Rescinding the offer acceptance Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have accepted an offer from the firm I really liked three days ago. I loved people there and see myself working for the firm for a long period time (at least for now). But today, I just got an offer from my dream firm where I really wanted to go from the beginning. I did not particularly love the people but liked them enough to seriously consider whether I should rescind the offer acceptance.

Is this something that I should never do? I did talk to career services office and they told me to do whatever I want, though they wanted me to keep my word.

FWIW, both firms are stable, have good reputation in the market, and have no significant difference in terms of prestige, I think. The firm I got the offer today is v20 and the firm I accepted is v30.

[SLS_AMG]

So let me get this straight: you committed to one firm while you were still waiting for an answer from you dream firm, and when you got an answer from your dream firm--which, admittedly offers no material advantages over the firm you already picked and which you actually liked less than the chosen firm--you decided you don't want to honor the commitment you previously made.

You should probably rescind your acceptance, refuse the new offer, and let both jobs go to someone who has even an inkling as to wtf they're doing.

[DJ JD]

So let me get this straight: you committed to one firm while you were still waiting for an answer from you dream firm, and when you got an answer from your dream firm--which, admittedly offers no material advantages over the firm you already picked and which you actually liked less than the chosen firm--you decided you don't want to honor the commitment you previously made.

You should probably rescind your acceptance, refuse the new offer, and let both jobs go to someone who has even an inkling as to wtf they're doing.

[Anonymous User]

So let me get this straight: you committed to one firm while you were still waiting for an answer from you dream firm, and when you got an answer from your dream firm--which, admittedly offers no material advantages over the firm you already picked and which you actually liked less than the chosen firm--you decided you don't want to honor the commitment you previously made.

You should probably rescind your acceptance, refuse the new offer, and let both jobs go to someone who has even an inkling as to wtf they're doing.

I asked my dream firm to let me know the decision by last Friday, which they didn't do. So I made up my mind to accept the offer on Monday since I thought I would not be getting the offer from them. I totally understand what I am considering right now is not an honorable thing. I just wanted to know how people would perceive the rescinding the acceptance is like as I have heard some people have done it before.

[FSK]

What hte hell is a dream firm?

[iamgeorgebush]

What hte hell is a dream firm?

[rpupkin]

Accept both offers, and then spend next summer running back-and-forth every day between the two firms, constantly making excuses about how you need to "step outside for a minute."

Hilarity will ensue when both firms pick the same bar for a Friday happy hour.

[Anonymous User]

The second you rescind your offer the firm will report you to your school's career services and despite their soft tone now, trust me punishment will ensue. This also very well may be a C+F factor in bar licensing.

Maybe ask for a split-summer? Or just suck it up, do your summer at the original firm, and then do 3L OCI, maybe with that dream firm.

[rpupkin]

The second you rescind your offer the firm will report you to your school's career services and despite their soft tone now, trust me punishment will ensue. This also very well may be a C+F factor in bar licensing.

It's amazing how many incorrect assertions you managed to pack into two sentences.

If you're going to completely make stuff up, don't use the anon feature.

[chuckbass]

Why is this your "dream firm" if it's no more prestigious and you don't like the people as much?

[A. Nony Mouse]

The second you rescind your offer the firm will report you to your school's career services and despite their soft tone now, trust me punishment will ensue. This also very well may be a C+F factor in bar licensing.

It's amazing how many incorrect assertions you managed to pack into two sentences.

If you're going to completely make stuff up, don't use the anon feature.

I never understand why people who should in theory understand at-will employment continue to believe that backing out of a job offer is a C&F issue.

[envisciguy]

The second you rescind your offer the firm will report you to your school's career services and despite their soft tone now, trust me punishment will ensue. This also very well may be a C+F factor in bar licensing.

Maybe ask for a split-summer? Or just suck it up, do your summer at the original firm, and then do 3L OCI, maybe with that dream firm.

1) There won't be any punishment by career services. Even if they wanted to "punish," what are they gonna do? Take him/her off a listserve? Come on.

2) No way that it would be a C+F problem.

That said, OP - what makes this firm your "dream firm?" If it's just the name and you think you'd like working with the people at the other firm, I can't see the "dream firm" being the right decision.

[Winter is Coming]

I asked my dream firm to let me know the decision by last Friday, which they didn't do. So I made up my mind to accept the offer on Monday since I thought I would not be getting the offer from them. I totally understand what I am considering right now is not an honorable thing. I just wanted to know how people would perceive the rescinding the acceptance is like as I have heard some people have done it before.

Was your offer expiring or you just gave your "dream firm" a weird artificial deadline? Kinda odd to give your number 1 firm some deadline you made up.

Also anon above with the Career Services punishment and C&F BS, that's probably a combo worst post/anon abuse of this hiring season.

[dixiecupdrinking]

You need to tell us why this is your "dream firm." Literally all we know is it's a V20 with shitty people. So uh, based on that alone, no, you shouldn't rescind your acceptance.

[Chigirl144]

It's okay if the dream changes. Just because you wanted something for a while doesn't mean it's still the right choice. Out of the things that are important to many people about law firms, it sounds like the first one is a winner. What everyone tells me that matters the most is that you like the people that you work with. Feeling comfortable in your work environment with people you love will make you a better attorney. If you went to your dream firm, you may be living "the dream" but the dream will probably not turn out to be as great at the place where you have accepted an offer.

The legal community is smaller than you think, too. It is unprofessional to accept an offer and then rescind it and could get you soft blackballed. You should have done your due diligence and notified the dream firm that you had an offer from another firm set to expire but that you were interested in them still and wanted to check the status of your application.

Stick with the choice you made. The dream firm is nothing more than a name.

[ookoshi]

If it's still your dream firm in 3 years you can always lateral in. It's not like going from a V30 to a V20 is that hard if you know wtf you're doing.

[smaug]

Follow your dreams.

[glitched]

I'd make the switch if there was a practice area issue.

[FSK]

Check out top-law-schools.com