Advice Needed - different firm options and unique situation
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 11:29 am
Hey everyone,
I'm in a unique situation going through on-campus interviews, given that roughly one and a half years after I graduate, I will begin serving (99% guaranteed) in a 4.5-year position with the government that will provide substantive legal aid and trial experience. After this four-year position is over, if I don't want to stay in that job, I'd like to exit and try to get into 1) an AUSA position or DOJ position, 2) a state-level prosecution position in the VA / MD / PA / NC / DE area, or 3) a federal-level clerkship that would hopefully help me get into (1) or (2) or end up in a strong law firm in this region (think Hunton Williams, Venables, mcguirewoods, etc.).
So what I'm looking for is a summer / full-time job with a firm that will best help me achieve one of these goals after I work there for one year, and after my four-year stint with the govt. is over. In other words, this is not a thread about where will I find the most fulfilling career or best chance of making partner - it's purely about which firm is the best to work in for a summer and roughly a year full-time (think resume-boosting, exit options, etc). I'd like to be in Virginia / DC / MD / NC long-term, and preferably litigation / govt. prosecution long-term.
Here are the options (some of these are not yet offers but just callbacks):
Skadden (1/2 in DC and NY)
Covington (DC)
Sidley Austin (DC)
Davis Polk (NY)
S&C (1/2 DC and NY)
Debevoise (NY)
Quinn (NY)
Arnold and Porter (DC)
Cleary (NY)
Paul Weiss (NY)
Help me cull the list. I feel incredibly grateful to be in this situation, but I need advice.
I'm in a unique situation going through on-campus interviews, given that roughly one and a half years after I graduate, I will begin serving (99% guaranteed) in a 4.5-year position with the government that will provide substantive legal aid and trial experience. After this four-year position is over, if I don't want to stay in that job, I'd like to exit and try to get into 1) an AUSA position or DOJ position, 2) a state-level prosecution position in the VA / MD / PA / NC / DE area, or 3) a federal-level clerkship that would hopefully help me get into (1) or (2) or end up in a strong law firm in this region (think Hunton Williams, Venables, mcguirewoods, etc.).
So what I'm looking for is a summer / full-time job with a firm that will best help me achieve one of these goals after I work there for one year, and after my four-year stint with the govt. is over. In other words, this is not a thread about where will I find the most fulfilling career or best chance of making partner - it's purely about which firm is the best to work in for a summer and roughly a year full-time (think resume-boosting, exit options, etc). I'd like to be in Virginia / DC / MD / NC long-term, and preferably litigation / govt. prosecution long-term.
Here are the options (some of these are not yet offers but just callbacks):
Skadden (1/2 in DC and NY)
Covington (DC)
Sidley Austin (DC)
Davis Polk (NY)
S&C (1/2 DC and NY)
Debevoise (NY)
Quinn (NY)
Arnold and Porter (DC)
Cleary (NY)
Paul Weiss (NY)
Help me cull the list. I feel incredibly grateful to be in this situation, but I need advice.