V15 Partner/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions... Forum

[desertlaw]

Shall I look to network before I start law school this fall? If so, any tips? Thanks!

Rising 3L here with biglaw SA position in V20. Yes, start networking in home market w/attorneys that are alumni of your law school & undergrad and also any attorney contacts through your family/current job/friends. Ask them to go to coffee to chat about law school and any advice they might have. Attorneys love talking about their law school glory days and also they usually enjoy helping 0L's out (at least in my experience). Building this network now will come in handy when looking for a 1L or 2L gig, or even beyond. Keep in touch with them during school year - drop an e-mail a few times a year or grab lunch/coffee when you are back in town.

(Can probably do the same w/attorneys that are in the market you hope to go to after law school - just do it via e-mail if you're not in same town now as what you want for 2L SA or graduation job).

[itbdvorm]

Shall I look to network before I start law school this fall? If so, any tips? Thanks!

never stop networking. never know who's going to go on to great things.

[Anonymous User]

What do you think are the metrics we should use to avoid the next Dewey as best we can?

Also, is there a way to compare firms when it comes to quality/liklihood of exit options? Given the amount of 0Ls/1Ls that post like they know everything about the professoin, I don't tend to trust the stuff that flies around this site.

[Anonymous User]

Rising 2L here, I'm meeting a V20 partner for a drink next week, what kinds of things should I ask him? What can I do to impress him? He is involved in the hiring process

[Anonymous User]

Guy walks into OCI properly dressed, with well managed hair down almost to his shoulders and a beard of three months' growth. First impression: a problem with fit?

[Anonymous User]

This could be firm specific, but if there is a particular partner you know you want to work for (assuming that he is among the more popular ones), what is a good way to get initially noticed and make sure he keeps coming back to you on future assignments?

[itbdvorm]

What do you think are the metrics we should use to avoid the next Dewey as best we can?

Also, is there a way to compare firms when it comes to quality/liklihood of exit options? Given the amount of 0Ls/1Ls that post like they know everything about the professoin, I don't tend to trust the stuff that flies around this site.

Try to talk to career services. They may have ideas.

Other than that, hard to tell. Dewey didn't reveal how much debt it have (or if it did, was hard to find) and certainly said nothing about guarantees. You could try asking folks about how the firm manages broader economic risks on a callback and/or second look (but gotta be careful/nuanced about it)

Otherwise, V20 or so are likely pretty safe, plus the boutiques. But certainly keep your eyes out for numerous significant partner departures...

[itbdvorm]

Rising 2L here, I'm meeting a V20 partner for a drink next week, what kinds of things should I ask him? What can I do to impress him? He is involved in the hiring process

Ask him what questions you should be asking over the OCI process. Ask him what he wishes he knew.

Impress him by holding your liquor and not seeming nervous.

If he's meeting you for a drink and involved in the hiring process be sure to follow-up with both him and whomever helped set that up

[itbdvorm]

Guy walks into OCI properly dressed, with well managed hair down almost to his shoulders and a beard of three months' growth. First impression: a problem with fit?

Maybe. But why risk it? You're interviewing at conservative law firms and you think that's a good idea? Get a more conservative haircut and chuck the beard (or at least make it a conservative one).

Or interview solely in SV

[itbdvorm]

This could be firm specific, but if there is a particular partner you know you want to work for (assuming that he is among the more popular ones), what is a good way to get initially noticed and make sure he keeps coming back to you on future assignments?

Send them a nice email and/or try to talk to him/her at mixer events. Kiss some ass, ask intelligent questions about the particular practice. Also find out which associates work for him/her and try to schmooze with them.

[Anonymous User]

Guy walks into OCI properly dressed, with well managed hair down almost to his shoulders and a beard of three months' growth. First impression: a problem with fit?

Maybe. But why risk it? You're interviewing at conservative law firms and you think that's a good idea? Get a more conservative haircut and chuck the beard (or at least make it a conservative one).

Or interview solely in SV

Anyone at your firm rock a beard?

[Anonymous User]

Thoughts on interview with two different offices of the same firms (DC and Boston)? Trying to figure my bid list out and I don't want to give the firm the opportunity to believe I'm not serious about one (or both) markets.

[itbdvorm]

Guy walks into OCI properly dressed, with well managed hair down almost to his shoulders and a beard of three months' growth. First impression: a problem with fit?

Maybe. But why risk it? You're interviewing at conservative law firms and you think that's a good idea? Get a more conservative haircut and chuck the beard (or at least make it a conservative one).

Or interview solely in SV

Anyone at your firm rock a beard?

yeah. but i don't think anyone junior does (or at least anyone junior who's well-regarded). grow a beard after you already have a good rep.

[itbdvorm]

Thoughts on interview with two different offices of the same firms (DC and Boston)? Trying to figure my bid list out and I don't want to give the firm the opportunity to believe I'm not serious about one (or both) markets.

could be a waste, depends on the firm. one interview where you tell them which office you're most interested in is probably best way...

[AlanShore]

how do firms generally view joint degrees (JD/MBA specifically)? Do they think JD/MBAs may be a flight risk down the road or are they pretty receptive?

[msblaw89]

What would be an appropriate way to start correspondence with V100 firms in your home market as a 0L?

[msblaw89]

What would be an appropriate way to start correspondence with V100 firms in your home market as a 0L?

And no-tie markets you wish to be employed

[itbdvorm]

how do firms generally view joint degrees (JD/MBA specifically)? Do they think JD/MBAs may be a flight risk down the road or are they pretty receptive?

slight boost. depends on the person. not the worst thing for someone to go in-house.

[itbdvorm]

What would be an appropriate way to start correspondence with V100 firms in your home market as a 0L?

And no-tie markets you wish to be employed

define "correspondence".

contacts through people who know you are always best.

[msblaw89]

What would be an appropriate way to start correspondence with V100 firms in your home market as a 0L?

And no-tie markets you wish to be employed

define "correspondence".

contacts through people who know you are always best.

Correspondance meaning getting in contact with the firm in the absence of a contact. I am the first of my friends and family going to law school and who will be working in a legal field

[itbdvorm]

What would be an appropriate way to start correspondence with V100 firms in your home market as a 0L?

And no-tie markets you wish to be employed

define "correspondence".

contacts through people who know you are always best.

Correspondance meaning getting in contact with the firm in the absence of a contact. I am the first of my friends and family going to law school and who will be working in a legal field

then wait until you have something worth telling them about. or send them a nice cover email / resume.

[Anonymous User]

What would be an appropriate way to start correspondence with V100 firms in your home market as a 0L?

And no-tie markets you wish to be employed

define "correspondence".

contacts through people who know you are always best.

Correspondance meaning getting in contact with the firm in the absence of a contact. I am the first of my friends and family going to law school and who will be working in a legal field

you could also see if any of the firms you are interested in have any alumni from your law school in the context of just wanting to see how you liked the school...any advice etc....thats what I did and i now have a few contacts in firms and a couple of lunches set up on the people is even on the hiring committee...just a thought

[Anonymous User]

My T14 does not provide a GPA so I have to figure it out. 1L slightly above a B. Meaning that whatever 2B+ and 2A- can do to lift 4Bs, that is where I am. I was given free advice. . target mediocre law firms with large classes. Guess what, hard to locate a “mediocre law firm list.” Given my somewhat above B, do you have any suggestions? Thanks.

[vegeta]

When we bid on firms at OCI, do you see what number we bid you at?

When we upload documents, can you see the actual titles we gave those documents (wondering that because sometimes I just make titles like "SC Cover letter" or "Trans")?

And what do you think is a good length for a cover email during mass mailing? Without being too annoying or too generic.

[FlanSolo]

What sort of dividends, if any, do you think transferring would pay further down the road? I gather from what you've said so far that the short term benefits are somewhat marginal, as a firm is just going to look at your 1L performance (this doesn't account for the oft cited "initiative" plus that I see mentioned around here.)

Have you detected any variations in treatment toward people with a T6 degree vs. someone with a T15-25 or T50?