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So it's pretty clear that a large number of TLS posters with pretty good grades etc. are striking out (my god the Midwest thread). I'm one of these students. Just inside top 25%, LR, Cali Award, no offers (techincally still waiting on two midsize firms). So, I'm getting ready to bomb small firms. How do we go about applying to these places? Most of them don't say anything about hiring students or where to send applications or anything like that. So what's the process like and what's the first step?

Anonymous User wrote:So it's pretty clear that a large number of TLS posters with pretty good grades etc. are striking out (my god the Midwest thread). I'm one of these students. Just inside top 25%, LR, Cali Award, no offers (techincally still waiting on two midsize firms). So, I'm getting ready to bomb small firms. How do we go about applying to these places? Most of them don't say anything about hiring students or where to send applications or anything like that. So what's the process like and what's the first step?

Talk to your CSO to get an idea of when your local small firms typically start hiring. At my school, they say that any time before January is too early. They also recommend calling small firms to determine whether they're hiring and if so, where to direct application materials.

I've also had a little success so far (as in, a few people have at least responded to me) by directly emailing recent alums of my law school who work at small firms, to get an idea of their hiring needs and ask what I should do to apply. In keeping with what CSO told me, though, it seems too early to apply in my local market.

some firms hire very early for paid positions, so i would get them out over winter break. i emailed a couple firms in february and they said they were out of paid positions. also, small firm attorneys go on long and unpredictable vacations, so earlier is better.