"Optional" remote SA and getting an offer Forum

[Anonymous User]

Have an SA for a traditionally 100% offer firm, got new guidance today for the summer program which basically states that

~Beginning of SA will be remote
-3 weeks into the program, SA's "should" be able to come into the office "if we so choose" but the firm expects most attorneys will still be working remote
-Firm expects "everyone" to be back in the office for the last 4 weeks of the SA program, and plans to have social events/SA programming

Can anyone help decipher what they actually expect summers to do? Do we really have to find and pay for housing in the area for 10 weeks just to work remotely for the first six, so that we can be there the last four weeks? Do they want us to pick up everything and move for just the last 4 weeks? Will the firm no-offer folks who don't start coming to the office beginning on the 3rd week? If the majority of the attorneys are still working remotely, why would they want us to be in the office?

I was honestly hoping that the firm would be like every other firm with a fully remote program for the summer so I could save some $$$ and stress from having to move across the country multiple times over the summer.

Anon because details could identify which firm I have an SA at.

[Anonymous User]

Wouldn’t think that there would be any negative impact of electing to stay virtual. If you don’t mind disclosing, what market are we talking? There could be a perceived difference in different parts of the country I suppose. For example, I would guess that NYC / Bay Area would be me way more understanding than say Kansas City or Florida. But still think not an issue.

[Anonymous User]

It would be ridiculous if Sullcrom no-offers summers who don't come in for the last month. Surely there will be an exception given to summers for whom it would be a financial hardship/health risk to move just for a few weeks?

[Anonymous User]

LMAO at last part since you just quote the S&C email (see you there in a few months). I'm sure every1 will get offered but I live in NYC so less concerns re: moving. I think they can be more aggressive with in-person bc the firms owns the building, I guess?

[Prudent_Jurist]

It sounds like the last 4 weeks are mandatory in-person, but I think you're fine doing remote otherwise. I'm sure you can reach out to recruiting with questions.

[Anonymous User]

LOL at not wanting to identify the firm when S&C is the only place doing this extremely specific format. I think the in-person aspect is pretty mandatory. Only exception would probably be if you couldn't get vaccinated by then or had some other specific health concern. But on the other hand I can't imagine someone getting no-offered for not showing up. It just wouldn't endear you to your assigned partner mentor probably. Source: I'm an S&C associate. Some partners really love being in the office.

[Anonymous User]

I'm another summer at S&C. Do you think it will look bad if we only come in for the last four mandatory weeks? Want to make a good impression, but don't know how valuable it will be to head out there in June if most attorneys have not yet returned. Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

First SullCrom screws over its summers last year, now SullCrom feels the need to try and kill their summers with COVID this year. Always have to outdo themselves.

[Anonymous User]

I'm another summer at S&C. Do you think it will look bad if we only come in for the last four mandatory weeks? Want to make a good impression, but don't know how valuable it will be to head out there in June if most attorneys have not yet returned. Thanks!

S&C associate anon. I'm sure that would be absolutely fine. Assuming everyone is vaccinated by then (which in light of today's announcement seems possible), though, there will be associates in the office to take you out to lunch and spend the firm's money.

[Anonymous User]

First SullCrom screws over its summers last year, now SullCrom feels the need to try and kill their summers with COVID this year. Always have to outdo themselves.

LOL TLS is obsessed with work-from-home forever and it leads to this shit. Aren't you more likely to get in a car accident than get seriously ill or die from COVID under 30? Worry more about the partners who love coming into the office to get away from their families

[Anonymous User]

I'm jelly. Wish my firm was doing this.

[Anonymous User]

So what's the play S&C summers? Find something short term for the July in-person stuff or spend the whole summer in NYC?

Maybe I'm just cheap but forking over 6 weeks of NYC rent just to work from home in a crammed apartment seems steep. But I also don't want to be the only summer not in the city if everyone else is going to move for the summer.

[Anonymous User]

I'll only go if they make me. They can take my remote summer from my cold, dead, virus-ridden hands.

[Anonymous User]

First SullCrom screws over its summers last year, now SullCrom feels the need to try and kill their summers with COVID this year. Always have to outdo themselves.

LOL TLS is obsessed with work-from-home forever and it leads to this shit. Aren't you more likely to get in a car accident than get seriously ill or die from COVID under 30? Worry more about the partners who love coming into the office to get away from their families

LOL so let's just open everything up for people under 30 now. No need to worry about the variants and other people who may not have been vaccinated.

[Anonymous User]

LOL so let's just open everything up for people under 30 now. No need to worry about the variants and other people who may not have been vaccinated.

[Anonymous User]

Jesus I'm so glad I'm not going to S&C

If I were you, I'd just do a month-long airbnb or find a 4-week sublet

[Anonymous User]

Cuomo just announced that all NYers can receive vaccinations as of apr 6; NYT also just published an article saying the vaccine is highly effective. So, should be fine ...?

[Anonymous User]

Jesus I'm so glad I'm not going to S&C

If I were you, I'd just do a month-long airbnb or find a 4-week sublet

I don't think it's that bad that the firm is trying to have some in person stuff for the summers.


But I do think the firm is underestimating the variants and might be jumping the gun here. Some variants seem to be able to reinfect people and can infect some people who are vaccinated. I imagine people will be pissed if the firm forces them to come back to the office only to have everything go remote again.

[Anonymous User]

Saying that you can be back in the middle "if you choose," and following that up by saying the firm "expects everyone" back in July, makes me think that July = mandatory. You should make sure that you get a vaccine by mid-May in case it's Moderna and you have to wait a month for Shot #2. You should definitely plan to be in New York and in the office for the part that appears mandatory. Reach out to other summers and split an Airbnb or find a sublet or whatever but it would be a big risk to your career to just stay on Zoom for that without any additional guidance.

[Anonymous User]

Echoing earlier advice, but would recommend getting a Fidi sublet so you don't have to worry about the commute.

[Anonymous User]

double post

[enibs]

Just curious as to whether S&C is arranging housing for the mandatory in person part of the program? Or are you on your own?

[Anonymous User]

Jesus I'm so glad I'm not going to S&C

If I were you, I'd just do a month-long airbnb or find a 4-week sublet

I don't think it's that bad that the firm is trying to have some in person stuff for the summers.

Quoted anon. I agree. I just would be extremely annoyed to have to deal with finding a sublet, etc, as someone not living in NYC.

[Anonymous User]

Maybe I'm extremely jaded or w.e. but isn't this a good thing? Assuming the firm makes reasonable exceptions for people who can't be remote for whatever reason & assists in relocation, this is 1. a sign life is coming back to normal post-vaccine, 2. gives summers a chance to actually fucking socialize and meet people and 3. doesn't mean anything in terms of creating a more flexible WFH culture moving forward. The largest study of the vaccines on transmission was released today and showed the vaccinated do not transmit as long as they recieved effective vaccines (90%). The vaccines also work against any variant, particuarly with regards to preventing serious illness. If you just want permenant WFH bc its nice for balance, I totally get it. But you can't just say oh the pandemic if everyone is vaccinated by the summer. If so, you're just saying we'll never return back to normal as a society LMAO.

[Anonymous User]

Highly doubtful that their will be non-masked or socially distant events in July. Also the first firm to do this is also the least likely to have a flexible WFH going forward. The QOL improvement from optional WFH for associates is a game-changer. A firm that requires its associates in the office this July when we are just turning the corner is really going to have unhappy associates I’ll bet. I’ll also bet the firm doesn’t care. Their is a reason that many firms are looking at fall or next year. Hard to just up and say OK, it’s over, let’s hustle back mid-summer and pretend like WFH was not productive or preferable to employees. Yet requiring mandatory attendance in July is really saying we don’t like WFH or want it going forward, regardless of what our people want. That’s fine but it’s not based on business results - it’s cultural