Applying to V10 Firms as a 3L (do I have a shot?) Forum

[Anonymous User]

I will probably apply to a few V10 law firms that specialize in corporate work at the end of this summer and would like to hear what people think of my chances.

I go to a law school that use to be at the bottom of Tier 1 (it was when I was accepted), but recently slipped to Tier 2.
None of the V10 firms I am interested in will participate in our 3L OCI, so this will be direct applications to legal recruiters.
I am currently a summer associate at a NYC based V30 (bottom of the V30).
I was ranked towards the bottom 10% of my 1L class.
I have seven years of strong work history
I have a masters degree

The reasons why I think I might have a chance now:

I received straight A's as a 2L and took all respectable/large classes - I should safely be in the top 5% once 2L rankings come out
I received the highest grade in four 2L classes (two tax classes, corporations, and secured transactions)
I am now a senior editorial board member of the Law Review

[20160810]

Is there a single decent reason why you want to do this besides severe autism?

[h2go]

Prestige whoring is a decent reason!

[WhiskeynCoke]

I will probably apply to a few V10 law firms that specialize in corporate work at the end of this summer and would like to hear what people think of my chances.

I go to a law school that use to be at the bottom of Tier 1 (it was when I was accepted), but recently slipped to Tier 2.
None of the V10 firms I am interested in will participate in our 3L OCI, so this will be direct applications to legal recruiters.
I am currently a summer associate at a NYC based V30 (bottom of the V30).
I was ranked towards the bottom 10% of my 1L class.
I have seven years of strong work history
I have a masters degree

The reasons why I think I might have a chance now:

I received straight A's as a 2L and took all respectable/large classes - I should safely be in the top 5% once 2L rankings come out
I received the highest grade in four 2L classes (two tax classes, corporations, and secured transactions)
I am now a senior editorial board member of the Law Review

How the hell did you snag a biglaw SA with bottom 10% grades from a TT? This seems like an unbelievably good outcome (did you know someone at the firm?). You should feel incredibly lucky and thankful to be in your position.

That having been said, I really doubt you'd be competitive for a V10 as a 3L. While your 2L performance is impressive (congrats), it still only brings you up to somewhere around median. Honestly, snagging a v30 from median at a TT is STILL incredibly unlikely. Also, your 2L performance will be less impressive to firms, as many of the top students in your 1L class likely transferred out and the rest probably started coasting to an extent, so there was substantially less competition.

You have little to lose by shooting out apps though. But don't be surprised if you don't get any nibbles.

[Anonymous User]

I think they meant they were in the top 10 percent of the class, but towards the bottom (as in, closer to 10% than 5%).

Regardless, I'd want to know what the reason is for wanting to make the change. Is there a specific reason you don't want to stay at your V30? Are you worried you won't receive an offer, or unhappy otherwise?

[Anonymous User]

I don't know about you but I know a night student in NY with no SA called up cravath as a 4L and got a post grad offer... He was also the top gpa in the class and good work experience and a combat vet though...

[ClubberLang]

Is there a single decent reason why you want to do this besides severe autism?

Man, sometimes I think you're a bit over the top with these autism comments, but holy hell it is appropriate here.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, you have a chance, if you actually want to do it. Just send resume, transcript and cover letter to the entry level hiring email address. Let me them know you're in NY already. There's way more unlikely hiring stories out there.

[20160810]

Is there a single decent reason why you want to do this besides severe autism?

Man, sometimes I think you're a bit over the top with these autism comments, but holy hell it is appropriate here.

These people do not even stop to consider if the rankings are arbitrary - they just fall right in line. It's just baffling to me.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Is there a single decent reason why you want to do this besides severe autism?

Man, sometimes I think you're a bit over the top with these autism comments, but holy hell it is appropriate here.

These people do not even stop to consider if the rankings are arbitrary - they just fall right in line. It's just baffling to me.

Had a dude that got an offer to summer at a V10 be completely baffled when I told him I wouldn't want to work for his firm and actually had my lowly V40 firm ranked at the top of my bidlist. He asked me multiple times whether I'd take an offer from his firm, and I said no. He legitimately thought I was just saying that because I wasn't actually good enough or smart enough to even get an offer to begin with. It's crazy how people see a ranking using a methodology I guarantee they don't understand and treat it like gospel.

[20160810]

"I want to do litigation in Omaha is it ok if my firm isn't V5?"

[Anonymous User]

Correct, I was ranked in the top 10%, but right around top 9-10%.

I'm sure I have touch of autism. Posting on here probably confirms that.

I am not looking for prestige. I am looking to work for a firm that has the best perks and best exist options. I didn't get many options out of OCI (only like 10 market matching firms even asked for resumes), so have a little empathy that I have a desire to actually maybe choose what firms I would like to work for.

[anon3030]

How the hell did you snag a biglaw SA with bottom 10% grades from a TT? This seems like an unbelievably good outcome (did you know someone at the firm?). You should feel incredibly lucky and thankful to be in your position.

That having been said, I really doubt you'd be competitive for a V10 as a 3L. While your 2L performance is impressive (congrats), it still only brings you up to somewhere around median. Honestly, snagging a v30 from median at a TT is STILL incredibly unlikely. Also, your 2L performance will be less impressive to firms, as many of the top students in your 1L class likely transferred out and the rest probably started coasting to an extent, so there was substantially less competition.

You have little to lose by shooting out apps though. But don't be surprised if you don't get any nibbles.[/quote]

I didn't know anyone. I have no lawyers in the family (I was in top 10% of grades - around top 9-10%). But good point about having less competition as a 2L. We actually didn't have too many people transfer out, but many people were checked out. I was thinking that's the whole point of people who change firms as a 3L though, firms looking for people who don't check out due to the mild autism they might have.

[Winter is Coming]

The only reason to do this is if your current firm doesn't go NY TO 180.

[Obama2016]

Correct, I was ranked in the top 10%, but right around top 9-10%.

I'm sure I have touch of autism. Posting on here probably confirms that.

I am not looking for prestige. I am looking to work for a firm that has the best perks and best exist options. I didn't get many options out of OCI (only like 10 market matching firms even asked for resumes), so have a little empathy that I have a desire to actually maybe choose what firms I would like to work for.

OP feel free to PM me. I did this same exact thing last year in same boat as you (3L, non-T14, Top 5-10% grades, secondary market summer).