No Summer Associate Gig -- Switching to PT Forum

[Anonymous User]

Wanted to get some advice on here.

I am currently Top 5% at a NY School which traditionally puts a majority of their top 10% into V100 law jobs. I am on a full scholarship and am on Law Review.

Unfortunately, it looks like only about 10-15 people total are going to get summer associate positions from our school. I know I don't want to do anything other than big law and am apprehensive about continuing on in the Class of 2011 with little to no chance of a big law job.

I am considering switching into the PT program here and graduating in 2012 and going back through OCI (hopefully in a bit more generous economy) in the summer of 2010. I will be able to keep a full scholarship and remain on law review and be eligible for OCI as a 2L next summer.

Is this an avenue that I should consider exploring more? Thoughts?

[Anonymous User]

Are you going to be able to get a job while you're going PT?

[Anonymous User]

Should be able to. Currently, I am working for a federal judge in the EDNY. If I do go part time I'll start looking for a Paralegal position at a V100 (at reduced rates of course because I simply do not need the money)

[Anonymous Loser]

So, in essence, after having been shot down by the firms participating in your OCI this year as a 2L, you want to know if reapplying to these same firms next year as a 2.5L will somehow result in a different outcome?

[Anonymous User]

Don't want to know, honestly I know. Hiring is absolutely abysmal for anyone anywhere and the trickle down effect is happening even within the V100. Firms which normally wouldn't be able to get students in the top 1% are using their offers to attempt to capitalize on the poor economy and firms taking smaller classes to offset their deferrals.

And I am still pending at two V20's but as I am a creative pessimist I am exploring every possible avenue that is available to me.

[ruleser]

Good luck with your decision. I almost went PT this year, deferred a year to retake the LSAT/apply to higher ranked full-times, but depending on the economy, walking away from my current job may not seem sane - will have to see.

[Anonymous User]

I was in almost the same exact situation, but a year earlier. T2 in Chicago, top 2%, graded onto law review and no summer associate position. So I switched into the part time program and got a job working in the in-house legal department for a good sized corporation. I am happy with the decision, I make a good salary, have good hours and relatively good job security.

The only advice I would give you is to pick a job that you would not mind doing for the next 3 years, and perhaps even longer. Also, the grind of part-time school and full time work is still demanding even after the first year.

[SteelReserve]

OP:

When you say you work for a federal judge, you mean you intern for a federal judge, correct? I think you should produce excellent work product and foster a relationship with the judge and hopefully either earn a clerkship offer from that judge or at least get a nice recommendation for other federal clerkships.

A federal clerkship will give you access to biglaw firms as well as provide you with an amazing experience. Most people who clerked look back on it as the best job they had in the law. Plus, there is simply no guarantee that OCI will be substantially better next year.

Finally, I respect that you want biglaw, but if you are graduating with no debt, there are other jobs you can compete for that will provide you with genuine lawyering experience and a better lifestyle. A big draw for biglaw is the fact that kids in the T14 NEED it in order to recoup their investment in law school. This has always been an unwritten pact, and unfortunately many people are suffering right now as the rug was pulled midway through their law school career.

[Anonymous User]

Steel Reserve:

I fully plan on pursuing a clerkship regardless of whether I land a summer associate position and am trying to foster that relationship currently and will continue to. And yes, by work I mean intern.

Also a quick clarification concerning the reasons I want a career in Big Law. It has absolutely zero to do with the money. I could honestly care less if firms leave "lockstep" and lower the salary. The reason I would like to work Biglaw is the opportunities to work on the most challenging high stake issues. I am fully a workaholic and this past year was the first time I have not worked full time in my adult life. Working 75-90 hour weeks at times is one of the things I look forward to which is the big reason I passed upon multiple T-35's to gain access to the NY market.

Lastly, a quick disclaimer concerning clerkships. Even the BigLaw hiring out of clerkships is suffering. I know multiple current federal clerks in the 2nd Circuit District Courts who are having trouble getting BigLaw interviews. Things suck for everyone right now and I in no way intend to sound self-righteous. I just know what I want and I'm trying to figure out the best way to circumvent what seems to be the unfortunate fates of the Class of 2011.

[SteelReserve]

I hear what you're saying on all levels. Please post later when you make your decision. Best of luck.

[Anonymous User]

I think it's a great idea. This years OCI is supposed to be the worst that is to come. Of course no one can say for sure...but I've heard from several partners they expect this to be the worst. Unless of course, the economy tanks even worse than it was in February, but this seems unlikely, granted still possible.

If you can do it, I see no reason to not go PT.