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So, on everyone's mind as exam close in, what grades are needed to maintain our offers? Is it typical for firms to ask for your transcripts after fall/spring?

Thanks!

some do, some don't. this will be firm specific. I know someone who got a C last semester of 3L and the firm didn't care (I don't think they even asked, actually). But why do something that could give any firm a reason to cut you if, for instance, they suddenly don't have space for everyone? It takes basically 3 firing brain cells to get median/ above median grades after 1L, so there's really no reason to let your GPA tank just because you have an offer.

I've never personally heard a credible story where a big firm rescinded an offer purely because of grades. I can tell you my firm only asked for my final transcript and I suspect it was only for liability / insurance reasons. That being said, grades matter in BigLaw lateral interviews at least until you're at the super senior associate / partner level. Can't speak to small/mid law / in-house / gov't, but it's probably a safe bet that you'll do better with summa cum on your resume there too.

You can assume they will ask for your transcript and can probably assume it doesn't matter. Tanking grades can probably have bad career consequences for lateraling or if a crash happens and the firm is grasping for a reason to cut someone, but there have never been any credible stories of someone losing any opportunity for their GPA falling a little.

2014 wrote:You can assume they will ask for your transcript and can probably assume it doesn't matter. Tanking grades can probably have bad career consequences for lateraling or if a crash happens and the firm is grasping for a reason to cut someone, but there have never been any credible stories of someone losing any opportunity for their GPA falling a little.

Being that this is TLS, is this only applicable for students at T14 schools? I ask because I'm top 5% at a T2, and it's only natural that my grades are going to slip a little in 2L, especially considering I haven't done ANY work so far this semester. (I don't expect a huge drop, maybe top 5% to top 10%). I know everyone generally lets up a bit in 2L (at least I know most of my peers have), but I'm not confident I'll be able to maintain an A-/A average...

Do firms care more about grades for students at T2s, or do they equally not give a shit?

You might want to look into if your firm even asks for your 2L transcript. Some don't. It's probably best to ask an upperclassman who summered there.

Anonymous User wrote:

2014 wrote:You can assume they will ask for your transcript and can probably assume it doesn't matter. Tanking grades can probably have bad career consequences for lateraling or if a crash happens and the firm is grasping for a reason to cut someone, but there have never been any credible stories of someone losing any opportunity for their GPA falling a little.

Being that this is TLS, is this only applicable for students at T14 schools? I ask because I'm top 5% at a T2, and it's only natural that my grades are going to slip a little in 2L, especially considering I haven't done ANY work so far this semester. (I don't expect a huge drop, maybe top 5% to top 10%). I know everyone generally lets up a bit in 2L (at least I know most of my peers have), but I'm not confident I'll be able to maintain an A-/A average...

Do firms care more about grades for students at T2s, or do they equally not give a shit?

Valid question, I have no idea how it is the same or differs for students from T2s. My inclination is that should shit hit the fan y'all might be the easiest to cut so I'd be marginally more careful about keeping my GPA up. Intuitively, T2s are more likely to have hard GPAs lines too, but I'm not positive of that.

the firm is grasping for a reason to cut someone

What?

zweitbester wrote:

the firm is grasping for a reason to cut someone

What?

Firm needs a reason to no offer/shit can someone and can't pin it on work product. From anecdotes it seems like grades is one of the arbitrary reasons that pops up in those situations. You'd know better than I though.

2014 wrote:

zweitbester wrote:

the firm is grasping for a reason to cut someone

What?

Firm needs a reason to no offer/shit can someone and can't pin it on work product. From anecdotes it seems like grades is one of the arbitrary reasons that pops up in those situations. You'd know better than I though.

I mean in a no offer situation, yes. I was saying "what" because I thought you were referring to a firing situation (i.e., a firm firing a third year for law school grades).

Though yes when time comes to get canned they can really give any reason.