Insight on mid-size NY Firms: Hodgson Russ, Phillips Lytle, Harter Secrest, etc.? Forum

[Anonymous User]

What are the grades these firms look for? Specifically interested in their upstate NY offices.

t25, not New York school; undergrad in NY

[Anonymous User]

Firms are looking for top 25% of class with ties to the region and city where the specific office is.

[Anonymous User]

Firms are looking for top 25% of class with ties to the region and city where the specific office is.

Are upstate firms that grade selective for the t14, as well? Figured the strong ties requirement would mean the firms would have to dig a little deeper into the class.

[Anonymous User]

Your probably right, in that they will dig a little deeper. However the upstate firms I know of (Buffalo Market) have very small entering classes Phillips hired maybe 5 this year and laid off others from various practice groups. Alot is going to depend on your interest and partner ties.

[Anonymous User]

T25, roughly top 15% at the time of OCI, Law Review. I snagged an offer with Harter Secrest with absolutely no ties to New York, much less Rochester. I'm sure this is not par the course, but it happens.

[Anonymous User]

Your probably right, in that they will dig a little deeper. However the upstate firms I know of (Buffalo Market) have very small entering classes Phillips hired maybe 5 this year and laid off others from various practice groups. Alot is going to depend on your interest and partner ties.

Thanks - I appreciate the insight.

Never heard of the bolded before. Does this imply you need people (i.e. partners) to bat for you during the application process? Figured that would always be a good thing to have, but didn't imagine too many law students had that kind of network setup so early on

[Anonymous User]

Your probably right, in that they will dig a little deeper. However the upstate firms I know of (Buffalo Market) have very small entering classes Phillips hired maybe 5 this year and laid off others from various practice groups. Alot is going to depend on your interest and partner ties.

Thanks - I appreciate the insight.

Never heard of the bolded before. Does this imply you need people (i.e. partners) to bat for you during the application process? Figured that would always be a good thing to have, but didn't imagine too many law students had that kind of network setup so early on

My current employment will come around for that one reason. Best way to make moves as a 0L is to figure out who represents the companies you work for before school (obviously if your company is too large this might be impossible) and put together contacts that way.