or Kavanaugh (or folks like Kozinski or Posner) you'll certainly have a heads up over some COA clerk from a nondescript judge in the 8th Cir.

I'm not as sure about this one. In terms of true "appellate" practitioners (nearly-all appellate, all the time) I think the competition is extremely fierce. I could be wrong but believe nearly all of that group at our firm has SCt/top "feeder" clerkships

Thanks for this take. That makes sense. I'll have to keep grinding and hope to be able to parlay this COA into one of those, perhaps.

EDIT: Is your group on the smaller or larger side of appellate practitioners? That might affect the calculus, right?

[theaccidentalclerk]

Is your group on the smaller or larger side of appellate practitioners? That might affect the calculus, right?

One thing to think about -- there is actually appellate work that goes on outside of DC. Most big firms in most big markets have a guy or three who mostly do it. In markets where COA clerks are less common, they are often the ones who do it. The main difference is that you generally don't see the high profile regulatory appellate litigation like you do in DC, you won't be a member of the "Appellate Group," and you'll usually have to supplement your appellate work with general trial work when there's a lull. But you'll probably still be doing 75% or so appeals.

[itbdvorm]

Is your group on the smaller or larger side of appellate practitioners? That might affect the calculus, right?

One thing to think about -- there is actually appellate work that goes on outside of DC. Most big firms in most big markets have a guy or three who mostly do it. In markets where COA clerks are less common, they are often the ones who do it. The main difference is that you generally don't see the high profile regulatory appellate litigation like you do in DC, you won't be a member of the "Appellate Group," and you'll usually have to supplement your appellate work with general trial work when there's a lull. But you'll probably still be doing 75% or so appeals.

I don't think this is wrong but not sure about the 75%. I think outside of DC attorneys will handle appeals, etc., up to and including state supreme courts / appropriate COAs (often the same guys who handle the initial matters). So while the team may be supplemented the attorneys leading the cases will remain the same. DC appellate "hit squads" that do all-appellate, all the time are usually brought in when either (a) major clients are going on appeal for major matters or (b) another firm lost the first round (or won but isn't deemed strong enough on appeal given the import of the matter). I think the elite appellate firms (check Chambers) are going to be predominantly staffed with top COA clerks because they can be - these practices just aren't that huge. If you stroll through the folks of the DC office with "appellate" in their practice (look for the ones whose bios just indicate appellate, not appellate and other stuff too) you'll see S.Ct, top feeders, etc.

[itbdvorm]

around waiting for other side to send a few things, answering qs for a bit

[Anonymous User]

Thank you for posting... New here...

What are some questions that interviewers have asked you that really helped solidify your wanting to hire a person for a SA....or strongly recommend for hire

Conversely, what are some questions that are red flags and can tank an interviewers chances

[Anonymous User]

Im at a t50 school, ranked #3. Expected to transfer but decided to stay. As a result, may have missed law review because I did it very last minute. I have an A in legal writing and good work experience.

How big of a blemish will it be if I miss law review? Interested in litigation.

How should I address the question in interviews? It'll probably be the top question asked. I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses.


Thanks for your help.

[Anonymous User]

How do you predict median MVPers will do this OCI for NYC firms.

[itbdvorm]

Thank you for posting... New here...

What are some questions that interviewers have asked you that really helped solidify your wanting to hire a person for a SA....or strongly recommend for hire

Conversely, what are some questions that are red flags and can tank an interviewers chances

specific questions about me, my practice, our firm's expertise in certain areas, etc. do your homework and ask about nuances about the firm. general q's, not as strong. qs about practices we don't do.......

[Anonymous User]

not sure what market you are in but how does a 4.0 at a T25 in a major east coast market set someone up for NYC big law?

[itbdvorm]

Im at a t50 school, ranked #3. Expected to transfer but decided to stay. As a result, may have missed law review because I did it very last minute. I have an A in legal writing and good work experience.

How big of a blemish will it be if I miss law review? Interested in litigation.

How should I address the question in interviews? It'll probably be the top question asked. I don't want to sound like I'm making excuses.


Thanks for your help.

submit a good writing sample and it shouldn't matter. #3 should get you some great opportunities

[itbdvorm]

How do you predict median MVPers will do this OCI for NYC firms.

"fine"? no idea. depends on the person, firm, etc.

[itbdvorm]

not sure what market you are in but how does a 4.0 at a T25 in a major east coast market set someone up for NYC big law?

unless it's on a 5.0 scale, well i would think

[Anonymous User]

Thank you for posting... New here...

What are some questions that interviewers have asked you that really helped solidify your wanting to hire a person for a SA....or strongly recommend for hire

Conversely, what are some questions that are red flags and can tank an interviewers chances

specific questions about me, my practice, our firm's expertise in certain areas, etc. do your homework and ask about nuances about the firm. general q's, not as strong. qs about practices we don't do.......

Can you please give me an example(s) of the nuances to which you are referring?

[Anonymous User]

Do you google applicants?

[Anonymous User]

Do you google applicants?

This. Plus, how important is LinkedIn?

[itbdvorm]

Thank you for posting... New here...

What are some questions that interviewers have asked you that really helped solidify your wanting to hire a person for a SA....or strongly recommend for hire

Conversely, what are some questions that are red flags and can tank an interviewers chances

specific questions about me, my practice, our firm's expertise in certain areas, etc. do your homework and ask about nuances about the firm. general q's, not as strong. qs about practices we don't do.......

Can you please give me an example(s) of the nuances to which you are referring?

seriously, read two glossy handbooks about a firm / working for us. if you can't come up with anything that diferentiates the two that's worth asking about (i.e., Cravath - what has your experience been with the rotation system, how do you feel it developed you as an attorney, same q for kirkland but "free market")

[itbdvorm]

Do you google applicants?

This. Plus, how important is LinkedIn?

sometimes/sorta?

[Myself]

.

[Anonymous User]

tag