1L Summer Job Search Forum

[BlueLotus]

Just out of curiosity, how much do 1L SAs in major markets (i.e. NYC, Boston, Philly, etc.) typically earn in a summer?

[hephaestus]

The majority pay the same as 2Ls (pro-rated 145 or 160). Some firms pay their 1Ls less than 2Ls, but I think that's not the standard.

[msblaw89]

Anyone heard back from NFL?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone heard back from NFL?

+1

[bk1]

The majority pay the same as 2Ls (pro-rated 145 or 160). Some firms pay their 1Ls less than 2Ls, but I think that's not the standard.

This.

[SouthernMiss]

I'm in a bit of a panic. I've applied to roughly 17 jobs. I've scheduled interviews with two (one of which I completed this week). I know 17 isn't a huge amount but I just can't find places to apply! I've exhausted symplicity, craigslist is useless, and a lot of the other sites are repeats of symplicity. How do I find out who is hiring 1Ls?!?!

I was in a similar situation until today, when I suddenly got one job offer and one interview for another job; I had sent 30+ apps with 4 rejections, 1 interview, and no offers before today. Stay positive, I think things might be picking up, especially on the gov't end of things.

As for where to look, http://www.lawstudentjobs.net has a lot of postings that you won't find on Symplicity. That's a good place to start, I think. They have lots of in-house jobs, and all sorts of gov't jobs. Not the best place to look for law firm jobs, but I'm assuming if you're interested in that you've already exhausted NALP (http://www.nalpdirectory.com). For PI jobs, there is also http://www.psjd.org.

[SouthernMiss]

Also, do you need to stay in-state for some reason? A paid internship in another state is a hell of a lot better than nothing in your home state. A lot of people spend 1L summer in a different part of the country than the one they're hoping to settle in.

I'm at a TTT. I have connections to the state I am and one other. I'm limiting my job search to both of those given my school rank.

With the caveat that I don't know your full situation, and I'm a 1L, I just wanted to add that you should never refrain from applying because you perceive yourself as not being qualified enough academically/professionally/with ties. I have been rejected from places where I had strong ties and thought I would be a good candidate, and I have gotten interviews/accepted to places where I had no ties/weaker ties and felt I was maybe under-qualified. If that's the only thing holding you back, my 2 cents is that you should just send apps out anyways, because you never know.

[Pleasye]

To the Anon who has only applied to 17 places: are you only applying to places that have posted jobs?

Just find public service places (legal aid, public counsel, non profits) and look on their websites to see if they have information about how to apply for legal internships. Many of those places don't post on symplicity and PSJD etc. Also your school may have a list of organizations like that (or google it and look at other schools in the area that have lists). Mine also gave us a huge list of judges to apply to.

There are tons of resources but they require a little bit of extra work. Our symplicity has like 20 job postings on it for 1Ls. We'd never get jobs if we only looked there.

[novawife]

I had an interview for a 1L summer internship with an overseas office of a mid-size US law firm (through mass emailing). The partner said "I'm very impressed by your resume and our discussion, and I can give you an offer on spot" in our conversation, and said "we only need to formalize things in the following days." Then he asked for my writing sample, and arranged a junior lawyer from the office to call me last night so that I can "know more about the internship and the office." The partner also said in follow-up emails that "I can't give you a formal offer just yet, but I think we're very close to it. We're reviewing your writing sample and will get back to you soon."

Question: at this stage of the game, is it still possible for me to eventually not getting an offer? (Please tell me i'm paranoid)

[A. Nony Mouse]

No, unfortunately, it is still possible for you not to get an offer. You don't have an offer until you have an offer. It sounds pretty promising, but don't turn down anything else/stop interviewing until you have an offer.

[rustyyoda]

I don't know what happened, but after feeling like I had struck out at every possible turn, the floodgates have opened and I'm now juggling 2 offers and waiting to hear back from an amazing in house internship that I feel I have more than a decent chance to land. So, to any 1Ls out there who have been feeling like they've got nothing, you never know when things will turn around!

[cdelgado]

I had an interview for a 1L summer internship with an overseas office of a mid-size US law firm (through mass emailing). The partner said "I'm very impressed by your resume and our discussion, and I can give you an offer on spot" in our conversation, and said "we only need to formalize things in the following days." Then he asked for my writing sample, and arranged a junior lawyer from the office to call me last night so that I can "know more about the internship and the office." The partner also said in follow-up emails that "I can't give you a formal offer just yet, but I think we're very close to it. We're reviewing your writing sample and will get back to you soon."

Question: at this stage of the game, is it still possible for me to eventually not getting an offer? (Please tell me i'm paranoid)

Unfortunately anything is possible at this point. I've heard it all - "let us know immediately about any other offers you get, we're very interested in you joining our firm" "you are a perfect fit and we just have to conclude the formal application process, expect to hear from us very soon." Any other iteration you can think of. Next day, somebody else gets the offer.

As the above person said - it is not yours until it is yours.

[Anonymous User]

I had an interview for a 1L summer internship with an overseas office of a mid-size US law firm (through mass emailing). The partner said "I'm very impressed by your resume and our discussion, and I can give you an offer on spot" in our conversation, and said "we only need to formalize things in the following days." Then he asked for my writing sample, and arranged a junior lawyer from the office to call me last night so that I can "know more about the internship and the office." The partner also said in follow-up emails that "I can't give you a formal offer just yet, but I think we're very close to it. We're reviewing your writing sample and will get back to you soon."

Question: at this stage of the game, is it still possible for me to eventually not getting an offer? (Please tell me i'm paranoid)

Unfortunately anything is possible at this point. I've heard it all - "let us know immediately about any other offers you get, we're very interested in you joining our firm" "you are a perfect fit and we just have to conclude the formal application process, expect to hear from us very soon." Any other iteration you can think of. Next day, somebody else gets the offer.

As the above person said - it is not yours until it is yours.

Is this common practice?

[A. Nony Mouse]

Unfortunately anything is possible at this point. I've heard it all - "let us know immediately about any other offers you get, we're very interested in you joining our firm" "you are a perfect fit and we just have to conclude the formal application process, expect to hear from us very soon." Any other iteration you can think of. Next day, somebody else gets the offer.

As the above person said - it is not yours until it is yours.

Is this common practice?

It's not uncommon. In all professions, not just law. You never have an offer until you have the offer. Just don't assume anything till you have it in writing.

[SouthernMiss]

I had an interview for a 1L summer internship with an overseas office of a mid-size US law firm (through mass emailing). The partner said "I'm very impressed by your resume and our discussion, and I can give you an offer on spot" in our conversation, and said "we only need to formalize things in the following days." Then he asked for my writing sample, and arranged a junior lawyer from the office to call me last night so that I can "know more about the internship and the office." The partner also said in follow-up emails that "I can't give you a formal offer just yet, but I think we're very close to it. We're reviewing your writing sample and will get back to you soon."

Question: at this stage of the game, is it still possible for me to eventually not getting an offer? (Please tell me i'm paranoid)

Unfortunately anything is possible at this point. I've heard it all - "let us know immediately about any other offers you get, we're very interested in you joining our firm" "you are a perfect fit and we just have to conclude the formal application process, expect to hear from us very soon." Any other iteration you can think of. Next day, somebody else gets the offer.

As the above person said - it is not yours until it is yours.

Is this common practice?

According to the promissory estoppel/detrimental reliance chapter of most contracts casebooks, YES.

[hephaestus]

Lol @ promissory estoppel. I wouldn't stop looking until you have an offer in hand.

[Anonymous User]

I recently had a similar situation where an employer "praised" me after the interview and gushed about how much they wanted me and then ultimately went with someone else (ouch!) - so don't think you "have" the job until you literally have the offer in hand!

[Anonymous User]

I don't know what happened, but after feeling like I had struck out at every possible turn, the floodgates have opened and I'm now juggling 2 offers and waiting to hear back from an amazing in house internship that I feel I have more than a decent chance to land. So, to any 1Ls out there who have been feeling like they've got nothing, you never know when things will turn around!

Inspiring to hear this!!! I am waiting for this to happen to me :/ (although things seem to have picked up for me in the past couple of weeks after dead silence)

[Anonymous User]

Has it been determined which is better for 1L summer: small (~20 ppl) firm vs. in-house legal? both pay the same

[Dany]

Has it been determined which is better for 1L summer: small (~20 ppl) firm vs. in-house legal? both pay the same

Does either have the potential to lead to a post-grad offer? If so, that one.

[mephistopheles]

how do firms let you know if you've gotten a 1L SA?

is it by email, snail mail, or phone call?

[005618502]

how do firms let you know if you've gotten a 1L SA?

is it by email, snail mail, or phone call?

Mine have all been by phone. 1L SA positions are limited, I doubt any firm would inform with an email and definitely not (initially) by mail. Though I have gotten a follow up acceptance letter from each one as well. Expect a phone call if you got it and snail mail or email if you did not.

[mephistopheles]

Mine have all been by phone. 1L SA positions are limited, I doubt any firm would inform with an email and definitely not (initially) by mail. Though I have gotten a follow up acceptance letter from each one as well. Expect a phone call if you got it and snail mail or email if you did not.

ty ty

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard of the Criminal Justice Coordinator in NY?

[SHIA]

.