Possible to "lateral" after 2L summer? Forum

[Tree]

Is it possible to work in a non-biglaw firm 2L summer and after graduation to pursue a different kind of work in a different state altogether?

How about going not just into a different state but:
1. going into a similarly smaller firm, or
2. going public sector
3. going in house

Will going firm in state X 2L summer foreclose the other options?

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

Is it possible to work in a non-biglaw firm 2L summer and after graduation to pursue a different kind of work in a different state altogether?

How about going not just into a different state but:
1. going into a similarly smaller firm, or
2. going public sector
3. going in house

Will going firm in state X 2L summer foreclose the other options?

While I don't pretend to know the affirmative answers to these questions, I would think it would look somewhat strange to the next firm you apply to why you didn't try for there the previous summer. From what I understand 3L OCI is WAY harder than 2L, so I am just not sure why you would want to do that to yourself. Long story short, I wouldn't accept an offer you don't like for your 2L summer.

[Tree]

OK, what if it's between the only firm who got back and fishing in the public sector in your "target post grad market"?

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

OK, what if it's between the only firm who got back and fishing in the public sector in your "target post grad market"?

I'm not sure I understand what you mean "the only firm that got back"??

[Tree]

Indicates dings from all but one firm, who offered.
That one firm is in a small city in Missouri, but I want to be in Texas after graduation.
I got dinged in all texas firms. But there is a chance I could pick up a public sector job next summer though it would not be the kind where they give you a full-time after graduation.
Based on that, does it make sense to go to the firm

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

Indicates dings from all but one firm, who offered.
That one firm is in a small city in Missouri, but I want to be in Texas after graduation.
I got dinged in all texas firms. But there is a chance I could pick up a public sector job next summer though it would not be the kind where they give you a full-time after graduation.
Based on that, does it make sense to go to the firm

That is a personal decision. If you want to be in Texas badly, have you thought about roughing it and volunteering somewhere just to establish connections? I know that doesn't seem like an attractive decision to make, but it doesn't make sense to go to a job if you know you don't like it/don't like where you will be. It is also possible that you take the firm job and really enjoy it and want to stay there.

I guess this boils down to what is most important to you, having a paying job (that hopefully will provide a paying upon graduation job) or living where you want to live. Personal call.

[kurla88]

From what I'm hearing, lateraling between firms seems like a much better bet than lateraling from some other kind of employment to a firm. I would take the MO offer if that's the best firm job you have, plan to work there a few years, then look at firms/in-house positions in Texas.

[Renzo]

Would you rather be employed in Mo or unemployed in Tx? There's no right answer, only a personal preference.

[blurbz]

...it wouldn't be a lateral. You don't need to accept employment with a firm you were with during your 2L summer, but you also wouldn't be classified as having been an associate there. When you're applying to places after that experience, you're still a law student or a new grad and you don't have the requisite experience to qualify as a "lateral."

[Renzo]

...it wouldn't be a lateral. You don't need to accept employment with a firm you were with during your 2L summer, but you also wouldn't be classified as having been an associate there. When you're applying to places after that experience, you're still a law student or a new grad and you don't have the requisite experience to qualify as a "lateral."

True.

I was a little crass above. There is nothing stopping you from applying for jobs as a 3L after your 2L summer, but if it didn't work out now, it's less likely to work out as a 3L.

[blurbz]

...it wouldn't be a lateral. You don't need to accept employment with a firm you were with during your 2L summer, but you also wouldn't be classified as having been an associate there. When you're applying to places after that experience, you're still a law student or a new grad and you don't have the requisite experience to qualify as a "lateral."

True.

I was a little crass above. There is nothing stopping you from applying for jobs as a 3L after your 2L summer, but if it didn't work out now, it's less likely to work out as a 3L.

Yeah, I think ITE if you have a job now that will continue and you're not really hating it, I would keep it. As Renzo said, you can certainly apply for other things, though, if that's what you want to do!