Bad to Market Myself as Lit at 2L OCI? Forum

[Anonymous User]

So I'm in transactional for my 1L gig. Hate it; boring as hell. I've done lit in the past while in college and enjoyed it a lot. Would it be good to market myself as someone who wants to go into litigation? Say something in interviews like ''ive tried both trans and lit, which has made me realize litigation is much more align with my interests''.

I feel like its good since it shows I actually have a preference, i.e., not just saying ''ya i want lit.. but i've never done lit''. Instead, I have been on both sides, and now know what I want to pursue

Feel like it's bad since I can get auto-dinged by firms looking for trans/corp SAs.

Whats the TLS Consensus?

[AOT]

2L, but: if they're looking for transactional associates and you hate the work wouldn't it be better not to work for that firm anyway?

[Anonymous User]

2L, but: if they're looking for transactional associates and you hate the work wouldn't it be better not to work for that firm anyway?

Of course, but I think a lot of the times interviewees dont know whether the firm wants trans SAs or lit SAs, since the firms won't say ''We are seeking lit SAs only." I think the firm has pre-set numbers, like 'we need 10 lit and 50 corp SAs', but they dont tell the 2Ls that. They just shuffle them into Corp if they dont specify a strong interest

Edit: also all the big firms have large trans AND lit departments so it makes it tough

[downbeat14]

2L; current SA trying both types

School?
~Class rank?
Work experience (other than what u mentioned)?
Are you doing trans at a firm (rather than in house) this summer and all diff types? You could find certain trans practices (I.e. Bankruptcy where there is more of a lit angle for some firms) more interesting than what you are focusing on now...
Target market?

You might just say "lit please" for lit only/emph shops and then just say you are still somewhat interested in some trans work for firms that it matters for (and at least a willingness to try their "flavor") rather than be dismissive--which works less well in an interview even if it's justified.

I'm assuming you are asking bc you care more about eliminating debt in the short term than some long term love of big law lit? Justifiably so...

[Babum]

I usually rely on a firm's NALP report to gauge whether to express a lit or a corp interest. If there are many partners in lit and a lot of associates working for them, I assume they are looking for lit. Same for corp.

[Yea All Right]

Imo you should say you're open to both (and if you really, really want to, mention that you do have a slight preference for lit at this point). You need to get that offer first, then decide which firm you're going to based on practice groups.

And besides during your summer you can always remind them of your lit interest and do only lit assignments. (Granted I know someone who didn't get lit after doing those things as a SA. But few things are ever guaranteed and that person is actually super happy with the practice group they got placed in.)

[2014]

Just hedge and say "I tried lit before law school and really enjoyed it for A B and C and I did transactional work last summer at nameampersandname and enjoyed it for X Y Z. If I had to make a decision today, I think I'm leaning toward litigation but one of the things I really like about interviewersfirm is that the your litigation and transactional practices are both extremely sophisticated and summer associates are able to try projects in multiple areas."

Then just show up and never do corporate - they won't care (assuming a firm with an actual summer program).