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How much consideration do firms give to a student's previous work experience/references when hiring? Specifically, if I didn't get along with my boss at the FT job I had before law school, and a firm contacts him for a reference, will a bad one ruin my chances, even if I have good grades?

I don't think any big firm is going to call your references, or even ask for references for that matter. I could be wrong, but that is my experience through two OCI seasons dealing with two primary and one secondary market.

OutCold wrote:I don't think any big firm is going to call your references, or even ask for references for that matter. I could be wrong, but that is my experience through two OCI seasons dealing with two primary and one secondary market.

Some firms (like Covington) are known for actually calling references, but they're the exception

Really? That surprises me. So I shouldn't worry about firms investigating past work files and whatnot?

Objection57 wrote:Really? That surprises me. So I shouldn't worry about firms investigating past work files and whatnot?

No, not for most firms, although a state Attorney General did request and apparently contact my references for a 1L position. So it happens in legal hiring. But the firm I'm working for this summer didnt request any.

Objection57 wrote:Really? That surprises me. So I shouldn't worry about firms investigating past work files and whatnot?

I've heard of references being called as part of a background check after you've accepted an SA offer, so it's not like someone would be able to get away with just making stuff up.

JusticeHarlan wrote:

Objection57 wrote:Really? That surprises me. So I shouldn't worry about firms investigating past work files and whatnot?

I've heard of references being called as part of a background check after you've accepted an SA offer, so it's not like someone would be able to get away with just making stuff up.

I definitely wouldn't make stuff up. I was just worried that something less than favorable from a past job could seriously hurt my chances.

It depends on if the firm is actually interested in you because of the work experience. In most cases it probably won't matter.