Has the biglaw ship sailed? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm a 3L (so I'm not sure if I should be posting in the Vale of Tears subthread) and I worked at as a summer in DC at a V10 and received an offer, but I just really didn't enjoy my time there and turned it down. I also don't want to be in DC.

Then my life fell to pieces (family death and other personal issues) and I haven't been able to start applying anywhere yet. I pretty much know the answer to the title of this post is yes, but I just wanted to know if there was still any hope for biglaw. Should I be just looking at smaller firms and mid-size firms? Perhaps clerkships? Would a clerkship lead to a biglaw job after I complete my clerkship?

As a 3L i feel like I should be more knowledgeable about this stuff, but I'm kind of at a loss and I'd appreciate some help here.

Thank you!

[mister logical]

the biglaw ship has most definitely not sailed - if you were eligible before your SA, you're eligible after, it's just a matter of reaching out to alum at big law firms where you want to practice, and getting an inside track to the recruiter or to a partner. Otherwise, just apply broadly, your v10 SA will be the thing that gets you in the door to an interview at any firm you'd want, as long as they're looking.

[Anonymous User]

If you didn’t like your time there, you won’t like your time elsewhere.

Also, why didn’t you try and transfer offices within the v10?

[mister logical]

If you didn’t like your time there, you won’t like your time elsewhere.

Also, why didn’t you try and transfer offices within the v10?

Bad use of Anon to make such an untrue and sweeping generalization.

[ur_hero]

If you didn’t like your time there, you won’t like your time elsewhere.

Also, why didn’t you try and transfer offices within the v10?

Bad use of Anon to make such an untrue and sweeping generalization.

Yup. Despite what you may read on these forums, big firms vary TREMENDOUSLY in terms of quality of life (both in and out of the office).

[RaceJudicata]

Anon was me. iPhone error. But stand by my statement.

[ghostoftraynor]

This entirely depends on why they didn't enjoy their firm. Firms (and practices areas within) vary widely in personalities. Also, it's probably not fully appreciated how much better a firm with no face time is. I work from home at least once a week, and it's a true lifesaver.

[1styearlateral]

I know this doesn't help, but I would have accepted the FT offer and then started looking for a new job the day after (i.e., during remaining 3L year) and, worst case, you get another offer as a lateral 6-months in. You don't even really start to do any work until 3 months into your stub year, so that would have been a perfect time to look for a new job.

But what others have said, you're still marketable just have to put some serious networking in.

[TheSpecialist]

It most definitely has not sailed. If you have the credentials to get an offer from a V10, possibilities are out there. Now it's more of a matter of filling a need, so you can't afford to be too picky. My advice would be to network like crazy-a lot of firms will either have unexpected rejections from summers or junior associates who left that they are looking to replace and are willing to tap into the 3L market. You just need to know where those openings are.

[tyroneslothrop1]

Has not sailed but you should have accepted the offer!!! Now you are going to have to explain to everyone that you really did get the offer but turned it down because you didn't like the firm and not everyone is going to believe you!

[silenttimer]

No.

[dixiecupdrinking]

I'm a 3L (so I'm not sure if I should be posting in the Vale of Tears subthread) and I worked at as a summer in DC at a V10 and received an offer, but I just really didn't enjoy my time there and turned it down. I also don't want to be in DC.

Then my life fell to pieces (family death and other personal issues) and I haven't been able to start applying anywhere yet. I pretty much know the answer to the title of this post is yes, but I just wanted to know if there was still any hope for biglaw. Should I be just looking at smaller firms and mid-size firms? Perhaps clerkships? Would a clerkship lead to a biglaw job after I complete my clerkship?

As a 3L i feel like I should be more knowledgeable about this stuff, but I'm kind of at a loss and I'd appreciate some help here.

Thank you!

Apply to everything. You should be a fine candidate but you've put yourself in a bit of a hole. Although I respect turning down a job you know you wouldn't like, you also need to recognize that at this point, you may have to settle for something equally or more unappealing because your choices are narrowing by the day. That's why most would have told you to take the offer and then continue searching for something else. Water under the bridge at this point.