Solo firm 1L summer? Forum

[eddiemen2a]

Im a first-year law student and finished my first semester 2 spots away from 10%.

Prior to law school, I worked for a criminal defense solo practitioner. Recently, I've been in touch with my former boss, and he offered me a job this summer. It will be a paying job in my hometown.

My question is this: Considering I do not want to practice criminal defense, and also considering that I would like to try and get biglaw or midlaw for my 2L summer, would it be a bad idea to take this job?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

[eddiemen2a]

Bump because I want at least one opinion.

Thanks

[ballouttacontrol]

depends what your other options are.

what school do you go to? top 10% ish is much different at Virginia than UC Davis

It's not necessarily a bad job, and a lot of people at top school end up with great firms despite having some retardedly asinine 1L job

If you're at a less so well-regarded school it might be good if this is something that could turn into a fulltime job after graduation.

If at a good school, I recommend trying to get a job relevant to the practice area you want. If you want IP do IP, criminal do criminal, M&A or wtv NY corporate law do something businessey etc... But if at a top school, it really doesn't matter that much, though your 1L job CAN pigeonhole you (it did to me pretty hard, because it also coincided with my pre-LS experience)

[Buck Strickland]

I think you'll be fine if you take this job. My 1L job was at a solo doing one one type of law that I've since decided I'm not crazy about. What's important is that you (1) have a job, and (2) get your hands on something challenging that you can be proud to talk about in your interviews for your 2L job. If you can get your boss to introduce you to other attorneys in the area so you can build your network, that'll be a plus, too. All in all, your summer job is what you make of it, so constantly stay on top of your boss for good assignments and always be vigilant about earning the resume lines you'll need to show potential employers next year.