Firm or In-House? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Both are in Asia and pay exactly the same. I'm a 1L - which one is "better" for 2L OCI?

1. Firm is V100, and I'll be at one of their largest Asia offices. HOWEVER, I won't be doing a lot of US legal work. They've already told me that I'll be doing lots of translation & local law

2. Corporation is public and very well-known in the US. They told me I'd be working on US contracts all the time. I wouldn't even have to use my language skills at all.

[Malcolm8X]

A firm is good training before going in-house. A general counsel for a fortune 500 told me fresh law students (I know you're a 1L) don't last too long w/the no tolerance corporate world. I'd try to get my foot in the door at the firm to try and snag a job after school.

BTW, doesn't the firm pay better?

Edit: for clarity

[piccolittle]

I just wrote a huge post and then the computer ate it

My opinion, in short:
In-house, unless you would want to do 2L SA at the firm or want to end up there.

More relevant experience that you can speak to at 2L OCI, a prestigious name on your resume, a chance to narrow down your ideas of the work you want to do, and likely a much better working environment.

Out of curiosity, what industry does the corporation operate in (if you feel comfortable saying)? That could make a difference. My only in-house experience has been a hippy-dippy internet company, so I may be slightly biased

[Malcolm8X]

I just wrote a huge post and then the computer ate it

My opinion, in short:
In-house, unless you would want to do 2L SA at the firm or want to end up there.

More relevant experience that you can speak to at 2L OCI, a prestigious name on your resume, a chance to narrow down your ideas of the work you want to do, and likely a much better working environment.

Out of curiosity, what industry does the corporation operate in (if you feel comfortable saying)?

This IS for his 2L summer.

[BlueDiamond]

I just wrote a huge post and then the computer ate it

My opinion, in short:
In-house, unless you would want to do 2L SA at the firm or want to end up there.

More relevant experience that you can speak to at 2L OCI, a prestigious name on your resume, a chance to narrow down your ideas of the work you want to do, and likely a much better working environment.

Out of curiosity, what industry does the corporation operate in (if you feel comfortable saying)?

This IS for his 2L summer.

no it isnt.. according to OP

[Malcolm8X]

I just wrote a huge post and then the computer ate it

My opinion, in short:
In-house, unless you would want to do 2L SA at the firm or want to end up there.

More relevant experience that you can speak to at 2L OCI, a prestigious name on your resume, a chance to narrow down your ideas of the work you want to do, and likely a much better working environment.

Out of curiosity, what industry does the corporation operate in (if you feel comfortable saying)?

This IS for his 2L summer.

no it isnt.. according to OP

You're right! Law school jargon mixup. My mistake, with that said, I'd go with the in-house for what the above poster said. That's a good luck on the resume that many people don't have.

[Patriot1208]

I just wrote a huge post and then the computer ate it

My opinion, in short:
In-house, unless you would want to do 2L SA at the firm or want to end up there.

More relevant experience that you can speak to at 2L OCI, a prestigious name on your resume, a chance to narrow down your ideas of the work you want to do, and likely a much better working environment.

Out of curiosity, what industry does the corporation operate in (if you feel comfortable saying)?

This IS for his 2L summer.

No, he's asking which one he should do for 1L summer according to which one will look better at 2L OCI.

[Anonymous User]

A firm is good training before going in-house. A general counsel for a fortune 500 told me fresh law students (I know you're a 1L) don't last too long w/the no tolerance corporate world. I'd try to get my foot in the door at the firm to try and snag a job after school.

BTW, doesn't the firm pay better?

Edit: for clarity

Sadly, no. The firm pays market rate for this country, so it's pretty low. Also, they don't hire students fresh out of law school at this particular office. Maybe it would help with getting a position at one of their US offices though?

@piccolittle, the corporation does consumer electronics. They have really cool products, and a lot of my friends use their stuff. However, when I talk to older people (i.e. my career counselor), they have no idea what the company does. So I'm unsure as to whether the name would carry during 2L OCI. Do lawyers generally keep up with technology?

Thanks for the advice guys! Also, yeah. This is for my 1L summer.

[Renzo]

It won't matter for OCI. Take the job that interests you most.

[rose711]

Go to where you get the most substantive work. The firm job sounds like they are hiring a translator, not a law student. I don't think this will help you get a job in the US branch of the firm - even if you do a great job, it will only give you a little bit of an in, because the US partners will not value the work you did as a 1L translating documents.

[bigben]

V100 is probably better for the resume. In-house is only better if you want to try to go back there 2L summer and get a permanent offer (assuming this is even a possibility with that company).

[Malcolm8X]

A firm is good training before going in-house. A general counsel for a fortune 500 told me fresh law students (I know you're a 1L) don't last too long w/the no tolerance corporate world. I'd try to get my foot in the door at the firm to try and snag a job after school.

BTW, doesn't the firm pay better?

Edit: for clarity

Sadly, no. The firm pays market rate for this country, so it's pretty low. Also, they don't hire students fresh out of law school at this particular office. Maybe it would help with getting a position at one of their US offices though?

@piccolittle, the corporation does consumer electronics. They have really cool products, and a lot of my friends use their stuff. However, when I talk to older people (i.e. my career counselor), they have no idea what the company does. So I'm unsure as to whether the name would carry during 2L OCI. Do lawyers generally keep up with technology?

Thanks for the advice guys! Also, yeah. This is for my 1L summer.

I hate to retract my statement but if it doesn't carry a big name like IBM or Exxon, I would go with the V100. Like you said, "they don't hire students fresh out of law school at this particular office" so I'd aim to get the foot in the door at the V100 and try to secure a job (which is of the utmost importance nowadays). If not, worst case scenario, you build up your experience.

BTW, I wouldn't relegate your role to a doc translator like someone above mentioned. Your foreign language is highly valued and is nothing but a plus that you can help a firm with foreign clients w/big bucks. I wish I got FLUENT in another language.