Meeting with a V20 Partner Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have a meeting with a V20 partner next Friday, and I have no idea what I should talk to him about. His practice is focused in a niche area that I would love to work in. How did I manage to land a meeting with him, you may ask? The judge I'm clerking for this summer is bending-over backwards to help me land something biglaw related. The partner is a very good friend of his (the wives go to the same gym, kids in the same private prep school, they play golf together, etc.)

I'm in the second 1/4 in terms of grades, and would probably have no chance at this firm solely from OCI. What should I do to demonstrate I am competent and I should be given an opportunity to work for them next summer?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[rad lulz]

Start by not thinking of it as a way to weasel into a job.

[Anonymous User]

Start by not thinking of it as a way to weasel into a job.

No doubt. But it's impossible to act like anyone in my position wouldn't be thinking about employment opportunities while talking to the partner.

[Dr. Review]

Start by not thinking of it as a way to weasel into a job.

+1

The best networking I've done came as a result of just meeting someone and having a genuine talk about things that interested us, which usually involves his or her practice area, and it often leads to something more substantial.

[Bildungsroman]

You're not clerking for a judge this summer, you're interning for a judge this summer. hth

[Anonymous User]

You're not clerking for a judge this summer, you're interning for a judge this summer. hth

That's what I told the judge, but he keeps insisting that I should introduce myself to everyone as his clerk...

[Bildungsroman]

You're not clerking for a judge this summer, you're interning for a judge this summer. hth

That's what I told the judge, but he keeps insisting that I should introduce myself to everyone as his clerk...

If he wants you to do that, then do it in his presence since judges' desires must always be served. But don't do it when he's not listening, because it's not accurate.

[Anonymous User]

You're not clerking for a judge this summer, you're interning for a judge this summer. hth

That's what I told the judge, but he keeps insisting that I should introduce myself to everyone as his clerk...

If he wants you to do that, then do it in his presence since judges' desires must always be served. But don't do it when he's not listening, because it's not accurate.

When I meet with the partner, I shouldn't call myself the judge's clerk? It's felt weird as fuck doing that over the phone, but he insists I should do it.

[manofjustice]

For God's sake do what the Judge tells you. Judge > Internet.

[$$$$$$]

When meeting with this partner, look at the type of work he does and make sure it seems like that is why you want to talk with him. You want to come across as someone interested in his firm, and very interested in potentially building a practice in his practice area. Come up with good talking points about that stuff.

Otherwise, just be friendly, talk about interests, try and have as genuine a conversation as possible. Make sure you have a reason for why you wanted to speak with him. If transactional partner, make sure you know what about transactional work interests you, and ask him about some of the things he has worked on.

Also, you are working for a judge, no dude is going to give a shit if you call yourself a clerk or an intern, and if they do, they probably have a terrible sex life

[Bildungsroman]

For God's sake do what the Judge tells you. Judge > Internet.

Again, if the judge wants you to introduce yourself as his clerk, then do so in front of him. But if you meet a lawyer for the first time and say "I'm clerking for Judge _____" you're going to sound dumb when they realize you're a judicial intern and not a clerk. If I was working for a judge and he demanded I introduce myself as "Admiral Bildungsroman" then I'd humor him, but I wouldn't put "Admiral, summer 2012" on my resume.

[manofjustice]

For God's sake do what the Judge tells you. Judge > Internet.

Again, if the judge wants you to introduce yourself as his clerk, then do so in front of him. But if you meet a lawyer for the first time and say "I'm clerking for Judge _____" you're going to sound dumb when they realize you're a judicial intern and not a clerk. If I was working for a judge and he demanded I introduce myself as "Admiral Bildungsroman" then I'd humor him, but I wouldn't put "Admiral, summer 2012" on my resume.

Admiral Bildungsroman (isn't that a name of a type of novel, or something? Like, my life of legal failure will be a bildungsroman for future LSAT takers?) Sounds like OP is saying that the Judge is telling him to introduce himself as a clerk to the partner. I advise OP to take the Judge's advice. The Judge is not a senile granddad we must humor with his backward ways...

[piccolittle]

Getting this back on track, the best thing you can do to show you're capable of working with them next summer is get chummy with this partner. They already assume you're capable and intelligent; you have to show that you're easy to get along with, enthusiastic, and eager to learn about his field. I've been learning what a big deal mentorship is in this profession, and it may end up being more valuable than a simple job opportunity. If he wants to help you, he will. But first he has to like you.

[Anonymous User]

For God's sake do what the Judge tells you. Judge > Internet.

Again, if the judge wants you to introduce yourself as his clerk, then do so in front of him. But if you meet a lawyer for the first time and say "I'm clerking for Judge _____" you're going to sound dumb when they realize you're a judicial intern and not a clerk. If I was working for a judge and he demanded I introduce myself as "Admiral Bildungsroman" then I'd humor him, but I wouldn't put "Admiral, summer 2012" on my resume.

Admiral Bildungsroman (isn't that a name of a type of novel, or something? Like, my life of legal failure will be a bildungsroman for future LSAT takers?) Sounds like OP is saying that the Judge is telling him to introduce himself as a clerk to the partner. I advise OP to take the Judge's advice. The Judge is not a senile granddad we must humor with his backward ways...

Yeah, from what I gather that's what he wants me to do. He's eccentric but very accomplished. Last time, we were talking about something I read on a newspaper regarding a V10 and he out of nowhere told me to pick up the phone in his department and call a partner at said firm. He told me to introduce myself as his law clerk once I spoke with the partner's secretary and then to set up a meeting with the partner. I was sent straight through voicemail and apparently my judge and the partner have been exchanging e-mails, who knows if anything comes out of that.

[Anonymous User]

Getting this back on track, the best thing you can do to show you're capable of working with them next summer is get chummy with this partner. They already assume you're capable and intelligent; you have to show that you're easy to get along with, enthusiastic, and eager to learn about his field. I've been learning what a big deal mentorship is in this profession, and it may end up being more valuable than a simple job opportunity. If he wants to help you, he will. But first he has to like you.

That's what the judge has been telling me. Even after I explained that I was somewhat in the lower end of our curve, he said it didn't matter, that I we could work something out. He didn't promise me Cravath or anything crazy like that, but he says I should be able to find something before OCI. Honestly, I would just be content with some sort of paying legal job next summer.

[manofjustice]

Getting this back on track, the best thing you can do to show you're capable of working with them next summer is get chummy with this partner. They already assume you're capable and intelligent; you have to show that you're easy to get along with, enthusiastic, and eager to learn about his field. I've been learning what a big deal mentorship is in this profession, and it may end up being more valuable than a simple job opportunity. If he wants to help you, he will. But first he has to like you.

This seems highly correct. Highly. Think of all the things you can ONLY learn from a mentor, like how to get clients. Think of how this mentor can help you GET clients. Think of all the people he personally knows. Think of all his accumulated wisdom as to everything you need to know but which no one, as a matter of business course, will tell you.

Actually, I just got jealous of you...

So, I would suggest being a good protege, or that you come across that way. So, be eager to learn, ask questions, ask questions that only he can answer (so, ask many questions about his personal experience and his personal lessons), and act like a person he would want to help. So don't contradict him or frivolously argue or think you're awesome, but be awesome.

[manofjustice]

Annon, we should be asking YOU. How did you get this internship? Tips? Is this A3?

[Anonymous User]

Annon, we should be asking YOU. How did you get this internship? Tips? Is this A3?

My father is good friends with one of the judge's best friends. I really am surprised that someone that didn't know anything about me is willing to help me this much. He's letting me do substantive work and help him on different presentations for NGOs he's been asked to speak in front of.

Another thing, there's another partner at this V20 that is also good friends with my judge that I have much more in common with. I would rather speak with him than the one I'm scheduled to meet, but I'm guessing at this point this is not something I should be bringing up...

Tips? Network I guess.

[Anonymous User]

Annon, we should be asking YOU. How did you get this internship? Tips? Is this A3?

My father is good friends with one of the judge's best friends. I really am surprised that someone that didn't know anything about me is willing to help me this much. He's letting me do substantive work and help him on different presentations for NGOs he's been asked to speak in front of.

Another thing, there's another partner at this V20 that is also good friends with my judge that I have much more in common with. I would rather speak with him than the one I'm scheduled to meet, but I'm guessing at this point this is not something I should be bringing up...

Tips? Network I guess.

Read "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie

[manofjustice]

Speak with the partner who's the most "partner." Does he have clients? Is he equity? Avoid any non-equity or "I work for this other partner" partners, if you can.

[rad lulz]

Annon, we should be asking YOU. How did you get this internship? Tips? Is this A3?

Just FYI, a decent amount of judges won't make calls to "put in a good word" on behalf of interns.

[Dr. Review]

Annon, we should be asking YOU. How did you get this internship? Tips? Is this A3?

Just FYI, a decent amount of judges won't make calls to "put in a good word" on behalf of interns.

The judge I worked for keeps in touch with me and is very willing to write LORs for me, but she made it sound like they shouldn't be making these kind of phone calls.

[bjsesq]

You're not clerking for a judge this summer, you're interning for a judge this summer. hth

That's what I told the judge, but he keeps insisting that I should introduce myself to everyone as his clerk...

If he wants you to do that, then do it in his presence since judges' desires must always be served. But don't do it when he's not listening, because it's not accurate.

fapfapfapfap?

[Bildungsroman]

Speak with the partner who's the most "partner." Does he have clients? Is he equity? Avoid any non-equity or "I work for this other partner" partners, if you can.

Just curious, what year of law school are you?