Advice on 3L Big Law Job Search Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm currently a 2L at a lower T14. During OCI back in August 2019, I struck out and didn't get any offers. My GPA was below Median at the time. Thus, after mass mailing, I was able to land a Midsize firm in my home market. After 1 semester, I'm now comfortably above median.

However, my school went pass/no pass for grades of Spring 2020. I'm also hearing rumors that summer programs may not give offers to all their summers and that firms are shortening their summer programs. I've even heard that it's now nearly impossible to land Big Law now because of the recession. I went to my career services office asking for advice and when to start mass mailing and reaching out to firms but they weren't too helpful saying that Big Law is now a bust.

Any advice on how to attain Big Law would be greatly appreciated.

[BrainsyK]

Try mass mailing and specifically saying that you want to work in bankruptcy. If anyone lands any biglaw position right now, that's probably where they'd land. Otherwise, yeah, your OCS is right. It's just a matter of bad timing that if you haven't locked down biglaw full-time offer yet, you got screwed.

[joeshmo39]

Big Law firms are not going to be looking at resumes for the next 2 months at least. The hiring is going to be extremely lean. They don't have work for the people currently working there, and then there's another crop of associates starting in the fall.

Do not put all your eggs in the Big Law basket. Apply everywhere. Do not be discouraged if it's radio silent well into June though.

[wwwcol]

Get a federal clerkship

[nixy]

Even if we weren't in the middle of a global pandemic, I don't think you'd have much luck right now anyway. See how things look in the fall. In the meantime, do your best at your job this summer and hope they can offer you something for after graduation, because any job is better than no job.

[objctnyrhnr]

Get a federal clerkship

Agreed. Short of biglaw this is best case scenario, but also easier said than done for obvious reasons. Judges flex their gpa standards to a degree after a litigator has been in biglaw for a bit, but for an immediate grad median at lower t14 might not cut it.

My advice is apply to every SSC, and even intermediate appeals courts of large states, as well as every federal judge, mag judge, and bankruptcy judge in flyover states. I’d put effort into that right now, rather than biglaw.

When this thing finally subsides entirely, you’ll be in good shape to fill the lean biglaw classes and maybe even get bumped up a year.

My two cents.

[Anonymous User]

Try mass mailing and specifically saying that you want to work in bankruptcy. If anyone lands any biglaw position right now, that's probably where they'd land. Otherwise, yeah, your OCS is right. It's just a matter of bad timing that if you haven't locked down biglaw full-time offer yet, you got screwed.

OP Here. When would be a good time to start mass mailing? Some of my mentors suggest that I target Bankruptcy and Labor/Employment practice areas.

[trebekismyhero]

If you really are interested in bankruptcy and labor/employment, no harm in sending your resume over now. But as mentioned, in all likelihood, even at places like Kirkland and Weil with large BK practices aren't going to be looking resumes right now. Hopefully this all is over by the fall and you will have better luck.

If you are interested in litigation and above median, start applying for fed clerkships and SSC clerkships now.

[BrainsyK]

OP Here. When would be a good time to start mass mailing? Some of my mentors suggest that I target Bankruptcy and Labor/Employment practice areas.

I'd just send ASAP. Any time is as bad as another until we find more stability.

[RedGiant]

This is not going to be the answer you want to hear, but you need to apply EVERYWHERE.

And you should aim for biglaw 2-3 years after graduation. Tons of my friends had decent but not top-of-class grades. They started at midlaw or boutiques and lateralled. Get as much experience as you can, wherever you can get a job.

And also--I don't need to say this, but keep an eye on on jobs throughout all of 3L year. Some of my friends got biglaw jobs off cycle, post-OCI. You never know if that could be you!