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What's the best way to express it (on a callback)? I've done a ton of research but I've obviously never been an employee there, so I always feel somewhat awkward just putting what I know out there, like "Oh this firm does great work in commercial litigation, and it also has a really great culture." OTOH, I feel equally awkward saying something like "Oh, in my research I've heard/found/seen..." A minor and possibly meaningless distinction I know, but I also know I'm going to be asked this question a lot and I want to hit it out of the park.

Edited for dumb.

Anonymous User wrote:What's the best way to express to express it (on a callback)? I've done a ton of research but I've obviously never been an employee there, so I always feel somewhat awkward just putting what I know out there, like "Oh this firm does great work in commercial litigation, and it also has a really great culture." OTOH, I feel equally awkward saying something like "Oh, in my research I've heard/found/seen..." A minor and possibly meaningless distinction I know, but I also know I'm going to be asked this question a lot and I want to hit it out of the park.

Say it like this: "oh I'm really interested in your strong commercial litigation practice." Nobody is going to be like "oh what does this kid know, our commercial litigation practice sucks!" They know you read Chambers, and they look to it too.

Don't say "the firm has a really great culture." Because then it sounds like you don't know what the culture is. Say: "I really like that you encourage associates to be entrepreneurial" or whatever.

be honest, and have a good balance of what about the firm appeals to you (practice group, reputation, office size, national/local presence, feedback from other summer associates), and be sure to balance it out with what you think you can bring to the firm that compliments/"fits" with them. For example, at a firm like Kirkland, you might want to emphasize the entrepreneurial nature of the firms work distribution model and then mention something about your background and how you are entrepreneurial and think you could perform solid work for them in that type of business model.

I significantly underplayed the second part and it was reflected in my CB to offer ratio (luckily I escaped with at least one offer at a firm I wanted).

rayiner wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:What's the best way to express to express it (on a callback)? I've done a ton of research but I've obviously never been an employee there, so I always feel somewhat awkward just putting what I know out there, like "Oh this firm does great work in commercial litigation, and it also has a really great culture." OTOH, I feel equally awkward saying something like "Oh, in my research I've heard/found/seen..." A minor and possibly meaningless distinction I know, but I also know I'm going to be asked this question a lot and I want to hit it out of the park.

Say it like this: "oh I'm really interested in your strong commercial litigation practice." Nobody is going to be like "oh what does this kid know, our commercial litigation practice sucks!" They know you read Chambers, and they look to it too.

Don't say "the firm has a really great culture." Because then it sounds like you don't know what the culture is. Say: "I really like that you encourage associates to be entrepreneurial" or whatever.

I agree, this sounds good.