1L SA Interview (talking about practice areas) Forum

[Anonymous User]

I was offered an interview at a firm in my home city and I couldn't be more excited!

How should I approach the "What practice areas are you interested in?" question if I have absolutely no idea what I am actually interested in? I know I am leaning towards litigation and I am absolutely positive that I would like to work in the private sector for a large firm. However, I would really like to spend the summer exploring my options, rather than committing to one particular area. Although I have some interest in health law, for example, I worry about being pigeon-holed as a summer associate. How do I communicate that to a firm without sounding absolutely uninformed?

Any advice?

[whats an updog]

What you just said is a perfectly fine interview response. No one expects you to know anything after one semester of law school. The only thing I'd add is a reason why you're leaning litigation.

"Well, I'm leaning litigation because (I enjoyed LRW and the process of writing/it's what I've always envisioned doing as a lawyer/your own idea), but at this stage, I still don't know much about different practice areas and want the opportunity to explore them during my summer with a firm."

The only time that wouldn't fly is if a firm is only hiring in a specific practice group and has made that known to you.

[mjb447]

What you just said is a perfectly fine interview response. No one expects you to know anything after one semester of law school. The only thing I'd add is a reason why you're leaning litigation.

"Well, I'm leaning litigation because (I enjoyed LRW and the process of writing/it's what I've always envisioned doing as a lawyer/your own idea), but at this stage, I still don't know much about different practice areas and want the opportunity to explore them during my summer with a firm."

The only time that wouldn't fly is if a firm is only hiring in a specific practice group and has made that known to you.

I think this is basically right; you mostly want to avoid an answer that demonstrates either that you haven't thought about it at all or that you're telling them what you think they want to hear (and probably concealing the actual truth). For a 1L, an answer that expresses uncertainty and a desire for exposure but also demonstrates that you've spent at least a little time thinking about it is probably exactly what you want.

[nikey11!]

Thank you both so much. This was very helpful!

[RaceJudicata]

Generally agree with the above respones. One caveat. Take a hard look at the office's attorneys and make sure they (1) have a variety of practice groups, and (2) if you decide to mention a specific group, make sure that office (as opposed to the firm as a whole) practices that area of law. My SA firm (satellite office) did exclusively lit. As a summer we had to go to a few receptions for rising 2Ls prior to their oci, and at least 15 kids told me and others that they were interested in transactional work... our office had zero transactional attorneys.