1. I am OL @ T10
2. Father is in-house attorney for international manufacturing company
3. When company needs outside council, they go to BigLaw
4. As such, father has working relationship with BigLaw partner
5. I want a 1 or 2L SA with BigLaw
6. When do I contact BigLaw partner and in what capacity?
7. Thank you
When to make first contact with father's connection in BgLaw Forum
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Anonymous User
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Anonymous User
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Re: When to make first contact with father's connection in BgLaw
Here's how I did it:
1) Definitely wait for anything explicit until November. You can network by talking to folks / learning about the industry before then, but not a word about jobs until November.
2) I'd then have your dad feel out his contacts sometime in November. "My son/daughter is at ___ and looking for work. ITE blows. Any suggestions / help?" He'll know what to do.
3) At that point, you'll probably get offers of advice and offers for resume. Your goal it to humbly request any pointers / help on the job search WITHOUT asking for a job. It's crystal clear you'd take one at the firm of contact if offered.
3) Come December 1st, you should know whether 1) contact was successful and 2) your info has already been forwarded to hiring. If the answer to both questions is yes, you wait. If 1 is yes but 2 is no, you whip out a cover letter making explicit the connection you have established with the firm. If 1 is no you move on.
The odds of this getting you a job with any particular firm is low, but the odds of this getting you a job are orders of magnitude better than for somebody who isn't connected.
1) Definitely wait for anything explicit until November. You can network by talking to folks / learning about the industry before then, but not a word about jobs until November.
2) I'd then have your dad feel out his contacts sometime in November. "My son/daughter is at ___ and looking for work. ITE blows. Any suggestions / help?" He'll know what to do.
3) At that point, you'll probably get offers of advice and offers for resume. Your goal it to humbly request any pointers / help on the job search WITHOUT asking for a job. It's crystal clear you'd take one at the firm of contact if offered.
3) Come December 1st, you should know whether 1) contact was successful and 2) your info has already been forwarded to hiring. If the answer to both questions is yes, you wait. If 1 is yes but 2 is no, you whip out a cover letter making explicit the connection you have established with the firm. If 1 is no you move on.
The odds of this getting you a job with any particular firm is low, but the odds of this getting you a job are orders of magnitude better than for somebody who isn't connected.
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Anonymous User
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Re: When to make first contact with father's connection in BgLaw
I'm in a similar position. My dad actually knows a few partners in different firms. I've already started talking to them and one even wrote me a letter of rec for their alma mater (the school I'm attending). A few have even said they will probably hook me up with an internship next summer (probably unpaid but not bad sight unseen). Anyways, network your ass off ASAP, take advantage of your father's position and connections.
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Anonymous User
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Re: When to make first contact with father's connection in BgLaw
Ya never actually ask for a job, just be nice and if people like you and actually like your dad lol things will happen. BTW a hiring partner at a big law firm told me a recomendation from a partner is the best thing you can have. I was basically told they only look at top 30=35% at T14 and top 10% at local T2 but if someone recommends you things really change no matter what your ranking.
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Renzo
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Re: When to make first contact with father's connection in BgLaw
Have dad introduce you now. DO NOT ask about a job directly. Ask to meet for lunch/coffee so you can ask general advice about law school, practice areas, general career prep, etc.
Stay in touch with contact via periodic emails whenever something noteworthy happens. I.e., ask for exam tips before finals, thank him for his advice if you do well, ask if he'd be willing to review your resume and give tips, or meet for a practice interview before job search season, etc.
Rather than think of it as someone who you want to ask for a job, think of it as a mentor who can help you get connections, introductions, recommendations, and even jobs (even if it isn't with his firm). Chances are slim that this contact is going to give you a job based only on your dad's business, but if you make a good impression he will likely not only go to bat for you with his firm, but may connect you with other people who can help you.
Stay in touch with contact via periodic emails whenever something noteworthy happens. I.e., ask for exam tips before finals, thank him for his advice if you do well, ask if he'd be willing to review your resume and give tips, or meet for a practice interview before job search season, etc.
Rather than think of it as someone who you want to ask for a job, think of it as a mentor who can help you get connections, introductions, recommendations, and even jobs (even if it isn't with his firm). Chances are slim that this contact is going to give you a job based only on your dad's business, but if you make a good impression he will likely not only go to bat for you with his firm, but may connect you with other people who can help you.
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