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would splitting the summer between 2 firms that you really like and cannot decide about, really be the kiss of death?

Anonymous User wrote:would splitting the summer between 2 firms that you really like and cannot decide about, really be the kiss of death?

OP here. I'm deciding between 2 firms in the same city, corp/lit split for both. One offerletter already suggests they discourage splitting and they at the least, require first half of summer there. Second office will have a very small summer class <5 and offer letter did not mention anything about splitting but scared generally for offer prospects at both if I do this.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:would splitting the summer between 2 firms that you really like and cannot decide about, really be the kiss of death?

OP here. I'm deciding between 2 firms in the same city, corp/lit split for both. One offerletter already suggests they discourage splitting and they at the least, require first half of summer there. Second office will have a very small summer class <5 and offer letter did not mention anything about splitting but scared generally for offer prospects at both if I do this.

I would highly advise against splitting with two firms in the same city. If you are going to split, split with two different cities and have a good reason for doing so (e.g., significant other/spouse is in city A, and you two are contemplating the move to city B). Be warned though: in this market, don't be surprised if you get no-offered by one, if not both, of the firms. When firms are looking at who to extend a permanent offer, this will play a factor.

Kiss of death.

Shows bad judgment. In an economy like this, none of us is important enough to expect a firm to bend over backwards. Asking them to let you split increases your risk in their eyes twofold.

Just my opinion, and I'm usually not the risk-averse among us, but I wouldn't tempt fate on this one.

I'll be splitting. But it's a bit more common where I'll be doing it (TX). Employers encouraged it.

Splitting in Tex at least is what you have to do. Not very many full summer programs. I'm currently attempting to get a split myself (although I am only half way there). I think it might send very different messages depending on the region.

It may or may not be the kiss of death, but if a firm is looking to reduce its class by no-offering some people, the splitters are the first on the chopping block. From a hiring partner's perspective it's easier to cut the ties with someone who wasn't entirely committed to you.

I think if at least one of the firms made offers to nearly 100% of its summer class last year, splitting is a good idea. Of course, it's possible that the 1% that didn't get offers at these firms tends to be people who negotiated a split.

What firms in Texas are allowing second-half splits?

Anonymous User wrote:I think if at least one of the firms made offers to nearly 100% of its summer class last year, splitting is a good idea. Of course, it's possible that the 1% that didn't get offers at these firms tends to be people who negotiated a split.

What firms in Texas are allowing second-half splits?

I know of only a few, but I'm sure there are more: Scott Douglas, McKool, Gibbs & Bruns, Bracewell.

To continue that list, Fulbright and Locke Lord also have 2nd half (Locke Lord has 1st or 2nd half options with those going wi ththe first half getting a bonus of about 3,000).

Fulbright told me they do not have second half. They only allow 6 weeks within their ten week period. But, if you don't do the first six weeks, you arent going to be able to split with another firm because of their dates.

Jones Day also allows second half.

I was going to split the summer, now I am concerned. I thought this was standard practice and all my offers have been in the 6 week range. I really need/want the revenue as well as the experience in different firms/areas of practice. I want a job after graduation more and I did get an immediate offer from my first choice. I am in Texas and wish I hadn't read this thread.....

Obviously if your offers are for six-week summer programs, there is no harm in doing two of them, assuming that they allow you to match up the dates.

It's not the concept of splitting a summer itself that is not a good idea; what's ill advised is to leave an employer before the end of its regular program (i.e., to do 6 weeks of a summer program that is normally 10 or 12 weeks). It's a bad idea because you spend less time at the firm than other members of the summer class, so if they have to make cuts, it's easy to cut you. If you do the full six weeks of a six-week program, that's not an issue that arises.

I said it depends. Namely it depends on if you're in Texas or not. If you are it's a lot of times expected, if you aren't I wouldn't even consider it.

Anonymous User wrote:I was going to split the summer, now I am concerned. I thought this was standard practice and all my offers have been in the 6 week range. I really need/want the revenue as well as the experience in different firms/areas of practice. I want a job after graduation more and I did get an immediate offer from my first choice. I am in Texas and wish I hadn't read this thread.....

I got the feeling from TX based firms that they want you to split. Maybe that's because they want to be sure you won't rely on them for your perma offer. However, many of the people I talked to when deciding which offers to accept mentioned how much they thought seeing two offices was a good thing for everyone involved.

They don't want you to split. That's why most big firms are first half only (aside from FJ and LLBL, and LLBL offers incentives to get you to pick first half)--they want to make it so they aren't going to be competing for yield of their summer associates. Most just realize that that's the way things are done in Texas and they can't really change that. Some are trying to though. Haynes & Boone has a 9 weeks program, no splitting.

Just man up and make a decision. Even if you're a woman.

I explicitly had a fairly selective firm in Houston tell me that they encourage their 2Ls to split summers. I have had several others let me know that their program dates will allow me to split. I think in TX it is just different than in almost all other places.

ok, freaking enough with the Texas! Is the OP even looking to go to Texas?

No, sadly, no TX for me.

this really depends on the firm. for example, i'm splitting with a southern california firm that allows splits (even second half splits) and makes 100% offers, including last year. is it a little risky? sure, but i'm not as worried as i would be if i was going to latham or paul hastings.

Anonymous User wrote:this really depends on the firm. for example, i'm splitting with a southern california firm that allows splits (even second half splits) and makes 100% offers, including last year. is it a little risky? sure, but i'm not as worried as i would be if i was going to latham or paul hastings.

Sounds like Gibson Dunn. They seemed to encourage splitting but even if I'd taken that offer there's no way I would have split. No reason to get greedy. I only need one job. But if that is the firm, they did certainly talk about splitting more than anywhere else I'd seen.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:this really depends on the firm. for example, i'm splitting with a southern california firm that allows splits (even second half splits) and makes 100% offers, including last year. is it a little risky? sure, but i'm not as worried as i would be if i was going to latham or paul hastings.

Sounds like Gibson Dunn. They seemed to encourage splitting but even if I'd taken that offer there's no way I would have split. No reason to get greedy. I only need one job. But if that is the firm, they did certainly talk about splitting more than anywhere else I'd seen.

Really? GDC for me said first half required w/ them, didn't seem to allude they wanted splits. This was non-HQ though.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:this really depends on the firm. for example, i'm splitting with a southern california firm that allows splits (even second half splits) and makes 100% offers, including last year. is it a little risky? sure, but i'm not as worried as i would be if i was going to latham or paul hastings.

Sounds like Gibson Dunn. They seemed to encourage splitting but even if I'd taken that offer there's no way I would have split. No reason to get greedy. I only need one job. But if that is the firm, they did certainly talk about splitting more than anywhere else I'd seen.

Really? GDC for me said first half required w/ them, didn't seem to allude they wanted splits. This was non-HQ though.

Actually to clarify, they seemed to encourage the idea of splitting offices in the same firm.