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umichman

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picking law firm based on friends

Post by umichman » Wed Oct 07, 2015 9:23 am

I am choosing between a couple law firms. I like one of them a little more than the other, but i dont really like the people in my class who are going to that firm. Should I let that factor into my decision?

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by Anonymous User » Wed Oct 07, 2015 9:50 am

I think the better question is, "do the people from your class who are going to that firm like you?" If not, they will probably make your life, transition, and new career at this firm difficult.

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Desert Fox

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Post by Desert Fox » Wed Oct 07, 2015 9:51 am

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Hutz_and_Goodman

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by Hutz_and_Goodman » Wed Oct 07, 2015 9:52 am

umichman wrote:I am choosing between a couple law firms. I like one of them a little more than the other, but i dont really like the people in my class who are going to that firm. Should I let that factor into my decision?
Yes, and it should factor in whether you like the attorneys at the firm who you met. Firms have personalities and if you are at one where you don't fit in it will definitely hurt you.

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A. Nony Mouse

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by A. Nony Mouse » Wed Oct 07, 2015 10:10 am

Anonymous User wrote:I think the better question is, "do the people from your class who are going to that firm like you?" If not, they will probably make your life, transition, and new career at this firm difficult.
Only if they are twelve years old.

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zot1

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by zot1 » Wed Oct 07, 2015 11:51 am

Hutz_and_Goodman wrote:
umichman wrote:I am choosing between a couple law firms. I like one of them a little more than the other, but i dont really like the people in my class who are going to that firm. Should I let that factor into my decision?
Yes, and it should factor in whether you like the attorneys at the firm who you met. Firms have personalities and if you are at one where you don't fit in it will definitely hurt you.
Word. Working in a culture you fit in > working where you don't fit in.

Winter is Coming

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by Winter is Coming » Wed Oct 07, 2015 12:07 pm

Anonymous User wrote:I think the better question is, "do the people from your class who are going to that firm like you?" If not, they will probably make your life, transition, and new career at this firm difficult.
BIGLAW=MEANGIRLS. Brave use of anon.

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Lacepiece23

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by Lacepiece23 » Wed Oct 07, 2015 12:15 pm

Idk my one fried did this. He was between DPW and Simpson. He thought they were a pretty even choice aside from the fact that all his good friends were headed to DPW. So he picked DPW. In a class of however many they take having 5 or 6 friends can make your summer more fun and add companionship to your first few years.

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zot1

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by zot1 » Wed Oct 07, 2015 12:18 pm

Lacepiece23 wrote:Idk my one fried did this. He was between DPW and Simpson. He thought they were a pretty even choice aside from the fact that all his good friends were headed to DPW. So he picked DPW. In a class of however many they take having 5 or 6 friends can make your summer more fun and add companionship to your first few years.
OP doesn't have good friends going to either firm.

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totesTheGoat

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by totesTheGoat » Wed Oct 07, 2015 12:36 pm

Should I let that factor into my decision?
Do you even know that you're ever going to see them at work?

Do you otherwise like the firm?

Does hiring these other associates say anything to you about the firm?

I'd only let it factor in if the reason you don't like them somehow indicts the firm for hiring them.

dixiecupdrinking

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by dixiecupdrinking » Wed Oct 07, 2015 1:04 pm

There are worse ways to break a tie.

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zot1

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by zot1 » Wed Oct 07, 2015 2:27 pm

But what if your friends are thinking they don't want to be in that firm with you and then they go to a different firm?

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lawhopeful10

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by lawhopeful10 » Wed Oct 07, 2015 2:43 pm

zot1 wrote:But what if your friends are thinking they don't want to be in that firm with you and then they go to a different firm?
What if your friends think that you will think they won't choose the firm because they don't want to be with you so they choose the firm anyway.

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itbdvorm

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by itbdvorm » Wed Oct 07, 2015 2:46 pm

dixiecupdrinking wrote:There are worse ways to break a tie.
+1

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Desert Fox

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Post by Desert Fox » Wed Oct 07, 2015 2:59 pm

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barkschool

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by barkschool » Wed Oct 07, 2015 6:23 pm

lawhopeful10 wrote:
zot1 wrote:But what if your friends are thinking they don't want to be in that firm with you and then they go to a different firm?
What if your friends think that you will think they won't choose the firm because they don't want to be with you so they choose the firm anyway.
Could be grounds for a no offer. I'd steer clear of the whole thing, and accept both offers just in case.

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Re: picking law firm based on friends

Post by Anonymous User » Wed Oct 07, 2015 9:31 pm

vaguely relevant here

when I started work at my firm, 2 other associates in my class from my law school joined me. They had wildly different reputations. one was my friend, widely regarded as a nice, friendly, bright, sociable guy. The other was universally loathed, the most hated guy in my class. Folks asked me how I could go to a firm that would be willing to hire him.

My friend lasted 18 months, hated every minute of it, did terrible work and now is back in his small home market.

The loathsome guy is terrific at his job and, frankly, a pleasure to work with. He's still unbearable when he opens his mouth, but he's responsive, meets deadlines, helpful, catches your mistakes, etc.

So keep in mind that whatever it is that makes someone fun to be around in law school is only vaguely related to who you'll want to be working with in 3 years. You'll put up with a lot of awfulness to work with someone who doesn't make mistakes and responds to your emails at 7PM on Friday when you need to talk something through.

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