Accepted Offer - Dream Offer Came Along Forum

[1styearlateral]

OP here. Thanks for the advice, all. I'm the first to realize I screwed up with my decision-making here. I should've followed up with the second firm before assuming anything.

I decided to roll the dice with the first firm rather than reneging. Spoke with the career services, and they indicated it'd be very feasible to transfer markets later on. They emphasized how reputation matters in the business, and I agree.

Hard to let the an ideal situation pass - again, the practice area and location - but it is what it is, I guess. I'm also afraid that the first firm will call the second if I ever renege. I'd rather have one offer that's 100% secure than try to juggle in this situation.

Lol at listening to career services. They are just trying to convince you to make that choice because they are looking out for the school- they are not looking out for you. They don't have to work for years in the wrong city.

Unless you relied on personal connections to get the first offer, nobody is even going to remember you reneged 6 months from now except for maybe the recruiting people.

Yeah, this is stupid. Maybe if it was your 1L summer it wouldn't be so bad, but you're supposed to bank on getting an offer at your 2L summer firm... which determines where you work post-graduation. You want to work somewhere you're not interested in for 2-3 years just so you don't piss off some person in recruiting/HR? Cray.

[Danger Zone]

Bad move OP

[rpupkin]

I decided to roll the dice with the first firm rather than reneging. Spoke with the career services, and they indicated it'd be very feasible to transfer markets later on. They emphasized how reputation matters in the business, and I agree.

No, no, no. This is a mistake.

[bk1]

I decided to roll the dice with the first firm rather than reneging. Spoke with the career services, and they indicated it'd be very feasible to transfer markets later on. They emphasized how reputation matters in the business, and I agree.

No, no, no. This is a mistake.

This. Unless there are some legitimate advantages to going to the first firm (which is not implied by calling the second firm a "dream"), OP should be picking the second firm.

[Dr. Nefario]

Welcome back hypothetical flame. I'm just here to sip and watch the chaos til Nony locks the thread.

[quiver]

OP here. Thanks for the advice, all. I'm the first to realize I screwed up with my decision-making here. I should've followed up with the second firm before assuming anything.

I decided to roll the dice with the first firm rather than reneging. Spoke with the career services, and they indicated it'd be very feasible to transfer markets later on. They emphasized how reputation matters in the business, and I agree.

Hard to let the an ideal situation pass - again, the practice area and location - but it is what it is, I guess. I'm also afraid that the first firm will call the second if I ever renege. I'd rather have one offer that's 100% secure than try to juggle in this situation.

Lol at listening to career services. They are just trying to convince you to make that choice because they are looking out for the school- they are not looking out for you. They don't have to work for years in the wrong city.

Unless you relied on personal connections to get the first offer, nobody is even going to remember you reneged 6 months from now except for maybe the recruiting people.

Co-signed. Renege, feel bad for a couple weeks, then go to the firm (and market) you actually want.

[sflyr2016]

Go to your dream firm. Seriously, don't over think it. No one will care or remember for more than an hour or so that you reneged an offer to summer at a v100 firm. Summers really aren't that important.

[Anonymous User]

i reneged on an offer 1L summer to go to a firm instead of the gov't. honestly, haven't thought about it since... NBD

[Snowboarder1588]

Seriously? Why would you do this? reneging is not the end of the world. You will regret not going to your preferred firm. A firm will have no problem rescinding an offer if its situation and needs change. You are overthinking this. It is not like you are reneging months later, this is only a few weeks later. It is still September, if you renege, they will replace you shortly and everyone will be fine. CSO is worthless when it comes to this stuff. You have 2 phone calls to make and do it NOW. Call your dream firm to accept, and call the other firm to "regretfully withdraw your acceptance."

[ronanOgara]

Jesus OP. I reneged on an offer my 2L summer in the same small market and never had any reprucussions. You are being extremely short sighted.

[shock259]

No one at the firm is going to even remember they gave you an offer in like a month. And there is a zero chance that anyone in the market will care. TLS seems to think that the legal market gets together once a month to run down the list of lawyers and talk shit. Newsflash: juniors are a dime a dozen, we're all pretty much the same, and no one cares.

I would be more upset about your course of action, OP, but the idea of a "dream firm" is laughable. I am sure you will be just as miserable at either firm

[star fox]

Oh well. Good luck OP.

[bluthmodelhome]

lol @ serious responses to this blatant flame

[Voyager]

OP here. Thanks for the advice, all. I'm the first to realize I screwed up with my decision-making here. I should've followed up with the second firm before assuming anything.

I decided to roll the dice with the first firm rather than reneging. Spoke with the career services, and they indicated it'd be very feasible to transfer markets later on. They emphasized how reputation matters in the business, and I agree.

Hard to let the an ideal situation pass - again, the practice area and location - but it is what it is, I guess. I'm also afraid that the first firm will call the second if I ever renege. I'd rather have one offer that's 100% secure than try to juggle in this situation.

Lol at listening to career services. They are just trying to convince you to make that choice because they are looking out for the school- they are not looking out for you. They don't have to work for years in the wrong city.

Unless you relied on personal connections to get the first offer, nobody is even going to remember you reneged 6 months from now except for maybe the recruiting people.

Dude. TOTALLY. Career services just want to protect their rep with the firm. Reputation re: accepting offers is nonsense.

I won't ask what two cities this is between, but if there really is a big difference, you should have gone for the better location.

I once had to choose between where I wanted to live and what seemed more short term convenient... I have never been able to get back to that city I wanted to be in. Things worked out well for me... but something to keep in mind.

Sounds like you already made your call. I wish you well, friend.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thanks for all the responses. And trust me, this isn't flame. I haven't reached out to the firms yet - y'all giving me something to think about.

FYI, maybe I used a wrong word - it's not really about a firm being a 'dream' firm - they're about equally prestigious in their respective markets, and I enjoyed meeting people at both. It really comes down to location, and the type of work that comes along with that.

I'm just weighing between following my 'guts'/doing what's best for me and looking like a total jackass who doesn't keep his word. If it matters at all, the firm that I accepted has a very small class size, and I really feel like I'm screwing them over. I'll probably sit on this until tomorrow and make a final decision. Thanks again, guys.

[rpupkin]

FYI, maybe I used a wrong word - it's not really about a firm being a 'dream' firm - they're about equally prestigious in their respective markets, and I enjoyed meeting people at both. It really comes down to location, and the type of work that comes along with that.

The sober reality is that there are no "dream" firms, so it's good that you aren't thinking like that.

But--with the possible exception of compensation--"location" and "type of work" are the two most important factors for someone considering a law firm. It's worth feeling like a jackass for a couple of days in exchange for working where you want. This isn't a close question.

[Voyager]

OP here. Thanks for all the responses. And trust me, this isn't flame. I haven't reached out to the firms yet - y'all giving me something to think about.

FYI, maybe I used a wrong word - it's not really about a firm being a 'dream' firm - they're about equally prestigious in their respective markets, and I enjoyed meeting people at both. It really comes down to location, and the type of work that comes along with that.

I'm just weighing between following my 'guts'/doing what's best for me and looking like a total jackass who doesn't keep his word. If it matters at all, the firm that I accepted has a very small class size, and I really feel like I'm screwing them over. I'll probably sit on this until tomorrow and make a final decision. Thanks again, guys.

You are NOT screwing them over! They can find a replacement for you in a heartbeat! They DO NOT CARE if you join. Not really. Probably will be happy to come in under budget for the class.

They also will forget you even existed within 6 months. I promise you that as well.

The firm has apparently managed to succeed without you for years and years. I am sure they will survive without you for years more.

I also reiterate that none of these firms worry about appearing like "jackasses" when the boot is on the other foot and THEY are about to renege on YOU.

Go live where you will be happiest! Life is short! For serious, friend!

[shock259]

If it matters at all, the firm that I accepted has a very small class size, and I really feel like I'm screwing them over. I'll probably sit on this until tomorrow and make a final decision. Thanks again, guys.

Yeah, don't feel bad. 1) they would cut you in a heartbeat if it was convenient for them and 2) there are hundreds of equally qualified people they can hire. At worst, you set them back a few days. Think of it this way: you are giving some other lucky law student a chance to work there.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thanks for all the responses. And trust me, this isn't flame. I haven't reached out to the firms yet - y'all giving me something to think about.

FYI, maybe I used a wrong word - it's not really about a firm being a 'dream' firm - they're about equally prestigious in their respective markets, and I enjoyed meeting people at both. It really comes down to location, and the type of work that comes along with that.

I'm just weighing between following my 'guts'/doing what's best for me and looking like a total jackass who doesn't keep his word. If it matters at all, the firm that I accepted has a very small class size, and I really feel like I'm screwing them over. I'll probably sit on this until tomorrow and make a final decision. Thanks again, guys.

OP, I also think you should reconsider. I haven't personally reneged on an acceptance, but a person in my class recently did, and it was no big deal. They even told her to call if she changed her mind. Also, my partner reneged on a law firm permanent-offer acceptance after his 2L summer. No regrets. It's not ideal, but sometimes things change, and you have to make the right decision for you.

I second everything said about firms rescinding acceptances. Also, CSO is just trying to protect themselves in this situation. Do what's best for you.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

The idea that you feel bad "screwing over" a law firm is hilarious

There is no such thing.

[lawhopeful100]

I accepted an offer at a firm 2L year then got offered an interview somewhere I much preferred, went on the interview, got the offer and reneged on the first firm. Fast forward two years and I'm working at the firm I chose and so far I couldn't be happier with the choice. This really isn't a big deal. Call the first firm, apologize, say an opportunity to work in X city or Y practice area appeared and you can't pass it up and then never look back.

[ArtistOfManliness]

You'll regret sticking with the first firm out of some misguided sense of loyalty. They wouldn't bat an eyelash at un-offering you.

[A. Nony Mouse]

There is literally no difference between this guy and another poster on this forum who had 2 offers and accepted both.

For the record, the poster you're referring to here^ was trolling. The above never happened. (Also not the same situation as this thread.)

[Anonymous User]

Another anecdote: a friend accepted an expiring offer in one city, then got another offer in the city where he actually wanted to live. He reneged on the first offer, telling the first firm that he was sorry, but he couldn't pass up the opportunity to live near family. The first firm was very understanding.

Also, +1 to everyone telling you to take your CSO's advice with a grain of salt. They just want you to have a job, any job, and they don't care which job is better for you.

[zhenders]

OP, there are no repercussions worth weighing in here. This is employment we're talking about. In the same way that you are perfectly allowed to quit a job without ethical ramifications, you are allowed to change your mind about an offer.

The firm is fine. Realistically, the firm has no interest in you joining them for 1.5 years and then having you transfer out anyways. You're doing them a favor by going to your preferred market now, instead of having them train you right up to the point where you're useful, and then leaving.

Think of it this way: you aren't screwing the firm -- you're practically giving a job to someone else who doesn't have one yet!