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Is it worth applying to positions that require 3-5 years of litigation experience if I only have 1-2 years? Will firms be angry/frustrated with an application that may waste their time if the requisite years aren't there?

Thanks.

I was applying to those during 3L and some led to offers.

So in short, no. When HR gets your resume they will just do whatever they gonna do. Worst case partner never sees your resume.

Anonymous User wrote:Is it worth applying to positions that require 3-5 years of litigation experience if I only have 1-2 years? Will firms be angry/frustrated with an application that may waste their time if the requisite years aren't there?

Thanks.

From what I understand, unless it has hard/strict language cutting you off, you can apply to jobs where you're only 1, maybe 2 years off. Firms sometimes throw out these numbers, especially the smaller ones, with a "general" idea of what they're looking for. Ultimately, when it comes to a job search you have to take every opportunity and if the position seems like a good fit otherwise, then I think it's worth submitting the app on the chance that they give you the interview. I don't think they'd get pissed off as long as you don't followup too much or bother them with updates.

Good luck

icansortofmath wrote:I was applying to those during 3L and some led to offers.

So in short, no. When HR gets your resume they will just do whatever they gonna do. Worst case partner never sees your resume.

So don't you mean "in short, yes?"

Was answering the second question

Just had a nice laugh imagining my partner sitting on his leather chair in his reading glasses then turning red and throwing and throwing OPs resume on the floor "this is an outrage!!!"

Go for it.

I was 1.5 years in and applied to a job at Morgan Lewis that wanted a 3-4 year and they still gave me a screener. The partner said off the bat that the other partners may not be open to hiring someone they need to train, but he wanted to interview me regardless just in case.

It didn’t materialize, but wanted to give the anecdote that large firms are open to more junior associates even if they have a specific desired class year posted.

Could a 3L reasonably apply to a job posting that requires 1-3 years?

Flarmanarnar wrote:Could a 3L reasonably apply to a job posting that requires 1-3 years?

Depends. If you’re currently a rising 3L, probably not because they’re hiring for an immediate need.

If it’s in May/June, then possibly. Still they’re taking a risk because you haven’t taken/passed the bar, so it isn’t too likely.

The worst thing they can do is so no. If you don't apply then you're saying no for them. I say go for it.

Flarmanarnar wrote:Could a 3L reasonably apply to a job posting that requires 1-3 years?

The advice I was given was to go for those positions even as a 3L. I suggest being strategic in how much time you spend on it (don't write an entire cover letter if you can help it) but again, the key here is to cast a wide net. Like the other poster said, probably a better bet towards the end of the year but if it doesn't take too much time, doesn't hurt to apply and maybe they'll be interested.

I treated it as a slightly improved form of mass mailing.

I honestly don’t remember if any ended with offers but I definitely got some interviews from applying listings for “alumnus.”

For government jobs, especially anything federal, it's not worth applying unless you meet the stated requirements. If they are seeking someone with 5 years of experience, but you have 4 years in a high-intensity / heavy trial caseload environment, it's not going to make up for the fact that you're a year short. That's my experience with probably 100 applications (70% federal I'd say) since graduating law school in on 2013.