HLS EIP 2021 Forum

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard from S&C (TRH)

[Anonymous User]

I had 24 interviews and 0 callbacks. This sucks. But thanks for the insight. Do you have any suggestions on the next steps I should take? I don't really trust OCS to give me the right information.

Did your firm consider fewer candidates due to COVID or just a general economical outlook?

I'm the partner OCI interviewer from last night. I'm most familiar with the OCI route, so I don't have any specialized insight into next steps post-OCI. Just from instinct, I'd:

- Consider options outside the largest firms, both private sector and otherwise. (If you really want biglaw and are focused on litigation, remember that you can clerk and have a second clean bite at the biglaw apple during your post-clerkship job search.)

- Keep an eye out for firms that may end up with an open summer spot later in the year. Sometimes firms are too conservative with how many offers they make to callback candidates, then actually end up with an extra spot or two when their offerees accept other firms' offers.

- I actually would talk to OCS for other ideas (and for their tips on how to find out about those late-surfacing SA spots I mentioned). I had decent experiences with them as a law student and alum. MW and KS (for clerkships) have long been good resources; not sure about the other current staff since it's been quite a while since I graduated.

Also, not sure when you guys finished OCI this year, but sometimes you'll have callbacks surface a few days later than expected. This can mean that you were initially a "hold" candidate, but that you're being called back after fewer than expected callback invitees accepted callbacks. So you may not have struck out yet.

Regarding my firm's summer class: we actually had a banner 2020 and are in active growth mode, so our summer class is likely to be larger than ever before, and we are actively hiring lateral associates into many groups. I'm not sure that's representative; some firms had banner 2020s while others struggled, and may well be reducing their summer classes.

[Anonymous User]

I’m the user that posted what you commented to.

Thanks for taking the time to write out this thoughtful reply! It’s really to nice to hear that what I assumed the issues were is probably what happened. I know I did well from a personal standpoint and I truly put my best foot forward. I can’t expect any more than that from myself and I have accepted that. But it’s reassuring to hear that there are indeed factors outside of the interview that can really make it or break it, as I do feel that is what happened with me a lot. And I thank you for taking a kind and holistic approach to the interview process, and for advocating for students when you can.

That said, do you have any advice for standing out during my 2 callbacks? I am obviously very nervous as it seems like these 2 callbacks are all I have and I am banking a lot of them. Would love to hear any advice you have! Thanks again.

Partner OCI interviewer anon, one more time.

Since you only have two CBs so far, you have a great opportunity to do a deep dive into both firms. You'll want to show a lot of enthusiasm for both, and by definition, one will be your top choice: tell them that. (My firm will prioritize people who sincerely indicate they are our number one choice and credibly tell us that they would accept an offer promptly if extended. Since we are conservative with our offers (we don't want to over-offer and end up with too many people/insufficient work for each junior), it helps to have candidates who we know want us specifically and won't need the entirety of the NALP period to decide.)

If you haven't already, take the time to do informational interviews with people linked to those two firms - could be current partners/associates or HLS 3Ls who summered at the firm (I assume OCS can connect you to the 3Ls if you aren't sure how to find them.) Every year I have 1-5 HLS students email me just based on the alum connection/my firm bio and ask to do an informational interview about my firm and practice group. I always speak with each of them. People who come to their callbacks having spoken with multiple attorneys or recent SAs tend to impress as having done their research about the firm and can give much better substantive answers to why they think the firm is the right fit for them.

Once you get your interviewer list, look hard at their bios, recent cases/deals, etc. Maybe do some reading on key matters your interviewers were recently involved in - cite them as examples of the type of work you are focused on doing.

If possible - and it's not for everyone, especially K-JDs (I was in this boat) - if you have a clear narrative re area of interest at the firm that's also connected to your LS coursework, journal/extracurriculars, clinicals, and any pre-law school experiences that interested you in the area - you are likely to come off as a more compelling/focused candidate than those who tell us they are an "open book," "aren't really sure what they want to do," "are willing to try all forms of general litigation/corporate, etc." Even if you are genuinely in the "are willing to try," follow that up with, "...but I especially want to prioritize topics A-C, which I believe would likely be good fits for me because...." And needless to say, topics A-C should be areas of expertise for the firm you are interviewing with. (Confirm this when you do your informational interviews because sometimes areas are listed on the firm's website that are not highly emphasized in practice.)

Beyond all this substance: come off as excited about the firm and appreciative of their consideration (but don't overdo it.) Be aware that many attorneys who didn't go to HLS (or HYS) may be on the alert for any hint of arrogance or entitlement from HLS students; don't let them detect it from you. Be the proverbial personable junior colleague they think they'd enjoy working with even at midnight during a busy filing/night at the printers/etc.

Also, schedule callbacks as early in the callback window as you can. Some firms give a lot of offers early in their callback period and then worry about filling their class up too quickly, so they slow the pace of offers.
Others only extend one offer per available spot to avoid having a larger than desired summer class. In either of these cases, it can be harder to get an offer if you interview later in the firm's callback window.

Good luck. I'm notoriously bad at showing up on TLS for a day or two and then getting busy and forgetting to check the site for months at a time (which is I gave up on AMAs because I kept forgetting to see them through), but please post how the callbacks go for you. Would love to hear what happened, if I can remember to check back.

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone hear from Cleary?

Do we think Cleary will send out emails after the long weekend now? Seems strange to wait this long but also haven't heard of anyone getting a CB...

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone hear from Cleary?

Do we think Cleary will send out emails after the long weekend now? Seems strange to wait this long but also haven't heard of anyone getting a CB...

CLS student here. It took approximately 2 days for Cleary NY CBs because they decide by committee. It might not be until Monday that you all hear.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard from Cleary today?

I got a Cleary DC cb email last night, but still waiting to hear from NY

[Anonymous User]

Cleary NY CB via email just now

[Anonymous User]

How "optional" do we think the Cleary "optional personal statement" is...

[Anonymous User]

Cleary NY CB via email just now

Was it by your interviewer? And what were your interviewer’s initials?

[Anonymous User]

Cleary NY CB via email just now

Was it by your interviewer? And what were your interviewer’s initials?

Interviewer initials were JK, but email was from someone else

[Anonymous User]

Cleary NY (interviewer FO) CB anyone?

[Anonymous User]

Cleary NY CB via email just now

Was it by your interviewer? And what were your interviewer’s initials?

Interviewer initials were JK, but email was from someone else

Anyone with MP hear?

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone else hear from Cleary (other than JK)?

[jacky9]

Penn-law student targeting the Los Angeles market here. Anyone hear back from WH Los Angeles or Munger?

[Anonymous User]

Cleary NY CB via email just now

Was it by your interviewer? And what were your interviewer’s initials?

Interviewer initials were JK, but email was from someone else

Anyone with MP hear?

I had MP and heard earlier tonight!

[butterfly16]

Did any DC firms give callback interviews today?

[Anonymous User]

Any Cleary NY with DH?

[Anonymous User]

MoFo SF callback anyone (interviewer AG)?

[Anonymous User]

MoFo SF callback anyone (interviewer AG)?

Different interviewer, but also haven't heard back.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard from Covington NY (AD)?

[yjsr]

I heard from Cleary NY (interviewer MF) - both email and phone - at around 1230!

[Anonymous User]

Any Shearman people with AP get an email from recruiting yet?

[Anonymous User]

Any Shearman people with AP get an email from recruiting yet?

same question, but with JD !

[Anonymous User]

Any Shearman people with AP get an email from recruiting yet?

did you already get a CB?

[Anonymous User]

Letting the CB go to voicemail, then just scheduling when recruiting sends you a link is fine, right? I try to do a "less is more" approach to communications, but don't want to be rude.