Top Law Schools

I had a callback for a 3L position at a large law firm about a week and a half ago. The woman who screened me walked me out and candidly told me, "I really don't know how long until we can give you a decision. I think we have a few more candidates coming in and then we have to meet and talk... you know. I'm going to try to keep them on track and I hope we can get back to you sooner rather than later." I said something along the lines of, no problem, I'm still very interested and I hope to hear from you guys soon. I am really interested in this firm and would likely accept the offer if it was extended. Should I send my contact at the firm a letter of continued interest? If so, when? At the two week mark? Is there a tactful/not desperate way to let them know I would accept the offer? I know some people recommend doing that for 2L recruiting, but this isn't a situation where the firm has a large class they are looking to fill. The position is in one of their smaller offices that doesn't have summers and they will likely only be taking one or two incoming associates.

If anyone was ever in a situation similar to this and was successful with the, "if I was extended an offer I would accept," line, I would love to hear your stories.

I mean, it's not uncommon for a candidate to stress that a firm is their "top pick" so it wouldn't hurt you. The "if offered, I would accept" language sounds a bit desperate, but also don't think it would necessarily hurt you. That being said, I find it doubtful that either will change their planned course of action for hiring. They will either (a) complete interviewing additional candidates as they said they were; or (b) are lying about having other candidates to interview, and waiting to first hear back from offers on their first-picks.

In short, I don't think it hurts to check in and remind them you're still interested and that they're still your top pick every once in a while (two weeks sounds like a good time-frame).

certain things in this world are out of your control - one of those things is the machinations of the hiring committee at firm x. that said, no harm in e-mailing the person you know at the firm (whenever you want timing not important) saying that you enjoyed talking to so and so and you are still interested in firm x. might get forwarded to recruiting, might not, and, in any event, recruiting/the hiring committee will be unlikely to care if you were already in/borderline in (and if you were out, wont matter at all).