After striking out, are your 2L summer options basically Forum

[Omerta]

As a fellow central Florida bro, I pm'ed you.

[20121109]

The way the words "gay" and "retarded" are used ITT is uncalled for.

OP is banned for a week.

[sjedood]

The way the words "gay" and "retarded" are used ITT is uncalled for.

OP is banned for a week.

you can do that? Thats harsh.

[PM61]

The way the words "gay" and "retarded" are used ITT is uncalled for.

OP is banned for a week.

you can do that? Thats harsh.

yeah especially when the guy is at a fairly important stage in his life and looking for advice

[20121109]

The way the words "gay" and "retarded" are used ITT is uncalled for.

OP is banned for a week.

you can do that? Thats harsh.

yeah especially when the guy is at a fairly important stage in his life and looking for advice

To be fair, he could have easily done it without using any offensive language. Sorry, it's just TLS policy. But I hear you....

ETA: Ban changed to only 24 hours. Please be careful to not use inappropriate language.

[174]

Drop out and pursue something else.

[sky7]

Step 1: Get approved to take the Patent Bar
Step 2: Mass mail a bunch of GP firms with strong IP + IP Boutiques telling them that you are approved to take the patent bar, and will within the next few months.
Step 3: Pass Patent Bar
Step 4: Do well on interviews.
Step 5: Profit.

I'm currently on step 4.

[thrillerjesus]

The way the words "gay" and "retarded" are used ITT is uncalled for.

OP is banned for a week.

you can do that? Thats harsh.

yeah especially when the guy is at a fairly important stage in his life and looking for advice

To be fair, he could have easily done it without using any offensive language. Sorry, it's just TLS policy. But I hear you....

ETA: Ban changed to only 24 hours. Please be careful to not use inappropriate language.

How is using "gay" and "retarded" in a thread offensive, but having "bitch" in your avatar not? Perhaps we should not punish people for "offensive" language without making clear where the line is. Or just not do it at all, because it's silly and kind of fascist. Because that looks like an absurd double standard to me.

[Antilles Haven]

How is using "gay" and "retarded" in a thread offensive, but having "bitch" in your avatar not? Perhaps we should not punish people for "offensive" language without making clear where the line is. Or just not do it at all, because it's silly and kind of fascist. Because that looks like an absurd double standard to me.

That's probably a question to be asked here. But there's a very distinct difference between a word that's offensive in and of itself like "fuck" and a slur that is derogatory and offensive to a specific group of people. The latter is, for good reason, taboo.

[MrAnon]

The drawback of going the private route is that you risk going to a firm that no future employer heard of and will assume is shitlaw because he/she didn't hear of it. With public sector work you dont risk that. Even if you go to the Amarillo DA's office, well, everyone knows the Amarillo DA's office, in a sense anyway. But the bottom line is this--you should take the best job you can find now. If you think private practice is best for you in the longterm, and thats where you wish to end up, take the private practice job now and dont worry about getting biglaw down the road because the chances are sooooo slim you will get it.

You got to this point with lots of careful planning---carefully taking the LSAT, carefully choosing a school---and things didnt quite work out the way you had hoped. Don't try to think so strategically anymore. Just roll with the best thing in front of you.

[kahechsof]

How is using "gay" and "retarded" in a thread offensive, but having "bitch" in your avatar not? Perhaps we should not punish people for "offensive" language without making clear where the line is. Or just not do it at all, because it's silly and kind of fascist. Because that looks like an absurd double standard to me.

That's probably a question to be asked here. But there's a very distinct difference between a word that's offensive in and of itself like "fuck" and a slur that is derogatory and offensive to a specific group of people. The latter is, for good reason, taboo.

I usually use the term "retarded" when I want to refer to something foolish or idiotic or moronic.
See, I happen to know some people who are fools, idiots, morons, knuckleheads, stupid, and dolts; and I don't want to use their condition as a pejorative.

[Luboman411]

I'm a gay man and found the language the OP used offensive. But likewise, I also agree that there is a double-standard going on if the person who banned the OP also uses "bitch" on her avatar. Some would find that word derogatory to women. For example, I might not personally find the term "[homophobic language redacted]" offensive because I want to "empower" myself by taking the word back. Yet I would never think of using it on an avatar name precisely because I am considerate of others' feelings. So the person who censored the OP, keep things consistent.

Besides, I am willing to cut someone who is frustrated and stymied by the job search some slack. It's stressful out there, and what good are websites like these for if not for venting about the roller-coaster ride that is the search for gainful legal employment?

[Big Shrimpin]

Step 1: Get approved to take the Patent Bar
Step 2: Mass mail a bunch of GP firms with strong IP + IP Boutiques telling them that you are approved to take the patent bar, and will within the next few months.
Step 3: Pass Patent Bar
Step 4: Do well on interviews.
Step 5: Profit.

I'm currently on step 4.

Good advice. If OP is into patent work, this should be on the list of things to do.

For future reference/current 1Ls, however, do all of this during your 1L summer (or, if you're really feeling ambitious, while you're an 0L). Firms hiring IP doods love that reg #.

[20121109]

I'm a gay man and found the language the OP used offensive. But likewise, I also agree that there is a double-standard going on if the person who banned the OP also uses "bitch" on her avatar. Some would find that word derogatory to women. For example, I might not personally find the term "[homophobic language redacted]" offensive because I want to "empower" myself by taking the word back. Yet I would never think of using it on an avatar name precisely because I am considerate of others' feelings. So the person who censored the OP, keep things consistent.

Besides, I am willing to cut someone who is frustrated and stymied by the job search some slack. It's stressful out there, and what good are websites like these for if not for venting about the roller-coaster ride that is the search for gainful legal employment?

I see the irony...and I hear you. I even lowered the ban because I understand how difficult OCI can be. FYI, "The Sweetest Bitch on TLS" is a lame Jersey Shore reference. See Sammie Sweetheart. Try not to read into it anymore than that.

Anyone can use foul language around here, even a lot of mods use it, especially in the lounge. But we do have higher standards in on-topic forums and the terms "gay" or "retarded" to describe what is essentially "shitlaw", could easily be construed as offensive to homosexual and disabled groups. My use of "sweetest bitch," to be a somewhat self-deprecating joke is not the same. In fact, I hoped the term to be seen as oxymoronic, and thus hardly carry the same negative connotations.

If you have anymore problems, please refer to Moderation and Complaint Thread that is stickied in the lounge. I do not want this thread to be derailed.

[Kabuo]

"Yeah, but I don't mean "bitches" in a desrespectful way. I mean it as a general word for women." -Riley Freeman

[20121109]

"Yeah, but I don't mean "bitches" in a desrespectful way. I mean it as a general word for women." -Riley Freeman

I know this is supposed to be a joke because I love the Boondocks, but again, including that word in my tag to playfully reference a TV show, does not mean that I think all women are bitches.

[Kabuo]

Yeah, I know, just couldn't resist. Unfortunately the wikiquote I copied and pasted from misspelled "disrespectful."

[Grizz]

Typical TLS: useful thread degenerates to garbage.

[romothesavior]

OP, you are a hard science guy at ND on LR with good grades. You should be targeting the IP world hard. I know people up and down the grade curve at WUSTL who targeted IP jobs and got them. Did you not do this? You say you didn't apply to any IP shops. What about other IP jobs? Are you selling yourself properly? I obviously don't know the full situation, but I feel like a person in your position should have a job right now. It makes me think that you're either 1) not marketing yourself well or 2) not a very good interviewer. The firm jobs are drying up fast, but if you can attack it in the right way, you might still be able to get something.

[Indifferent]

OP, if you want Florida firms, do this:

• 1. Go to http://www.martindale.com
  2. Search Tools>>Law Firms
  3. State/Province = FL >> Search
  4. Research/apply to every firm with 25-149 attorneys - a lot of these firms hire off cycle
  5. Profit

If you can attend ANY networking events in your target market, DO IT.

I know plenty of people who got picked up by 2-20 attorney firms just by doing a bit of networking legwork - some of these firms weren't even planning on having intens and have now extended those same friends job offers.

The 2L job search hardly stops at OCI. Granted, getting biglaw now is unlikely, though not impossible if you can land a solid clerkship.

Good luck.

[romothesavior]

With your grades, you gun for AIII shit in central FL.

Also this. It may be the one way you can salvage your biglaw hopes.

[c3pO4]

OP, you are a hard science guy at ND on LR with good grades. You should be targeting the IP world hard. I know people up and down the grade curve at WUSTL who targeted IP jobs and got them. Did you not do this? You say you didn't apply to any IP shops. What about other IP jobs? Are you selling yourself properly? I obviously don't know the full situation, but I feel like a person in your position should have a job right now. It makes me think that you're either 1) not marketing yourself well or 2) not a very good interviewer. The firm jobs are drying up fast, but if you can attack it in the right way, you might still be able to get something.

This. Fell off my seat when I heard OP nonchalantly say "didn't really target IP firms." This is why OP is struggling. If you are a biochem, everybody outside IP wonders what you are doing. Also, IP firms will swallow you up. I know plenty of median from below notre dame with IP and great biglaw offers. You better have applied toe very IP boutique in America by tomorrow morning, or else you are completely crazy. ITE ditch your dreams and just sell yourself effectively.

This is 100% something that could've been fixed by smarter application strategy.

[Anonymous User]

Given that I am in a similar position as OP, is there some broader advice for us 2L (non-IP) people who struck out?

For example, are RAs, judicial internships, PI internships, etc. frowned upon?

More specific to me (and OP a bit), I actually still have a chance at clerkships as of now. What employment would look best on clerkship applications for those who struck out?

[Anonymous User]

Given that I am in a similar position as OP, is there some broader advice for us 2L (non-IP) people who struck out?

For example, are RAs, judicial internships, PI internships, etc. frowned upon?

More specific to me (and OP a bit), I actually still have a chance at clerkships as of now. What employment would look best on clerkship applications for those who struck out?

I'm biased in favor of judicial internships because that's what I did and ended up with a clerkship after. In theory it's probably the best thing to do once you've struck out, but I'm not sure how much it actually helps in reality.

I wouldn't RA for a summer, it's more of a thing to do during the school year.

[zomginternets]

Given that I am in a similar position as OP, is there some broader advice for us 2L (non-IP) people who struck out?

For example, are RAs, judicial internships, PI internships, etc. frowned upon?

More specific to me (and OP a bit), I actually still have a chance at clerkships as of now. What employment would look best on clerkship applications for those who struck out?

I'm biased in favor of judicial internships because that's what I did and ended up with a clerkship after. In theory it's probably the best thing to do once you've struck out, but I'm not sure how much it actually helps in reality.

I wouldn't RA for a summer, it's more of a thing to do during the school year.

Slight thread derail--do you feel your internship contributed to your getting a clerkship? If so, how? PM me if you don't want to openly discuss/derail thread further.