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As a 3L who has an offer from a non-NALP boutique (not my first choice) firm, I have the following question:

There's another firm out there that I really want to work for (also non-NALP), who seems to really like me; but they won't be able (for a variety of reasons) to seriously consider offering me until February. Similarly, I have a couple other irons in the fire (government jobs, etc) that I'd much rather do than my current offer that may come through for me in the next six months. Of course, I don't want to be a scumbag and accept the offer, and then 3 months later rescind my acceptance.

What am I supposed to do here? Is anyone else also in this situation? I know that NALP has rules regarding when you have to accept offers, but I suspect that they don't apply in this situation.

you might want to just consider asking to extend, extend, extend. i don't imagine they can pull your offer just because you asked. i know someone who landed a biglaw gig but really wanted to do public interest, and kept extending all the way into the spring (and was open about why she was doing so...granted your firm may not be so understanding, but they might be if you tell them it's for gov't, not for that other firm). she didn't end up get the pi job she was hoping for, and ended up working at the firm. i think extensions generally only last for so long, though, so you'd have to do it repeatedly...not comfortable, i know, but it's an option.

Anonymous User wrote:As a 3L who has an offer from a non-NALP boutique (not my first choice) firm, I have the following question:

There's another firm out there that I really want to work for (also non-NALP), who seems to really like me; but they won't be able (for a variety of reasons) to seriously consider offering me until February. Similarly, I have a couple other irons in the fire (government jobs, etc) that I'd much rather do than my current offer that may come through for me in the next six months. Of course, I don't want to be a scumbag and accept the offer, and then 3 months later rescind my acceptance.

What am I supposed to do here? Is anyone else also in this situation? I know that NALP has rules regarding when you have to accept offers, but I suspect that they don't apply in this situation.

If your government job search can fairly be considered "public interest" (and I think it almost always can) -- then NALP guidelines allows you to request (and encourages firms to grant) an extension until April.

OP here. Okay, fair enough re the government job. But what about the firm job? Is that simply a non-starter?

Once you have the extension, I don't think you're required to take the government job or accept...You just have a new deadline. As long as your search was in good faith, I don't think there's anything stopping you from taking the other firm.