Reneging on offer despite rules? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I got an offer a while ago for a V100 firm in a non-desired market, but accepted due to upcoming deadline and zero other opportunities in the near future in sight (3L applicant). Now, I've gotten an equally good offer from a V100 in my strongly desired market. My school states to us that it's a violation of our conduct code to renege--or still pursue opportunites post-acceptance--but I feel as though I must do just that. Any guidance on whether a firm on which I've reneged will report me to my school, and as such open me up to discipline? If the firm did report, would the school actually go after me for the violation? FWIW, the accepted job was 100% my own effort in securing. Thanks all for the guidance.

[Barry grandpapy]

I got an offer a while ago for a V100 firm in a non-desired market, but accepted due to upcoming deadline and zero other opportunities in the near future in sight (3L applicant). Now, I've gotten an equally good offer from a V100 in my strongly desired market. My school states to us that it's a violation of our conduct code to renege--or still pursue opportunites post-acceptance--but I feel as though I must do just that. Any guidance on whether a firm on which I've reneged will report me to my school, and as such open me up to discipline? If the firm did report, would the school actually go after me for the violation? FWIW, the accepted job was 100% my own effort in securing. Thanks all for the guidance.

Absolutely take the offer and renege. If career services tries to guilt trip you they can fuck right off. Your school isn't going to discipline you* for securing the job you want, even if someone at career services gets pissy.

Maybe you won't be able to use the alumni job posting board but that's pretty immaterial, and somewhat useless anyway, IME.

[top_of_the_bellcurve]

Congrats on snagging the offer!

I went through something similar to you - had accepted my return offer from my 2L summer firm, and then got an offer from a plaintiff-side firm. My school's handbook required me to go to career services before I accepted any offer formally. I think that, if I didn't do that, it might've been a violation (not sure what the penalty would have been).

My counselor at first was like, "you accepted a binding offer," but then she asked me a few questions that showed I 1) had done my research about the new firm and 2) was sure about my decision. I had good reason for my decision (always wanted to end up on this side of the "v" and just made it happen a few years before I thought possible). She said something along the lines of "off the record, I'm super happy you found such an awesome place."

From what I can tell, career services doesn't want students switching firms without cause. Like, switching between similar firms with similar practice groups in the same city.

So, I wouldn't worry about career services guilt tripping you.

I also don't think that the new firm is going to "report" you to the school.

But, at some point, your school could very will find out through 1) a survey (which you probably don't need to fill out) about your post-grad plans, or 2) your new firm asking for a certified transcript straight from your school (career services probably won't see that request, and I doubt there's a mechanism in place to check whether a student is sending the transcript to a different firm than they previously did).

In the situation where your school does find out, what else does your code of conduct say? If a violation means that you can't use career services again....big whoop. If a violation means you can't walk at graduation....that's a different question. At my school, there wasn't any concrete punishment that would apply to me as a 3L (I couldn't go through OCI if I reneged on a binding offer (?)).

[OldSchoolLitigator]

I had more than one classmate back out of a bankruptcy clerkship. Sure, career services was pissed and embarrassed, but there isn't shit that they can do.

[Anonymous User]

Congrats on snagging the offer!

I went through something similar to you - had accepted my return offer from my 2L summer firm, and then got an offer from a plaintiff-side firm. My school's handbook required me to go to career services before I accepted any offer formally. I think that, if I didn't do that, it might've been a violation (not sure what the penalty would have been).

My counselor at first was like, "you accepted a binding offer," but then she asked me a few questions that showed I 1) had done my research about the new firm and 2) was sure about my decision. I had good reason for my decision (always wanted to end up on this side of the "v" and just made it happen a few years before I thought possible). She said something along the lines of "off the record, I'm super happy you found such an awesome place."

From what I can tell, career services doesn't want students switching firms without cause. Like, switching between similar firms with similar practice groups in the same city.

So, I wouldn't worry about career services guilt tripping you.

I also don't think that the new firm is going to "report" you to the school.

But, at some point, your school could very will find out through 1) a survey (which you probably don't need to fill out) about your post-grad plans, or 2) your new firm asking for a certified transcript straight from your school (career services probably won't see that request, and I doubt there's a mechanism in place to check whether a student is sending the transcript to a different firm than they previously did).

In the situation where your school does find out, what else does your code of conduct say? If a violation means that you can't use career services again....big whoop. If a violation means you can't walk at graduation....that's a different question. At my school, there wasn't any concrete punishment that would apply to me as a 3L (I couldn't go through OCI if I reneged on a binding offer (?)).

OP here--thanks for the reply! It doesn't say much beyond that it's a violation of the code of conduct, and the handbook has all the other regulations/academic policies contained therein. It sounds like with any code violation the school's "prosecutor" will investigate upon a referral from a school official, then initiate a case if there's cause to proceed. Then obviously like any other school, a "trial" with, on guilt, some kind of sanction.

The other thing to note is that the school has zero idea I got either offer--they know I applied and made it further in the process--because I asked for advice--but know nothing more. Congrats on making your way to your desired firm, by the way!

[Anonymous User]

Thanks all for the feedback! I too felt that it wouldn't make sense for them to go after me because it hurts the school to get me in trouble, too. Plus there is a clear need to renege--and the offer letter even says any side can end the relationship (because it's at-will), so it just doesn't make much sense.

[Joachim2017]

You should *absolutely* renege. Law firms won't think twice before short-changing you, changing their stated policies, going back on their word, cutting you, etc., when it favors them.