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Hey everyone,

I just got an email from the firm I am doing my SA at (V50 in CA) and they asked us if we want to participate in an optional "trial skills" training program that is set to last for a couple of weeks. Is this a common thing during a SA? And, as someone who only expressed interest in corporate work during interviews, is this something I should consider? I don't want to blow off an opportunity to meet more people/develop new skills, but I also don't want to send the wrong signals to the corporate people I spent most of my recruiting time with. Any experience with similar situations? Thanks a lot

If its a few weeks of extra pay id take it. If its during the SA I'd prob turn it down if you want corp.

Thanks for the response. There is no extra pay involved. It sounds like it's something that is spread across a few sessions during the normal SA schedule.

Anonymous User wrote:Thanks for the response. There is no extra pay involved. It sounds like it's something that is spread across a few sessions during the normal SA schedule.

How sure are you about corporate work?

Desert Fox wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Thanks for the response. There is no extra pay involved. It sounds like it's something that is spread across a few sessions during the normal SA schedule.

How sure are you about corporate work?

Definitely not sold on corporate work, but this office isn't especially active with litigation so idk how much that should factor into this. I'm also not 100% sold on staying at this office after graduation, but that's a whole different topic

Anonymous User wrote:Thanks for the response. There is no extra pay involved. It sounds like it's something that is spread across a few sessions during the normal SA schedule.

Is there free lunch involved?

No such thing as a free lunch. Time, judgments, things are happening.

Meh you should probably just do it. Might be weird to turn down the first thing the firm asks you to do.

Danger Zone wrote:Meh you should probably just do it. Might be weird to turn down the first thing the firm asks you to do.

yea id do it.

typically I'd also err on the "just do it" side but if they make it optional there must be a reason? Is the firm typically a 100% offer firm?

Thanks for all the responses everyone. I definitely get the "don't turn down the first thing offered" reasoning. Especially for something like this which sounds relatively informal, so at the very least it could be a way to meet more attorneys at the firm. Plus, the firm did say that it is open to everyone regardless of practice area interest. That being said, obviously the firm is going to say that. I decided to make the thread because I wasn't sure if this is a common thing for SA programs or not.

onionz wrote:typically I'd also err on the "just do it" side but if they make it optional there must be a reason? Is the firm typically a 100% offer firm?

Yes it's a big office/big SA class that is generally 100% offer.

Anonymous User wrote:Hey everyone,

I just got an email from the firm I am doing my SA at (V50 in CA) and they asked us if we want to participate in an optional "trial skills" training program that is set to last for a couple of weeks. Is this a common thing during a SA? And, as someone who only expressed interest in corporate work during interviews, is this something I should consider? I don't want to blow off an opportunity to meet more people/develop new skills, but I also don't want to send the wrong signals to the corporate people I spent most of my recruiting time with. Any experience with similar situations? Thanks a lot

My firm offered a similar program for summers (and I happen to know a number of other firms in my city offered this type of program as well) and it was legitimately optional and intended for people who had some interest in litigation. If you're at all on the fence I'd say sign up, but if you know you want corporate then I doubt you'll be penalized for not participating. I wouldn't factor in the fact that you said you were interested in corporate in interviews as I'm assuming you still have an opportunity to change your mind.

My firm has a similar thing. It is actually, truly, optional. That being said, I could easily see such a program being one where you're judged on whether you do it / don't do it, and then judged on how you do. Never underestimate how unreasonable lawyers can be.

Desert Fox wrote:

Danger Zone wrote:Meh you should probably just do it. Might be weird to turn down the first thing the firm asks you to do.

yea id do it.

yeah

JohannDeMann wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:

Danger Zone wrote:Meh you should probably just do it. Might be weird to turn down the first thing the firm asks you to do.

yea id do it.

yeah

Also, it's near impossible to screw up a lunch training.

I would definitely NOT do it. At my firm, we offer this as a truly optional training (and as a non-substantive BS "training" for people who are "worried" they won't get enough trial experience as a junior big law associate). It would very likely be noted as demonstrating less interest in Corp, and if Corp needs bodies but lit doesn't, makes you more likely to be no-offered.

You do realize you get points for saying no to things that you're not interested in, right?

Just email the most junior Corp associate you know there and ask if they think it matters.

Danger Zone wrote:Meh you should probably just do it. Might be weird to turn down the first thing the firm asks you to do.

my firm invited me to join a weekend sports league that seemed built around former college-level athletes, which is like the literal opposite of me in college. i said no to that (by failing to reply).

I'm pretty sure I'm at the same firm and I'm not doing it