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I have a few NYC offers. One is to a v75 firm that I really like, is up-and-coming, and has a strong and growing practice area in a field I am strongly considering. The other is a v25 that has all the same positive attributes but is already much more of a household commodity. The v75 is notorious for waiting weeks to get back to people, and for not giving many offers to my school (T10)...I heard very quickly and was given the strong impression that I am their top candidate from my school.

So...the big question...is negotiating a thing? Can I say to them "i am very interested in your firm, but I am more interested in another. can you do anything to sweeten the deal?" I know that firms probably wouldn't increase your salary, since it goes against the lockstep principle, but what about a monthly COL stipend for housing, something like that? I mean, if they want you that badly, it's certainly possible, right? Or is it viewed as a universal negative?

any thoughts are appreciated

Anonymous User wrote:I have a few NYC offers. One is to a v75 firm that I really like, is up-and-coming, and has a strong and growing practice area in a field I am strongly considering. The other is a v25 that has all the same positive attributes but is already much more of a household commodity. The v75 is notorious for waiting weeks to get back to people, and for not giving many offers to my school (T10)...I heard very quickly and was given the strong impression that I am their top candidate from my school.

So...the big question...is negotiating a thing? Can I say to them "i am very interested in your firm, but I am more interested in another. can you do anything to sweeten the deal?" I know that firms probably wouldn't increase your salary, since it goes against the lockstep principle, but what about a monthly COL stipend for housing, something like that? I mean, if they want you that badly, it's certainly possible, right? Or is it viewed as a universal negative?

any thoughts are appreciated

LOL they don't want you THAT badly. So long as they get all the bodies that they think they need they couldn't care less if you personally came...

Couple possible scenarios:

(1) The hiring partner replies "sure, I'll sweeten the deal!"

(2) The hiring partner replies "uhhh [thinking to himself: I don't know why I gave this jackass an offer] no, ..."

Keep in mind these firms extended you an offer for summer employment. You still need to make a good impression to secure a full-time gig.

Anonymous User wrote:I have a few NYC offers. One is to a v75 firm that I really like, is up-and-coming, and has a strong and growing practice area in a field I am strongly considering. The other is a v25 that has all the same positive attributes but is already much more of a household commodity. The v75 is notorious for waiting weeks to get back to people, and for not giving many offers to my school (T10)...I heard very quickly and was given the strong impression that I am their top candidate from my school.

So...the big question...is negotiating a thing? Can I say to them "i am very interested in your firm, but I am more interested in another. can you do anything to sweeten the deal?" I know that firms probably wouldn't increase your salary, since it goes against the lockstep principle, but what about a monthly COL stipend for housing, something like that? I mean, if they want you that badly, it's certainly possible, right? Or is it viewed as a universal negative?

any thoughts are appreciated

Please do not do this.

This is undoubtedly a great idea. But I would be ready to play hardball. Partners negotiate a lot at work and know what they're doing. Showing a partner you can drive a hard bargain will show him you're worth the COL stipend.

.

presh wrote:Even if you are their top choice from all the schools, I don't see why you think you have enough negotiating power to do this. They could replace you in a second with another LS dying to work for them.

but if your mentality is that you aren't going to work there unless they offer additional benefits, then if they say no and offer your position to another student, so be it...you weren't going to accept the offer as is anyway.

Are you crazy? You have two offers, you aren't the most brilliant lawyer they ever seen. They are already paying you a ton of money for an extended job interview. They aren't going to give you more money.

Honestly, you might need to consider your attitude and make sure you don't go into the summer with an arrogant attitude.

Anonymous User wrote:I have a few NYC offers. One is to a v75 firm that I really like, is up-and-coming, and has a strong and growing practice area in a field I am strongly considering. The other is a v25 that has all the same positive attributes but is already much more of a household commodity. The v75 is notorious for waiting weeks to get back to people, and for not giving many offers to my school (T10)...I heard very quickly and was given the strong impression that I am their top candidate from my school.

So...the big question...is negotiating a thing? Can I say to them "i am very interested in your firm, but I am more interested in another. can you do anything to sweeten the deal?" I know that firms probably wouldn't increase your salary, since it goes against the lockstep principle, but what about a monthly COL stipend for housing, something like that? I mean, if they want you that badly, it's certainly possible, right? Or is it viewed as a universal negative?

any thoughts are appreciated

K-JD, eh?

If full time offers you can go ahead and negotiate. The only thing the firm is likely to be flexible on is practice group.

If SAs. Lol, no.

Edit: Actually, for your SA you may be able to negotiate a split if so inclined.

An older student at my school negotiated a higher starting salary at a very good firm AFTER s/he got an offer, but other posters are right that SA recruiting isn't the time to bring that up.

I got DAT 190K bro, and a corner office.

I have an idea. Tell the other firm that you won't work there unless they make you partner immediately.

Desert Fox wrote:I got DAT 190K bro, and a corner office.

Should've gone for a company car. OP, ask for a company car and report back, it's more reasonable than a COL stipend

stratocophic wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:I got DAT 190K bro, and a corner office.

Should've gone for a company car. OP, ask for a company car and report back, it's more reasonable than a COL stipend

Offered me a Lexus but I said BMW or I walk. I settled for the managing partners Condo.

Desert Fox wrote:

stratocophic wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:I got DAT 190K bro, and a corner office.

Should've gone for a company car. OP, ask for a company car and report back, it's more reasonable than a COL stipend

Offered me a Lexus but I said BMW or I walk. I settled for the managing partners Condo.

his wife stays, i assume

fatduck wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:

stratocophic wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:I got DAT 190K bro, and a corner office.

Should've gone for a company car. OP, ask for a company car and report back, it's more reasonable than a COL stipend

Offered me a Lexus but I said BMW or I walk. I settled for the managing partners Condo.

his wife stays, i assume

Dood of course not, I'm not sick. His daughter, she stays.

Desert Fox wrote:
Dood of course not, I'm not sick. His daughter, she stays.

The whiney, fat, entitled daughter? You can do better, man.

Desert Fox wrote:

fatduck wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:

stratocophic wrote: Should've gone for a company car. OP, ask for a company car and report back, it's more reasonable than a COL stipend

Offered me a Lexus but I said BMW or I walk. I settled for the managing partners Condo.

his wife stays, i assume

Dood of course not, I'm not sick. His daughter, she stays.

Might want to renegotiate, I've got three life-changing words for you:

same
damn
time