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I'm a 2L at a T-30 law school. I was able to secure a summer associate gig at a V-100 firm. I'm fortunate in getting this, but I lost out on my preferred choices. I'd like to keep job hunting in the fall to explore my options. Are there firms that are known for hiring 3Ls? Any good strategies for finding these firms, besides mass mailing? Target market is northern California (I do not go to law school there but have extensive ties).

From what I understand, other firms in your AmLaw/Vault range engage in some swapping, so look for similarly sized/'ranked' firms that operate in the same area.

There are also probably practice areas with some built-in variance in hiring depending on the market, though I'm not well versed enough on that phenomenon to comment.

From what I can tell its very dependent on circumstances. If a firm has a big enough class, the firm doesn't hire. If they suddenly need bodies they may look.

In this environment I'd assume it is going to be corporate/real estate groups hiring. Litigators can go home and get their shine boxes.

NorCal corporate was hiring pretty heavy last summer. Never know if that will continue. Traditionally the NYC firms at the top of the Vault rankings did the most 3L hiring so if you really want to move up keep your grades up, focus on corporate and shoot for those guys.

Tiago Splitter wrote:NorCal corporate was hiring pretty heavy last summer. Never know if that will continue. Traditionally the NYC firms at the top of the Vault rankings did the most 3L hiring so if you really want to move up keep your grades up, focus on corporate and shoot for those guys.

OP here - Tiago Splitter, could you share the firm names?

Feel free to PM

If you already accepted an offer, how would you guys go about applying elsewhere? Impossible without rescinding the acceptance?

Does WLRK take on 3Ls ever? Assume sufficient grades and at CSM/S&C 2L summer.

I know two V10 firms were hiring 3Ls in NYC this past summer. Both for corporate and lit work.

Don't know specifically about WLRK.

Skadden, STB, K&E, CSM, Cleary were all hiring 3Ls last year for NY offices.

Sorry OP, know nothing about Cali.

KE filled their slots - no longer hiring 3Ls for the Chicago office.

Anonymous User wrote:Don't know specifically about WLRK.

Skadden, STB, K&E, CSM, Cleary were all hiring 3Ls last year for NY offices.

Sorry OP, know nothing about Cali.

DPW also hired for corporate and lit.

Weil hired 3Ls last year, some as late as August after the Bar

Weil continued to hire 3Ls within the past few months, but this was NYC.

Going to be a 2L SA in DC this summer. Guessing this is a long shot, but do any of the firms there hire 3Ls?

Anonymous User wrote:Going to be a 2L SA in DC this summer. Guessing this is a long shot, but do any of the firms there hire 3Ls?

Bump. Very interested in this. Also, do biglaw firms ever hire 3Ls who spent their 2L summer working somewhere in government, such as in the DOJ or SEC?