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When firms ask for writing samples, what am I supposed to use? Prior to graduating/1st job I used a sample from law school but obviously I'm assuming they want an updated sample from my current job, but what kind of thing do I use?

batmanandbaybreezes wrote:When firms ask for writing samples, what am I supposed to use? Prior to graduating/1st job I used a sample from law school but obviously I'm assuming they want an updated sample from my current job, but what kind of thing do I use?

They'd pretty much accept any memo or brief that is, say, 8-20 pages long. I have even submitted a memo that I collaborated with partners -- that's clear since the memo has all of our names on the "From" line. They understand that, if you are a junior associate, you would rarely have any work product that is not reviewed and revised by others. Honestly, if they ask me now for a writing sample, I wouldn't have anything recent since I am a corporate lawyer. As a senior corporate attorney, we don't write anything really . . . . no memos, no briefs, no newsletter articles . . . . .

Let's face it, you are not going to get or lose a job because of a writing sample, unless you submit something truly outstanding or egregious, as the case may be.

One very important thing -- maybe it's common sense -- you absolutely have to make sure there is no confidential client information in the sample. If you do and the firm catches you on that, there is just about zero chance of getting an offer. Some folks in a hurry don't check every single line of the writing.