Reneg on summer job? Thinking long term Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi everyone, I'm a 2L who struck out at OCI. I've got a summer offer with an in-house legal dept that does the kind of work that, if you'd asked me when I started law school, I would have told you that I'd like to be doing after being in private practice for a time.

I've also received a paying offer from a PI group that is pretty "prestigious" and in the same general space as the corporate group but more policy/litigation focused. Kind of my dream practice and not something I really think I'd have a shot at getting given my pedigree.

Neither of these organizations is necessarily going to lead to a long-term position (though it really seems to be about whether a relevant position opens up at the right time). Both are, of course, very different experiences.

I guess I'm asking whether anyone thinks one or the other is a better long-term play. If this were 1L summer, I wouldn't hesitate and take the latter role, but I am so spooked by striking out at OCI I don't trust my judgment at all.

[Buglaw]

Hi everyone, I'm a 2L at a T20 who struck out at OCI. I've got a summer offer with an in-house legal dept that does the kind of work that, if you'd asked me when I started law school, I would have told you that I'd like to be doing after being in private practice for a time.

I've also received a paying offer from a PI group that is pretty "prestigious" and in the same general space as the corporate group but more policy/litigation focused. Kind of my dream practice and not something I really think I'd have a shot at getting given my pedigree.

Neither of these organizations is necessarily going to lead to a long-term position (though it really seems to be about whether a relevant position opens up at the right time). Both are, of course, very different experiences.

I guess I'm asking whether anyone thinks one or the other is a better long-term play. If this were 1L summer, I wouldn't hesitate and take the latter role, but I am so spooked by striking out at OCI I don't trust my judgment at all.

Which one can provide you with post-law school employment. If the answer is one of the two, you should obviously choose that one regardless of your prior intention.

[CanadianWolf]

To what specific type of public interest issues would you be exposed ?

What type / practice area for the in-house position ?

[Anonymous User]

Which one can provide you with post-law school employment. If the answer is one of the two, you should obviously choose that one regardless of your prior intention.

To what specific type of public interest issues would you be exposed ?

What type / practice area for the in-house position ?

My sense is neither will necessarily lead to employment after school, though the in-house will necessarily have a more transactional focus and will probably more transferable in that respect.

Regarding practice area, the in-house work will mostly be project development in the natural resources area and associated matters (permitting, etc.). On the PI side, it's impact litigation, intervention practice, and policy in the same general area.

[Trout et al]

Can you ask to split the summer and just do both?

[Buglaw]

Which one can provide you with post-law school employment. If the answer is one of the two, you should obviously choose that one regardless of your prior intention.

To what specific type of public interest issues would you be exposed ?

What type / practice area for the in-house position ?

My sense is neither will necessarily lead to employment after school, though the in-house will necessarily have a more transactional focus and will probably more transferable in that respect.

Regarding practice area, the in-house work will mostly be project development in the natural resources area and associated matters (permitting, etc.). On the PI side, it's impact litigation, intervention practice, and policy in the same general area.

Working PI 2L summer would be looked at very skeptically by me in law firm interviews. I wouldn't believe you were interested in a firm long term. In-house work is also not great, and if I've never heard of the company, I'd likely ding you in the interview (even with the current market). If it's in-house at huge mining company or renewables company, I think that would be a better route if you are interested in in-house or firm work long term.

[Anonymous User]

Which one can provide you with post-law school employment. If the answer is one of the two, you should obviously choose that one regardless of your prior intention.

To what specific type of public interest issues would you be exposed ?

What type / practice area for the in-house position ?

My sense is neither will necessarily lead to employment after school, though the in-house will necessarily have a more transactional focus and will probably more transferable in that respect.

Regarding practice area, the in-house work will mostly be project development in the natural resources area and associated matters (permitting, etc.). On the PI side, it's impact litigation, intervention practice, and policy in the same general area.

Working PI 2L summer would be looked at very skeptically by me in law firm interviews. I wouldn't believe you were interested in a firm long term. In-house work is also not great, and if I've never heard of the company, I'd likely ding you in the interview (even with the current market). If it's in-house at huge mining company or renewables company, I think that would be a better route if you are interested in in-house or firm work long term.

It's mining, yeah. I certainly understand your view, I am definitely interested in pursuing 3L OCI (I'm at median and expect to remain there) so don't want to take myself completely out of the running.

[thelawyler]

If it is just for the summer and you won't get a full time offer from either, I say go with the more marketable skill (aka in-house) but its hard to say without knowing the gap in prestige.

[Anonymous User]

If it is just for the summer and you won't get a full time offer from either, I say go with the more marketable skill (aka in-house) but its hard to say without knowing the gap in prestige.

I think you're right. I've already got a fair amount of experience in litigation but no corporate so I'm coming around to the idea that this could be helpful. I'm still applying to actual firms (aka just firing off emails) but things feel pretty grim.