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I have to let my summer firm know whether I reject or accept their offer by September. The problem is I didn't like the firm this summer. It has about 30 attorneys, and it's in a crappy area. It's right outside of a huge market where I eventually want to be (and where I'm from), which means I will need to take two bar exams if I take this job and then move to the big market later. Base salary is $65k. I highly doubt I'll have another job offer within the next month. If I accept and later rescind after finding something else that is hopefully better (in terms of pay and firm culture), how bad are the consequences? I can't be the only one in a position like this?

Anonymous User wrote:I have to let my summer firm know whether I reject or accept their offer by September. The problem is I didn't like the firm this summer. It has about 30 attorneys, and it's in a crappy area. It's right outside of a huge market where I eventually want to be (and where I'm from), which means I will need to take two bar exams if I take this job and then move to the big market later. Base salary is $65k. I highly doubt I'll have another job offer within the next month. If I accept and later rescind after finding something else that is hopefully better (in terms of pay and firm culture), how bad are the consequences? I can't be the only one in a position like this?

You're seemingly talking about NY/NJ. If that's the case, only one bar exam would be necessary. Same would apply for the MVD area. I say take the gig and start searching. You're not guaranteed to find anything and having a gap on the resume certainly won't help.

Obviously not the most ethical thing to do, but you need to look out for #1. Take the offer and renege if you find something that you believe is better suited for you, especially if you'd be leaving to a different market. If the tables were turned and the economy went sour, the firm would probably rescind the offer in a heartbeat.

magnum_law wrote:Obviously not the most ethical thing to do, but you need to look out for #1. Take the offer and renege if you find something that you believe is better suited for you, especially if you'd be leaving to a different market. If the tables were turned and the economy went sour, the firm would probably rescind the offer in a heartbeat.

What rule of professional responsibility states that you cannot renege an acceptance of an offer?

kykiske wrote:

magnum_law wrote:Obviously not the most ethical thing to do, but you need to look out for #1. Take the offer and renege if you find something that you believe is better suited for you, especially if you'd be leaving to a different market. If the tables were turned and the economy went sour, the firm would probably rescind the offer in a heartbeat.

What rule of professional responsibility states that you cannot renege an acceptance of an offer?

none. there's no ethics (or even morality) issue. accept the offer and keep looking for something else, OP.

Pleasye wrote:

kykiske wrote:

magnum_law wrote:Obviously not the most ethical thing to do, but you need to look out for #1. Take the offer and renege if you find something that you believe is better suited for you, especially if you'd be leaving to a different market. If the tables were turned and the economy went sour, the firm would probably rescind the offer in a heartbeat.

What rule of professional responsibility states that you cannot renege an acceptance of an offer?

none. there's no ethics (or even morality) issue. accept the offer and keep looking for something else, OP.

Pretty much what I was getting at. Yeah, you may "feel" bad for accepting an offer, and then reneging it, but if the offer that comes along next is significantly better, there is no ethical or moral rule that prevents you from taking it.

Of course. Be a professional. If you were to start at place A, and then place B offers you the job you want, then still give place A the proper notice.

Anonymous User wrote:I have to let my summer firm know whether I reject or accept their offer by September. The problem is I didn't like the firm this summer. It has about 30 attorneys, and it's in a crappy area. It's right outside of a huge market where I eventually want to be (and where I'm from), which means I will need to take two bar exams if I take this job and then move to the big market later. Base salary is $65k. I highly doubt I'll have another job offer within the next month. If I accept and later rescind after finding something else that is hopefully better (in terms of pay and firm culture), how bad are the consequences? I can't be the only one in a position like this?

One of the things you'll need to learn throughout your life is how to deal with a guilty conscience. Accept the offer and renege if something better comes along. Look out for #1.