Reneging on Offer Forum
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Reneging on Offer
I am a transfer student. I struck out at OCI and then got an offer at a public defender's office for the summer. However, I recently managed to get an offer for the summer from a regional biglaw firm (midlaw it might be called). Should I renege on my public defender offer (which I accepted in January) or no?
I am a 2l. I am currently beginning the process of applying for federal clerkships and hope to work in a big law firm or, ideally, a litigation boutique in the long run. That being said, my next favorite career would be public defender. Also, I would choose the public defender route over a decent amount of big law firms.
Advice?
I am a 2l. I am currently beginning the process of applying for federal clerkships and hope to work in a big law firm or, ideally, a litigation boutique in the long run. That being said, my next favorite career would be public defender. Also, I would choose the public defender route over a decent amount of big law firms.
Advice?
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Re: Reneging on Offer
Renege. I don't even think it's a question.
- fatduck
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Re: Reneging on Offer
just remember that if you get arrested, you're gonna want to hire your own lawyerImNoScar wrote:Renege. I don't even think it's a question.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
How is it even possible to want to do biglaw and be a public defender??? I am so confused. I think it is safe to assume that if you renege on the offer that you'll never get hired there. If you're talking about one of the big PD agencies, that might be a pretty big deal, especially since you're already an attractive candidate to them. Also, consider that once you go down the biglaw path, the PD isn't going to believe that you aren't some soulless corporate bloodsucker, so you might be closing the door on that career path for a while.Anonymous User wrote:I am a transfer student. I struck out at OCI and then got an offer at a public defender's office for the summer. However, I recently managed to get an offer for the summer from a regional biglaw firm (midlaw it might be called). Should I renege on my public defender offer (which I accepted in January) or no?
I am a 2l. I am currently beginning the process of applying for federal clerkships and hope to work in a big law firm or, ideally, a litigation boutique in the long run. That being said, my next favorite career would be public defender. Also, I would choose the public defender route over a decent amount of big law firms.
Advice?
I'm not sure how others are confident enough to offer you advice given your status as a unique snowflake (I love helping the indigent but I also love taking massive sums of money from evil corporations to screw over people!). If you're comfortable saying goodbye to the PD for at least the foreseeable future, renege.
- TaipeiMort
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Re: Reneging on Offer
PD is always available. Biglaw is never available. I would bet the PDs would think you were crazy if you didn't renege.
DON'T SPLIT. Clerkships are never certain, and splitting is precarious enough of a move without putting out a bat signal that you aren't fully committed to X practice area.
DON'T SPLIT. Clerkships are never certain, and splitting is precarious enough of a move without putting out a bat signal that you aren't fully committed to X practice area.
- patrickd139
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Re: Reneging on Offer
ImNoScar wrote:Renege. I don't even think it's a question.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
renege. I think PD people will understand.
- TaipeiMort
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Re: Reneging on Offer
The whole "PD will not like big firm attorneys" thing is not true. I think it is a myth perpetuated by T14 career services to thin the biglaw herd and increase employment stats.the lantern wrote:How is it even possible to want to do biglaw and be a public defender??? I am so confused. I think it is safe to assume that if you renege on the offer that you'll never get hired there. If you're talking about one of the big PD agencies, that might be a pretty big deal, especially since you're already an attractive candidate to them. Also, consider that once you go down the biglaw path, the PD isn't going to believe that you aren't some soulless corporate bloodsucker, so you might be closing the door on that career path for a while.Anonymous User wrote:I am a transfer student. I struck out at OCI and then got an offer at a public defender's office for the summer. However, I recently managed to get an offer for the summer from a regional biglaw firm (midlaw it might be called). Should I renege on my public defender offer (which I accepted in January) or no?
I am a 2l. I am currently beginning the process of applying for federal clerkships and hope to work in a big law firm or, ideally, a litigation boutique in the long run. That being said, my next favorite career would be public defender. Also, I would choose the public defender route over a decent amount of big law firms.
Advice?
I'm not sure how others are confident enough to offer you advice given your status as a unique snowflake (I love helping the indigent but I also love taking massive sums of money from evil corporations to screw over people!). If you're comfortable saying goodbye to the PD for at least the foreseeable future, renege.
- A. Nony Mouse
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Re: Reneging on Offer
Eh, I don't think you can generalize about all PDs either way, but there are plenty out there who wouldn't be interested in a biglaw refugee - they want the true believers, and can hold out for them. (The PD in my state never even asks for grades, for instance. It really is about what you've done to show dedication to indigent defense.) Not that this is a reason for the OP not to renege, but it's worth keeping in mind he may be burning bridges.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
Um. Whatever you say man. I'm telling you that if you have biglaw on your resume and you go into an interview with a PD office, they are going to mess with you just like a big law firm would mess with you if your resume was all public interest/do gooder type stuff. Maybe your experience is different, but as someone who worked for a big firm and is hired as a PD, I can tell you that I definitely had a hard row to sow (is that the right expression?) and if I didn't do 2 unpaid internships with the PD office I worked in, I feel pretty confident saying I wouldn't have even been interviewed.TaipeiMort wrote:The whole "PD will not like big firm attorneys" thing is not true. I think it is a myth perpetuated by T14 career services to thin the biglaw herd and increase employment stats.the lantern wrote:How is it even possible to want to do biglaw and be a public defender??? I am so confused. I think it is safe to assume that if you renege on the offer that you'll never get hired there. If you're talking about one of the big PD agencies, that might be a pretty big deal, especially since you're already an attractive candidate to them. Also, consider that once you go down the biglaw path, the PD isn't going to believe that you aren't some soulless corporate bloodsucker, so you might be closing the door on that career path for a while.Anonymous User wrote:I am a transfer student. I struck out at OCI and then got an offer at a public defender's office for the summer. However, I recently managed to get an offer for the summer from a regional biglaw firm (midlaw it might be called). Should I renege on my public defender offer (which I accepted in January) or no?
I am a 2l. I am currently beginning the process of applying for federal clerkships and hope to work in a big law firm or, ideally, a litigation boutique in the long run. That being said, my next favorite career would be public defender. Also, I would choose the public defender route over a decent amount of big law firms.
Advice?
I'm not sure how others are confident enough to offer you advice given your status as a unique snowflake (I love helping the indigent but I also love taking massive sums of money from evil corporations to screw over people!). If you're comfortable saying goodbye to the PD for at least the foreseeable future, renege.
I'd also wager that the person saying "I think PD people will understand" is mistaken as well. PD people will understand you're an asshole who wants to make lots of money and doesn't give a shit about anything but money. Real talk. I have definitely interviewed with PD people who thought I was fake.
The person saying "pd is always available" should try actually looking for a job as a PD.
I would think twice before I listen to anyone on this site (that includes me as well- since clearly I don't get your POV OP). From some of this shit, it is plain on its face you guys have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. It is seriously amazing how some of you are experts in law school admission and employment and your sole experience is reading about it on the internet.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
I think you're right about the effect that biglaw/PD experience will have on hiring for the other (though I also don't think it's so unbelievable that someone would be interested in both biglaw and PD work). Anyway though, it isn't really relevant. OP prefers biglaw, and biglaw is more secure here, i.e. more likely to hire him/her after the summer than PD. In addition, in this economy it seems like someone who just kind of wants to be a PD, as a second choice, isn't going to have a lot of luck beating out the people who have dedicated themselves to it from the start. So renege is clearly the right choice.the lantern wrote:Um. Whatever you say man. I'm telling you that if you have biglaw on your resume and you go into an interview with a PD office, they are going to mess with you just like a big law firm would mess with you if your resume was all public interest/do gooder type stuff. Maybe your experience is different, but as someone who worked for a big firm and is hired as a PD, I can tell you that I definitely had a hard row to sow (is that the right expression?) and if I didn't do 2 unpaid internships with the PD office I worked in, I feel pretty confident saying I wouldn't have even been interviewed.
I'd also wager that the person saying "I think PD people will understand" is mistaken as well. PD people will understand you're an asshole who wants to make lots of money and doesn't give a shit about anything but money. Real talk. I have definitely interviewed with PD people who thought I was fake.
The person saying "pd is always available" should try actually looking for a job as a PD.
I would think twice before I listen to anyone on this site (that includes me as well- since clearly I don't get your POV OP). From some of this shit, it is plain on its face you guys have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. It is seriously amazing how some of you are experts in law school admission and employment and your sole experience is reading about it on the internet.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
lol definitely true. TLS "wisdom" is like superstition: it's a waste of time to try and dispel it with reason.the lantern wrote:Um. Whatever you say man. I'm telling you that if you have biglaw on your resume and you go into an interview with a PD office, they are going to mess with you just like a big law firm would mess with you if your resume was all public interest/do gooder type stuff. Maybe your experience is different, but as someone who worked for a big firm and is hired as a PD, I can tell you that I definitely had a hard row to sow (is that the right expression?) and if I didn't do 2 unpaid internships with the PD office I worked in, I feel pretty confident saying I wouldn't have even been interviewed.TaipeiMort wrote:The whole "PD will not like big firm attorneys" thing is not true. I think it is a myth perpetuated by T14 career services to thin the biglaw herd and increase employment stats.the lantern wrote:How is it even possible to want to do biglaw and be a public defender??? I am so confused. I think it is safe to assume that if you renege on the offer that you'll never get hired there. If you're talking about one of the big PD agencies, that might be a pretty big deal, especially since you're already an attractive candidate to them. Also, consider that once you go down the biglaw path, the PD isn't going to believe that you aren't some soulless corporate bloodsucker, so you might be closing the door on that career path for a while.Anonymous User wrote:I am a transfer student. I struck out at OCI and then got an offer at a public defender's office for the summer. However, I recently managed to get an offer for the summer from a regional biglaw firm (midlaw it might be called). Should I renege on my public defender offer (which I accepted in January) or no?
I am a 2l. I am currently beginning the process of applying for federal clerkships and hope to work in a big law firm or, ideally, a litigation boutique in the long run. That being said, my next favorite career would be public defender. Also, I would choose the public defender route over a decent amount of big law firms.
Advice?
I'm not sure how others are confident enough to offer you advice given your status as a unique snowflake (I love helping the indigent but I also love taking massive sums of money from evil corporations to screw over people!). If you're comfortable saying goodbye to the PD for at least the foreseeable future, renege.
I'd also wager that the person saying "I think PD people will understand" is mistaken as well. PD people will understand you're an asshole who wants to make lots of money and doesn't give a shit about anything but money. Real talk. I have definitely interviewed with PD people who thought I was fake.
The person saying "pd is always available" should try actually looking for a job as a PD.
I would think twice before I listen to anyone on this site (that includes me as well- since clearly I don't get your POV OP). From some of this shit, it is plain on its face you guys have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. It is seriously amazing how some of you are experts in law school admission and employment and your sole experience is reading about it on the internet.
Last edited by Hutz_and_Goodman on Fri Feb 22, 2013 2:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
Two questions:
1) What do you really want to do? Be a PD or work in BigLaw?
2) What is the regional biglaw firm offer rate like?
1) What do you really want to do? Be a PD or work in BigLaw?
2) What is the regional biglaw firm offer rate like?
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Re: Reneging on Offer
OP here. offer rate is about 5/7. However, I would be more interested in working here as an SA and then hopefully trading to a firm I would like better through 3l oci. I think I struck out for a couple reasons as a transfer but I am top 1% at new school and EIC elect of a secondary so I would hope to have better luck next time around.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
A no offer would be ugly, but it sounds like you have a great chance to get a clerkship, so do whichever job you think you'd be happier in the long run. I think getting no-offered from your SA would be just as bad for your 3L OCI prospects as working for the PD would... but at least the firm pays, so reneg and make sure to sell the firm that you REALLY want to be there and do an above-and-beyond good job (be chill and sociable, hit all of your deadlines, make sure all of the work you turn in is polished, etc.).Anonymous User wrote:OP here. offer rate is about 5/7. However, I would be more interested in working here as an SA and then hopefully trading to a firm I would like better through 3l oci. I think I struck out for a couple reasons as a transfer but I am top 1% at new school and EIC elect of a secondary so I would hope to have better luck next time around.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
Renege!!! If you don't you are out of your mind. Any PD would tell you to do go work at the firm. As a 3L dealing with a bad legal market, I say that you will regret not taking the summer associate position.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
OP here. Okay, so how exactly do I phrase my email without sounding like a douchebag?
- BelugaWhale
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Re: Reneging on Offer
you call themAnonymous User wrote:OP here. Okay, so how exactly do I phrase my email without sounding like a douchebag?
- Objection
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Re: Reneging on Offer
My god, you're so full of it with the "hope to land in big law." Almost no one actually hopes for big law. It's just something they do. Add in your interest in public defense, which is basically the opposite of big law in every way...do the work you enjoy, man.
I can understand lit boutique, but either you have no idea what big law lit is like or you're rationalizing being pressured into big law by pretending you like it.
I can understand lit boutique, but either you have no idea what big law lit is like or you're rationalizing being pressured into big law by pretending you like it.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
Because they want to be able to give the spot you've reneged on to someone for whom it's not a second choice.dc2013 wrote:Any PD would tell you to do go work at the firm.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
OP here. not to hound on the topic, but if I call I say what exactly? I'm just a little embarrassed to be reneging in the first place and would like to minimize my general douchebaggery.
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Re: Reneging on Offer
Anon because I'm somewhat embarrassed about my blatant lies.Anonymous User wrote:OP here. not to hound on the topic, but if I call I say what exactly? I'm just a little embarrassed to be reneging in the first place and would like to minimize my general douchebaggery.
I had an unpaid offer that I accepted for this summer (in city that's not my hometown) and later got a paid one in my hometown. So I told the unpaid one that I have a family emergency and have to be home this summer.
- patrickd139
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Re: Reneging on Offer
This is, indeed, a little shameful. I had accepted an offer to volunteer for the DA's office and reneged for a firm 1L summer. I called and told them about the situation and they wished me luck. No lies, no family emergencies, no bullshit.Anonymous User wrote:Anon because I'm somewhat embarrassed about my blatant lies.Anonymous User wrote:OP here. not to hound on the topic, but if I call I say what exactly? I'm just a little embarrassed to be reneging in the first place and would like to minimize my general douchebaggery.
I had an unpaid offer that I accepted for this summer (in city that's not my hometown) and later got a paid one in my hometown. So I told the unpaid one that I have a family emergency and have to be home this summer.
Seriously, don't be a dick about it, apologize for the inconvenience (it's still February, so it's not like they're hanging out to dry) and thank them for the opportunity.
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
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