2 1L summer offers: USAO & mid-size law firm Forum

[Anonymous User]

I've gotten 2 offers for summer. US Attorney's Office in a big city, which is unpaid. Also gotten an offer at a mid-size law firm, about 450 attorneys. Would be in the NYC office. Salary is a little over $2000 a week, 10 weeks.

Long term career goals: pretty sure big law, then in-house. But I'm a 1L. Things could change. Right now being a DA is definitely not my first choice, but I could probably deal with it. I'm at a top 5 school, fall semester grades have came out, I'm at median. I tried hard last semester, but I think I can work smarter in the spring.

If I pick a public interest career, I don't have to worry about law school debt. If I don't, I'll graduate with about $220K in debt. But I'm a saver, and optimistic I can pay it off in 6-8 years if I get big law.

With that in mind, any advice?

[BruceWayne]

The firm, and it's not even close.

[bk1]

The firm, and it's not even close.

[Pokemon]

The answer is always, always the money. Do not think twice. This should be like a rule on TLS so such questions do not get asked. Between paid and unpaid work, always pick paid work.

[bk1]

The answer is always, always the money. Do not think twice. This should be like a rule on TLS so such questions do not get asked. Between paid and unpaid work, always pick paid work.

Not just that, pick the thing that could lead to postgrad employment over the thing that almost assuredly will not lead to postgrad employment.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. USAO rarely hires straight out of law school. Mid-size firm definitely doesn't hire straight out of law school; they said so in the interview. So neither will offer a direct line of employment directly after graduation.

I'm considering $ and what will look good at OCI this fall when I'm trying to get a big law 2L summer associate. Given the feedback here, I'm leaning mid-size firm so far.

[Pokemon]

I'm considering $ and what will look good at OCI this fall when I'm trying to get a big law 2L summer associate. Given the feedback here, I'm leaning mid-size firm so far.

Firm will also look better during 2L OCI. Also use the money to pay down debt/not borrow as much.

[drs36]

Everyone has said it well...firm and don't look back. Is the USAO in the city you attend school? If so you could likely snag an externship next fall. Take the money and firm experience this summer.

[bk1]

OP here. USAO rarely hires straight out of law school. Mid-size firm definitely doesn't hire straight out of law school; they said so in the interview. So neither will offer a direct line of employment directly after graduation.

I'm considering $ and what will look good at OCI this fall when I'm trying to get a big law 2L summer associate. Given the feedback here, I'm leaning mid-size firm so far.

They probably won't look all that different for OCI, but 20k is a huge difference.

[ph14]

I've gotten 2 offers for summer. US Attorney's Office in a big city, which is unpaid. Also gotten an offer at a mid-size law firm, about 450 attorneys. Would be in the NYC office. Salary is a little over $2000 a week, 10 weeks.

Long term career goals: pretty sure big law, then in-house. But I'm a 1L. Things could change. Right now being a DA is definitely not my first choice, but I could probably deal with it. I'm at a top 5 school, fall semester grades have came out, I'm at median. I tried hard last semester, but I think I can work smarter in the spring.

If I pick a public interest career, I don't have to worry about law school debt. If I don't, I'll graduate with about $220K in debt. But I'm a saver, and optimistic I can pay it off in 6-8 years if I get big law.

With that in mind, any advice?

You could try and split, as well.