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I was recently presented an offer with a "large" law firm for a summer associateship. I have 28 days to accept this generous offer at the law firm. I applied for a DOJ internship, however, that is my first priority and my top choice, financial concerns aside.

I am afraid that my offer at the DOJ will come after my firm offer expires. What is the apt course of action?

Anonymous User wrote:I was recently presented an offer with a "large" law firm for a summer associateship. I have 28 days to accept this generous offer at the law firm. I applied for a DOJ internship, however, that is my first priority and my top choice, financial concerns aside.

I am afraid that my offer at the DOJ will come after my firm offer expires. What is the apt course of action?

Can you do a split summer? Otherwise, accept the firm offer. I'm in the same situation - I would love to do SLIP, but the hiring is so competitive, and turning down a firm offer for a shot at SLIP seems far too risky.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I was recently presented an offer with a "large" law firm for a summer associateship. I have 28 days to accept this generous offer at the law firm. I applied for a DOJ internship, however, that is my first priority and my top choice, financial concerns aside.

I am afraid that my offer at the DOJ will come after my firm offer expires. What is the apt course of action?

Can you do a split summer? Otherwise, accept the firm offer. I'm in the same situation - I would love to do SLIP, but the hiring is so competitive, and turning down a firm offer for a shot at SLIP seems far too risky.

While I have not asked the firm, the website indicates that split summers are "frowned upon". I suppose it is risky, though I put together what I think is an excellent application for the internship.

As I understand it, NALP rules allow you to hold open a firm offer until April 1 pending decision on one (but only one) public interest employer. You should be able to hold an offer from a firm open while you wait to hear from the DOJ. Talk to your career services center about how to do this.

vanwinkle wrote:As I understand it, NALP rules allow you to hold open a firm offer until April 1 pending decision on one (but only one) public interest employer. You should be able to hold an offer from a firm open while you wait to hear from the DOJ. Talk to your career services center about how to do this.

Ahhh... thank you for this information.

You should be able to split if the firm is OK with it. I know someone who split DOJ SLIP and a firm. Don't pick DOJ SLIP over an SA position if you can't split- some sections made no funnel offers from this summer- NONE.

vanwinkle wrote:As I understand it, NALP rules allow you to hold open a firm offer until April 1 pending decision on one (but only one) public interest employer. You should be able to hold an offer from a firm open while you wait to hear from the DOJ. Talk to your career services center about how to do this.

This. The NALP rules "encourage" a firm to allow a student pursuing government or public interest to hold their offer open until they hear. However, you can only have one firm do this.

I know multiple people who split summer with firms and SLIP. Your firm job will only be 8-10 weeks (most likely) that leaves at least 6 more weeks (maybe more) in your summer to work there. My summer program was done July 15 (8 week program). Other didn't start until June 1 and ended July 31. That leaves time on both the front end and back end to work at SLIP if you get it. Accept firm gig. If you get SLIP, they should be willing to work with you if you explain your situation.

Be aware of course that DOJ doesn't even begin getting back to people until starting mid-october...

The odds of you getting Slip are very low. Take the offer and then try to split. If you can't, then you can apply for the honors program your 3L year.