Question for those who networked into Big Law Forum

[Anonymous User]

Background: Graduated HYS 4 years ago. I was a so-so student (got 5 H's, all in non-doctrinal classes) and worked in-house immediately out of law school followed by a year doing plaintiff-side now.

Given that OCI isn't an option, how exactly does someone in my position successfully make a run for big law?

Is it just a matter of filling out countless applications on the firms' websites? Do you just cold email an alumni partner at the firm you're interested in? What do you say? I am absolutely terrible at socializing when there is an ulterior motive - in this case wanting a job.

I suspect some people might advise that I try and clerk first, and I already sent an email to the relevant advising department at HYS on that.

[Anonymous User]

My advice is not super helpful because I am not aware of a ton of people in your position. I would assume if your in-house role was relevant to a big law practice group that you could try to engage a recruiter. The tough thing is I'm not sure where you would come in as (probably a first year because of the lack of experience unless the group is really similar). I know a few people at my V10 that came in from in-house at a fund and started as a first year even though they were at a very high level fund for a couple of years. Makes for an exceptional first year, but still.

Cold-emailing is a good way to start, express interest in their practice group, maybe a different geographic reason if you are trying to move. It sucks (as someone who did a ton of cold emails), but it is possible. I also emailed the recruitment team to ask about open positions in X practice group even if it was not available. Worked out, but my situation was sort of unique (had to do a quick personal move).

[Anonymous User]

Background: Graduated HYS 4 years ago. I was a so-so student (got 5 H's, all in non-doctrinal classes) and worked in-house immediately out of law school followed by a year doing plaintiff-side now.

Given that OCI isn't an option, how exactly does someone in my position successfully make a run for big law?

Is it just a matter of filling out countless applications on the firms' websites? Do you just cold email an alumni partner at the firm you're interested in? What do you say? I am absolutely terrible at socializing when there is an ulterior motive - in this case wanting a job.

I suspect some people might advise that I try and clerk first, and I already sent an email to the relevant advising department at HYS on that.

I'm not some expert but the fundamentals should be the same at every firm. Hiring isn't going to happen if there's no business need (i.e. all the associates in that group are currently not on track to hit hours). You could very well be wasting your time networking with attorneys in a group if there's no shot they will hire you.

I would (1) use a reputable headhunter to determine which firms/practice groups are looking to hire, or just browse each individual firm's website for openings to determine if they're hiring and then (2) start targeting the more junior/lower mid-level associates in that practice group with cold emails. This is a SKILL, similar to cold outbound in sales. Watch a couple videos on how to do cold outbound, apply the relevant knowledge to optimize your cold email to get a higher response rate, and then shoot em off. It's easier to get a response if they're also a HYS alum, as you can start your email with that.

[Anonymous User]

Background: Graduated HYS 4 years ago. I was a so-so student (got 5 H's, all in non-doctrinal classes) and worked in-house immediately out of law school followed by a year doing plaintiff-side now.

Given that OCI isn't an option, how exactly does someone in my position successfully make a run for big law?

Is it just a matter of filling out countless applications on the firms' websites? Do you just cold email an alumni partner at the firm you're interested in? What do you say? I am absolutely terrible at socializing when there is an ulterior motive - in this case wanting a job.

I suspect some people might advise that I try and clerk first, and I already sent an email to the relevant advising department at HYS on that.

I'm not some expert but the fundamentals should be the same at every firm. Hiring isn't going to happen if there's no business need (i.e. all the associates in that group are currently not on track to hit hours). You could very well be wasting your time networking with attorneys in a group if there's no shot they will hire you.

I would (1) use a reputable headhunter to determine which firms/practice groups are looking to hire, or just browse each individual firm's website for openings to determine if they're hiring and then (2) start targeting the more junior/lower mid-level associates in that practice group with cold emails. This is a SKILL, similar to cold outbound in sales. Watch a couple videos on how to do cold outbound, apply the relevant knowledge to optimize your cold email to get a higher response rate, and then shoot em off. It's easier to get a response if they're also a HYS alum, as you can start your email with that.

Got it. So the idea is see if I click with a junior/mid-level associate, and if we do then I can ask them to refer me internally?

[Anonatty]

When you worked in-house, did you have any BigLaw attorneys as outside counsel? That could be an initial step to see if any of them are hiring.

[Anonymous User]

I did something similar a few years back. Worked in-house straight out of law school for a few years, then lateraled to a firm. Mid Law, not Big Law, but I did also get an offer from a V100 that I decided not to take. For the V100, I just used a recruiter. For the Mid Law firm, I had a connection with an associate who worked there. Not sure what kind of connections you have with former classmates or co-workers who went to firms, but I would definitely start with those to the extent you have them.

[Anonymous User]

what is 5 H's at HLS and YLS? is that median? Setting aside any covid interruption, that would be slightly below median at SLS (which is maybe ~6-8Hs) but obviously they take more classes

[Anonymous User]

You go to HYS, so you always have a shot. I went to a t14 and know many people who were able to break into Biglaw. I would apply to any all cities in which you have ties. Also, try to specialize (employee benefits, etc) if possible, if you cannot specialize and you already tried those routes, try to attend alumni events with your HYS peers. If you are a minority, or woman, try to join affinity legal groups, and if all else fails, join a legal social club in your city. Last, but not least, apply to a large midsize firm in your city, and try to lateral after a couple years.