Impact of turning down 1L SA? Forum

[Anonymous User]

In a position where I'll likely be turning down a "prestigious" SA offer for this summer at a firm that I would be much more interested in 2L, for various idiosyncratic reasons. Assuming same grades in the spring, does anyone have stories of the impact this can have come OCI in the fall (i.e. will they "hold it against me" that I went in a different direction, will they consider it a positive that I've already passed their screening process, or will it essentially be de novo review)?

[Anonymous User]

I don't see how you're not burning that bridge by turning it down. They wouldn't want to get burned again the second time around. If you're so interested in the other firm, why do you even care about the first one?

[Anonymous User]

It is insanity to me that you would turn down a higher-ranked firm that you intend to bid anyway during 2L OCI. Can you split?

[ExpOriental]

I doubt it would make a difference in either direction, but the much bigger point is that you'd better have an incredible reason to turn down a 1L SA, and I'm willing to bet you don't.

[Anonymous User]

Would really like to know why you plan on turning them down if you would want to work with them for 2L? This just doesn't seem to be the smart move unless you have some other kind of "once in a lifetime" opportunity. OCI was a lot harder this year than people imagined and you have the chance to be able to avoid all of that and be at a firm you like, a lot of firms also have scholarships for their 1L SAs, you should really think long and hard about this before you turn them down.

[Anonymous User]

OP. As first reply got, but I was unclear about, this is a choice between two firms. Essentially one firm has a more free market, less structured summer system that spans practice areas, whereas the other is more of a leader in a specific practice that I could see myself working at if I really enjoy that type of work. So would like to go with the former without hurting my chances at the latter next year if I really take to that specific type of work.

[Anonymous User]

What is the assignment structure for the second firm?

[lawbear2022]

If you can negotiate a split between the two, that would obviously be ideal, but you’ll be fine either way. A firm is not going to hold it against you in 2L recruiting if you turn them down now, especially if you’re turning them down for another SA position.

[Anonymous User]

Would really like to know why you plan on turning them down if you would want to work with them for 2L?

OP. As first reply got, but I was unclear about, this is a choice between two firms. Essentially one firm has a more free market, less structured summer system that spans practice areas, whereas the other is more of a leader in a specific practice that I could see myself working at if I really enjoy that type of work. So would like to go with the former without hurting my chances at the latter next year if I really take to that specific type of work.

Anon from above, if you're just turning them down for another firm then no, you're not closing a door. I turned down some firms for my 1L summer and still applied and got offers with them for 2L. You may also just go straight to callback next time, but it's really important to maintain those relationships you've made with people at that firm if you're interested in possibly going there next year. I would personally also say, go with the firm that you'd be happiest to get an offer for next summer from.

[Anonymous User]

OP. As first reply got, but I was unclear about, this is a choice between two firms. Essentially one firm has a more free market, less structured summer system that spans practice areas, whereas the other is more of a leader in a specific practice that I could see myself working at if I really enjoy that type of work. So would like to go with the former without hurting my chances at the latter next year if I really take to that specific type of work.

Being a leader in a specific practice area does not mean the firm sucks at all other practices (with a few exceptions, e.g., lit boutiques, Gunderson type places). And for most firms, it certainly does not mean you'll be siloed into that one practice area; typically, you can still ask for other types of work. If the firm is one of the minority that assign you to a single group, I could totally see taking the other firm's offer, though. As another commenter mentioned, the key is to figure out what their assignment system is, and this is an extremely valid (and crucial) question to ask.

[Jchance]

Can you just leverage (defer) your 1L offer into a 2L offer? Not sure if it has been done but it's not unthinkable.

[stupididiot]

I don't see how you're not burning that bridge by turning it down. They wouldn't want to get burned again the second time around. If you're so interested in the other firm, why do you even care about the first one?

I mean, it is generally agreed that turning down a firm for a 2L SA has no bearing on whether that firm will accept you as a lateral in 2 years. I dont see how this is any different. Almost every firm I turned down said something to the effect of "we hope/maybe our paths will cross again in the future." Hard to see how, if a firm thinks you will be a good fit, they will turn you down because a year earlier you took a different option. (Only way I could see it matter is if it was a boutique/niche firm, and it could make them question your committment to the niche area. But even then, thats what summer programs are for and you can say the 1L summer made you realize your commitment to the area or whatever).

[Anonymous User]

Anecdata but I know of someone who turned down a very high ranked offer to go elsewhere 1L for the extra diversity money and whose offer was just re-extended as a 2L, no CB or anything required.

[Anonymous User]

Offering as a data point: my friend turned down a 1L SA position at a V15. They reached out to him 2L year and offered him a 2L SA position without even an interview.

Hard to say if his experience is representative.

[Anonymous User]

The above two are not the norm at least at my school, a lot of people that turned down their 1L offers had to still interview again but a lot of people had a shorter interview process the 2nd time. I think it's fairly safe to say that you will be able to get another offer next year from the firm, but be ready to explain why you picked this firm for this summer and why you want to go back to the one you turned down next summer.