How safe once you have a full time offer? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Once one has accepted a full time offer with a V100 as a rising 3L, what are the chances of it getting revoked? Do grades matter anymore more?

[anon168]

Once one has accepted a full time offer with a V100 as a rising 3L, what are the chances of it getting revoked? Do grades matter anymore more?

They matter. No need to gun for coif, but don't flunk out either, and there will be no risk of firm rescinding.

But keep something in mind. Your grades follow you forever. Ever hear of the term "exit options" on these boards? Well, if you want to keep those "exit options" open, I suggest you don't tank your 3L classes.

Grades matter, for probably at least 10 years post law school graduation.

[3ThrowAway99]

Well, if you want to keep those "exit options" open, I suggest you don't tank your 3L classes.

Grades matter, for probably at least 10 years post law school graduation.

Just curious, where do you get this from? Just speculation, or are you sure about this? What basis do you have to think grades follow for 10 years?

[Old Gregg]

Bigger chance that firm will collapse rather than your losing your offer from grade revocation.

[anon168]

Well, if you want to keep those "exit options" open, I suggest you don't tank your 3L classes.

Grades matter, for probably at least 10 years post law school graduation.

Just curious, where do you get this from? Just speculation, or are you sure about this? What basis do you have to think grades follow for 10 years?

Because I have been on the hiring committee for two different types of organizations (private and public). Unless you are a partner with a book of business, grades are going to matter when you try and lateral as an associate.

[Old Gregg]

Well, if you want to keep those "exit options" open, I suggest you don't tank your 3L classes.

Grades matter, for probably at least 10 years post law school graduation.

Just curious, where do you get this from? Just speculation, or are you sure about this? What basis do you have to think grades follow for 10 years?

Because I have been on the hiring committee for two different types of organizations (private and public). Unless you are a partner with a book of business, grades are going to matter when you try and lateral as an associate.

LOL.

[NinerFan]

Well, if you want to keep those "exit options" open, I suggest you don't tank your 3L classes.

Grades matter, for probably at least 10 years post law school graduation.

Just curious, where do you get this from? Just speculation, or are you sure about this? What basis do you have to think grades follow for 10 years?

Because I have been on the hiring committee for two different types of organizations (private and public). Unless you are a partner with a book of business, grades are going to matter when you try and lateral as an associate.

You cannot be serious.

[keg411]

Well, if you want to keep those "exit options" open, I suggest you don't tank your 3L classes.

Grades matter, for probably at least 10 years post law school graduation.

Just curious, where do you get this from? Just speculation, or are you sure about this? What basis do you have to think grades follow for 10 years?

Because I have been on the hiring committee for two different types of organizations (private and public). Unless you are a partner with a book of business, grades are going to matter when you try and lateral as an associate.

You cannot be serious.

FWIW, I also heard this from at least one BigLaw partner.

[AppsAbound]

I love that LOL. I don't know about the 10 years part, but I've heard of associates who lateral 3-5 years out and were asked for transcripts. So yes, your grades stay with you post-graduation and even if you already have work experience.

[Anonymous User]

Just because they ask for a transcript, doesn't mean they matter. In my experience, I've already received lateral offers from firms I would never have had a shot at in law school. What matters most is firm and experience. Grades probably come in, but not in a really significant way.

And yes, this is even at the top ten law firms.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. I understand that having my GPA drop during 3L year will negatively affect me when lateraling, but as far as maintaining my offer with SA firm, is it still relatively safe?

[romothesavior]

Ask sadsituationJD, I imagine he has some thoughts on the matter.

[Anonymous User]

The hiring partner at my V20 told me that they look at grades and that they matter if you are a lateral associate without a book of business. He mentioned that the grades matter to the extent that if they are below their cutoffs for summer hiring, then they wont hire you.

[Anonymous User]

This year, incoming Dewey associates suddenly found themselves searching for jobs. Last year, the same happened for incoming Howrey associates. It will probably happen to incoming associates at other Vault firms in the years to come. A buddy who was headed to Dewey had top quarter grades after 1L, maintained them, and had no problem (seriously, it took him only a week) finding a job at a peer firm after Dewey collapsed. I suspect things would have been much more difficult had he ignored his 2L and 3L grades.

It's unlikely that your firm will be the one to collapse, but as the threads on TLS show, it has happened to several posters here. Or you may be laid off in your first year, which happened to many associates at Latham in 2009 and is allegedly happening to White & Case associates now. You could find yourself in need of a job much earlier than you expect, so it's stupid to blow off grades since you probably don't have any good excuse to. There's no reason to work as hard as in 1L, but avoiding a significant drop shouldn't require much effort.

As far as lateral hiring goes, I've heard a lot of mixed things, and it probably depends on the firm. But I think it's clear that grades can matter; just because they may not matter at some firms or in some circumstances doesn't mean you should blow off grades, since they may end up making a difference.

[anon168]

OP here. I understand that having my GPA drop during 3L year will negatively affect me when lateraling, but as far as maintaining my offer with SA firm, is it still relatively safe?

You're safe.