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Small/Midsize firms?

Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2016 7:39 pm
by Anonymous User
Does anybody have experience with getting a job in a small/midsize firm? Like what grades/work xp do you need to get it??

FTR I'm at a T20. Mainly interested in TX or NYC, but I'll also settle for CA if worst comes to worst.

Re: Small/Midsize firms?

Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2016 8:29 pm
by Sprout
Ime smaller firms hire more of on a need basis. Generally later recruiting and contingent on client need and size capacity etc. mid size is dif. Last year oci I had CBs in NYC at two mid sized firms. They followed the general big law timing except slower. Heard about a month after most of my biglaw peers. Hth

Edit: I'm median at a t20
Second edit: I dk about TX but have heard that's a much harder marker to get into without ties and top grades. Gl

Re: Small/Midsize firms?

Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2016 8:32 pm
by jawsjawsjaws
They care a lot more about ties and your commitment to settling down in that area than large firms do, probably due to their small class size.

Re: Small/Midsize firms?

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2016 3:03 pm
by smallfirmassociate
We have a grade cutoff (top third at the t20 where we do OCI), but we have hired out of range before. Our last hire was a lottery interview.

Fit and a client-facing personality are keys. Being brilliant is a bonus. Two of our last three associates published in LR, but that's more of a coincidence than anything. I'd put personality, ties, and fit as all basically tied for most important thing.