Top Law Schools

I just found out that my friend's cousin is a highly regarded partner at a midsize boutique firm I'm interviewing w/ this week. I'm a 1L.

Is it out of line to try to get coffee with this partner before my interview to learn more about the firm?

The interview is later this week. I am not sure if that matters. I don't know if this breaks any sort of pre-interview etiquette.

Any advice is appreciated.

Go for its but dont approach it as a "hey im interviewing later this week put in a good word!!!!" Just approach it as "hey im interested in your firm and the work you do there. I want to find out about the firms culture, focus group x yada yada yada..." typical informational interview stuff. Let him do the talking and just keep it a relaxed conversation not a hard close.

It would prob ease the tension/make the initial approach less awkward if your friend makes the initial contact or you could just say I was referred to you by X I know you are busy but was wondering if you had 15 minutes to spare for coffee. I am interested in your work and the work your firms does blah blah blah.

I have a generic kind of form letter i use in these situations pm me if you want it