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2l summer I worked in a small city for a primarily litigation firm. Although many people at the firm all but assured me that I would receive an offer, they don't officially give out offers until January of the next year. I would love to work there, but I am applying to firms in NYC now just in case. What's the best answer when the ask me if I have received an offer and why do I want to leave that firm?

I definitely wouldn't tell any of the NY firms that you "all but have an offer" at another firm. Some interviewers might ask "Do you have any interest in returning to X firm/city after graduation to work?" To which you should reply, "While X Firm provided me with a great experience and reaffirmed my interest in XYZ, I am eager to work for in this city for your firm because XYZ."

However, if your plan throughout all of this is just to return to your prior firm, you should consider telling that firm your intent, and they might expedite the process. If they do, then accept it, withdraw from your NYC firms, and give guys like us a window of opportunity

I did tell them I wanted to return, but they said there's nothing they can do now and have to wait until next year (they always do this in the past, even if they usually give out offers).

What if I straight up get asked If I received an offer?

Anonymous User wrote:I did tell them I wanted to return, but they said there's nothing they can do now and have to wait until next year (they always do this in the past, even if they usually give out offers).

What if I straight up get asked If I received an offer?

I would say no because technically you did not receive an offer, they assured you of a future offer but that is not an offer.

numbertwo88 wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I did tell them I wanted to return, but they said there's nothing they can do now and have to wait until next year (they always do this in the past, even if they usually give out offers).

What if I straight up get asked If I received an offer?

I would say no because technically you did not receive an offer, they assured you of a future offer but that is not an offer.

^This. Until you are on the 28 day NALP clock with your initial firm, you don't have shit (as far as they need to know).

Anonymous User wrote:I did tell them I wanted to return, but they said there's nothing they can do now and have to wait until next year (they always do this in the past, even if they usually give out offers).

What if I straight up get asked If I received an offer?

This part isn't very complicated - you just say that small-city firm doesn't make its offer decisions until January.

Your bigger problem is that if you apply to NY firms in the meantime and get an offer, you have to respond to the NY firm's offer within 28 days. Which is going to make it hard to wait until January to see if you have an offer from small-city firm. If you find yourself in that situation, you'll need to go back to small-city firm and tell them they need to accelerate their decision or you'll have no choice but to accept NY firm's offer.

This is a pretty easy answer. "They don't make that decision until January."

Honestly, probably a best case outcome for you since it eliminates any possible negative stigma.