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I am a “2L” at a T14 enrolled in a joint JD / Tax LLM program. I put the 2L in scare quotes because I should be a 3L but I am graduating a year late due to the joint program.

I am looking to gain tax experience this coming summer, and see various internship postings at Big 4 firms for JD/Tax LLM students in their SALT/M&A/International groups. Has anyone on here spent their 2L summer doing tax at a Big 4? What is the interviewing process like? Do you have any advice for students in my particular position?

I interned for a Big4's international tax group in NYC. My path was similar but slightly different than yours. Like you, I also did a joint JD/LLM program but it took me a year to finish the LLM after I finished law school. I finished my 3L year, took the bar exam, and then got an offer to start as a tax court clerk the following year. I then applied to "intern" with the Big4 after I finished my LLM and before the start of my tax court clerkship. I received offers from each of the three Big4 that I interviewed with. I spent my summer working as an international tax "intern." I put "intern" in quotes because although I was technically an intern, I already had my JD and LLM degrees and I was already admitted to the bar of my home state. I loved my summer with the firm and I cant say enough good things about it. I will be going back full time as an associate in January (deferred because of COVID).

In terms of the interview process, I interviewed with two of the Big4 during their superdays. One was in NYC and one was in Tampa. The interviews were very similar. At both interviews, I was interviewed by three people back to back. I think they were all senior manager level. Most of my interviews were general fit type questions and discussions. However, be prepared to answer the following two questions very well: (1) why Big4 not BigLaw and (2) why tax. The interview with the firm that I ultimately accepted concluded with a senior associate and a first year associate taking a group of candidates out to lunch. That sealed the deal for me because I really liked both of those people. They became my closest mentors in the group.

I hope my experience helps. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything further, please feel free to PM me!