Law firm recruiter answering questions for a bit Forum

[lawfirmrecruiter]

When is it ok to contact the law firm in regards to an update on one's status? It's been over 2 weeks of silence from some firms, even 3 after a screen interview...

It's fine to contact firms after 2 weeks. Just reach out to the recruiter, express your continued interest in the firm and ask where they are in the process.

[03121202698008]

When submitting the NALP form for reimbursement, do you include the tip in the calculated total?

[lawfirmrecruiter]

When submitting the NALP form for reimbursement, do you include the tip in the calculated total?

Yes.

[Anonymous User]

Received my itinerary for my CB; meeting with 5 associates, 1 partner over the course of the day. Should I be reading anything into this?

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Received my itinerary for my CB; meeting with 5 associates, 1 partner over the course of the day. Should I be reading anything into this?

Nope. Keep in mind how difficult scheduling callback interviews from the firm perspective can be, especially when trying to get busy partners. Client work will always come first and partners can be difficult to schedule. Add on to that the politics of the firm. The one partner you have on your schedule might be the only partner that really counts for this. Associates are usually more enthusiastic interviewers anyway and know who will be a good fit for the associate ranks, etc. You have an interview with 6 people. That's great.

[Anonymous User]

Answered, thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Told a firm (H. Partner actually) that they were number 1 (this was and remains true). Offer comes about 4 days later. I told them I'd like several days to consider, they say "fine". I will find out from another CB whether I got a 2nd offer in about a week - one of my parents doesn't want me to accept firm #1 so fast, wants me to wait for the 2nd offer to "think about it"

It's been a week since firm #1; is this wait detrimental at all to me, and if I call to accept firm #1 (fairly likely) can I just explain to the H.Partner (who gave me the call) that my parents wanted me to give it some time before I accepted? I'm feeling kind of pressured because I told them they were #1.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Told a firm (H. Partner actually) that they were number 1 (this was and remains true). Offer comes about 4 days later. I told them I'd like several days to consider, they say "fine". I will find out from another CB whether I got a 2nd offer in about a week - one of my parents doesn't want me to accept firm #1 so fast, wants me to wait for the 2nd offer to "think about it"

It's been a week since firm #1; is this wait detrimental at all to me, and if I call to accept firm #1 (fairly likely) can I just explain to the H.Partner (who gave me the call) that my parents wanted me to give it some time before I accepted? I'm feeling kind of pressured because I told them they were #1.

First of all, the 28-day rule applies here and this is a good example of why it is in place. You technically have 28 days before you absolutely have to give firm #1 an answer so you can have time to consider all of your options. Would we (firms) all like to have answers right away? Of course. But we understand that students are talking to a lot of other firms and need to make informed decisions. As for what to tell the hiring partner, do not mention your parents. You simply need some time to fully evaluate all of your options. No need to go into how or why you evaluated them.

[Anonymous User]

Told a firm (H. Partner actually) that they were number 1 (this was and remains true). Offer comes about 4 days later. I told them I'd like several days to consider, they say "fine". I will find out from another CB whether I got a 2nd offer in about a week - one of my parents doesn't want me to accept firm #1 so fast, wants me to wait for the 2nd offer to "think about it"

It's been a week since firm #1; is this wait detrimental at all to me, and if I call to accept firm #1 (fairly likely) can I just explain to the H.Partner (who gave me the call) that my parents wanted me to give it some time before I accepted? I'm feeling kind of pressured because I told them they were #1.

First of all, the 28-day rule applies here and this is a good example of why it is in place. You technically have 28 days before you absolutely have to give firm #1 an answer so you can have time to consider all of your options. Would we (firms) all like to have answers right away? Of course. But we understand that students are talking to a lot of other firms and need to make informed decisions. As for what to tell the hiring partner, do not mention your parents. You simply need some time to fully evaluate all of your options. No need to go into how or why you evaluated them.

OP here; it's just difficult because they're financing a significant portion of the education and so for me to simply accept in defiance of their request would really upset, but at the same time I really like the firm and so I don't want the firm (esp. h-partner) to think I'm being disingenuous and I don't want this to affect me later (post-2L summer offers)

[Anonymous User]

I have an important callback coming up. There will be five other candidates rotating through different interviewers all at the same time. All this for one position. Of the students that I know will be attending, I have the best law school credentials.

At this stage, how much does GPA, law review, moot court, and background matter to the firm? Should I focus specifically on these accomplishments in my interviews, or should I just focus on relating well to each interviewer and let my resume speak for itself?

Thank you!!

[Anonymous User]

I am waiting to hear from two firms I had callback interviews with. I felt that I had a good interview with a partner from each firm but I did not send them thank you letters right after my interview. Is it too late to follow up with them now?
Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

It's been a week since firm #1; is this wait detrimental at all to me, and if I call to accept firm #1 (fairly likely) can I just explain to the H.Partner (who gave me the call) that my parents wanted me to give it some time before I accepted? I'm feeling kind of pressured because I told them they were #1.

NO. Good grief. Please take this advice for your professional career, don't get into the habit of justifying things you don't have to justify in the workplace. The firm does not need to know what went into your decision process. And fer crissakes, leave your parents out of any conversation with the firm. You are not in kindergarten. You are a professional. Despite all the personal niceties wrapped around the hiring process, it is a business transaction.

As for the pressure you feel, if H. Partner gets impatient, they will call you. No need to call them. When that happens, tell them that you unexpectedly received an offer that muddied the water and that you need a bit more time. (No "my parents think..." talk!)

[lawfirmrecruiter]

I have an important callback coming up. There will be five other candidates rotating through different interviewers all at the same time. All this for one position. Of the students that I know will be attending, I have the best law school credentials.

At this stage, how much does GPA, law review, moot court, and background matter to the firm? Should I focus specifically on these accomplishments in my interviews, or should I just focus on relating well to each interviewer and let my resume speak for itself?

Thank you!!

Speaking strickly from my point of view, let your resume speak for itself and really try to make a connection with your interviewers. They will ask about your accomplishments and you should definitely talk about them, but these rotation callbacks are really about who the group connects with and can see themselves working long hours with.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

I am waiting to hear from two firms I had callback interviews with. I felt that I had a good interview with a partner from each firm but I did not send them thank you letters right after my interview. Is it too late to follow up with them now?
Thanks.

Probably would be best to reach out to the recruiters at each firm and ask where they are in the process.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for doing this.

During my callback I had a great interview with a senior partner at the firm. She gave me her card and asked me to call her if I had any questions about the firm, or any firm in the city. I feel like I should call her, but, I really don't have any questions. (1) Why do you think she did this (just being polite?), and (2) should I figure out a reason to call her?

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for doing this.

During my callback I had a great interview with a senior partner at the firm. She gave me her card and asked me to call her if I had any questions about the firm, or any firm in the city. I feel like I should call her, but, I really don't have any questions. (1) Why do you think she did this (just being polite?), and (2) should I figure out a reason to call her?

I have had this happen so many times with me, both for firms I got offers from and firms I did not, that I can't help but think it's anything but a polite formality. I never called and it doesn't seem to have impacted my offer/no-offer chances.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Thanks for doing this.

During my callback I had a great interview with a senior partner at the firm. She gave me her card and asked me to call her if I had any questions about the firm, or any firm in the city. I feel like I should call her, but, I really don't have any questions. (1) Why do you think she did this (just being polite?), and (2) should I figure out a reason to call her?

Sounds like you had a nice interview! She most likely gave you her card because she was being polite but would also answer questions if you had them. You might just send her a nice e-mail saying that it was nice to meet her, you appreciate her time and you hope to hear from them soon.

[Anonymous User]

thanks for doing this! quick question regarding thank you emails following CBs..is it a bad sign if you don't get responses to the emails? conversely, if nearly everyone you interviewed with responds to your thank you in a positive way, is that a good sign or more likely them just being polite?

[Anonymous User]

Similar question as above. I had a great screener interview with a senior partner. Was invited for a callback. He came down to meet with me before the callbacks began to say hi and we just really clicked. Would it be appropriate for me to call him and thank him, tell him the firm is my top choice (it has been a few days since the callback)?

[Anonymous User]

Looks like I missed out on the biglaw bus for my 2L summer, and will probably go back to the firm I worked for during my 1L summer. Unfortunately I'm not interested in the work this firm does at all. Down the road, if they offer me a permanent position and I work there for a few years, will I have pigeon-holed myself into that practice area? For example, lets say the firm does insurance defense, but I want to do commercial lit or corporate. I can see how I might develop some useful skills for commercial lit, but dont see how this would help me if I really wanted to do corporate.

Bummed.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

thanks for doing this! quick question regarding thank you emails following CBs..is it a bad sign if you don't get responses to the emails? conversely, if nearly everyone you interviewed with responds to your thank you in a positive way, is that a good sign or more likely them just being polite?

I would not read too far into it either way, whether they responded or not.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

Similar question as above. I had a great screener interview with a senior partner. Was invited for a callback. He came down to meet with me before the callbacks began to say hi and we just really clicked. Would it be appropriate for me to call him and thank him, tell him the firm is my top choice (it has been a few days since the callback)?

I don't think I'd call. Just send a nice e-mail along the lines of my previous suggestions above.

[Anonymous User]

I had callback over a month ago. I followed up once and the recruiter said they were just finishing up OCI and I would hear once a decision has been made. Its been 3 weeks since that follow up and I still haven't heard anything. Is it appropriate to call and see what's going on?

[Anonymous User]

Is mailing big law firms pointless at this point? I have below median grades at CCN. Thanks.

[lawfirmrecruiter]

I had callback over a month ago. I followed up once and the recruiter said they were just finishing up OCI and I would hear once a decision has been made. Its been 3 weeks since that follow up and I still haven't heard anything. Is it appropriate to call and see what's going on?

I would wait until Monday and then call back. Express your continued interest and ask where they are in the process.