Will this preclude me from big law employment? Forum

[Anonymous User]

3.1/176 LSAT. Early 30s.

Big Law is my dream by the time I am either in my mid or late 30s. I have no criminal record - no felonies, misdemeanors, citations, traffic tickets, ovi's dui's nothing.

There are two issues, however that I am afraid might preclude me as they might pertain to federal records. Not criminality obviously as I have no record, but, 10 years ago I was ordering something online and had what I thought was my credit card number memorized, when I inadvertently used my mother's number. It was $20.00. She called and said she didnt make the charges, and I am not sure if they investigated or what, but nothing came of it, and I repaid my mother.

The other issue, is a couple years ago, a friend was using my computer and sent nasty facebook messages to her ex and others. Again, I didnt do it and nothing became of it.

I am concerned, however, that these are federal issues and there would be record of any investigations that didnt amount to anything. I haven't done an FBI finger check but I have done a background check which confirms what I say about no felonies, misdemeanors, traffic, ovi, dui, etc.

So, does at the worst, having some paperwork and records on these matters that never amounted to anything - preclude one from someday working as working say General Counsel at an Investment bank or big law?, even if there are no federal, state, or any criminal records or convictions?

[Anonymous User]

2 out of 10

[hopeful4lawschool]

what do you mean by 2 out of 10

[Anonymous User]

Chill. You're not precluded from any job based on the things you mentioned. I'm not in biglaw, but fwiw, I have an arrest record (no convictions) and interned for bigfed (twice with 2 different agencies) with no problems. I also know someone who was arrested for domestic violence (no conviction) and the V50 firm he summered at even got him a lawyer to ensure he passed C&F. And I know people with DUI convictions who practice law with no problem.

[Anonymous User]

Is this a joke?

[dabigchina]

148

[Anonymous User]

Accidentally making a $20 purchase on your mum's card; yeah, thats what the bar is looking for!

[RaceJudicata]

Accidentally making a $20 purchase on your mum's card; yeah, thats what the bar is looking for!

But it’s a federal issue!!

[hopeful4lawschool]

So as the last commenter pointed out - then no matter what I do, I am screwed then?

[Anonymous User]

You seriously need to stop worrying. This is ridiculous. If you think these things are actually problems you will never make it through law school because you will panic yourself to death over everything. People have tried to tell you this already - why are you unable to process what everyone has told you?

[Anonymous User]

The real issue is that you paid your mom the $20 even though she may have been credited back for the purchase. Sounds like a double recovery and that you should pursue this.

[hopeful4lawschool]

To the anonymous poster that mentioned to stop worrying - Thanks for your reply. But, do you think that if someone's goal is InHouse or Big Law, that at the worst, having federal records that didnt come of anything pertaining to credit card, won't preclude me? It just seems like a big thing because its a federal issue?

To the anonymous poster about the double recovery - were you kidding or serious?

[Anonymous User]

To the anonymous poster that mentioned to stop worrying - Thanks for your reply. But, do you think that if someone's goal is InHouse or Big Law, that at the worst, having federal records that didnt come of anything pertaining to credit card, won't preclude me? It just seems like a big thing because its a federal issue?

To the anonymous poster about the double recovery - were you kidding or serious?

THERE ARE NO FEDERAL RECORDS. These aren't federal crimes or offenses or conflicts or suits or anything that would be recorded anywhere as having anything to do with you. The feds can't magically link you to a $20 charge your mother contested or something that your friend did with your laptop.

People are being sarcastic/giving you shit.

[hopeful4lawschool]

And the RaceJudicata pointed out that it's a federal issue

[Anonymous User]

I was serious. The online store is out a t shirt, you are out $20 and your mom is in the black $20...sounds like a bad deal for all but one and an unjust result. I know various firms have been discussed before on TLS and I would pick one (such as a Shotkin and Zhang) and get after it.

[Anonymous User]

And the RaceJudicata pointed out that it's a federal issue

He was making fun of the idea that that could be a concern.

[Anonymous User]

I have a 178 LSAT and 3.2 gpa. I am hoping for a career in New York big law and to first receive acceptance to a Top 14 law school which I feel is not unreasonable given the stats that I cite.

However, I have some preconceived worries or concerns given character and fitness and later FBI background for hiring purposes.

I am in my early 30s and do not have a criminal record. I have no misdemeanors, no felonies, citations, traffic - ovi/dui, never arrested, or fingerprinted. I did a background check online that verifies.

I am very ignorant about what an FBI/background shows. Heard some say if you were never arrested or fingerprinted you are all good, but given that I said I have no criminal record, there are a few pieces of information that I am concerned could nullify any prospects.

1). About a decade ago, I ordered something online for less than 30.00 dollars. Thought I had put in my credit card #, but instead used my mom's inadvertently and not intentional. She said back then that she didnt make those charges. Obviously 10 years later nothing became of it, but if they investigated it, could there be documentation the FBI report shows where they thought it was me?

2). Over a year and a half ago, a friend whom I thought was genuine watched my house. While away she utilized my computer. Made fake facebook accounts on it and sent nasty messages. No threats or anything. That was a year and a half ago, and nothing became of it, but if there was an investigation, could that be linked to my name on an FBI report?

Does an FBI report just show convictions? Or does it show other records that never amounted to criminal charges? Do you think given these two issues that I will have difficulty with either C and F for the bar or future employment?

[NoBladesNoBows]

Decent troll, 6/10.

[Wubbles]

Why does this shitty troll keep reappearing?

[hopeful4lawschool]

Hi, no, I am not a troll. I just have a genuine concern about if an FBI background shows this information - or if these aspects can have negative consequences?

[nixy]

why do you think you're going to get different answers to the same questions you've asked multiple times and universally received the same answers to?

[thebasedgod]

trash/10

[Mokosc]

Is this for real? Lol

[Anonymous User]

I was fine and take this with a grain of salt but, a friend of mine ended up at a boutique that does a lot of cyber-security adjacent legal work. They check and care about this kind of thing, and he's heard of candidates who got dinged because a pirated movie or two showed up on their history.

Most firms you're probably fine but always better to disclose. Be sure to disclose to the bar when you enroll in law school too

[nixy]

Except none of the issues the OP raised are comparable to pirating movies.