3L job hunt timeline for plaintiff-side firms Forum

[Anonymous User]

Rising 3L, currently an SA at a prominent plaintiffs firm. Love the job, but chances of offer are less than 50%. I'm starting to compile firms to apply to in the event that I don't get an offer. In the past, folks have received offers around mid-Nov. Is that too late to start applying? What should my timeline look like? I'm targeting plaintiff-side firms in the Southeast/Mid-Atlantic, although I would not be opposed to a mid-size defense firm.

Stats: ~33% T50, Secondary journal

For mods: Not a troll, friend posting from account. Long story, but it involves alcohol.

[Anonymous User]

I have no helpful advice, but I'm also interested in this. Rising 3L with a SA at a V50 firm but I would actually really like to get into a decent plaintiffs' firm with a mass tort/products liability/consumer class action practice and/or securities practice. Interested in getting advice about applying.

[Anonymous User]

network and network more.

[Anonymous User]

Is there any way to mass mail these firms or are jobs like these only obtained through networking?

[anon168]

For more established and larger plaintiffs' firms, e.g. Labaton, RGRD, Bernstein, Lieff, motley rice, etc., you just need to start mass-mailing now.

If you don't care what market you end up practicing in, use the ISS SCAS list as a starting point of where to target your mass mailing campaign. --LinkRemoved--

Good luck.

[Anonymous User]

What is pay like at these firms?

[anon168]

What is pay like at these firms?

Depends on the market, the type of firm, etc.

Give me an example, I can better answer your question.

[Anonymous User]

I'm trying to figure this out too. The problem seems to be that so few hire entry-level associates at all. I've applied to a couple good ones in my area (I have pretty good stats) and the consistent message has been "You've got great credentials and ties, call us again in 2-3 years."

[anon168]

I'm trying to figure this out too. The problem seems to be that so few hire entry-level associates at all. I've applied to a couple good ones in my area (I have pretty good stats) and the consistent message has been "You've got great credentials and ties, call us again in 2-3 years."

It's not you but the nature of the business model.

Most plaintiffs' firms - even the biggest -- rarely have the overhead cushion to hire recent grads and pay them to do essentially what a contract attorney can do at half the cost (i.e. lower salary, no secretarial support, little to no benefits, etc). There isn't the time nor the resources to train a young lawyer how to practice law because everything is contingency based.

So unless there is a particular need or an expansion into a particular market or practice area, most of these firms will shy away from hiring recent grads. There is always a limited amount of hiring but it is largely sporadic.

You just have to keep trying.

Good luck.

[Anonymous User]

How much do firms like Cohen Milstein pay?

[anon168]

How much do firms like Cohen Milstein pay?

In DC/NYC, it's midlaw salary range.