Rising 3L trying to switch firms Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am a rising 3L thinking about making a switch from the firm I am at this summer. Firm is already one of the top in the field, but, because of fit, want to go to another similarly situated firm. I am trying to figure out how to go about this in cover letter and, if I get it, an interview. I do not want to make the excuse that it is a fit problem in cover letter or interview, but would rather make the argument about the particular clients the other firm has and the work that I would have access to. Is this a good idea or should I just go in saying that it is a fit problem? Also, would it be kosher to tell the other firm that they are only people I am applying to in cover letter and/or interview?

[OutCold]

Absolutely do not under any circumstances allude to a fit problem. Emphasize that you had a great deal of exposure to X area at your summer firm, you loved it, and you are applying the Y firm because you want to work at the highest possible level. Y firm aligns with your goals because ----. Worked for me with great success last year. The key to getting interviews is a cohesive narrative of why this firm better serves your career goals than the firm you are leaving.

If they ask you why you are switching firms at the callbacks, which they will every single interview, you need to never bad mouth your previous firm. It was a great experience, but it really sparked an interest that is better met by this new firm.

Sure, you can mention that you are only applying to this firm because of all the foregoing reasons, but I advise that you don't lie about it if it's not the case. While they aren't supposed to, people talk. It's a close knit profession, and both recruiting staff and lawyers are close with their counterparts at other firms.

[Anonymous User]

Absolutely do not under any circumstances allude to a fit problem. Emphasize that you had a great deal of exposure to X area at your summer firm, you loved it, and you are applying the Y firm because you want to work at the highest possible level. Y firm aligns with your goals because ----. Worked for me with great success last year. The key to getting interviews is a cohesive narrative of why this firm better serves your career goals than the firm you are leaving.

If they ask you why you are switching firms at the callbacks, which they will every single interview, you need to never bad mouth your previous firm. It was a great experience, but it really sparked an interest that is better met by this new firm.

Sure, you can mention that you are only applying to this firm because of all the foregoing reasons, but I advise that you don't lie about it if it's not the case. While they aren't supposed to, people talk. It's a close knit profession, and both recruiting staff and lawyers are close with their counterparts at other firms.

Thank you for all the great advice. Just for the record, I do only intend to apply to this one firm. I honestly do not think that minus this other firm there is a better firm than the one I already have. However, I have one more wrinkle that I would appreciate feedback for.

When applying for this job, can I also ask for a law clerk position at their firm during my 3L year so I can get to know some of the partners and associates before I actually begin working as an associate? And to further complicate things, what happens if the law clerk position would be in a different office than the one I want to end up in? Would I just do one cover letter and say I want both? For example: "I am applying for a law clerk position in your ______ office for the 2014-2015 school year followed by an associate position with your ______ office. And if that is the case... do I send to the office I want to work for as an associate and CC the office I want to clerk for?

[Anonymous User]

Hijacking this thread for a similar question. My SO is a rising 3L with a V50 SA in NYC currently. I'm starting in CA doing biglaw in the fall. We're trying to see if she can migrate out to any of the three big CA markets because neither of us really wants to be in NYC. Her grades are median at best at our T6 but she crushes interviews (e.g. got offers with firms way outside her grade range last fall).

Odds of this plan actually working? Any advice as to how we can improve our odds other than the already planned mass-mailing/contacting CA firms she had CBs with last fall and seeing if something is still there?

[de5igual]

Hijacking this thread for a similar question. My SO is a rising 3L with a V50 SA in NYC currently. I'm starting in CA doing biglaw in the fall. We're trying to see if she can migrate out to any of the three big CA markets because neither of us really wants to be in NYC. Her grades are median at best at our T6 but she crushes interviews (e.g. got offers with firms way outside her grade range last fall).

Odds of this plan actually working? Any advice as to how we can improve our odds other than the already planned mass-mailing/contacting CA firms she had CBs with last fall and seeing if something is still there?

Does her V50 have a CA office? She might be able to transfer her offer (but wait for her to get the offer before bringing this up).

[de5igual]

Absolutely do not under any circumstances allude to a fit problem. Emphasize that you had a great deal of exposure to X area at your summer firm, you loved it, and you are applying the Y firm because you want to work at the highest possible level. Y firm aligns with your goals because ----. Worked for me with great success last year. The key to getting interviews is a cohesive narrative of why this firm better serves your career goals than the firm you are leaving.

If they ask you why you are switching firms at the callbacks, which they will every single interview, you need to never bad mouth your previous firm. It was a great experience, but it really sparked an interest that is better met by this new firm.

Sure, you can mention that you are only applying to this firm because of all the foregoing reasons, but I advise that you don't lie about it if it's not the case. While they aren't supposed to, people talk. It's a close knit profession, and both recruiting staff and lawyers are close with their counterparts at other firms.

Thank you for all the great advice. Just for the record, I do only intend to apply to this one firm. I honestly do not think that minus this other firm there is a better firm than the one I already have. However, I have one more wrinkle that I would appreciate feedback for.

When applying for this job, can I also ask for a law clerk position at their firm during my 3L year so I can get to know some of the partners and associates before I actually begin working as an associate? And to further complicate things, what happens if the law clerk position would be in a different office than the one I want to end up in? Would I just do one cover letter and say I want both? For example: "I am applying for a law clerk position in your ______ office for the 2014-2015 school year followed by an associate position with your ______ office. And if that is the case... do I send to the office I want to work for as an associate and CC the office I want to clerk for?

Get the offer first before you start making demands. A letter like that results in an auto-ding.

[Anonymous User]

Hijacking this thread for a similar question. My SO is a rising 3L with a V50 SA in NYC currently. I'm starting in CA doing biglaw in the fall. We're trying to see if she can migrate out to any of the three big CA markets because neither of us really wants to be in NYC. Her grades are median at best at our T6 but she crushes interviews (e.g. got offers with firms way outside her grade range last fall).

Odds of this plan actually working? Any advice as to how we can improve our odds other than the already planned mass-mailing/contacting CA firms she had CBs with last fall and seeing if something is still there?

Does her V50 have a CA office? She might be able to transfer her offer (but wait for her to get the offer before bringing this up).

Unfortunately no, it doesn't.