1L Summer Job Search C/O 2018 Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does timing really matter for when I submit an application for an SA? Should I really hold off sending it Friday afternoon until Monday morning? I would expect that apps are reviewed in the order submitted, but curious if there was a consensus.

In my (limited) experience, I doubt it matters. I sent mine out over the weekend and heard back from some on the same day. Most responded thought the next week and some are still trickling in two weeks later. No correlation between speed of reply and where I've landed interviews.

Thanks for the response. So I realize there's no real way to know this but: is it possible that an application would go unseen/unreviewed because it was sent in off-hours? Just sitting and waiting to hear back now since most recruiters don't even acknowledge receipt of my app.

[Anonymous User]

thoughts on Senate/House "law clerk" positions? I'm concerned it won't be ~legal enough~

[liz9332]

thoughts on Senate/House "law clerk" positions? I'm concerned it won't be ~legal enough~

Also a 1L so this is just my 2 cents...but if your concerned about it not being legal enough as far as being able to sell it during OCI, I think you can make any summer job sound legal enough if you create the right narrative. But the question is what kind of legal. If your looking to go big law it might be tough because I would imagine the work they'd have you doing would be more regulatory, but you could always explain to firms that was a good learning experience but this isn't for you or if you want to do firm work that has heavy interactions with the gov./regulatory agencies you could say it was a chance to see how the other side thinks. Essentially, it all comes down to narrative.

[Anonymous User]

Should I take the 1L summer job in a bigger USAO office with a well-structured intern program and super interesting work, or the internship in a smaller USAO office with less interesting work and fewer interns BUT it's in the same geographic location as my school so I'll be able to stay in the same apartment for the summer/stay with my spouse/all the other great things that come along with that? The bigger one is in my hometown and I'd be able to stay with family, so financially it's a wash. I would like to work in criminal law after graduation, ideally in the geographic area of the bigger office, so working there would reinforce my ties there (but the ties are pretty strong regardless). No interest in biglaw. Will not be doing OCI.

Anyone have any advice? I'm really leaning staying put and working at the smaller office, but I feel like I *should* take the other job in some ways

[Effingham]

thoughts on Senate/House "law clerk" positions? I'm concerned it won't be ~legal enough~

Also a 1L so this is just my 2 cents...but if your concerned about it not being legal enough as far as being able to sell it during OCI, I think you can make any summer job sound legal enough if you create the right narrative. But the question is what kind of legal. If your looking to go big law it might be tough because I would imagine the work they'd have you doing would be more regulatory, but you could always explain to firms that was a good learning experience but this isn't for you or if you want to do firm work that has heavy interactions with the gov./regulatory agencies you could say it was a chance to see how the other side thinks. Essentially, it all comes down to narrative.

I'll chime in because I don't love this advice, even though it is pretty accurate. Biglaw employers do not care or expect you to do anything related to what they do during your 1l summer. This is coming from someone who sold a judicial internship on a transactional narrative. Senate/house law clerk sounds like a really cool position, it is definitely "legal" enough and if you're interested in that type of work you should definitely go for it. But, as the other person correctly said, be able to relate it to a narrative you're trying to sell.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Should I take the 1L summer job in a bigger USAO office with a well-structured intern program and super interesting work, or the internship in a smaller USAO office with less interesting work and fewer interns BUT it's in the same geographic location as my school so I'll be able to stay in the same apartment for the summer/stay with my spouse/all the other great things that come along with that? The bigger one is in my hometown and I'd be able to stay with family, so financially it's a wash. I would like to work in criminal law after graduation, ideally in the geographic area of the bigger office, so working there would reinforce my ties there (but the ties are pretty strong regardless). No interest in biglaw. Will not be doing OCI.

Anyone have any advice? I'm really leaning staying put and working at the smaller office, but I feel like I *should* take the other job in some ways

I tend to think you should take the bigger one too, especially since it's a wash financially. Not that the smaller one will hurt you, it just sounds like the bigger one offers a bit more.

[BigZuck]

thoughts on Senate/House "law clerk" positions? I'm concerned it won't be ~legal enough~

Also a 1L so this is just my 2 cents...but if your concerned about it not being legal enough as far as being able to sell it during OCI, I think you can make any summer job sound legal enough if you create the right narrative. But the question is what kind of legal. If your looking to go big law it might be tough because I would imagine the work they'd have you doing would be more regulatory, but you could always explain to firms that was a good learning experience but this isn't for you or if you want to do firm work that has heavy interactions with the gov./regulatory agencies you could say it was a chance to see how the other side thinks. Essentially, it all comes down to narrative.

I'll chime in because I don't love this advice, even though it is pretty accurate. Biglaw employers do not care or expect you to do anything related to what they do during your 1l summer. This is coming from someone who sold a judicial internship on a transactional narrative. Senate/house law clerk sounds like a really cool position, it is definitely "legal" enough and if you're interested in that type of work you should definitely go for it. But, as the other person correctly said, be able to relate it to a narrative you're trying to sell.

Yeah, I also get the sense that big firm employers don't really care what you do 1L summer, as long as it's legal.

And by that I mean they might care (in a positive way) if what you did 1L summer really aligns with what they do and thus your narrative for "Why X firm" is less BS-y, but I don't think any will really hold it against you if you worked at a DA's office and now say you were born and bred to be a transactional bro.

[Anonymous User]

thoughts on Senate/House "law clerk" positions? I'm concerned it won't be ~legal enough~

a 3l at my school clerked for the judiciary committee her 1L year and is headed to a COA clerkship. you'll be fine. but understand it will be quite competitive.

[Anonymous User]

Random question, how many of you digitized your signature and embedded it in your cover letter? I did at the advice of an upperclassman and I'm curious how common that is.

I did this. It's pretty common in industry, presumably carries over into law.

I did on most of mine. Do it if you know how to but it probably doesn't matter at all.

[Glasseyes]

Random question, how many of you digitized your signature and embedded it in your cover letter? I did at the advice of an upperclassman and I'm curious how common that is.

I did this. It's pretty common in industry, presumably carries over into law.

I did on most of mine. Do it if you know how to but it probably doesn't matter at all.

It definitely doesn't matter. If they even read your cover letter (wouldn't bet on it), they certainly give zero fucks about a try-hard detail like a digitized sig. But by all means; firms like try-hards anyway

[Anonymous User]

Same anon as above. Received CB invite.

Wondering if you have scheduled your mofo CB yet?

[Anonymous User]

Same anon as above. Received CB invite.

Wondering if you have scheduled your mofo CB yet?

Yes, I have. Nervous/excited for it.

[Anonymous User]

Same anon as above. Received CB invite.

Wondering if you have scheduled your mofo CB yet?

Yes, I have. Nervous/excited for it.

I know what you mean, hoping the best for you. Was it a long process or completed within a day or two?

[Anonymous User]

Any movement from Chicago firms? I've only had responses confirming receipt of transcripts. No dings yet, though. HYSCCN URM

[Anonymous User]

Same anon as above. Received CB invite.

Wondering if you have scheduled your mofo CB yet?

Yes, I have. Nervous/excited for it.

Office?

[Anonymous User]

Any movement from Chicago firms? I've only had responses confirming receipt of transcripts. No dings yet, though. HYSCCN URM

was dinged by K&L Gates last week i think

[Anonymous User]

Same anon as above. Received CB invite.

Wondering if you have scheduled your mofo CB yet?

Yes, I have. Nervous/excited for it.

I know what you mean, hoping the best for you. Was it a long process or completed within a day or two?

Screener to CB invite and CB invite to scheduled CB each took ~ a week.

SF office, to the other anon.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know general turn around between interviewing at Manhattan DA for summer and the offer? In a pinch with another offer and deadline.

[Anonymous User]

Hoping someone could chime in. I interviewed with a V50 firm last week. I sent out thank you emails to all of my interviewers the same day, and this afternoon a partner responded saying, "...you are a strong candidate ...hope you receive good news!"

Thoughts? Does this mean I'm likely to get the offer? My other interviews at the same firm went well I think. I'm just nervous because my grades are not stellar. I'm at median/if not just below at CCN and I'm wondering how much grades are weighed in relation to the interviews?

[Anonymous User]

Hoping someone could chime in. I interviewed with a V50 firm last week. I sent out thank you emails to all of my interviewers the same day, and this afternoon a partner responded saying, "...you are a strong candidate ...hope your receive good news!"

Thoughts? Does this mean I'm likely to get the offer? My other interviews at the same firm went well I think. I'm just nervous because my grades are not stellar. I'm at median/if not just below at CCN and I'm wondering how much grades are weighed in relation to the interviews?

URM? If so, yeah your odds are there. If you're not diverse then I wouldn't count on it at all. Also depends on if it's in a secondary market where you have strong ties.

[Anonymous User]

A callback interviewer goes to church (listed on firm bio page). I am also of the Christian persuasion. I know religion and politics are off limits, but if you know you have something in common, bring it up?

[Anonymous User]

A callback interviewer goes to church (listed on firm bio page). I am also of the Christian persuasion. Bring it up?

No.

[buckiguy_sucks]

For in house apps is "why in house" a good topic of discussion or does it need to be why specific company

[BigZuck]

For in house apps is "why in house" a good topic of discussion or does it need to be why specific company

Inclined to say "why specific company"

What does "why in house" look like?

[Anonymous User]

For in house apps is "why in house" a good topic of discussion or does it need to be why specific company

Inclined to say "why specific company"

What does "why in house" look like?

If its a program that actually hires, i guess you could include something about why you want to go straight in-house vs. a firm. If it's a generic in-house gig where they're just looking for cheap legal help (which can be a great 1L job) they'll know and expect your plan will be to go to a firm. No need to talk about why you want to be in-house, just explain how your experience makes you a good fit for them. They'll want you to be able to jump right in and have a functional understanding of the business.