Top Law Schools

Short:

I accepted an unpaid summer position about 3 weeks ago. Just got offered a paid position (kind of out of nowhere, a firm called me that I contacted months ago, and offered me a spot). Is it reasonably accepted to dump my first job? I know the people will hate me b/c they will have to start the process again (interview, callback, etc. But is it all good? Input?

it's fine

Take the paid job.

Your unpaid employer will understand. You are paying a lot of money to go to law school. It would be foolish to turn down $, and they know it

you are feeling bad about an employer that wasn't going to pay you having to spend money interviewing more candidates? wth?

jdmonkey wrote:Your unpaid employer will understand. You are paying a lot of money to go to law school. It would be foolish to turn down $, and they know it

I don't agree when people say this. The unpaid employers are usually people not making a ton of money themselves (compared to biglaw firms) and consider that sacrifice reasonable. And you knew it was unpaid when you accepted. So while I agree it's totally reasonable to ditch the unpaid job for the paid one, I don't think people should assume the unpaid job will accept that of course they should only be second choice. Chances are good you will burn those bridges (it's not guaranteed, but a decent chance). I don't think that's a reason not to drop the first job, at all, but I think the OP should at least be aware of it.

(I'm not even saying the first job is going to be pissed/horrified/shocked, or anything like that. Just that they are likely to write off the OP for the future.)