V15 Partner/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions... Forum

[Anonymous User]

What's the best way to explain a low legal reading/writing grade if asked about it in an interview? I'm top 25% at a T14 but my legal reading/writing grade was my lowest grade both semesters. I honestly didn't put much effort into the class since it was weighted lightly compared to substantive classes, but now I'm worried it might come back to bite me.

[Anonymous User]

Really depends on the firm. Generally, TX is going to be easiest, SF/DC hardest. SV often not that tough. If you're doing well at your firm it all becomes easier. If you're a mediocre associate and they'll be happy to get rid of you at that point anyway...

But if I'm aiming to switch to DC/CA, does it matter much where I start? Would going from TX be harder than going from NY? If the way firm office locations shake out, I also have to lateral, is NY going to make the transition appreciably easier?

[itbdvorm]

What's the best way to explain a low legal reading/writing grade if asked about it in an interview? I'm top 25% at a T14 but my legal reading/writing grade was my lowest grade both semesters. I honestly didn't put much effort into the class since it was weighted lightly compared to substantive classes, but now I'm worried it might come back to bite me.

Uhh

How badly are we talking here? If it doesn't really affect GPA computation not a huge deal. If it's B- or lower, you should have something handy to prove you can actually write.

[itbdvorm]

Really depends on the firm. Generally, TX is going to be easiest, SF/DC hardest. SV often not that tough. If you're doing well at your firm it all becomes easier. If you're a mediocre associate and they'll be happy to get rid of you at that point anyway...

But if I'm aiming to switch to DC/CA, does it matter much where I start? Would going from TX be harder than going from NY? If the way firm office locations shake out, I also have to lateral, is NY going to make the transition appreciably easier?

Wherever the firm is best. If it's a Texas firm, Texas will be easier to lateral from. DC/CA firms will be more interested in Baker Botts TX than Baker Botts NY.

[Anonymous User]

A) is it remotely possible to get hired through 3L OCI if you didn't have an SA position during 2L summer?
B) what can I do to maximize my chance of succeeding during 3L OCI?

[Anonymous User]

What's the best way to explain a low legal reading/writing grade if asked about it in an interview? I'm top 25% at a T14 but my legal reading/writing grade was my lowest grade both semesters. I honestly didn't put much effort into the class since it was weighted lightly compared to substantive classes, but now I'm worried it might come back to bite me.

Uhh

How badly are we talking here? If it doesn't really affect GPA computation not a huge deal. If it's B- or lower, you should have something handy to prove you can actually write.

I got a B both semesters in LRW, whereas most of my other grades fall in the A/A- category. I'm assuming making a journal would help alleviate any potential concerns interviewers might have?

[itbdvorm]

A) is it remotely possible to get hired through 3L OCI if you didn't have an SA position during 2L summer?
B) what can I do to maximize my chance of succeeding during 3L OCI?

A) yes. frankly probably not with us absent unusual circumstances but yes.

B) hustle, hustle, hustle, hustle.

[itbdvorm]

What's the best way to explain a low legal reading/writing grade if asked about it in an interview? I'm top 25% at a T14 but my legal reading/writing grade was my lowest grade both semesters. I honestly didn't put much effort into the class since it was weighted lightly compared to substantive classes, but now I'm worried it might come back to bite me.

Uhh

How badly are we talking here? If it doesn't really affect GPA computation not a huge deal. If it's B- or lower, you should have something handy to prove you can actually write.

I got a B both semesters in LRW, whereas most of my other grades fall in the A/A- category. I'm assuming making a journal would help alleviate any potential concerns interviewers might have?

Not sure. I don't know how journals are selected. If it's grade on (in whole or in part) doesn't really do anything. I would bring a writing sample or otherwise have something handy.

[Anonymous User]

Does increase in your class size for a particular year mean you'll go deeper into the class for that year? If so, how much of an effect does it have?

Thanks for doing this.

[Anonymous User]

How can someone overcome bottom 25% grades at CCN to crack into the V15? Can it even be done absent some huge mitigating factor?

You never know, maybe Skadden. But best bet is really to go to another firm, do great work, and potentially lateral

Would being a URM change the thinking at all?

yes, dramatically.

Can you go into more detail about this?

[Anonymous User]

How can someone overcome bottom 25% grades at CCN to crack into the V15? Can it even be done absent some huge mitigating factor?

You never know, maybe Skadden. But best bet is really to go to another firm, do great work, and potentially lateral

Would being a URM change the thinking at all?

yes, dramatically.

I asked the original original question at issue here. Now that I'm sure I'm bottom 20-25%, how does being AAm help?

[itbdvorm]

Does increase in your class size for a particular year mean you'll go deeper into the class for that year? If so, how much of an effect does it have?

Thanks for doing this.

Our GPA cut probably won't change

[itbdvorm]

Would being a URM change the thinking at all?

yes, dramatically.

I asked the original original question at issue here. Now that I'm sure I'm bottom 20-25%, how does being AAm help?

The grades necessary to get jobs at many firms (not all) are not the same as an URM as they are otherwise. you may have a chance. talk to friends in the class year ahead, see how they did / where they went

[itbdvorm]

People have asked me about LA firms - anectdotally, this nails them about as well as I ever could:

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 0#p7788269

[Anonymous User]

Is your firm 100% (offers for summers)? What does it take to get no-offered from a historically 100% firm?

[Anonymous User]

Before I click through every page, anyone recall whether D.C. firms were discussed in a way similar to the LA firm link above?

[Anonymous User]

Do you even really look at mass mailing applications from lower ranked schools (Think T30-60)? Do you just have a generic grade cutoff of 3-5%?

[Anonymous User]

Would being a URM change the thinking at all?

yes, dramatically.

I asked the original original question at issue here. Now that I'm sure I'm bottom 20-25%, how does being AAm help?

The grades necessary to get jobs at many firms (not all) are not the same as an URM as they are otherwise. you may have a chance. talk to friends in the class year ahead, see how they did / where they went

Does being non-URM Hispanic in a non-obvious way (not able to speak Spanish and looking white) help at all at OCI or attaining diversity positions?

[FredJones]

Does being non-URM Hispanic in a non-obvious way (not able to speak Spanish and looking white) help at all at OCI or attaining diversity positions?

So you can have the benefit of white privilege and AA? What a class act.

Poster has been revealed for misusing the Anon feature.

[Anonymous User]

When you ask if a student has any questions at the end of the interview, are you primarily looking for someone to demonstrate that they understand what the firm does and will commit?

I'm reluctant to ask about how assignments are staffed, or about the format of the summer associate program itself, because those are things I can look up/could be expected to look up.

Is it fair to ask about the interviewer's own reasons for initially choosing the firm, or what surprised them about it after beginning to work there, or their own time at my law school (if they're an alum)? What parts of their background are off-limits, and what would you typically like to talk about, as an interviewer?

[Old Gregg]

or their own time at my law school (if they're an alum)?

This is a silly question. Yes, it works conversationally, but it does nothing to advance the purpose of this portion of the interview, which is to learn more about the firm. If someone asked me this question, my reaction would be "who the fuck cares?"

Some questions I like to ask:

1) What were you deciding between when you were choosing firms, and what led you to your choice? (I think you put some version of that above).

2) Why did you choose your practice group?

3) You noticed x, y, z training programs, but how practical/effective/useful are they in reality? What's been your experience with them?

Those three questions, assuming your interviewer doesn't have aspergers (not always a great assumption), should be more than enough to get you through the Q/A portion of the interview. With the organic conversation that can ensue from each of those questions, you probably won't get to ask all three.

[itbdvorm]

Is your firm 100% (offers for summers)? What does it take to get no-offered from a historically 100% firm?

Close enough. Work quality, inappropriate activities, etc.

[itbdvorm]

Do you even really look at mass mailing applications from lower ranked schools (Think T30-60)? Do you just have a generic grade cutoff of 3-5%?

I sure don't, presumably recuriting does.

[itbdvorm]

or their own time at my law school (if they're an alum)?

This is a silly question. Yes, it works conversationally, but it does nothing to advance the purpose of this portion of the interview, which is to learn more about the firm. If someone asked me this question, my reaction would be "who the fuck cares?"

Some questions I like to ask:

1) What were you deciding between when you were choosing firms, and what led you to your choice? (I think you put some version of that above).

2) Why did you choose your practice group?

3) You noticed x, y, z training programs, but how practical/effective/useful are they in reality? What's been your experience with them?

Those three questions, assuming your interviewer doesn't have aspergers (not always a great assumption), should be more than enough to get you through the Q/A portion of the interview. With the organic conversation that can ensue from each of those questions, you probably won't get to ask all three.

A+

[Anonymous User]

or their own time at my law school (if they're an alum)?

This is a silly question. Yes, it works conversationally, but it does nothing to advance the purpose of this portion of the interview, which is to learn more about the firm. If someone asked me this question, my reaction would be "who the fuck cares?"

Some questions I like to ask:

1) What were you deciding between when you were choosing firms, and what led you to your choice? (I think you put some version of that above).

2) Why did you choose your practice group?

3) You noticed x, y, z training programs, but how practical/effective/useful are they in reality? What's been your experience with them?

Those three questions, assuming your interviewer doesn't have aspergers (not always a great assumption), should be more than enough to get you through the Q/A portion of the interview. With the organic conversation that can ensue from each of those questions, you probably won't get to ask all three.

A+

Does the advice change if you are interviewing for one specific practice area?