3Ls applying for entry-level associate positions Forum

[Anonymous User]

Haven't summered at a firm, so 3L applying to firms hoping to be an entry-level associate -

Few questions:

When is a strategic time to apply? In these next two months before graduation, or after graduation/bar prep/bar...(and obviously until we get a job)?
Do firms require bar passage before screening/callbacks/interviews?
When do entry-level associates typically start? In the fall?

Thanks!

[zot1]

The time to apply started a while back, so start mass mailing.

As to bar passage, it depends on the firm. Some will, some won't. Some will say they want bar passage but if you're the right candidate, they may bring you in anyway.

[ballouttacontrol]

1. all of the above
2. sometimes yes sometimes no
3. traditionally yes but u will see some listings for ASAP hires basically year round

[Anonymous User]

have gotten quite a few "apply to a specific posting online" replies - some firms just aren't considering "write-in" applicants i guess...

[gtg]

Could anyone please share the websites they use to find mid and smaller firms to mass mail to? Thanks

[Anonymous User]

I was in a similar situation. I got an offer 1 month before bar exam, was given option to start early (cuz they need juniors) or with the class. In my experience, bar passage is not required, taking the right bar exam is extremely important (of course it's a gamble too).

Advice:
1. Do keep in touch with your CSO, I got like 5 interviews (all vault firms) through them in the last semester of law school.
2. Also keep an eye on the market, I cold emailed a partner who was newly hired by a firm that opened a second office in the same city, got an video interview with him and the office head in 2 weeks.
3. Mass-email never worked for me, be more specific and "targeting."

[RaceJudicata]

Could anyone please share the websites they use to find mid and smaller firms to mass mail to? Thanks

Contact your CSO. My school has a comprehensive spreadsheet of all firms (including the smaller/mid size firms), their practice areas, and somewhat updated contact info. Yours may have the same, or at least something similar.

ETA: The list only contains firms in my school's immediate geographic area.

[mrs.miawallace]

I was in a similar situation. I got an offer 1 month before bar exam, was given option to start early (cuz they need juniors) or with the class. In my experience, bar passage is not required, taking the right bar exam is extremely important (of course it's a gamble too).

Advice:
1. Do keep in touch with your CSO, I got like 5 interviews (all vault firms) through them in the last semester of law school.
2. Also keep an eye on the market, I cold emailed a partner who was newly hired by a firm that opened a second office in the same city, got an video interview with him and the office head in 2 weeks.
3. Mass-email never worked for me, be more specific and "targeting."

THIS ANON OP do you mind if I PM you

[Fianna13]

This is odd.. where is the usual TLS bashing on OP for being clueless at trying to get an biglaw associate position this late in law school? most of the time its 2L OCI job offer or GTFO of law school.

[suralin]

This is odd.. where is the usual TLS bashing on OP for being clueless at trying to get an biglaw associate position this late in law school? most of the time its 2L OCI job offer or GTFO of law school.

don't use anon to be a dick

[Jay2716]

Also, networking is critical here, especially since traditional biglaw will be incredibly hard to land at this point. You need to be meeting with lawyers for lunch and coffee as often as possible until you have a job.

[Anonymous User]

Also, networking is critical here, especially since traditional biglaw will be incredibly hard to land at this point. You need to be meeting with lawyers for lunch and coffee as often as possible until you have a job.

This.
I was in a similar position spring semester of my 3L year when I found out the firm I summered at didn't have room to take on first years. I lined up informational interviews with attorneys (phone and in person) and just talked about practice, trends, projects, etc. It helps to have an interest in a certain practice area and to be able to back it up. I asked for advice on how to become successful in said field. I made sure to mention that I worked in said summer firm (which happens to be a top tier firm in said practice group in the region) and share examples of what I did. I asked for contacts who might be willing to take 20 minutes to chat with me.

I ended up speaking to a gentleman who happens to be well-connected and regarded in my practice area. We hit it off and he said he would help me with my job search. Not long after our meeting, he helped me get interviews at a couple places, one of which was a big firm. A couple months down the road, he helped get my resume straight to the managing partner at a midsize firm that had an opening. I got the position not long before graduation. Keep hustlin, OP.

[Anonymous User]

Also be sure to talk to any professors you have a good relationship with; you never know how well-connected they may be. I once had a professor put me directly in contact with the managing partner of a big firm in my target city. Just let your professors know that you are still looking for work, what you want to do, and where you want to be. There are sure to be some who can point you in the right direction, even if it is just making an introduction to get the ball rolling.

[Monochromatic Oeuvre]

This is odd.. where is the usual TLS bashing on OP for being clueless at trying to get an biglaw associate position this late in law school? most of the time its 2L OCI job offer or GTFO of law school.

I will, for posterity's sake, because no one has said it yet: The time to do this was nine months ago.

[Anonymous User]

wasn't trying to be a dick. My comment was referring to the usual TLS "2L SA or you are screwed" mentality. Looking back, my message is probably due to the due to the lack of punctuation - there should be quotation marks around everything.

[Tiago Splitter]

wasn't trying to be a dick. My comment was referring to the usual TLS "2L SA or you are screwed" mentality. Looking back, my message is probably due to the due to the lack of punctuation - there should be quotation marks around everything.

Not all entry level associate positions are in biglaw. If OP is applying to biglaw firms then yes chances are pretty slim if you miss the 2L SA boat. But around half of grads in private practice will end up at firms of 2-10 attorneys and many of those people will get hired during 3L or after graduation.