V15 Partner/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions... Forum

[Bronck]

Thanks for taking questions, they've been really helpful!

Any tips for how K-JDers should approach interviews? e.g., will the interview more-or-less focus on the 1L summer position, law school in general, and thoughts on the firm/law?

You mentioned earlier in this thread that you probably viewed gov jobs, jobs with banks, etc better than small firms, solo practitioners, etc. Where would PI jobs fall (since the majority of positions open to 1Ls are Gov and PI)?

[itbdvorm]

Thanks for taking questions, they've been really helpful!

Any tips for how K-JDers should approach interviews? e.g., will the interview more-or-less focus on the 1L summer position, law school in general, and thoughts on the firm/law?

You mentioned earlier in this thread that you probably viewed gov jobs, jobs with banks, etc better than small firms, solo practitioners, etc. Where would PI jobs fall (since the majority of positions open to 1Ls are Gov and PI)?

All depends on what the "PI" is. Where PI gets problematic is if it's clear you want to SAVE THE WORLD and think you're entitled to get paid for 2 years because you're special.

For your interview, be prepared to talk about why you went to law school, how you chose your paths, etc. Just be prepared to have your brain poked at a bit generally.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for taking questions, they've been really helpful!

Any tips for how K-JDers should approach interviews? e.g., will the interview more-or-less focus on the 1L summer position, law school in general, and thoughts on the firm/law?

You mentioned earlier in this thread that you probably viewed gov jobs, jobs with banks, etc better than small firms, solo practitioners, etc. Where would PI jobs fall (since the majority of positions open to 1Ls are Gov and PI)?

All depends on what the "PI" is. Where PI gets problematic is if it's clear you want to SAVE THE WORLD and think you're entitled to get paid for 2 years because you're special.

For your interview, be prepared to talk about why you went to law school, how you chose your paths, etc. Just be prepared to have your brain poked at a bit generally.

What if the reason for going to law school was primarily PI related?

[Anonymous User]

Lower t14, no journal, top quarter of the class, chances at your firm?

[Anonymous User]

I'm a COA clerk, but I don't quite have biglaw credentials (top 5 in my class at a second tier school in flyover land). I've had several biglaw interviews this year, but no luck yet. If I spend a few years at a v100 firm's office in a secondary market, could I eventually end up in a NYC, LA, or DC biglaw lit group? Is there anything I can do to to better my chances (e.g., I could pretty easily land a gig at the local USAO after 2 or 3 years. I could also go back and teach civ pro as an adjunct or something like that at my law school---most likely after work).

[itbdvorm]

Thanks for taking questions, they've been really helpful!

Any tips for how K-JDers should approach interviews? e.g., will the interview more-or-less focus on the 1L summer position, law school in general, and thoughts on the firm/law?

You mentioned earlier in this thread that you probably viewed gov jobs, jobs with banks, etc better than small firms, solo practitioners, etc. Where would PI jobs fall (since the majority of positions open to 1Ls are Gov and PI)?

All depends on what the "PI" is. Where PI gets problematic is if it's clear you want to SAVE THE WORLD and think you're entitled to get paid for 2 years because you're special.

For your interview, be prepared to talk about why you went to law school, how you chose your paths, etc. Just be prepared to have your brain poked at a bit generally.

What if the reason for going to law school was primarily PI related?

Then you should go do that. Why should I give you a spot that could have gone to someone who actually wants it?

[itbdvorm]

Lower t14, no journal, top quarter of the class, chances at your firm?

Uhh...maybe? Dunno specific school grade cutoffs.

[itbdvorm]

I'm a COA clerk, but I don't quite have biglaw credentials (top 5 in my class at a second tier school in flyover land). I've had several biglaw interviews this year, but no luck yet. If I spend a few years at a v100 firm's office in a secondary market, could I eventually end up in a NYC, LA, or DC biglaw lit group? Is there anything I can do to to better my chances (e.g., I could pretty easily land a gig at the local USAO after 2 or 3 years. I could also go back and teach civ pro as an adjunct or something like that at my law school---most likely after work).

All depends where local is. I'm surprised you're not getting more bites, even w/that resume, w/a COA clerk. Have you looked at DC?

Top 5 in class + COA sounds reasonably appealling all things considered (even from a fairly random school).

Guess part of the question would be why you're looking for some of these places. What's your end goal? You're presumably a year or two out of law school - at this point people start thinking about where they want to be long-term. Flyover country + random COA clerkship doesn't often equal "want to live in bigcity forever".

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for taking questions. I'm a devoutly religious person, and I'm curious about the best way to handle Sabbath work in the NYC BigLaw environment. Is there a way to avoid or significantly limit working on the Sabbath (whether Saturday or Sunday), without seriously annoying seniors, partners, or team members? Could a junior associate in this position compensate by being available at all other times and increasing hours and efficiency wherever possible? How would you look at a junior associate for whom this was important?
Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

Have you looked at DC?

Yes. That's where I had most of my interviews. Unfortunately, I struck out. I used to be very good at interviews, but this year I really pushed and didn't do great. I think there was some skepticism regarding whether I really wanted to move to a big city, but I think my interview performance was the main problem. The way I look at it, the secondary city I grew up in/went to undergrad and law school in/clerked in will always be there, and if it doesn't look like the firm has a place for me after 6-8 years, I could always go back home.

Do you ever see people move in to your firm from a more secondary city (e.g. Denver, Phoenix, Sacramento, Raleigh)?

[drbarry987]

Can you tell if an interviewee is wearing Jos a Bank vs. Brooks Brothers? How important is suit brand so long as both are well tailored?

[Sauer Grapes]

Can you tell if an interviewee is wearing Jos a Bank vs. Brooks Brothers? How important is suit brand so long as both are well tailored?

I can answer this. Stop worrying about details like this.

If your suit is clean, is reasonably well tailored, and it's not too showy, you'll do fine.

You don't want them remembering how you dressed. You want them remembering why they want to hire you.

[JDizzle2015]

Are you involved with hiring 1L SAs? If so, would you recommend emailing firms after 1st semester grades are out or on Dec 1st?

[itbdvorm]

Thanks for taking questions. I'm a devoutly religious person, and I'm curious about the best way to handle Sabbath work in the NYC BigLaw environment. Is there a way to avoid or significantly limit working on the Sabbath (whether Saturday or Sunday), without seriously annoying seniors, partners, or team members? Could a junior associate in this position compensate by being available at all other times and increasing hours and efficiency wherever possible? How would you look at a junior associate for whom this was important?
Thanks.

you need to make sure you fulfill the job requirements (i.e., including the hours you would have worked) during non-sabbath hours. honestly? it's pretty tough. doable...but really quite tough.

[itbdvorm]

Have you looked at DC?

Yes. That's where I had most of my interviews. Unfortunately, I struck out. I used to be very good at interviews, but this year I really pushed and didn't do great. I think there was some skepticism regarding whether I really wanted to move to a big city, but I think my interview performance was the main problem. The way I look at it, the secondary city I grew up in/went to undergrad and law school in/clerked in will always be there, and if it doesn't look like the firm has a place for me after 6-8 years, I could always go back home.

Do you ever see people move in to your firm from a more secondary city (e.g. Denver, Phoenix, Sacramento, Raleigh)?

happens all the time. but also - DC is very tough to break into generally.

again, not sure specifics...but on your own you sound like an appealing candidate. i'd keep at it. chicago?

[itbdvorm]

Can you tell if an interviewee is wearing Jos a Bank vs. Brooks Brothers? How important is suit brand so long as both are well tailored?

I can answer this. Stop worrying about details like this.

If your suit is clean, is reasonably well tailored, and it's not too showy, you'll do fine.

You don't want them remembering how you dressed. You want them remembering why they want to hire you.

agreed

[itbdvorm]

Are you involved with hiring 1L SAs? If so, would you recommend emailing firms after 1st semester grades are out or on Dec 1st?

nope. not sure what makes sense. 1L SAs don't really exist that much anymore

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for taking questions, they've been really helpful!

Any tips for how K-JDers should approach interviews? e.g., will the interview more-or-less focus on the 1L summer position, law school in general, and thoughts on the firm/law?

You mentioned earlier in this thread that you probably viewed gov jobs, jobs with banks, etc better than small firms, solo practitioners, etc. Where would PI jobs fall (since the majority of positions open to 1Ls are Gov and PI)?

All depends on what the "PI" is. Where PI gets problematic is if it's clear you want to SAVE THE WORLD and think you're entitled to get paid for 2 years because you're special.

For your interview, be prepared to talk about why you went to law school, how you chose your paths, etc. Just be prepared to have your brain poked at a bit generally.

What if the reason for going to law school was primarily PI related?

Then you should go do that. Why should I give you a spot that could have gone to someone who actually wants it?

Well, I have various reasons for wanting to do big law: (1) most good government jobs do not go to straight out grads but instead laterals from firms, (2) the training at firms seems to be superior to PI jobs and I think building a solid foundation for a career would be helpful and important, (3) I have $200k in debt to retire and big law makes that possible much quicker. I'm guessing none of these reasons really matter to an interviewer, but I don't plan on being a flight risk. I don't want them to sink a lot of costs into me and have me run off 2 years in. I'll be fine staying the normal 4-5 years. It's just that my end career goal would be a job in a government agency like the DOJ or USAO and they rarely hire fresh grads.

Am I looking to get boned at OCI?

[Bronck]

Can you tell if an interviewee is wearing Jos a Bank vs. Brooks Brothers? How important is suit brand so long as both are well tailored?

I can answer this. Stop worrying about details like this.

If your suit is clean, is reasonably well tailored, and it's not too showy, you'll do fine.

You don't want them remembering how you dressed. You want them remembering why they want to hire you.

agreed

Following up on that, a lot of people on here seem to be pretty adamant about only wearing plain charcoal/navy blue suits. Would a subdued navy blue pinstripe really be that bad?

[Detrox]

Can you tell if an interviewee is wearing Jos a Bank vs. Brooks Brothers? How important is suit brand so long as both are well tailored?

I can answer this. Stop worrying about details like this.

If your suit is clean, is reasonably well tailored, and it's not too showy, you'll do fine.

You don't want them remembering how you dressed. You want them remembering why they want to hire you.

agreed

Following up on that, a lot of people on here seem to be pretty adamant about only wearing plain charcoal/navy blue suits. Would a subdued navy blue pinstripe really be that bad?

No. This board greatly exaggerates the importance/relevance of clothes in this process. Suits that don't make people do a double take when they look at you will be fine, charcoal & navy are just the traditional/safe choices but pin stripes (within reason) are fine as are most slight variations.

[dixiecupdrinking]

I can answer this. Stop worrying about details like this.

If your suit is clean, is reasonably well tailored, and it's not too showy, you'll do fine.

You don't want them remembering how you dressed. You want them remembering why they want to hire you.

agreed

Following up on that, a lot of people on here seem to be pretty adamant about only wearing plain charcoal/navy blue suits. Would a subdued navy blue pinstripe really be that bad?

No. This board greatly exaggerates the importance/relevance of clothes in this process. Suits that don't make people do a double take when they look at you will be fine, charcoal & navy are just the traditional/safe choices but pin stripes (within reason) are fine as are most slight variations.

Yeah, I am fairly certain in the real world 95% of people don't give two shits about how 95% of other people are dressed. Working in a biglaw office is not exactly like stepping into a GQ photo spread.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Then you should go do that. Why should I give you a spot that could have gone to someone who actually wants it?

Well, I have various reasons for wanting to do big law: (1) most good government jobs do not go to straight out grads but instead laterals from firms, (2) the training at firms seems to be superior to PI jobs and I think building a solid foundation for a career would be helpful and important, (3) I have $200k in debt to retire and big law makes that possible much quicker. I'm guessing none of these reasons really matter to an interviewer, but I don't plan on being a flight risk. I don't want them to sink a lot of costs into me and have me run off 2 years in. I'll be fine staying the normal 4-5 years. It's just that my end career goal would be a job in a government agency like the DOJ or USAO and they rarely hire fresh grads.

Am I looking to get boned at OCI?

You're focusing too much on your own motives and goals. You need to be thinking about this from the employer's perspective. Even considering that you expect to stay 5 years, say, your justification above does not make it sound like you're going to be happy and put in a lot of good honest work over that time. Lots of people go into firms wanting to transition to the government, so you're not alone in that regard, but you need to focus more on why you want to work at the firm and what you'll bring to the table -- pick a practice area that's related to the government agency you hope to go to, talk about how you want to get experience in Firm X's excellent Y and Z Practice; get genuinely enthused about it and you don't have to go in feeling like you're hiding some big secret from the firm with the fact that you think you're gonna want to bail in 5 years (you and most of everyone else, they know already).

[Anonymous User]

happens all the time.

If the best I can land is, e.g., dla piper in Phoenix, is there anything in particular I can do to get myself into a big firm in a big city? Or do I just keep my head down, do good work, and hope for the best?

Thanks for answering questions.

[keg411]

Thanks for taking questions. I'm a devoutly religious person, and I'm curious about the best way to handle Sabbath work in the NYC BigLaw environment. Is there a way to avoid or significantly limit working on the Sabbath (whether Saturday or Sunday), without seriously annoying seniors, partners, or team members? Could a junior associate in this position compensate by being available at all other times and increasing hours and efficiency wherever possible? How would you look at a junior associate for whom this was important?
Thanks.

If you're talking Saturday, there's a not insignificant contingent of religious Jews in BigLaw. When you do your summer (or when you get offers for 2L summer), seek at least one out at the firm and ask them for advice.

[Bronck]

No. This board greatly exaggerates the importance/relevance of clothes in this process. Suits that don't make people do a double take when they look at you will be fine, charcoal & navy are just the traditional/safe choices but pin stripes (within reason) are fine as are most slight variations.

Yeah, I am fairly certain in the real world 95% of people don't give two shits about how 95% of other people are dressed. Working in a biglaw office is not exactly like stepping into a GQ photo spread.

Thanks guys