Top Law Schools

3L - Summered at a firm because it was the only offer I got, but it was in a city I do not want to be in. They basically lied and said I could be in any practice area I wanted, but ended up not true when I got there. To be clear, the practice area I want is the opposite of the one I got (litigation vs. transactional, for example). Accepted offer basically because would rather go there than nowhere, but am actively applying other places.

How bad is it if I renege on the offer in a city I wont then ever practice in? Especially if I end up at an agency/somewhere other than biglaw? I've thought about it a lot, and it seems like life is too short for me to move to a city I can't stand doing work I don't want to do just to not "hurt my reputation."

I don't want to out myself by giving stats, but I am just outside top 10% and on LR. Tried 3L OCI/mass mailing before I had to accept my offer but nothing came of it.

Does this firm have an office in the city/location you want to be in? If so, maybe try talking to the firm and seeing if you can switch offices due to whatever personal reasons are drawing you to the new place. Otherwise I would renege on the offer and not look back. I know some people will say that is in poor taste but if they lied to you and you hated the experience, leave. However, I really wouldn't be asking this question if you haven't gotten another offer to consider yet....

Don't feel bad about reneging in this case. I agree with the other poster that if possible you should try to find a landing spot first. But if you really would hate the location and practice area then yeah, do what's best for you regardless.

They won't care if you renege the offer. It might be a little annoying but they'll quickly find someone else to take the job and forget about you. Fresh law grads are plenty available and there's a big oversupply. Recruiters won't even remember your name, they probably barely remember your name now if they even do.

You should be more concerned about not having a 2nd offer. You need that 2nd offer before reneging. You haven't had luck so far and who knows how long it could take before you have another offer. At least have some sort of back-up plan or income lined up.

OP here - as far as searching for other jobs, will they ask if I have accepted or not? Is it bad form for them to pursue me if they know I will have to renege? Will they think it's a cold offer if I just say in my cover letter that "I received an offer but am looking for other opportunities because X, Y, Z"?

(Hijacking the thread a bit)

How bad is it to renege after a clerkship? My career services office says it would be career ending.

Anonymous User wrote:(Hijacking the thread a bit)

How bad is it to renege after a clerkship? My career services office says it would be career ending.

Do you mean accepting a clerkship offer and then reneging on it? Career-ending is probably overstating it, but it's very bad and you should avoid doing it if humanly possible.

hlsperson1111 wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:(Hijacking the thread a bit)

How bad is it to renege after a clerkship? My career services office says it would be career ending.

Do you mean accepting a clerkship offer and then reneging on it? Career-ending is probably overstating it, but it's very bad and you should avoid doing it if humanly possible.

Yes, if you mean reneging on a clerkship then that is pretty bad, but if I understand you correctly, you mean reneging on a firm that you accepted to prior to your clerkship. If that is the case, your career services are just looking out for themselves. Plenty of people do not go back to their summer firms after a clerkship

trebekismyhero wrote:

hlsperson1111 wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:(Hijacking the thread a bit)

How bad is it to renege after a clerkship? My career services office says it would be career ending.

Do you mean accepting a clerkship offer and then reneging on it? Career-ending is probably overstating it, but it's very bad and you should avoid doing it if humanly possible.

Yes, if you mean reneging on a clerkship then that is pretty bad, but if I understand you correctly, you mean reneging on a firm that you accepted to prior to your clerkship. If that is the case, your career services are just looking out for themselves. Plenty of people do not go back to their summer firms after a clerkship

Original commenter here. Yes, I meant accepting an offer after 2L summer, and then reneging on it during a one year clerkship between graduation and your planned start date.

Anonymous User wrote:Original commenter here. Yes, I meant accepting an offer after 2L summer, and then reneging on it during a one year clerkship between graduation and your planned start date.

Shit happens. The firm is unlikely to hold a huge grudge, although you should be careful about doing this kind of thing more than once-twice a decade or you could develop a reputation. Trebek is right that your school's career services would rather you didn't because it makes their OCI slightly less appealing going forward but w/e. "Career ending" is hilariously hyperbolic.

ETA: if you have a good personal reason and/or are changing markets it's even less likely to be a big deal

It's common for clerks in your position to go to a different firm. I'm surprised your office of career services has told you otherwise. At least in districts courts located in big cities, firms often wine and dine clerks (that process kicks off in the spring), including clerks like you.

Talk to your judge's former clerks to learn more about the recruiting process in your district and courthouse. They'll probably have more useful advice than most of us on this board, and many if not most will be happy to help you.