Reneging on unpaid internship Forum

[blackhawk2020]

Little more than a month ago, I accepted a unpaid internship for the summer. They told me I had until March 19th to send my start date and schedule (full-time not required) which seemed to me to sort of represent a deadline for pulling out. I did not say anything to indicate I had any reservations about accepting. I did send my proposed schedule and start date on the 19th, which was approved.

But now, I have accepted a paid internship and even if it was not paid it directly relates to my interests versus the other one which was a bit of a stretch. Looks like accepting was a mistake and I know they probably turned down other applicants but I definitely need to pull out even if I feel bad about it. I am just not sure what the best way of going about it is. I realize they don't really have any recourse here but could be a C&F issue for the bar, I guess.

[Anonymous User]

I think you are way past the point of withdrawing your acceptance. Sometimes we are stuck with the choices we make. This is particularly true if you hope to get a position in the city where the internship you accepted is. Pulling out at this point makes it very likely that your name will be mud there unless the legal community in the city is huge.

[Fireworks2016]

Time for a phone call or email with the unpaid internship folks laying out why the other position is a better move for you and expressing your regret. As long as you're okay with burning that particular bridge, then I say don't look back. I would be shocked if this became a C&F issue.

[sparkytrainer]

Ignore the above poster. Just explain you got a paid gig and they will understand. Be polite and you will be fine. Happens everywhere.

[engineer2law]

I think you are way past the point of withdrawing your acceptance. Sometimes we are stuck with the choices we make. This is particularly true if you hope to get a position in the city where the internship you accepted is. Pulling out at this point makes it very likely that your name will be mud there unless the legal community in the city is huge.

I think this is pretty bad advice. You have to do what is best for you. There is no point in staying with a job you are not interested in and wasting everyone's time. Also, who would blame you for taking a paid position over an unpaid one?

[ExperssioUnius]

The answer probably lies somewhere between the above posts. I am unaware of any states where you'd have to disclose this as part of the C&F process. That said, it certainly shows very poor character on your part to renege this late after providing a start date and after the place where you accepted the offer has probably already notified other individuals that they did not get the position. In all reality, you'll probably get away with it for the most part. That said, if you were interviewing for a position before me and I learned that you reneged on a position you accepted, there'd be a big fat 0% chance I'd want you working in my office. Bottom line, no it won't be a bar admission issue but expect to burn more than just one bridge because chances are that people in the place where you accepted the position may mention the situation to someone else in that legal market.

[BeeTeeZ]

Before you make your decision talk with your school's career services office. Reneging in your position could preclude you from participating in OCI.