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Here I am thrilled that I have a 2-L summer gig with a good vault firm, thinking I had escaped ever being asked about an arrest record. Not so lucky. While I doubt that they'll kick me out, I am more nervous about how it will affect an offer. Obviously I will be truthful, but anyone have any thoughts on how this will be viewed? The offense was 5 years ago.

Anonymous User wrote:Here I am thrilled that I have a gig with a good vault firm, thinking I had escaped ever being asked about an arrest record. Not so lucky. While I doubt that they'll kick me out, I am more nervous about how it will affect an offer. Obviously I will be truthful, but anyone have any thoughts on how this will be viewed? The offense was 5 years ago.

Congrats Where did you go to law school. Also I do not think it will matter for your offer.

Most of the partners probably have one too...

I am sure you will be fine. Partners At Law firms have done much worse than DUI.

was it when you were under 18? if so say you have no arrests. If after 18, say how it is, since it will come up and you dont want to be a liar next to a criminal. I have heard of people with coke DUI in college still get full-time offers...

You're not alone - I'm a 0L and I had a DUI a few years ago, right after college. I'm not all that worried about future employment, to be honest. It's certainly not good to have on my record, but I feel like as long as that's your only screw up, and if asked you can compellingly explain that it was highly out of character/you've grown up since then/etc. (which presumably, is an argument you already made on applications), it's not going to screw you.

If it's any consolation, I'm paralegal right now and my firm both didn't ask about any criminal record nor run any kind of background check on me. And judging by the frequency with which we arrange for cut-rate legal assistance for employees with traffic/misdemeanor matters, the firm doesn't view it as the end of the world.