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My second-half firm extended an invitation to attend the LCLD retreat. It sounds wonderful and I've always enjoyed similar events. Two concerns:

1. The retreat falls during first-half of summer. If I decide to go, how should I ask for two days off from first-half firm?
2. Is it worthwhile?

Anon. because our school is tiny/only a few LCLD member firms in our market.

What the hell is LCLD?

You should attend the retreat. It will be a great networking opportunity.

Do you know which firm you wish to work after the summer? If it is the firm on the second half, you should go. I would be reluctant to attend if it is during the last week at the first firm.

chem wrote:http://lmgtfy.com/?q=LCLD

That isn't a great use of LMGTFY. If OP is going to use an acronym that isn't generally known he should define it.

To OP: I would probably decline if it would require you to take 2 days off of work. 1 day I might consider asking for, but 2 days seem a little much when we're talking about 1/2 a summer in the first place. I would politely decline your 2nd half firm's offer. I'm sure they'll understand.

Are you a 1L or 2L?

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Anonymous User wrote:You should attend the retreat. It will be a great networking opportunity.

Do you know which firm you wish to work after the summer? If it is the firm on the second half, you should go. I would be reluctant to attend if it is during the last week at the first firm.

I actually don't think it's a good use of time. Networking opportunities are valuable because they give you a very slim chance to meet someone, who will then have a slim chance of giving you a slightly less slim chance of getting an interview for a job. Networking as a whole is invaluable, but the value of a single instance of networking is not worth risking the far larger opportunity you have of getting a job though a SA.

A good friend of mine went to something similar and says it was 100% worth it because:

1. They had a blast. Essentially it was a weeklong, fully-comped recruiting event. Not sure if LCLD is as well-funded, but if so, thats reason enough to go.

2. They met a lot of similar-minded law students. It was a great non-TLS source of rumor and inside information.

3. They met a lot of senior attorneys that actually believed in the cause (unlike OCI/Firm events, where partners are just looking to shake some hands and improve firm prestige). They were actually deliberately unhelpful during OCI/CBs (i.e. waited until it was too late too respond). However, she still maintains a decent email correspondence with a few partners, government officials, and GCs. They are kind of helpful in the same sense one of the few Associate/Partner threads on TLS are (e.g. they give advice on what worked for them and what is "normal" for the legal community).

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity: http://www.lcldnet.org


Go if you can...these opportunities are not just about networking with students but other attorneys as well.

I was a 1L summer associate and will be a 2L summer associate. At my 1L summer, a summer associate took a week off in the middle of the summer to do a patent program. Firms are really nice to you during the summer and will allow you to take days off. Ask the HR person in advance and see if you can make up the days, if it is an issue. I am assuming you are a diverse (used broadly) law student, if you are going to the LCLD retreat.