I think I am no offered Forum

[Anonymous User]

last day of work is on friday and my boutique patent firm just posted an oci job posting for class of 2020 people to start next fall.


they havent spoken to me yet but I can only assume they're not going to offer me shit now, though one of the attorneys did move out of state towards the end and they lost someone.


this sucks.

[nixy]

Or they anticipate needed another person. Don't freak out.

[objctnyrhnr]

last day of work is on friday and my boutique patent firm just posted an oci job posting for class of 2020 people to start next fall.


they havent spoken to me yet but I can only assume they're not going to offer me shit now, though one of the attorneys did move out of state towards the end and they lost someone.


this sucks.

Notwithstanding the posting, why would you think they’d give offers before the last day? My v20-v50 firm gave unofficial offers on the second to last day and then officialized them maybe a week later.

I wouldn’t fret unless and until your peer associate gets the offer talk and you don’t hear anything for the 24 hour period that follows.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. I dont think I will be getting an offer before the last day, I just added info in to explain my situation, but I should specify I am the only summer with the firm. so i wont be able to tell when they should have given me an offer unless they talk to me specifically.

[notinbiglaw]

I wouldn’t read much into the listing. Good chance they anticipate they will need two associates or they are not sure you’re returning.

As the only SA, I would ask partners I had good relationship with about when I will know if an offer is coming.

[JHP]

I get that there's always *some* reason for concern summering at a very small or boutique firm, but this situation doesn't sound like anything out of the ordinary to be overly concerned about.

Have you had issues over the summer? Have you had at least occasional check-ins with people on your work quality? Are there any flags (other than the job posting) that would make you think they don't want you there?

I really think this is just a case where they are looking for more help. Don't sweat it.

[Anonymous User]

I appreciate the talking down. I'll let you all know how this turns out.

I'm not sure about asking when I'd know, seems pretty forward when I probably would find out before i leave? I assume?

I do just hope it's because they lost a lawyer to the move and decided ti picck me up and also replace them. since i was invited to summer way back in the winter and I doubt that they knew this guy was leaving then. they dont have a lot of turn around

[notinbiglaw]

Yeah, asking if an offer is coming is pretty forward but under the circumstances, I think partners would understand.

Phrase it like you’re super interested in going back so you’re very anxious and therefore would greatly appreciate it if you could have some kind of vague/noncommittal timeline at least. They aren’t going to no offer you just because you’re understandably anxious to know.

[patent_guy]

You will generally have some kind of end of summer review on your last day. I would expect the conversation regarding a potential offer would come up then. That’s how it was for everyone I know at non-big law firms where there was only one or a couple summers, so less of a standard process than at larger firms.

[Anonymous User]

I think I got an offer? or at least an invitation to apply.

I was told to "keep in touch" and send an updated resume closer to graduation.

kind of unclear tbh.

[beeoBoop]

I think I got an offer? or at least an invitation to apply.

I was told to "keep in touch" and send an updated resume closer to graduation.

kind of unclear tbh.

I don't know your situation but it sounds like your firm views it more as a clerkship than an immediate job offer. You have an invitation to apply for a job and an inside track on an opening

[Anonymous User]

I think what I'll do is email the partner I speak to most after today (my last day, in case I get something more concrete later today) and ask if I should apply to the oci posting if I am interested on coming on full time in the fall or if there is a different process since I worked for them this summer.


does this seem like a good method?

[patent_guy]

I think what I'll do is email the partner I speak to most after today (my last day, in case I get something more concrete later today) and ask if I should apply to the oci posting if I am interested on coming on full time in the fall or if there is a different process since I worked for them this summer.


does this seem like a good method?

I would just talk to this partner before you leave today. Emailing gives people an opportunity to ignore you if they want to, and if I you were you I’d want more of a solid answer one way or another. If what you said is really all they gave you today, that seems weird and vague.

My $.02.

Edit - I think beeoboop is correct and they didn’t expect to give you an offer no matter what at this point. But if you need some clarity, I would still go in person rather than email.

[Anonymous User]

I think what I'll do is email the partner I speak to most after today (my last day, in case I get something more concrete later today) and ask if I should apply to the oci posting if I am interested on coming on full time in the fall or if there is a different process since I worked for them this summer.


does this seem like a good method?

I would just talk to this partner before you leave today. Emailing gives people an opportunity to ignore you if they want to, and if I you were you I’d want more of a solid answer one way or another. If what you said is really all they gave you today, that seems weird and vague.

My $.02.

Edit - I think beeoboop is correct and they didn’t expect to give you an offer no matter what at this point. But if you need some clarity, I would still go in person rather than email.

it does feel that way re: the edit. disappointing because that is not what they communicated to me during my interview for this position and I probably would have looked elsewhere if I knew that. they said in the CB that if this summer worked out then theyd take me on for the spring or fall if possible or just next fall (after I graduate).

they also told me to ask people I know who still need jobs to apply to the OCI which just feels really weird if they dont want to employ me or want me to compete with them for employment.

whole situation is very weird.


what exactly should I ask in person today? how to go about applying for the fulltime position?

[patent_guy]

I think what I'll do is email the partner I speak to most after today (my last day, in case I get something more concrete later today) and ask if I should apply to the oci posting if I am interested on coming on full time in the fall or if there is a different process since I worked for them this summer.


does this seem like a good method?

I would just talk to this partner before you leave today. Emailing gives people an opportunity to ignore you if they want to, and if I you were you I’d want more of a solid answer one way or another. If what you said is really all they gave you today, that seems weird and vague.

My $.02.

Edit - I think beeoboop is correct and they didn’t expect to give you an offer no matter what at this point. But if you need some clarity, I would still go in person rather than email.

it does feel that way re: the edit. disappointing because that is not what they communicated to me during my interview for this position and I probably would have looked elsewhere if I knew that. they said in the CB that if this summer worked out then theyd take me on for the spring or fall if possible or just next fall (after I graduate).

they also told me to ask people I know who still need jobs to apply to the OCI which just feels really weird if they dont want to employ me or want me to compete with them for employment.

whole situation is very weird.


what exactly should I ask in person today? how to go about applying for the fulltime position?

You said that they’ve lost two people lately and this is a small firm. My guess is that they want you back and also need to fill another one or two spots, but also want to keep their options open in case they have a chance to hire someone with a little more experience instead so they aren’t going to formally offer you until they have to. Shitty, but not unheard of at a smaller boutique.

They wouldn’t ask you to tell people to apply if they thought you would shit talk them to your friends for not giving you an offer. I would keep this in your back pocket but look elsewhere 3L to be safe. From this thread it seems like you don’t trust them and it’s a tough spot to be in starting a career looking over your shoulder.

[tyroneslothrop1]

Unfortunately, my take is that this is a soft no-offer. I worked at a smaller firm and basically the same thing happened to me. I reached out to them a few months before graduation and they said they didn't have space for anyone. I would start apply everywhere you possibly can. And in interviews you can be vague what happened during the summer (they told me they are interested in me coming back etc.).

[notinbiglaw]

I very much want to come back here and I will apply to all the listings you put up but just in case you decide to go with a more experienced hire, could I put you down as reference?