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I’m clerking now in a big city (Chicago, LA, NY, DC) but want to work in another major market. We get a lot of invites to firm receptions. If Im interested in working for that firm but in a different market, is it still helpful to go to these things and letting them know right off the bat that I intend to return to another city where they happen to have another office? Any harm in turning the locals off? Is it different depending on the size of firm? Thanks

Anonymous User wrote:I’m clerking now in a big city (Chicago, LA, NY, DC) but want to work in another major market. We get a lot of invites to firm receptions. If Im interested in working for that firm but in a different market, is it still helpful to go to these things and letting them know right off the bat that I intend to return to another city where they happen to have another office? Any harm in turning the locals off? Is it different depending on the size of firm? Thanks

It may be slightly helpful to learn more about the firm and have any connection there to talk about why you're interested in the firm. The associates may also be able to put you in touch with associates at that other office you could chat with. However, in terms of someone being able to help you more than that, at my firm at least, there isn't much they can do unless they happen to work closely with associates in that office. That could certainly happen (we work across offices a lot in my group), but not necessarily likely. Put another way, if I met someone I hit it off with at a reception, it'd be fairly easy for me to talk to our recruiting coordinator in my office down the hall from me and give your resume. If it is another office, I would have to look up who the recruiting coordinator is to even get the ball rolling then stick my neck out a bit, and I'd have to really, really like you to do that. Even then, my rec likely wouldn't carry much weight.

I'd think it might be more helpful for smaller firms, but I honestly don't know.

When do these receptions start for 2020 hiring (DC, NY, Philly)? If I had a COA clerkship first and am now doing a district court clerkship, will I miss out on reception invites for firms targeting COA clerks? If so, is there a way to get a chance to attend? Thanks.

Yes, it would be very helpful to attend the reception. They may even be flying in attorneys from out of town for the reception (or, if you indicate your preference when you RSVP, they may do so). At many firms, clerk recruiting is a firm-wide effort.

Receptions for 2020 hiring start in December/January for some NY firms, and run through April/May for many major markets. Most firms will reach out to both District Court and COA chambers, but if you're specifically interested in appellate work and you haven't heard anything, it never hurts to reach out to the firms that you are interested in to see if they are doing a reception in your area.