Biglaw Litigation - Deferred For A Year - Advice? Forum

[Liti-Gator]

I summered at a firm, loved it, and wanted to get started-- only to find out that my class has been deferred to 2024. Not quite sure what to do about the situation. My worry is not so much about the loss of money, though, of course that matters, but the loss of experience and career progression that will accrue in a year of downtime. And the risk that the deferral becomes a cancellation.

After a rocky first year due to Covid, I made it the top 1/3 of my class at a t14. My school has offered to bring me on board in some capacity in the interim, but being a super-senior seems like a missed opportunity. My thoughts were to consider one of the following:

1) Clerk. My materials are not ready, but I think I could be competitive. My professors who would go to bat for me. But, I would need to wait for LORs.
2) Find A High End Litigation Boutique. They seem to want clerkships first, so an incoming Jr. Associate who did not summer with them seems unlikely.
3) Find Another Biglaw Litigation Position. Same as above.
4) Wait it out. Seems like a loss of time and money, but I will never have this kind of time off again. My main worry is, what if things get worse?

Any perspective appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

The problem with clerking (in the traditional sense) is that you would be really lucky to find an open clerkship for the fall at this point - barring unforeseen circumstances where someone has to back out last minute, judges have hired already.

If you’re not worried about the money or if your school will provide some financial assistance, you could work your connections to get taken on by someone as an extra (free!) clerk, which I’ve definitely seen happen. (This is probably what you actually meant but I wanted to clarify.) I think you could definitely reach out to judges about doing now, this while your LORs are getting written, with the explanation that you’ll update when you get them. Since you wouldn’t be competing with other candidates in the traditional application process that wouldn’t be a problem.

I would simultaneously try to find a volunteer clerkship and apply for another biglaw job (or boutique but I agree you would need to clerk first so it’s not likely, though if you’re sending out applications anyway it probably doesn’t hurt), and take whichever pans out quicker. Getting deferred definitely raises concerns about the long-term viability of your current offer.

[DanBoMingLi]

Is the firm offering any stipends or other compensation in the interim?

Either way, Option 4 is off the table IMO. Deferring an entire class of *litigation* associates is a really bad sign. The overall lit market isn’t nearly as slow as corporate and no other firm is doing this. That suggests to me that this is due to overhiring or problems with the firm’s financial health.

I’d start hustling for another firm offer while working for the school or volunteering with a judge.

[itdobelikethat]

Can you please share which firm?

[GFox345]

I summered at a firm, loved it, and wanted to get started-- only to find out that my class has been deferred to 2024. Not quite sure what to do about the situation. My worry is not so much about the loss of money, though, of course that matters, but the loss of experience and career progression that will accrue in a year of downtime. And the risk that the deferral becomes a cancellation.

After a rocky first year due to Covid, I made it the top 1/3 of my class at a t14. My school has offered to bring me on board in some capacity in the interim, but being a super-senior seems like a missed opportunity. My thoughts were to consider one of the following:

1) Clerk. My materials are not ready, but I think I could be competitive. My professors who would go to bat for me. But, I would need to wait for LORs.
2) Find A High End Litigation Boutique. They seem to want clerkships first, so an incoming Jr. Associate who did not summer with them seems unlikely.
3) Find Another Biglaw Litigation Position. Same as above.
4) Wait it out. Seems like a loss of time and money, but I will never have this kind of time off again. My main worry is, what if things get worse?

Any perspective appreciated.

I certainly agree with the above posters that clerking at such a late stage is unlikely. However, definitely check if there are any recent confirmations (or close confirmations) pending in the senate for new judges you'd consider clerking for (Given your circumstances, I would not be picky). I got a half-dozen interviews and eventually landed a Federal COA clerkship by reaching out to nominees a few months before they were confirmed, and the start date was immediate. A long shot for sure, but you're not doing anything anyway, and a lot of kids don't think to reach out to pending nominees, giving you a competitive edge.

If you're serious about potentially clerking, get your ass in gear with your clerkship materials yesterday.

[Anonymous User]

Can you please share which firm?

This. I’m so tired of these posts that leave out the firm name. Obviously everyone wants to know that.

To answer the question, I’d offer to clerk for free with state court judges. You can probably get something. The school position isn’t necessarily terrible though, I’d ask them if you can call it some kind of fellowship. If they let you do that it doesn’t look bad on the resume and you won’t have a gap.

[Liti-Gator]

The firm is already public knowledge. The facts I provided are ambiguous and somewhat misleading. That is intentional and for my protection. If a firm had to cut people, the easiest person to cut would be the one they see looking elsewhere already. You already have the information, I am not retarded, so, no thanks on the doxxing offer

[Anonymous User]

The firm is already public knowledge. The facts I provided are ambiguous and somewhat misleading. That is intentional and for my protection. If a firm had to cut people, the easiest person to cut would be the one they see looking elsewhere already. You already have the information, I am not retarded, so, no thanks on the doxxing offer

R-slur why ?

[Anonymous User]

The firm is already public knowledge. The facts I provided are ambiguous and somewhat misleading. That is intentional and for my protection. If a firm had to cut people, the easiest person to cut would be the one they see looking elsewhere already. You already have the information, I am not retarded, so, no thanks on the doxxing offer

You could just post the name anonymously. If it’s an actual biglaw firm then there are dozens of incoming first years minimum. Also, why are you posting false information when you are soliciting advice?

[Anonymous User]

The firm is already public knowledge. The facts I provided are ambiguous and somewhat misleading. That is intentional and for my protection. If a firm had to cut people, the easiest person to cut would be the one they see looking elsewhere already. You already have the information, I am not retarded, so, no thanks on the doxxing offer

You could just post the name anonymously. If it’s an actual biglaw firm then there are dozens of incoming first years minimum. Also, why are you posting false information when you are soliciting advice?

I'm not even sure which facts could be misleading unless they lied about being top 1/3 at their school lol

[Anonymous User]

The firm is already public knowledge. The facts I provided are ambiguous and somewhat misleading. That is intentional and for my protection. If a firm had to cut people, the easiest person to cut would be the one they see looking elsewhere already. You already have the information, I am not retarded, so, no thanks on the doxxing offer

I truly hope nobody gives you any more advice after you so casually used a slur. It's 2023, this is basic stuff.

[Anonymous User]

The firm is already public knowledge. The facts I provided are ambiguous and somewhat misleading. That is intentional and for my protection. If a firm had to cut people, the easiest person to cut would be the one they see looking elsewhere already. You already have the information, I am not retarded, so, no thanks on the doxxing offer

R-slur why ?

Yeah, this is gross. I get not wanting to answer and being annoyed by the question (and to whoever said they're so tired of posts like these that leave out the firm name - I'm so tired of every post like this, which is looking for advice, being met with OUT THE FIRM when obviously if the person wanted to out the firm they'd have done so already), but don't use this word.