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When sending unsolicited "mass-mail" inquiries for summer jobs, if an employer actually does offer an interview, when is the appropriate time to ask whether the position will be paid or unpaid? For small firms, I know that it is likely that the position will be unpaid, but, for mid-sized firms where it could go either way, what is the appropriate way to approach it?

Don't mention pay until you have an offer in hand.

State at the interview that you will work for nothing less than NYC market pay.

Cavalier wrote:State at the interview that you will work for nothing less than NYC market pay.

Good idea. Think I'll go ahead and demand a rent-free penthouse with round-the-clock servants while I'm at it

PirateCap'n wrote:When sending unsolicited "mass-mail" inquiries for summer jobs, if an employer actually does offer an interview, when is the appropriate time to ask whether the position will be paid or unpaid? For small firms, I know that it is likely that the position will be unpaid, but, for mid-sized firms where it could go either way, what is the appropriate way to approach it?

"Most small firms don't pay" is an untrue statement. That said, if you're looking for a 1L summer job in this economy, take the job and ask questions later...

I have never heard of an unpaid firm job...

SBL wrote:I have never heard of an unpaid firm job...

Same. Except for unverified anecdotal evidence on here of course.

Summer salary is usually just prorated first year associate salary. HTH

Bosque wrote:

SBL wrote:I have never heard of an unpaid firm job...

Same. Except for unverified anecdotal evidence on here of course.

Summer salary is usually just prorated first year associate salary. HTH

Maybe it's just a weird NC thing then. I know firsthand of at least 10 small (as in fewer than 5 attorneys) firms that treat summer internships as if the "pay" is getting the experience to learn from the attorneys in much the same way that the "pay" for a summer clerkship is the opportunity to learn from the judge.

PirateCap'n wrote:

Bosque wrote:

SBL wrote:I have never heard of an unpaid firm job...

Same. Except for unverified anecdotal evidence on here of course.

Summer salary is usually just prorated first year associate salary. HTH

Maybe it's just a weird NC thing then. I know firsthand of at least 10 small (as in fewer than 5 attorneys) firms that treat summer internships as if the "pay" is getting the experience to learn from the attorneys in much the same way that the "pay" for a summer clerkship is the opportunity to learn from the judge.

Bottom-feeder shitholes pay summer law students nothing. Good firms compensate employees for their work. You get what you pay for. No reputable firm would expect a law student to work for free.

reasonable_man wrote:

PirateCap'n wrote:

Bosque wrote:

SBL wrote:I have never heard of an unpaid firm job...

Same. Except for unverified anecdotal evidence on here of course.

Summer salary is usually just prorated first year associate salary. HTH

Maybe it's just a weird NC thing then. I know firsthand of at least 10 small (as in fewer than 5 attorneys) firms that treat summer internships as if the "pay" is getting the experience to learn from the attorneys in much the same way that the "pay" for a summer clerkship is the opportunity to learn from the judge.

Bottom-feeder shitholes pay summer law students nothing. Good firms compensate employees for their work. You get what you pay for. No reputable firm would expect a law student to work for free.

Agreed. I was just pointing out that some firms (although not exactly good firms) do not, in fact, pay summer associates since these guys didn't know that such firms existed.

PirateCap'n wrote:

Bosque wrote:

SBL wrote:I have never heard of an unpaid firm job...

Same. Except for unverified anecdotal evidence on here of course.

Summer salary is usually just prorated first year associate salary. HTH

Maybe it's just a weird NC thing then. I know firsthand of at least 10 small (as in fewer than 5 attorneys) firms that treat summer internships as if the "pay" is getting the experience to learn from the attorneys in much the same way that the "pay" for a summer clerkship is the opportunity to learn from the judge.

Get an unpaid job with one of them, then attempt to sue them under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Subsequent employers will look favorably upon your initiative.

rad law wrote:Get an unpaid job with one of them, then attempt to sue them under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Subsequent employers will look favorably upon your initiative.

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