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I'm at 1L at Chicago, at median, looking to get a firm in Chicago. What range of firms should I bid on in August, and which firms within that range seem "safe" in terms of layoffs/no-offering/deferring, etc?

This is really a question that requires the assistance of your career services office. They will have some GPA cutoffs for various firms. Unfortunately, no firm outside the V10 or so is really safe.

ATL has an article from early this week with offer rates. That may help.

nealric wrote:ATL has an article from early this week with offer rates. That may help.

Do you remember the name of the article or could you put up a link to it? Thanks.

Anonymous User wrote:I'm at 1L at Chicago, at median, looking to get a firm in Chicago. What range of firms should I bid on in August, and which firms within that range seem "safe" in terms of layoffs/no-offering/deferring, etc?

There aren't many firms that will have a grade cut-off higher than median. The big ones, Kirkland, Sidley, Mayer Brown, etc., won't have a problem with it. There are a couple small "boutique" firms that are real picky with grades and you shouldn't waste your time with. For the most part, you do need to go to OCS and ask for a list of who firms have hired with grades. Recognize that outliers had something like a top undergrad, job experience, etc. that made them stand out - it isn't random. If you are an undistinguished state-school grad at median, you should hedge your bets. Also, throw some agency stuff out there like SEC for good measure.

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you do realize everyone will flock towards the safest firms right? and chicago got slaughtered too...

underdawg wrote:you do realize everyone will flock towards the safest firms right? and chicago got slaughtered too...

There's no such thing as a safe firm.

I wouldn't be worrying about firms that are "safe in terms of layoffs/no-offering/deferring." Such factors are not even worth considering until you have a job. Median at Chicago is by no means safe for anything. Instead, focus on the firms where you are likely to get a callback. I have to believe that U-Chicago provides median callback #'s (at least for D.C., Chicago, and New York).

TTT-LS wrote:Dear 1Ls: stop making these threads until 1L year is over and you have a year's worth of grades.

it's especially ridiculous at chicago, where, as of today, we only know 15% of our first-year grades

underdawg wrote: chicago got slaughtered too...

pointless fear-mongering which, i'm sure, is based on rock-solid "knowledge"

i meant chicago the city, based on summer associate rates

also safest doesn't mean that it's safe

great nitpicks though guys, great effort all around

underdawg wrote:you do realize everyone will flock towards the safest firms right? and chicago got slaughtered too...

w/r/t the first point, i just had this exact discussion with career services the other day ... great point! those firms that are often deemed safeties b/c they are in the middle of the pack are bid on during OCI by people on both ends of the spectrum for a relatively limited # of interview slots.

underdawg wrote:i meant chicago the city, based on summer associate rates

also safest doesn't mean that it's safe

great nitpicks though guys, great effort all around

point taken - though i might've just said, "biglaw got slaughtered"

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chadwick218 wrote:

underdawg wrote:you do realize everyone will flock towards the safest firms right? and chicago got slaughtered too...

w/r/t the first point, i just had this exact discussion with career services the other day ... great point! those firms that are often deemed safeties b/c they are in the middle of the pack are bid on during OCI by people on both ends of the spectrum for a relatively limited # of interview slots.

not "safety" firms. safe as in few layoffs, no offers.

To TTT-LS point, there is also a belief that New York, Philly, and Chicago firms are now in the best financial health after aggressive furloughs, deferrals, a significant cutbacks in summer hiring. Unfortunately, we are probably still another year away from this being reflected in any future hiring plans.

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doyleoil wrote:

TTT-LS wrote:Dear 1Ls: stop making these threads until 1L year is over and you have a year's worth of grades.

it's especially ridiculous at chicago, where, as of today, we only know 15% of our first-year grades

underdawg wrote: chicago got slaughtered too...

pointless fear-mongering which, i'm sure, is based on rock-solid "knowledge"

I have 30% of my grades, actually. Sucks that you only have 15%.

I will concede that DC is an arguable exception to this. My previous post is overly broad and should be really be limited on a firm-by-firm basis (although I think that some regional generalization still may apply).