NJ Biglaw Help Forum

[Anonymous User]

Planning on doing OCI in one of the NJ schools, but there does not seem to be much information on NJ big firms, such as the culture, which firms to avoid, and what grades they want. If you went through the process please share any information. Thanks

[Anonymous User]

You should ask people at your school, mentors, and professors. I am sure there is a rising 3L that can assist. Ask your Office of Career Services if there is anyone that is at xx firm for the summer or recent graduate that is headed to the firm in Sept.

[Anonymous User]

Planning on doing OCI in one of the NJ schools, but there does not seem to be much information on NJ big firms, such as the culture, which firms to avoid, and what grades they want. If you went through the process please share any information. Thanks

NJ school grad here. What questions do you have specifically? I interviewed with just about all of the top nj firms. NJ Big Law is pretty much impossible to get from a NJ school unfortunately. Their class sizes are small and most want great grades ( I would say north of a 3.5+ from SH/RU) to even be a contender. Even if you have those stats, most would still rather go with a median student with ties from a T14. If you have NJ Big law grades then you are also likely in the running for NY Big Law which pays better. You also have a better chance of an offer at the end of the summer with an NY firm. I know several people who have gotten no-offered at nj firms and because the classes are smaller the odds are against you. Since NJ big law hours aren't really that much better, unless you have a compelling reason to work in NJ, you would be better off (more money/ better exit options) going to a NY firm. I'm not saying don't apply, of course bid on all of them, but unless you are number 1 or 2 in your class, you likely won't have the luxury of deciding between those firms based on culture, etc. All of the people I met seemed pleasant, but even at the smaller firms they were billing 2000 hours. Lowenstien is the "best" in NJ and pays the most out of NJ firms and has the largest summer classes normally. But out of 14 summers, 3 maybe from NJ schools. If I had decided to stay in NJ that would have been my top choice.