Trouble convincing firms of LA ties? Forum

[Tomatoman632]

I seem to have trouble convincing firms why I want to stay in LA. People press really hard about why I want to stay here and don't seem to believe me, even though I go to UCLA/USC and most of my family lives here. I personally did not grow up here however. Any advice?

[Grazzhoppa]

How are they asking the question and what is your response? I work in LA big law and have no ties to LA.

[the lsat failure]

I don't know your socio-economic background, but when I was asked why I wanted to be in the area, I (truthfully) told them that 1) I grew up around the area and 2) my parents require me to stay close due to both language and financial limitations.

Instead of just saying something general about family being there, is there anything specific that requires you to be close to them aside from just physical proximity? Plans to settle down and buy a home there? What about spending time at UCLA/USC made you want to settle down long term in LA? What does LA provide you that other places / your hometown does not? I would encourage you to be more detailed.

[Tomatoman632]

I don't know your socio-economic background, but when I was asked why I wanted to be in the area, I (truthfully) told them that 1) I grew up around the area and 2) my parents require me to stay close due to both language and financial limitations.

Instead of just saying something general about family being there, is there anything specific that requires you to be close to them aside from just physical proximity? Plans to settle down and buy a home there? What about spending time at UCLA/USC made you want to settle down long term in LA? What does LA provide you that other places / your hometown does not? I would encourage you to be more detailed.

Thanks for the reply. I didn't realize I needed to be more detailed--had just thought that committing to going to school here was enough of ties. I don't have any real reason why I "have to" be near them, I just like it here.

[Tomatoman632]

How are they asking the question and what is your response? I work in LA big law and have no ties to LA.

They ask stuff like
"Even if you went to school on the east coast, would you still be trying to target LA biglaw?"
"How can you prove that you are 100% committed to a legal career here in LA?"
"Can you tell me more about your family? How many siblings live here? Where do your parents still live?"

I start off my answer saying that LA is my number 1 choice and I am definitely looking to stay, then talk about my family for a bit, then say how I have really enjoyed my time at school, then about how even though school was remote I was still able make some friends and do out door stuff, and finally end by how I'm excited for things to open back up so I can meet more classmates etc.

[the lsat failure]

How are they asking the question and what is your response? I work in LA big law and have no ties to LA.

They ask stuff like
"Even if you went to school on the east coast, would you still be trying to target LA biglaw?"
"How can you prove that you are 100% committed to a legal career here in LA?"
"Can you tell me more about your family? How many siblings live here? Where do your parents still live?"

I start off my answer saying that LA is my number 1 choice and I am definitely looking to stay, then talk about my family for a bit, then say how I have really enjoyed my time at school, then about how even though school was remote I was still able make some friends and do out door stuff, and finally end by how I'm excited for things to open back up so I can meet more classmates etc.

Though I find those questions pretty unreasonable and almost as if they're trying to call you on your bluff (which I understand but is somewhat rude?), it's hard to give catch-all answers. As I said before, try to stray away from the generic stuff and get personal. Demographic/surface-level information about your family likely isn't enough.