OCI Post-1L SA Forum

[Anonymous User]

[I want to preface this by recognizing how lucky I am to be in this situation. I understand that OCI is a challenging time, and people that already have offers are the last people allowed to be stressed. That’s why I’m asking this question anonymously on the internet rather than bothering my IRL friends.]

I received an offer to return to my 1L summer V100 firm. It’s in a market I’d love to practice in, but I’m not particularly geographically picky. I love the practice area I worked in, and would love to go back. I feel incredibly lucky to have received this position in the first place.

However, I can’t help but think I might be settling if I stayed at this firm. I’m in the top 10-20% of a mid-T14, on law review, moot court, LGBT and URM.

I have screeners with most of the V20, and all of the V10 outside Wachtell.

I'm set on doing OCI. How should I approach these interviews when they ask why I would rather be at their firm instead of my 1L firm? I obvi can’t just be like “you’re a more prestigious firm.” I can bullshit some stuff about the particular office size being preferable, wanting a bigger summer class, etc. Is that sufficient?

I appreciate any and all insight!!

[Bingo_Bongo]

I'd just say, "Well, if I didn't want to work for your firm I certainly wouldn't be wasting my time sitting here talking to you." Then I'd put my feet up on the desk, and light a cigarette to further demonstrate my confidence. Then I'd say, "Now let me ask you a question, fruit cake. Why should I come work for you when I've got everything I could possibly ever want right here?"

In all seriousness, it sounds like you're in a good position. Is there a practice area that the offices you are interviewing at are known for? Maybe you're interested in that type of law? I think everyone deep down knows everybody bullshits this question.

Best of luck.

[notinbiglaw]

I honestly said I wanted to see my options and made references to bigger firm, faster paced work, and, when applicable, better location for my wife’s commute.

[JHP]

Well, why would YOU want to go to these firms? What is it about their practices or firm other than name brand prestige that make you think twice about your current firm? You probably won't get a lot of helpful information in an actual interview since you can only be so searching/pressing in your questions and interviewers will likely only feel comfortable responding with that interviewy, generic, positive answer to your questions. Get coffee with associates at the firms you're thinking about and (tactfully) ask the real questions you want to know. Do your best in the OCI interviews so you can rack up as many offers as possible. I think at that point, that's when you get down to the nitty gritty and see what would make you walk away from your current offer.

Purely anecdotally, I know people who, on the rare occasion, have been allowed to split their summer between their two firms (their 1L firm who make them an offer and a much higher ranked firm they got through OCI). While that shouldn't be your plan A, if your relationship is great enough with partners and recruiting at your current firm, maybe that's something you could see if you can finagle. If you're that strong of a candidate and they liked you that much, it may be possible. This is much more unknown territory, though, so you should tread lightly and make use of partners who really want to keep you at the firm.