Getting BigLaw after Striking Out Forum

[Anonymous User]

If mass mailing does not work out, does anyone have any ideas on how to better position yourself for big law. Above median grades at T-14, but not top 1/4 or something like that that could place you within article III clerkship.

Are there any non-SA summer jobs that give you a better chance for 3lolci?
Any clerkships that are less competitive that can be used as spring boards to that coveted biglaw job, or to something else that down the road leads to biglaw?
Will specialization (tons of tax classes or anything along those lines) help?
Any strategies/things that we should do in the next two years of law school?

[LawIdiot86]

If mass mailing does not work out, does anyone have any ideas on how to better position yourself for big law. Above median grades at T-14, but not top 1/4 or something like that that could place you within article III clerkship.

Are there any non-SA summer jobs that give you a better chance for 3lolci?
Any clerkships that are less competitive that can be used as spring boards to that coveted biglaw job, or to something else that down the road leads to biglaw?
Will specialization (tons of tax classes or anything along those lines) help?
Any strategies/things that we should do in the next two years of law school?

No.
No (except DE state clerkships, but those are as competitive).
No. It's possible to pull off the JD-LL.M-redo-OCI trick, but it's a 1/3 odds at best. Specialized courses alone won't help.
Yes, get high grades, network, intern and get to know professors well.

[Anonymous User]

I am below median at t14 and I struck out in OCI. I got a biglaw offer in December and received full-time offer after this summer.

The key is persistence. Keep applying through mass-mailing (don't give up on that), career office postings and personal networking. There are still fewer openings now but if you keep trying, there will be a spot for you.

Also, I suggest you try to change markets. I changed from domestic to international and got a biglaw position that way.

[Boogaloo]

OP who talked about changing markets from domestic to international, how did you go about this? What process, I mean?

[Anonymous User]

I am below median at t14 and I struck out in OCI. I got a biglaw offer in December and received full-time offer after this summer.

The key is persistence. Keep applying through mass-mailing (don't give up on that), career office postings and personal networking. There are still fewer openings now but if you keep trying, there will be a spot for you.

Also, I suggest you try to change markets. I changed from domestic to international and got a biglaw position that way.

OP here... I quit mass mailing this weekend, assuming it was over now, but you think in your experience that it is worth at this stage. I feel as if I am simply running out of firms to apply to in markets that would hire me (exhausted NALP, resume launchpad) and from what I see, tons of the NLJ350 do not even have summer programs.
Internationally, do you have foreign language skills or did you just go for London?

[Anonymous User]

OP who talked about changing markets from domestic to international, how did you go about this? What process, I mean?

I'd also like to know how/where to find these international openings.

[Anonymous User]

I am below median at t14 and I struck out in OCI. I got a biglaw offer in December and received full-time offer after this summer.

The key is persistence. Keep applying through mass-mailing (don't give up on that), career office postings and personal networking. There are still fewer openings now but if you keep trying, there will be a spot for you.

Also, I suggest you try to change markets. I changed from domestic to international and got a biglaw position that way.

OP here... I quit mass mailing this weekend, assuming it was over now, but you think in your experience that it is worth at this stage. I feel as if I am simply running out of firms to apply to in markets that would hire me (exhausted NALP, resume launchpad) and from what I see, tons of the NLJ350 do not even have summer programs.
Internationally, do you have foreign language skills or did you just go for London?

Hey, same guy above.

Don't quit mass mailing yet. Last year around this time, I got my final rejection and just started mass mailing. I admit I probably got hundreds of rejections (I was still getting rejection mails in spring) but it was worth it at the end.

Since you already sent so many applications, I think you should really follow up with them and call each firm. I heard a lot of people getting interviews through that. I got a CB from just calling a recruiting person about my application that was totally ignored by them.

About working internationally, you have to demonstrate your willingness to work overseas and perhaps find something in your experience that demonstrates such willingness. There are significant US practices in many non-US firms in cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore and London. Their summer programs are smaller but they still pay NY market and give full-time job offers at the end of summer.

Otherwise, you should think about applying to different markets in the US.

[Anonymous User]

OP who talked about changing markets from domestic to international, how did you go about this? What process, I mean?

I'd also like to know how/where to find these international openings.

I just mass mailed every UK big law (not just Magic Circle) with a US practice and got an interview opportunity, which turned into an offer in December.

[sparty99]

OP who talked about changing markets from domestic to international, how did you go about this? What process, I mean?

I'd also like to know how/where to find these international openings.

I just mass mailed every UK big law (not just Magic Circle) with a US practice and got an interview opportunity, which turned into an offer in December.

PLEASE MESSAGE ME IMMEDIATELY.

[Anonymous User]

anyone got a tip on how to find these UK biglaw firms with a US practice?

[Borg]

I would also hit legal departments at every Fotune 500 company. A friend of mine struck out, worked for GE for the summer, and then got snagged by a big firm as a 3L.

[Boogaloo]

OP who talked about changing markets from domestic to international, how did you go about this? What process, I mean?

I'd also like to know how/where to find these international openings.

I just mass mailed every UK big law (not just Magic Circle) with a US practice and got an interview opportunity, which turned into an offer in December.

PLEASE MESSAGE ME IMMEDIATELY.

But you were applying to practice in America, and not the UK, right?

[Anonymous User]

anyone got a tip on how to find these UK biglaw firms with a US practice?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_la ... _law_firms

Try search their websites (some of them have specific US career pages) or email/call their recruitment people about these opportunities.

[Anonymous User]

But you were applying to practice in America, and not the UK, right?

I was originally applying for US positions only. After receiving a lot of rejections, I decided to try applying for overseas positions for US law students. I applied to not just UK, but also Hong Kong and Singapore as well. I also heard about positions in Tokyo.

[Boogaloo]

But you were applying to practice in America, and not the UK, right?

I was originally applying for US positions only. After receiving a lot of rejections, I decided to try applying for overseas positions for US law students. I applied to not just UK, but also Hong Kong and Singapore as well. I also heard about positions in Tokyo.

First of all, thank you so much for being this responsive. It is incredible kind of you.

Second, did you need to complete QTLS or anything? I've look at some of these websites, and there doesn't seem to be much information about US students applying. Your suggestion is to contact the recruiters, right?

[Anonymous User]

But you were applying to practice in America, and not the UK, right?

I was originally applying for US positions only. After receiving a lot of rejections, I decided to try applying for overseas positions for US law students. I applied to not just UK, but also Hong Kong and Singapore as well. I also heard about positions in Tokyo.

First of all, thank you so much for being this responsive. It is incredible kind of you.

Second, did you need to complete QTLS or anything? I've look at some of these websites, and there doesn't seem to be much information about US students applying. Your suggestion is to contact the recruiters, right?

np. I didn't complete any requirement outside of US legal education. If you do work for a UK firm, you will be going through the US associate track with similar requirements and pays like NY associates. An example would be:

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Some have similar links but others you will have to email or call.

A good resource if you want to work in Asia is this:
http://abovethelaw.com/asia-chronicles/

You can actually try email these headhunters to ask about different opportunities. They probably can't help you find a job now (they make money referring experienced lawyers) but at least they will know which firms hire US law grads.

[Anonymous User]

When you have applied to every market that would plausibly hire you, move onto the longer shots. I'm still shocked that I got a job in a fairly competitive secondary that was supposed to be ties-heavy. I didn't send my app until September and didn't get my offer until November.

Don't reject yourself. They'll do it for you.

[Boogaloo]

Thanks so much guys. It must feel good to be in a stable place.

[Anonymous User]

Herbert Smith London usually hires for their US practice. They usually do screeners in November / December.

[Anonymous User]

For Herbert Smith, where do we find their recruiting contact or application for a US summer associate position in London? All I can find is training contract and/or vacation scheme. Is one of them it?

[Anonymous User]

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[Anonymous User]

Did you guys apply to the international/asian offices of american firms? or just mostly magic circle, UK, and australian firms?