Drug Testing for 1L SA's Forum

[Anonymous User]

Do big law firms drug test for 1L SA's? I understand it'll be firm specific, but (1) is it rare if they do (2) where can I find out if a particular firm does test?

I've quit smoking weed, but I know it stays in your system for a while, so kinda paranoid. I imagine they would ask for a drug test shortly after an acceptance....

[Anonymous User]

Do big law firms drug test for 1L SA's? I understand it'll be firm specific, but (1) is it rare if they do (2) where can I find out if a particular firm does test?

I've quit smoking weed, but I know it stays in your system for a while, so kinda paranoid. I imagine they would ask for a drug test shortly after an acceptance....

I've never heard of this. I didn't get tested myself, nor did any of my friends/colleagues.

[sublime]

I’ve never heard of a biglaw firm drug testing anyone.

[mcmand]

Not a thing.

[SmokeytheBear]

Over half the associates and a handful of the partners at my office would be out of jobs. Not exaggerating.

#LA

[Anonymous User]

Do big law firms drug test for 1L SA's? I understand it'll be firm specific, but (1) is it rare if they do (2) where can I find out if a particular firm does test?

I've quit smoking weed, but I know it stays in your system for a while, so kinda paranoid. I imagine they would ask for a drug test shortly after an acceptance....

lol I was on my prescribed adderall tablets all of my 1L year and didn't stop during my 1L SA (thought I had too). I wasn't as personable as I could be but in the end the billable outweighed everything else.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Being drug tested while taking a drug legally prescribed to you has nothing to do with the situation being discussed here. What do you think a biglaw firm is going to do, demand that you stop taking a legally prescribed drug?

[SplitMyPants]

during my 1L SA

but in the end the billable outweighed everything else

lmfao

[Anonymous User]

1L summer at my firm split the summer with a client. Client drug tested, 1L tested positive and wasn’t allowed to start at the client so ended up only working half the summer and got no offered.

[flashdril]

Being drug tested while taking a drug legally prescribed to you has nothing to do with the situation being discussed here. What do you think a biglaw firm is going to do, demand that you stop taking a legally prescribed drug?

An incredulous "what do you think a biglaw firm is going to do?" also happens to apply to the question of testing for marijuana for 1L SA's.

[BaiAilian2013]

Do big law firms drug test for 1L SA's? I understand it'll be firm specific, but (1) is it rare if they do (2) where can I find out if a particular firm does test?

I've quit smoking weed, but I know it stays in your system for a while, so kinda paranoid. I imagine they would ask for a drug test shortly after an acceptance....

lol I was on my prescribed adderall tablets all of my 1L year and didn't stop during my 1L SA (thought I had too). I wasn't as personable as I could be but in the end the billable outweighed everything else.

I'm glad it worked out for you, but ex ante, this was the wrong decision for a summer associate (unless you're truly unable to get anything done without the medication). Personable + adequate billables (which is not a high number) beats lots of billables + not as personable. Just for any future students perusing this thread.

[Mullens]

1L summer at my firm split the summer with a client. Client drug tested, 1L tested positive and wasn’t allowed to start at the client so ended up only working half the summer and got no offered.

Yep. Law firms are probably the last place you’d get drug tested but keep in mind that many companies drug test all employees as a matter of standard practice so consider that if you’re applying to in-house jobs

[albanach]

1L summer at my firm split the summer with a client. Client drug tested, 1L tested positive and wasn’t allowed to start at the client so ended up only working half the summer and got no offered.

Yep. Law firms are probably the last place you’d get drug tested but keep in mind that many companies drug test all employees as a matter of standard practice so consider that if you’re applying to in-house jobs

You also have the possibility of being seconded to a client who drug tests. I can't imagine how a big law firm would react if they offer an attorney to a client for a period then the client has to inform them of a failed test. I imagine it wouldn't be good.

[Anonymous User]

1L summer at my firm split the summer with a client. Client drug tested, 1L tested positive and wasn’t allowed to start at the client so ended up only working half the summer and got no offered.

Yep. Law firms are probably the last place you’d get drug tested but keep in mind that many companies drug test all employees as a matter of standard practice so consider that if you’re applying to in-house jobs

You also have the possibility of being seconded to a client who drug tests. I can't imagine how a big law firm would react if they offer an attorney to a client for a period then the client has to inform them of a failed test. I imagine it wouldn't be good.

This happened to me. I was so f'ing afraid they'd test me.