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I currently have interviews scheduled with a few firms in multiple large non-NY markets. Think something like Dallas+Los Angeles, etc... (just examples)

My CSO suggested not bringing it up to the firms ahead of time, but I'm curious whether I should bring it up myself in interviews, if they don't ask me.

I have ties to both places, but would definitely prefer to be in the one where I also have stronger ties. Should I tell this to the other place? Or should I tell X office that X is where I really want to be, and then tell office Y that I really want to be in Y?

I really do like the firms and would be happy in either location, but am really nervous that interviewing in two insular markets will eliminate me from both.

I mean, I was never asked in any of my CBs last year (for 1L)... I don't see why it would ever come up if I didn't bring it up myself. Unless there is some kind of centralized hiring thing they go through.. Tbh I'm leaning towards just not even mentioning it at all, and just treating each like it's my only interview, unless pressed on it.

Thoughts?

Depends on the firm. Some will let you split, at others it will be harder to get a job because you have to pass callbacks at both locations to get an offer at both--then you choose your preferred location.

Don't lie about which is your favorite. Recruiters (especially those in the same firm) talk to one another and you'll come off even worse than if you play it straight up. If they don't ask you point blank which you prefer, don't talk about it. If the other interview comes up, it may be helpful to frame it as there being an extenuating circumstance requiring flexibility (SO, for example) or as uncertainty as to a specific practice area you'd prefer (assuming one market is best at X and the other Y).

In a similar situation after a callback in a TX market, the recruiter asked where else I was looking, which I misconstrued as other cities and said DC. They hooked me up with their DC office, arranged a callback there, and encouraged me to split. While this is just 1 dude's experience with 1 firm, the impression I got was they viewed a good candidate as a good candidate and would rather make small accommodations than let it walk.

Thank you both very much for the replies, very helpful.

When they say "Where else are you looking?" should I reply with also interviewing in your other office? Or just never bring up that fact?

And,
Should I avoid saying things like, "X, Y, and Z are all the reasons that I really want to work in Dallas after I graduate."? In my (very limited) experience, secondary markets like to have you sell on your ties, but will you sound like you were bullshitting if the recruiter then tells the attorney you were also interviewing in another office? Or would the recruiter even mention it to the interviewers?

I phrased it as something along the lines of "Firm X is my #1 choice in both markets. X DC is really good at making red widgets, which is what I'm pretty sure I want to do, and I also would like to stay close to home. X Houston, which I've spent a lot of time in and where I may need to be for my SO, is pretty dominant in blue widgets, which I also really like and think I could do well."

Anonymous User wrote:I phrased it as something along the lines of "Firm X is my #1 choice in both markets. X DC is really good at making red widgets, which is what I'm pretty sure I want to do, and I also would like to stay close to home. X Houston, which I've spent a lot of time in and where I may need to be for my SO, is pretty dominant in blue widgets, which I also really like and think I could do well."

that's pretty good, thanks!