Leveraging Clerkship Bonus Offer Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm currently clerking and have accepted an offer to join a biglaw firm this fall, but I'm disappointed by their clerkship bonus (a fraction of which is paid monthly over a period of 24 months). If I receive another offer from another firm willing to pay the bonus up front, is it bad form to ask the firm at which I've accepted the offer to match?

[Anonymous User]

I'm currently clerking and have accepted an offer to join a biglaw firm this fall, but I'm disappointed by their clerkship bonus (a fraction of which is paid monthly over a period of 24 months). If I receive another offer from another firm willing to pay the bonus up front, is it bad form to ask the firm at which I've accepted the offer to match?

I'm in the same boat. I think I don't have the courage to bring it up. Let us know what you do (and what you hear back)!

[Anonymous User]

I'm currently clerking and have accepted an offer to join a biglaw firm this fall, but I'm disappointed by their clerkship bonus (a fraction of which is paid monthly over a period of 24 months). If I receive another offer from another firm willing to pay the bonus up front, is it bad form to ask the firm at which I've accepted the offer to match?

I would be a little wary of doing this if you've already accepted the offer. Leverage is something you typically exert before you make a decision. Bringing up another offer risks implying that you've continued to apply for/consider other options despite having already accepted.

[Anonymous User]

I tried to negotiate clerkship bonus without a competing offer. They were nice about it, considered it, and then said no. I accepted the offer.

If you hadn't accepted, then yes, leverage another offer.

But now? I think you can definitely ask if they can adjust the payment schedule, or ask for an advance if you need the money. I would not leverage another offer once you've already accepted.

[Anonymous User]

I'm currently clerking and have accepted an offer to join a biglaw firm this fall, but I'm disappointed by their clerkship bonus (a fraction of which is paid monthly over a period of 24 months). If I receive another offer from another firm willing to pay the bonus up front, is it bad form to ask the firm at which I've accepted the offer to match?

I would be a little wary of doing this if you've already accepted the offer. Leverage is something you typically exert before you make a decision. Bringing up another offer risks implying that you've continued to apply for/consider other options despite having already accepted.

I'm not sure why people are saying you should not leverage if you've already accepted an offer if you have not yet started. First, even an accepted offer, before you begin, is a "conditional" one (subject to various things like background checks). Second, employment is at-will. The firm can fire you if it likes because it is ultimately looking out for itself; why shouldn't you be able to shop around and look out for yourself? I'm not saying you should be rude, deceptive, or deceitful. But I don't see what's wrong with pushing, politely and reasonably, to maximize your own position even if you're accepted. (Of course, if you think that trying to leverage offers/acceptances risks one firm's withdrawing its offer, that's a different factor that you'll need to consider. But it's a case-by-case thing, not a blanket rule based on the status of an offer.)

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thanks all for the great advice. I'll probably just let it go rather than risk losing the offer, goodwill, etc.