Quinn Emanuel Screener Dress Code? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey everyone, I thought it best to ask for advice here. I searched and found a thread in which posters advised the OP to dress casual to the interview - but I'm not sure if I should follow this advise because one, I'm going to a screener outside their office, and two, it's in Chicago (a bit more conservative than CA). Does anyone think I should still wear jeans and a nice shirt or go for a full suit here?

[Anonymous User]

I did a callback in the DC office and wore an outfit that was a step more casual than suits (think, pencil skirt and a nice top for women/ I don't know the equivalent for men) and I think it was a good QE interview outfit. I, of course, wore a suit for all non-QE callbacks. I wouldn't, however, wear jeans to a QE interview. I'd stick to the dressy side of business casual.

[ghostoftraynor]

Please wear jeans and a t-shirt and let us know how it goes.

[cavalier1138]

Please wear jeans and a t-shirt and let us know how it goes.

Considering that Quinn is known throughout the industry for their extremely casual dress code, this wouldn't be as big a problem as you seem to think.

That said, I think the OP is safer dressing business casual, because they don't work there yet and can't be sure that the interviewer would look kindly on their choice to dress like an attorney at the firm pre-offer.

[Skool]

I would just wear a suit.

I have interviewed at dumpy non-profits and PD offices that are far more casual than Quinn. I never lost an opportunity by wearing a suit. On formal occasions, like when they have to go to court, Quinn lawyers wear suits. Interviews are formal occasions. No one will hold it against you if you put your best foot forward and wear a suit.

[BasilHallward]

I realize that Quinn touts its relaxed vibe, bit this is a SCREENER. I'm assuming this is at your school's OCI?? So, you're contemplating wearing jeans and a nice shirt while everyone gracing the halls is in a suit? The context screams suit, and even Quinn would want to follow protocol at a school's OCI event. It's just strange otherwise. I mean, are students going to quickly switch back into their suits after the Quinn screener and jet down the hall to their Baker interviews? I think not. Wear a suit, IMO.

[cavalier1138]

I realize that Quinn touts its relaxed vibe, bit this is a SCREENER. I'm assuming this is at your school's OCI?? So, you're contemplating wearing jeans and a nice shirt while everyone gracing the halls is in a suit? The context screams suit, and even Quinn would want to follow protocol at a school's OCI event. It's just strange otherwise. I mean, are students going to quickly switch back into their suits after the Quinn screener and jet down the hall to their Baker interviews? I think not. Wear a suit, IMO.

Just to clarify, Quinn doesn't do OCI, so that's not an issue. I don't think wearing a suit is a bad idea (as was suggested above for the "formal" nature of the interview), but I also don't think business casual would be an absolute faux pas. The interviewer will almost certainly be dressed casually, based on what I've heard about Quinn's screeners (and general aesthetic).

[BasilHallward]

I realize that Quinn touts its relaxed vibe, bit this is a SCREENER. I'm assuming this is at your school's OCI?? So, you're contemplating wearing jeans and a nice shirt while everyone gracing the halls is in a suit? The context screams suit, and even Quinn would want to follow protocol at a school's OCI event. It's just strange otherwise. I mean, are students going to quickly switch back into their suits after the Quinn screener and jet down the hall to their Baker interviews? I think not. Wear a suit, IMO.

Just to clarify, Quinn doesn't do OCI, so that's not an issue. I don't think wearing a suit is a bad idea (as was suggested above for the "formal" nature of the interview), but I also don't think business casual would be an absolute faux pas. The interviewer will almost certainly be dressed casually, based on what I've heard about Quinn's screeners (and general aesthetic).

Well they definitely do 3L OCI at UT. They will be there with the dozens of other firms doing 2L and 3L OCI. But, sure if their screeners are taking place outside of OCI, then the informal argument has some traction.

[cavalier1138]

Well they definitely do 3L OCI at UT. They will be there with the dozens of other firms doing 2L and 3L OCI. But, sure if their screeners are taking place outside of OCI, then the informal argument has some traction.

Ah, that's an outlier then. The firm website even states that they don't do OCIs and usually just host their own recruiting events on campus (to the extent that they even do that). I'd be very surprised if they're showing up at OCI for the OP.

[Anonymous User]

I realize that Quinn touts its relaxed vibe, bit this is a SCREENER. I'm assuming this is at your school's OCI?? So, you're contemplating wearing jeans and a nice shirt while everyone gracing the halls is in a suit? The context screams suit, and even Quinn would want to follow protocol at a school's OCI event. It's just strange otherwise. I mean, are students going to quickly switch back into their suits after the Quinn screener and jet down the hall to their Baker interviews? I think not. Wear a suit, IMO.

Just to clarify, Quinn doesn't do OCI, so that's not an issue. I don't think wearing a suit is a bad idea (as was suggested above for the "formal" nature of the interview), but I also don't think business casual would be an absolute faux pas. The interviewer will almost certainly be dressed casually, based on what I've heard about Quinn's screeners (and general aesthetic).

Well they definitely do 3L OCI at UT. They will be there with the dozens of other firms doing 2L and 3L OCI. But, sure if their screeners are taking place outside of OCI, then the informal argument has some traction.

They're also coming to 3L OGI at UVA.

[glitched]

Just wear a suit. It looks the best and there's zero risk/negative in wearing one. It's not like these guys go casual for everything. I'm sure they still put on a suit for client meetings or to go to court.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the advice. As it's part of my school's OCI program, I think I will stick to a suit and let you guys know how awkward I feel after.

[cron1834]

If it's at OCI, wear a suit. If it's not at OCI, go business casual. At my callback last year the email instructions literally told me not to wear a suit, so if you're meeting on the firm's turf, don't wear one. But since this is OCI turf and literally everyone (including you) will be wearing suits for literally every interview, it would be weird to change it up.

[Anonymous User]

Just don't wear a tie

[obx]

Well they definitely do 3L OCI at UT. They will be there with the dozens of other firms doing 2L and 3L OCI. But, sure if their screeners are taking place outside of OCI, then the informal argument has some traction.

Ah, that's an outlier then. The firm website even states that they don't do OCIs and usually just host their own recruiting events on campus (to the extent that they even do that). I'd be very surprised if they're showing up at OCI for the OP.

It's not at outlier. They do 3L oci at pretty much every target school. And 3L oci is usually same time/place as 2L oci.

[RaceJudicata]

Well they definitely do 3L OCI at UT. They will be there with the dozens of other firms doing 2L and 3L OCI. But, sure if their screeners are taking place outside of OCI, then the informal argument has some traction.

Ah, that's an outlier then. The firm website even states that they don't do OCIs and usually just host their own recruiting events on campus (to the extent that they even do that). I'd be very surprised if they're showing up at OCI for the OP.

It's not at outlier. They do 3L oci at pretty much every target school. And 3L oci is usually same time/place as 2L oci.

Yeah, they have scrapped (most of) their 2L program. Still doing 3L oci.

[Anonymous User]

Just an update for posterity: the interviewers had suits on and thus posters were perfectly right to suggest suits.

[GoneSouth]

Please wear jeans and a t-shirt and let us know how it goes.

Considering that Quinn is known throughout the industry for their extremely casual dress code, this wouldn't be as big a problem as you seem to think.

That said, I think the OP is safer dressing business casual, because they don't work there yet and can't be sure that the interviewer would look kindly on their choice to dress like an attorney at the firm pre-offer.

Jesus this is like deja vu of an exact thread we had a year ago. Wear a suit, it's never going to hurt you.

[Person1111]

I did a screener and a CB for Quinn's LA office and received an offer on the spot. I would not wear a suit. I wore slacks, a collared shirt, and loafers, and I was by far the most dressed-up person I encountered in that office. I got very positive feedback for dressing down. It's an easy way to signal that you understand the culture - not just the fact that it's less dressy, but the fact that they love to talk about how different they are from other firms. It's low-hanging fruit, and you will actually stick out (in a positive way) from the people who wear a suit because they are risk-averse.

[cron1834]

I did a screener and a CB for Quinn's LA office and received an offer on the spot. I would not wear a suit. I wore slacks, a collared shirt, and loafers, and I was by far the most dressed-up person I encountered in that office. I got very positive feedback for dressing down. It's an easy way to signal that you understand the culture - not just the fact that it's less dressy, but the fact that they love to talk about how different they are from other firms. It's low-hanging fruit, and you will actually stick out (in a positive way) from the people who wear a suit because they are risk-averse.

They are not at the firm, though. This is at OCI. Literally every student will be in a suit already. Like, Quinn lawyers wear suits to go to court, so they obviously understand context. On a subsequent callback, your advice would be correct.

OP, I guess you could take your tie off and undo top button for this screener, and tie back up for the next one. Problem solved?