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I received a V100 offer that I am going to accept over my 1L firm's offer to return. Should I call or email them? I really liked working there, and want to do everything possible to avoid burning the bridge. ITE I know a 2L SA means nothing for post-grad employment. I know conventional wisdom is to call, but I think I can be a *lot* more eloquent over email and also the MP at the 1L firm is super busy; hates phone calls; prefers emails etc.

What would you do? Do I need to sack up and call?

EDIT: It would be the first phone conversation I've ever had with these guys. We always communicate over email.

EDIT: Does anybody have any anecdotes about when something like this goes terribly wrong? Or are firms usually understanding...

I would call.

I'm going to be doing the same thing. Really liked everyone over there so its going to be tough. I'm going to call the hiring partner personally, then send a thank you email to the attorneys I got close with.

I would call, and when faced with the same situation, I did call.


They'll say something like "we understand, wish we could have had you back,good luck in the future and let me know if I can ever help you with anything."

Also, you don't need to be eloquent...short sweet.

Aqualibrium wrote:I would call, and when faced with the same situation, I did call.


They'll say something like "we understand, wish we could have had you back,good luck in the future and let me know if I can ever help you with anything."

Also, you don't need to be eloquent...short sweet.

Do you leave a message if they don't answer?

Anonymous User wrote:

Aqualibrium wrote:I would call, and when faced with the same situation, I did call.


They'll say something like "we understand, wish we could have had you back,good luck in the future and let me know if I can ever help you with anything."

Also, you don't need to be eloquent...short sweet.

Do you leave a message if they don't answer?

I would. It's a tough message any way you cut it and there's no plus-side to dragging it out (whereas there is in, say, informing a law student of an offer...that build-up ends in a positive result, not a negative one). Just let them know what it is, say thanks, and that you hold them in high esteem and hope to see them around town in the future.

BeenDidThat wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Aqualibrium wrote:I would call, and when faced with the same situation, I did call.


They'll say something like "we understand, wish we could have had you back,good luck in the future and let me know if I can ever help you with anything."

Also, you don't need to be eloquent...short sweet.

Do you leave a message if they don't answer?

I would. It's a tough message any way you cut it and there's no plus-side to dragging it out (whereas there is in, say, informing a law student of an offer...that build-up ends in a positive result, not a negative one). Just let them know what it is, say thanks, and that you hold them in high esteem and hope to see them around town in the future.

I'm a little late to answer op's question, but I'm gonna have to disagree with the above poster. I think you should leave a message, but the message should be "give me a call whenever you get a chance." You don't leave a voice mail message with bad news imo.

Anonymous User wrote:ITE I know a 2L SA means nothing for post-grad employment.

saaaaaay whaaaaaat

Is splitting not an option?

weee wrote:Is splitting not an option?

OP here -


Actually, I was going to try spend 4-5 weeks at the 1L firm, surrounding the full 2L program if they'd have me (I think they would). Does that change the answer to my question? Should I just email then?

Anonymous User wrote:

weee wrote:Is splitting not an option?

OP here -


Actually, I was going to try spend 4-5 weeks at the 1L firm, surrounding the full 2L program if they'd have me (I think they would). Does that change the answer to my question? Should I just email then?

Phone is the best way. Emails are impersonal. If you want to try to work something out with them, you should talk to someone over the phone. Even if you email, it'll likely end up being a phone conversation anyway.

not to hijack the thread, but on a related note, lets say you are a 3L who is not returning for full-time. whats the best way to break it to them? professional wisdom says to call, except i dont really know who i would call. my offer letter is signed by the hiring partner and director of legal recruiting - i haven't met either so it would be weird to call them. i was given the actual offer letter by my assigned partner mentor - who i also wasn't close to. we just went out the first week for lunch then didn't really see him till my exit review when he gave me an offer. im honestly inclined to just email the person who signed my offer letter (director of legal recruiting).