To current associates at biglaw firms Forum

[Anonymous User]

Just a question,
Is it a good idea to email an associate at a biglaw firm (that went to my lawschool) out-of-the-blue with questions (like how he got the job, etc)?

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

Just a question,
Is it a good idea to email an associate at a biglaw firm (that went to my lawschool) out-of-the-blue with questions (like how he got the job, etc)?

As a disclaimer, I am not an associate at a biglaw firm (I am still a law student). However, for the sake of providing some analysis to your question I can tell you our CSO has a list of alumni that are "friendly" alumni who have agreed to be contacted by students with questions. I was told if you want to contact someone, it is best to utilize these people. I would imagine contacting someone who is crazily busy with very open ended questions will only wind up in either a cursory reply or no reply at all. If you haven't already, you may want to check with your CSO to see if you have such a list. That said, that is just my two cents.

[Anonymous User]

Just a question,
Is it a good idea to email an associate at a biglaw firm (that went to my lawschool) out-of-the-blue with questions (like how he got the job, etc)?

As a disclaimer, I am not an associate at a biglaw firm (I am still a law student). However, for the sake of providing some analysis to your question I can tell you our CSO has a list of alumni that are "friendly" alumni who have agreed to be contacted by students with questions. I was told if you want to contact someone, it is best to utilize these people. I would imagine contacting someone who is crazily busy with very open ended questions will only wind up in either a cursory reply or no reply at all. If you haven't already, you may want to check with your CSO to see if you have such a list. That said, that is just my two cents.

as blunt as this is, the reason for me thinking about this is because the associate is of the same race as I am. So maybe I was wondering if that can play into any type of an advantage/leeway for me.

[TTH]

Just a question,
Is it a good idea to email an associate at a biglaw firm (that went to my lawschool) out-of-the-blue with questions (like how he got the job, etc)?

As a disclaimer, I am not an associate at a biglaw firm (I am still a law student). However, for the sake of providing some analysis to your question I can tell you our CSO has a list of alumni that are "friendly" alumni who have agreed to be contacted by students with questions. I was told if you want to contact someone, it is best to utilize these people. I would imagine contacting someone who is crazily busy with very open ended questions will only wind up in either a cursory reply or no reply at all. If you haven't already, you may want to check with your CSO to see if you have such a list. That said, that is just my two cents.

as blunt as this is, the reason for me thinking about this is because the associate is of the same race as I am. So maybe I was wondering if that can play into any type of an advantage/leeway for me.

For lulz sake, I really hope this race is white.

[beach_terror]

Just a question,
Is it a good idea to email an associate at a biglaw firm (that went to my lawschool) out-of-the-blue with questions (like how he got the job, etc)?

As a disclaimer, I am not an associate at a biglaw firm (I am still a law student). However, for the sake of providing some analysis to your question I can tell you our CSO has a list of alumni that are "friendly" alumni who have agreed to be contacted by students with questions. I was told if you want to contact someone, it is best to utilize these people. I would imagine contacting someone who is crazily busy with very open ended questions will only wind up in either a cursory reply or no reply at all. If you haven't already, you may want to check with your CSO to see if you have such a list. That said, that is just my two cents.

as blunt as this is, the reason for me thinking about this is because the associate is of the same race as I am. So maybe I was wondering if that can play into any type of an advantage/leeway for me.

For lulz sake, I really hope this race is white.

Hopefully male as well.

[RVP11]

Just a question,
Is it a good idea to email an associate at a biglaw firm (that went to my lawschool) out-of-the-blue with questions (like how he got the job, etc)?

I'll answer one of your questions in advance: "from OCI, then a callback, then as a summer associate" or "as a lateral"

[Kohinoor]

Just a question,
Is it a good idea to email an associate at a biglaw firm (that went to my lawschool) out-of-the-blue with questions (like how he got the job, etc)?

As a disclaimer, I am not an associate at a biglaw firm (I am still a law student). However, for the sake of providing some analysis to your question I can tell you our CSO has a list of alumni that are "friendly" alumni who have agreed to be contacted by students with questions. I was told if you want to contact someone, it is best to utilize these people. I would imagine contacting someone who is crazily busy with very open ended questions will only wind up in either a cursory reply or no reply at all. If you haven't already, you may want to check with your CSO to see if you have such a list. That said, that is just my two cents.

as blunt as this is, the reason for me thinking about this is because the associate is of the same race as I am. So maybe I was wondering if that can play into any type of an advantage/leeway for me.

--ImageRemoved--

[Aqualibrium]

Koohinor strikes again lol!

[underdawg]

well i really doubt that some associate will hold it against you that you e-mailed them. but i have no idea what the odds of them actually responding are, or them just forgetting to respond, or just ignoring it

[Aqualibrium]

well i really doubt that some associate will hold it against you that you e-mailed them. but i have no idea what the odds of them actually responding are, or them just forgetting to respond, or just ignoring it

I did this a lot. Got mixed responses. Some ended up becoming friends, some became mentors, some didn't respond. None of it directly lead to a job, but it certainly contributed to my job search in the grand scheme.

Nothing really to lose if you send a thoughtful, proof read email. At worst they don't respond; at best, you get some great advice and form a relationship; if nothing else, you might get a free lunch out of the deal.

[Anonymous User]

well i really doubt that some associate will hold it against you that you e-mailed them. but i have no idea what the odds of them actually responding are, or them just forgetting to respond, or just ignoring it

I did this a lot. Got mixed responses. Some ended up becoming friends, some became mentors, some didn't respond. None of it directly lead to a job, but it certainly contributed to my job search in the grand scheme.

Nothing really to lose if you send a thoughtful, proof read email. At worst they don't respond; at best, you get some great advice and form a relationship; if nothing else, you might get a free lunch out of the deal.

This is the credited response. I have had a similar experience. In a few cases, though, it's also gotten my application sent to HR with a recommendation, or even resulted in interviews. It does seem that UG alumni are more responsive than LS alumni, but plenty of both have been willing to help.

Assuming you're polite and don't piss people off, at the very least you're getting to know people you might be practicing with in the future, and will probably get some good advice.

Incidentally, this combined with contacting current upperclassmen is a big part of what I think 1Ls need to do. Career services sucks; if we're going to help 1Ls, we need to do it with student orgs that can break the ice and get people in touch with those who have just gone through what they're about to go through.