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Hi everyone,

I'm strongly considering splitting the summer between two firms in two different cities, mostly for geographical reasons (I have compelling reasons to be in both cities), but also because I just really like the two firms that I'm deciding between...they offer different things in practice areas that I'm hoping to explore. At this point my concern is simply whether splitting would start me off on the wrong foot at whatever firm I ultimately end up at. Put another way, If I were so lucky as to end up with offers at both firms (which I know obviously is not a guarantee), would that affect my standing at the firm that I choose? Basically, let's say I choose Firm A over Firm B...when I start at Firm A as a full-time associate, would there be a perception at the firm that since I hadn't been with them for the entirety of the summer, that I was not fully committed to them? And would that end up affecting the sort of matters I get put on, the way I'm treated by partners/senior associates, the number of years I'll be allowed to stay at the firm before they tell me it's time to leave (assuming I don't leave on my own), etc.? And, relatedly, I know this is WAY cart before the horse, and I know no one makes partner at any biglaw firms these days (I have no illusions that the case is otherwise), but in the very very off chance that I end up at Firm A for quite some time without voluntarily leaving/getting the boot after a few years, would my initial decision to have split my summer end up entering into the discussions concerning my commitment to that firm?

I know this all probably sounds ridiculous. But I'm a longtime lurker on this site, and I've read so many anecdotes about the littlest things setting off biglaw partners/senior associates, and I've just gotten the sense that with so many big egos out there, it's pretty essential not to hurt those big egos along the way. I just don't want to give people at any firm any reason to be pissed off at me from the outset. I also realize that it's impossible to predict what might set off any given person. But I am just wondering if anyone can speak to this issue, and offer some thoughts as to whether it's best to just pick a firm right now in order to avoid starting off on the wrong foot, or if the choice to split a summer has no bearing on a person's experience at the firm once they end up there as an associate.

Thank you!

I admit there are different schools of thought on this, but I think splitting is totally legitimate and it makes no negative impact on receiving an offer or treatment at the firm once you arrive. No one will remember that you split and hedged as a 2L. I split between two firms in two cities and received offers from both, and I never felt like my opportunities at either firm were lessened by my decision to experience both markets.

I think it's totally fine. I don't even think I burned bridges at the firm I didn't end up choosing. If anything I got treated a bit better because they thought they still had to sell me on the firm.

thank you, both of you. i'm glad to hear both of you were able to split without there being any real repercussions. if anyone else has had a different experience/has heard anything else, i'd love to know. i'm just about to make the decision on whether to split, so it's very helpful to hear from anyone and everyone who's willing to share their thoughts

not the OP, but if two firms both say in their offer letters that you're required to spend the first X weeks at their firm, is there any way to negotiate with them? has anyone ever done that? all of the firms that i'm considering require that i spent the first half of the summer with them, which seems to make splitting impossible

It depends how flexible you are... this might help....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWMC4EP_2LE

yeah...ive got a similar question. how does splitting work when every firm seems to require that you spend the first seven or so weeks with them? is it possible to work something out with the firms?

Anonymous User wrote:yeah...ive got a similar question. how does splitting work when every firm seems to require that you spend the first seven or so weeks with them? is it possible to work something out with the firms?

wondering about this as well. seems like a lot of people on TLS have split/know someone who's split, but so many firms have this "spend the first half of the summer with us" requirement and i haven't figured out a way around that even though id like to split too

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:yeah...ive got a similar question. how does splitting work when every firm seems to require that you spend the first seven or so weeks with them? is it possible to work something out with the firms?

wondering about this as well. seems like a lot of people on TLS have split/know someone who's split, but so many firms have this "spend the first half of the summer with us" requirement and i haven't figured out a way around that even though id like to split too

There are a handful of firms (Susman, Munger, most Texas based firms) that allow second half splits. You can't force a split between two firms that only accept first half. Some stated policies are flexible though with number of weeks and start date if you're splitting with a different market.

thanks, that's understandable. I've just heard of lots of people doing NY/State X splits with two different firms. i figured they had somehow negotiated a way around that requirement that the first half of the summer be spent with the firm, seeing as nearly every firm i know of has that requirement. but perhaps they were splitting with firms that had the unique requirement that the second half could be spent with them. oh well. if anyone else has heard otherwise, i'd love to know, otherwise i'll have to pick between the firms soon enough (not that i'm complaining, i'm very grateful to even have a choice to begin with)