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Hi all,

Background: I am a law student at a middle of the pack tier one school.
I obtained a position at a trade organization in March in my field of interest (technology law).

May 2nd: I get an email that my position is terminated because the organization is downsizing and outsourcing their work for the summer.
I call a lot of people and apply to about 40 positions.

Result: Two offers.
Offer One: Pros: Work at a corporation, technology law. 30% 2nd year law student work, 70% paralegal work. More convenient state: Work is very close to where my family lives. Quick interview and accepted me on the spot. Full time, paid.
Cons: NO position after law school. Seems like more paralegal work than clerk-type work around.

Offer Two: Pros: Mid-sized law firm work (30 lawyers), Full time, paid though less pay than above (after taxes $1500 not 2000 per month as above). Insurance not tech law, but more substantive work.
Cons: Slow interview process (a con?) and now want immediate answer. Location in different state than I am in (though close to my cousin, and I would not pay summer rent).

Who the hell rescinds an offer in May? I am at least glad and very, very grateful I found something for my 2L summer on short notice.

Advice is appreciated. Which offer should I choose? Thank you.

~R

Could offer 2 lead to a full time post-grad offer? If yes, then choose that one. If no, than the first.

DCDuck wrote:Could offer 2 lead to a full time post-grad offer? If yes, then choose that one. If no, than the first.

- Offer 2 tends to hire lawyers with 2-3 years of experience.
+ But they have hired students who graduated from my school,
+ and are looking to expand by 2 positions next year.
Thus it could lead to an offer, yes, but realistically I have a low to moderate chance of getting in.

Yes either way, and thank you for the response.

although option 1 seems more convenient personally, i'd choose option 2, the law firm, because you may have chance at getting hired and you'd be doing substantive assignments

I'd pick 2 for chance of job

anonymcoffee wrote:although option 1 seems more convenient personally, i'd choose option 2, the law firm, because you may have chance at getting hired and you'd be doing substantive assignments

Thanks for the input.
+ I do not have law firm work on my resume. (Just past legal work at a corporation + fed gov legislative work + Business Dev work)
Strongly considering.

Br3v wrote:I'd pick 2 for chance of job

Thanks. Grats on deciding to go the LS route too - all the best.

I'd take option 2. Like others have said, although it is somewhat inconvenient personally, I think it will give you a decent chance at a post-grad offer. If you don't get an offer, having law firm experience on your resume will certainly help when you're applying to firms as a 3L.

That said, you need to work your ass off this summer. You need to always be around and involved, show up on time and stay late if necessary. Make sure people SEE you staying late. Ask for projects, show an interest in the work, and be willing to do whatever it takes around the office. You should be focused on creating value in yourself for the firm. Make it so that they don't want you to leave at the end of the summer. Good luck and have fun, it sounds like it will be a really good experience!

2

Wait, wasn't this an LSAT writing section prompt?