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Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 19, 2024 9:13 pm

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.

top_of_the_bellcurve wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 20, 2024 11:44 am

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 (?)).