Good or bad to show ambition to become partner during SA big law interview? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am wondering if it is good or bad to show (or fake) ambition to become a partner during the SA interview with a big law firm? Especially if the interviewer has almost identical technical background as I do?

What about interest to go in-house after a few years at the big law firm?

[Anonymous User]

Don't say any of that, omg. If this is biglaw, barely anyone makes partner and you'll look like someone with their head in the clouds if you assume that is a realistic goal at this point. And do not mention your desire to go in house--they don't want to know you absolutely plan on leaving.

I know this sounds like a catch-22, but my advice when pressured to answer "where do you see yourself in x years" is to say something about how you hope you are still at the firm you choose after this whole process, working on becoming a better lawyer, finding things you are good at and interested in, etc.

[smallfirmassociate]

Terrible.

Is this real life?

[SFSpartan]

Don't do either of those things. Express enthusiasm for the practice of law in general, the specific practice area(s) you want to be in, and why you want to work at that particular firm. Anything else is unnecessary and should be avoided.

[Anonymous User]

I wouldn't ask "how do I become a partner?" I would ask something along the lines of "what can I do to get my name out there in the marketplace/firm?" I asked this and the partner loved it.

You can also ask something like "beyond having a good attitude and doing good work, what can I do to be successful in this profession."

[Anonymous User]

If asked, I always said that 5 years (or whatever X years) down the road I wanted to be the go-to associate at your firm that partners wanted staffed on their deal/case, and to start taking on greater responsibilities within the firm. It shows a commitment to staying at the firm (never say you want to go in-house, or leave to do anything), but also don't express an interest in making partner.

Basically, ride the line between saying that you want to become the best lawyer you can be, and in your mind, the best way to do that is to work at this firm learning from the people that already are the best in the industry.

[Hutz_and_Goodman]

This is a good thing to say

Especially if you're interviewing with a partner, just say in 10 years I see myself as a partner in the firm, and to make space you're either converted to Of Counsel or forced out of the partnership

This is the kind of ambition they're looking for

[Anonymous User]

This is one of those things where it really just comes to whether you are a socially functional human being or not. If you are, just pick up on conversational ques and handle these things based on the situation, you'll be fine. If you aren't - and be honest with yourself here - I would echo the advice of other posters to not say you want to be a partner, and definitely not say you want to go in house, but instead go with a slightly vague yet enthusiastic response about being the best lawyer you can be. If you are good at talking to strangers, don't limit yourself to a few stilted responses and don't be afraid to improvise. If you aren't, stick to the script.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

If asked, I always said that 5 years (or whatever X years) down the road I wanted to be the go-to associate at your firm that partners wanted staffed on their deal/case, and to start taking on greater responsibilities within the firm. It shows a commitment to staying at the firm (never say you want to go in-house, or leave to do anything), but also don't express an interest in making partner.

Basically, ride the line between saying that you want to become the best lawyer you can be, and in your mind, the best way to do that is to work at this firm learning from the people that already are the best in the industry.

+1

I always mentioned how the attorneys I worked with would either praise or deride opposing counsel when they found out they were on a matter. I said I wanted to be one of the attorneys people respected for doing good work and being responsive, not the attorney people roll their eyes at when my name is mentioned.

[Br3v]

I think suggesting you would like to make partner but understand that a lot of that is out of your control is perfectly fine.

Don't say you want to leave to go in house though lol

[2014]

"I understand that in reality people's careers can take a number of turns, whether planned or unexpected, but it's important to me to be somewhere that I could see myself spending my whole career. [Name & Name LLP] is that place for X, Y and Z reasons [but also, I know that by working with attorneys at [Name & Name LLP] at the top of their field, I will learn a great deal and be ready for whatever path my career takes.]"

Edit as you see fit - the latter part I find often plays well with NY firms who are very much aware that your tenure is a 2-5 year mutual exchange of labor for training and aren't put off by people knowing as much.

[Internetdan]

When I was interviewing with a partner I stared at him coldly for almost minute before saying I'm coming for your job. The fact we were both sitting on a bed in the Hilton made the experience more meaningful I think. You should do that.

[El Pollito]

weird and delusional

[smallfirmassociate]

before saying I'm coming

The last time I told someone I was coming in a Hilton bed it cost me $600.

[anyriotgirl]

just ask them about their careers and how they became partner. partners love talking about being partners.

[BmoreOrLess]

I think suggesting you would like to make partner but understand that a lot of that is out of your control is perfectly fine.

Don't say you want to leave to go in house though lol

Yea this. Whenever I got asked the 'where do you see yourself' question, I always framed it that I understood that my career in a law firm can be largely out of my control because of partnership opportunities and the economy, but that I wanted to ensure that, through my skills and experiences, I put myself in a position to be on the partnership track or to become a client of the firm if that's how the cards fell. It seemed to go over well.