I think I picked the wrong firm Forum

[Anonymous User]

I accepted an offer a few days ago. Since then, I've been having serious second thoughts, like obsessing that I made the wrong choice and I should have went with a different firm that I turned down. I feel like I made a huge mistake because I picked based on gut feeling at the end and now, after doing lots and lots more research, I'm worried the firm I turned down would have been a better fit.

What are my options? Do I do the summer at the firm and then, if I hate it, try for 3L OCI? Do I see if I can do a split? Do I reach out to the firm I turned down? I'm really spiraling here.

[nixy]

What are the objective differences between the 2 firms that lead you to believe one would really be a better fit than the other? Because chances are good you’re suffering buyer’s remorse more than that you actually made a real mistake.

I don’t see reaching back out to the other firm now (though others might disagree), I’d say do a good job at your current firm and if you don’t like it, apply as a 3L to the other one.

[Anon-non-anon]

You're okay. sounds like you're having a bit of a panic attack. there was a good reason your gut wanted to go with the one you did. Mots are quite interchangeable at the junior level anyway so it probably doesn't matter.

If you had good connections at the other firm, stay in touch, everyone gets you can only pick one. Might pay off down the line.

Might be good to know what the firms are/why you feel one is better now to give more concrete advice.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for your responses-- I'd rather not post the actual firms here, but if anyone is open to talking through with me, let me know and I'll send a DM. For reference, the firms are located in NY.

[floatie]

You're welcome to message me and we can talk through it. But what you're feeling is really normal - this is a BIG decision! At the end of the day when you're choosing between two comparable firms, going with your gut can be the best option.

[hdr]

Unless you picked Cadwalader over Cravath I wouldn't worry about it.

[Spirit99]

Recognizing this is easier said than done, I wouldn't worry about this at all. I'm a senior associate and have worked at 3 different firms. When I picked my first firm, I was 100% sure it was the right choice and I actually had a great time as a summer associate, but after two years of working there, it was clear that the firm wasn't for me and that I definitely made the wrong choice. My second and my current firms are (and probably always were from the start) much better fits for me than my first firm, but there was no way for me to know that until I actually worked at my first firm.

[Anonymous User]

Even if you picked the wrong firm, let's assume you did, being wishy-washy and reaching out to the second firm would make the matter worse, such that you might lose both firms' offers.

Just go with the decision you already made. You can't go back now. I'm sure you made the right decision a few days ago. There will be more chances in the future to switch firms.

[Anonymous User]

I was in the exact same boat last year. I turned one down and picked another, and the decision haunted me for forever. But when the summer actually started, it worked out just fine. I felt silly wasting my time worrying about the decision I made when in reality, I didn't really know much about either firm.

[the lsat failure]

3L here, and I STILL have moments when these thoughts come to mind. I think when we're presented with choices that seem as consequential as the firm we choose to summer at, it can seem far more important than it really is. Ask yourself: why did your gut tell you to pick the firm you did? There's definitely a compelling reason, and don't forget that. We're told over and over again that this decision is so important, when in reality it'll likely represent the next few years of your career, and that's it. Not to downplay the impact it can have on your future prospects, but when you're deciding between similar firms, you're splitting hairs.

[Anonymous User]

First year associate feeling similar. Lol.