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Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 1:38 pm
by Anonymous User
I'm working at a mid-tier energy litigation firm this summer... I smoke marijuana on occasion, and I have no idea how to find out if I am subject to 1) an entrance drug test, or 2) automatically subject to random drug testing, or 3) automatically subject to drug testing upon "suspicion" or anything along those lines.
I understand, "don't smoke weed," is a great idea. However, that is not the point of this topic. How do I go about figuring out if I am subject to drug testing?
EDIT - in a state that allows medicinal marijuana.
Thanks,
Anonymous
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 1:45 pm
by Anonymous User
Big law firms almost categorically don't drug test associates. I don't know what mid-tier really means but I doubt they test; the caveat of course is if you heard that they test. I've also never heard of anyone getting tested for just an internship but I could be completely off base.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 1:46 pm
by Actus Reus
Anonymous User wrote:I'm working at a mid-tier energy litigation firm this summer... I smoke marijuana on occasion, and I have no idea how to find out if I am subject to 1) an entrance drug test, or 2) automatically subject to random drug testing, or 3) automatically subject to drug testing upon "suspicion" or anything along those lines.
I understand, "don't smoke weed," is a great idea. However, that is not the point of this topic. How do I go about figuring out if I am subject to drug testing?
Thanks,
Anonymous
Maybe just don't smoke weed for one summer to guarantee financial prosperity.
Otherwise just take the risk because asking is going to raise suspicion. I will say most private firms don't test.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 1:48 pm
by Anonymous User
Yeah, they almost certainly don't test. Most firms would be fucked if they did a Monday morning unannounced drug test.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 1:59 pm
by rpupkin
Anonymous User wrote:I understand, "don't smoke weed," is a great idea.
I wouldn't say that. For almost anything you could possibly want to do in law, it doesn't matter.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 2:08 pm
by El Pollito
firms don't drug test
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 3:14 pm
by jbagelboy
anyone know whether federal chambers or DOJ drug tests?
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 3:16 pm
by El Pollito
jbagelboy wrote:anyone know whether federal chambers or DOJ drug tests?
I know the NLRB does, so the DOJ probably does.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 3:18 pm
by Desert Fox
I wonder what the DOJ does now that DC legalized it.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 3:21 pm
by whatsEwingdoing
Desert Fox wrote:I wonder what the DOJ does now that DC legalized it.
+1 point
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 3:23 pm
by Anonymous User
jbagelboy wrote:anyone know whether federal chambers or DOJ drug tests?
The judiciary generally doesn't drug test, but I guess the judge could pull out a cup and fire you if you failed / refused to take it.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 3:24 pm
by A. Nony Mouse
Federal chambers don't test (unless maybe you had to get a clearance for nationally sensitive cases, but term clerks don't usually), DOJ does.
I don't think anything about MJ being legal in DC makes DOJ have to hire people who use, sorry.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 3:36 pm
by rpupkin
A. Nony Mouse wrote:Federal chambers don't test (unless maybe you had to get a clearance for nationally sensitive cases, but term clerks don't usually), DOJ does.
I actually have personal experience with this. At least in my case, obtaining the clearance as a clerk did not require a drug test.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 3:53 pm
by Anonymous User
rpupkin wrote:A. Nony Mouse wrote:Federal chambers don't test (unless maybe you had to get a clearance for nationally sensitive cases, but term clerks don't usually), DOJ does.
I actually have personal experience with this. At least in my case, obtaining the clearance as a clerk did not require a drug test.
Ditto.
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 4:45 pm
by reversingentropy
.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 4:47 pm
by rpupkin
Anonymous User wrote:Are drugs really that important to you that you would jeopardize your career to get high?
This post should not be anon. Anyway, please explain how OP is jeopardizing his career.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 4:54 pm
by Kronk
Anonymous User wrote:Are drugs really that important to you that you would jeopardize your career to get high?
this is almost certainly wetblanket wiz
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:00 pm
by Anonymous User
rpupkin wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Are drugs really that important to you that you would jeopardize your career to get high?
This post should not be anon. Anyway, please explain how OP is jeopardizing his career.
OP would not have made this post if he/she didn't think there was some risk. Smoking weed is still illegal in most jurisdictions and even if legal, it carries a negative stigma with employers. The risk of getting caught may be low, but why chance it unless it is really important to your life?
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:02 pm
by El Pollito
Anonymous User wrote:rpupkin wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Are drugs really that important to you that you would jeopardize your career to get high?
This post should not be anon. Anyway, please explain how OP is jeopardizing his career.
OP would not have made this post if he/she didn't think there was some risk. Smoking weed is still illegal in most jurisdictions and even if legal, it carries a negative stigma with employers. The risk of getting caught may be low, but why chance it unless it is really important to your life?
because firms don't drug test
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:02 pm
by Anonymous User
As a heads up, at least one firm in Chicago drug tested two years ago. But there was some weird circumstances surrounding it.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:04 pm
by jbagelboy
Anonymous User wrote:rpupkin wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Are drugs really that important to you that you would jeopardize your career to get high?
This post should not be anon. Anyway, please explain how OP is jeopardizing his career.
OP would not have made this post if he/she didn't think there was some risk. Smoking weed is still illegal in most jurisdictions and even if legal, it carries a negative stigma with employers. The risk of getting caught may be low, but why chance it unless it is really important to your life?
Why cancel a sesh if you don't have to tho. You shouldn't have to stop toking up because if your employer were they to find out might disapprove. OP was asking to confirm there was no risk
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:04 pm
by reversingentropy
El Pollito wrote:Anonymous User wrote:rpupkin wrote:Anonymous User wrote:Are drugs really that important to you that you would jeopardize your career to get high?
This post should not be anon. Anyway, please explain how OP is jeopardizing his career.
OP would not have made this post if he/she didn't think there was some risk. Smoking weed is still illegal in most jurisdictions and even if legal, it carries a negative stigma with employers. The risk of getting caught may be low, but why chance it unless it is really important to your life?
because firms don't drug test
I know of at least two that do. It's not just about whether firms drug test. If you smoke weed you are presumably buying it or growing it. There is risk in both of those activities. If you're stupid enough you might drive while high, get in an accident or get pulled over by a suspicious cop.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -arrested/
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:06 pm
by Kronk
everything in life is a risk-reward bro.
if there is only a .01% risk, probably not worth curtailing your normal activities.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:09 pm
by AreJay711
Anonymous User wrote:
I know of at least two that do.
Which firms? They wouldn't be put on blast -- it's not like they want to catch people; they want to discourage degenerate druggies from going there.
Re: Summer Associate position - drug testing?
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:11 pm
by Anonymous User
A risk is a risk. I'd say the risk of using illegal drugs is non-trivial, but to each her own.
I work at one of the firms so I won't be disclosing the name.