Wake Law Students taking Questions!!! Forum

[SteelyDan]

Keep in mind though that very few people actually get jobs from OCI. You're going to have to mass mail resumes and make cold calls no matter where you want to go... being able to tell people that you're from there and want to go back makes a huge difference. If you have any connections to employers there that you can exploit, all the better.

[IrwinM.Fletcher]

I went to ASD this week and really loved the school. I have a question for 2Ls/3Ls in particular. My main concern is the portability of a Wake degree. I'm from Florida and, ideally, would like to practice back home. Would returning to FL with be a difficult task coming from Wake? Thanks!

ETA: I'm also curious about Wake's drop in NLJ250 placement from around 15% to about 9 %. Does it seem like things should be starting to pick up now? Wouldn't those #'s be more representative of the 2010/11 economy? Thanks!

3L here.

If you're cool with making $40k or so in FL, then yeah you should be able to hustle something down there if you commit to busting your ass in the job search. But if you wanna work at Greenberg Traurig, Akerman Senterfitt, Holland & Knight, Carlton Fields, Gunster, etc. then you're almost certainly going to be disappointed. The big FL firms have tiny class sizes since the crash (w/terrible offer rates) and are an uphill battle even if you're above median from T14.

Regarding last year's NLJ numbers- I know of at least one NLJ firm employing 2 grads from that class that didn't report...meaning the actual number should be closer to 11%. Doesn't really matter though- it looks like our biglaw placement's going to hover in that 10-15% range for the foreseeable future. Some classes may have 3 or 4 more well-connected kids than others, but the range is pretty static. We haven't seen wild fluctuations in the number of firms attending OCI since I got here.

[slawww]

I went to ASD this week and really loved the school. I have a question for 2Ls/3Ls in particular. My main concern is the portability of a Wake degree. I'm from Florida and, ideally, would like to practice back home. Would returning to FL with be a difficult task coming from Wake? Thanks!

ETA: I'm also curious about Wake's drop in NLJ250 placement from around 15% to about 9 %. Does it seem like things should be starting to pick up now? Wouldn't those #'s be more representative of the 2010/11 economy? Thanks!

3L here.

If you're cool with making $40k or so in FL, then yeah you should be able to hustle something down there if you commit to busting your ass in the job search. But if you wanna work at Greenberg Traurig, Akerman Senterfitt, Holland & Knight, Carlton Fields, Gunster, etc. then you're almost certainly going to be disappointed. The big FL firms have tiny class sizes since the crash (w/terrible offer rates) and are an uphill battle even if you're above median from T14.

Regarding last year's NLJ numbers- I know of at least one NLJ firm employing 2 grads from that class that didn't report...meaning the actual number should be closer to 11%. Doesn't really matter though- it looks like our biglaw placement's going to hover in that 10-15% range for the foreseeable future. Some classes may have 3 or 4 more well-connected kids than others, but the range is pretty static. We haven't seen wild fluctuations in the number of firms attending OCI since I got here.

Thanks for the insight; much appreciated. I know that the FL biglaw market really blows, but I would still like to aim for that, albeit small, chance. I guess my question is: would going to Wake put me at a disadvantage for the firms solely because I went to Wake, not because of the economy. That being said, I'm happy with a modest salary, and I really loved Wake, but I guess I'd like to know before-hand that coming back down the FL will be possible. Thanks again for the insight!

[IrwinM.Fletcher]

Thanks for the insight; much appreciated. I know that the FL biglaw market really blows, but I would still like to aim for that, albeit small, chance. I guess my question is: would going to Wake put me at a disadvantage for the firms solely because I went to Wake, not because of the economy. That being said, I'm happy with a modest salary, and I really loved Wake, but I guess I'd like to know before-hand that coming back down the FL will be possible. Thanks again for the insight!

Nah, no disadvantage- going to Wake will be viewed the same as if you'd gone William & Mary, W&L, Tulane, and other peer schools. All of them have a smattering of alums at the big FL firms and have the same cutoffs for callbacks. Those same firms are probably slightly more forgiving on grades for students at Emory and Vandy.

Just gotta be aware that it's on you to get your hustle on during the summer before 2L to line up interviews at those places if you make the grades. None of them come to OCI.

[moandersen]

I went to ASD this week and really loved the school. I have a question for 2Ls/3Ls in particular. My main concern is the portability of a Wake degree. I'm from Florida and, ideally, would like to practice back home. Would returning to FL with be a difficult task coming from Wake? Thanks!

ETA: I'm also curious about Wake's drop in NLJ250 placement from around 15% to about 9 %. Does it seem like things should be starting to pick up now? Wouldn't those #'s be more representative of the 2010/11 economy? Thanks!

UF/FSU would make much more sense. Wake will give you no advantage considering your goals. You will need to be in the top of your class after 1L year to get Fl big law, so why would you go to a school that gives you less exposure to those firms? "Loving" Wake more than UF/FSU is not a legit or rational reason.

[slawww]

I went to ASD this week and really loved the school. I have a question for 2Ls/3Ls in particular. My main concern is the portability of a Wake degree. I'm from Florida and, ideally, would like to practice back home. Would returning to FL with be a difficult task coming from Wake? Thanks!

ETA: I'm also curious about Wake's drop in NLJ250 placement from around 15% to about 9 %. Does it seem like things should be starting to pick up now? Wouldn't those #'s be more representative of the 2010/11 economy? Thanks!

UF/FSU would make much more sense. Wake will give you no advantage considering your goals. You will need to be in the top of your class after 1L year to get Fl big law, so why would you go to a school that gives you less exposure to those firms? "Loving" Wake more than UF/FSU is not a legit or rational reason.

True, well, because I haven't gotten in there yet, and Wake gave me a pretty nice scholly. I'm not making a decision until I hear back from UF/FSU, but I'm curious about Wake's pull in FL. I know biglaw from UF/FSU is also really difficult, so I guess I just want to have the opportunity to get a decent job in FL in general.

[rwilson37643]

I will most likely be attending Wake this fall. I will be moving from Northeast TN with my wife and two kids. The local economy here is really in the crapper, and one major concern for us is employment for my wife. Does anyone have any current information about the entry level employment situation in Winston Salem or Greensboro?

[shaynislegend]

bump.

[pifhib2]

I will most likely be attending Wake this fall. I will be moving from Northeast TN with my wife and two kids. The local economy here is really in the crapper, and one major concern for us is employment for my wife. Does anyone have any current information about the entry level employment situation in Winston Salem or Greensboro?

I don't know anything firsthand, but it seems that my classmates' significant others have managed to find work.

[IrwinM.Fletcher]

Hungover and bumping to answer questions.

[shaynislegend]

Hungover and bumping to answer questions.

There is nothing like a Tuesday hangover. What are the odds of landing a summer position at some of the major players (Moore & Van Allen, K&L Gates, Hunton & Williams, etc.) and what is the best way to go about getting those SA positions?

[IrwinM.Fletcher]

Hungover and bumping to answer questions.

There is nothing like a Tuesday hangover. What are the odds of landing a summer position at some of the major players (Moore & Van Allen, K&L Gates, Hunton & Williams, etc.) and what is the best way to go about getting those SA positions?

Odds aren't good man. If biglaw's something ya wanna do, make sure you really murder your 1L classes. No amount of schmoozing or networking will get you into those firms if you don't have the grades.

[SteelyDan]

Odds aren't good man. If biglaw's something ya wanna do, make sure you really murder your 1L classes. No amount of schmoozing networking will get you into those firms if you don't have the grades.

Or be a URM and have mostly good (i.e., still top 25%) grades.

[shaynislegend]

What are some "must do's and must don'ts" at Wake or W-S in general (housing, classes, SA opps, etc.)?

[IrwinM.Fletcher]

Eat at Thai Sawatdee no less than twice a week and your life will be wonderful. Ted's Kickin Chicken is pretty damn solid too. For day drinking- Krankies is super credited, as are $3 pitchers at Rose's on friday afternoons.

The WS Opera is a great deal for students if you're into that kind of thing- show up an hour before the show and they'll hook you up with the best unsold seats available for $15 (real humans pay $90-120 for those same seats).

[moandersen]

Hungover and bumping to answer questions.

There is nothing like a Tuesday hangover. What are the odds of landing a summer position at some of the major players (Moore & Van Allen, K&L Gates, Hunton & Williams, etc.) and what is the best way to go about getting those SA positions?

Odds aren't good man. If biglaw's something ya wanna do, make sure you really murder your 1L classes. No amount of schmoozing or networking will get you into those firms if you don't have the grades.

True. I got MVA and Smith Anderson interviews through networking without having the required top 15% grades. No CB though because of their hard grade cutoffs. At least thats what I was told by a friend who worked at MVA. So really, the interviews were pointless. Or maybe I didnt 'wow' them enough.

K&L will go a little deeper (top 25%), but you really need to offer up something more than just good grades if you want them to dig that deep.

To answer your question though shayn, the best way to get these firms is to go to a school better than WF. Seriously.

[PirateCap'n]

For any 3Ls who still care, a few grades are up already.

[moandersen]

For any 3Ls who still care, a few grades are up already.

Gunner.

LOL. On pace for my worst semester in law school. Adios honors!

[PirateCap'n]

For any 3Ls who still care, a few grades are up already.

Gunner.

LOL. On pace for my worst semester in law school. Adios honors!

Eh. I didn't really care about grades until I saw one that was up, but now I can't stop refreshing . . . As for honors, same here. Ha.

[californiauser]

What happened to that asian chick who was gunning for a yale transfer acceptance?

[tstyler98]

What happened to that asian chick who was gunning for a yale transfer acceptance?

She's still at Wake.

[InBetweenDays]

Hey all,

Great thread... I just spent ~15 minutes looking through it. I recently committed to Wake, and have aspirations of practicing in northern VA; is that a reasonable goal? I am from Maryland, and I do have some family connections in VA.

[pifhib2]

Hey all,

Great thread... I just spent ~15 minutes looking through it. I recently committed to Wake, and have aspirations of practicing in northern VA; is that a reasonable goal? I am from Maryland, and I do have some family connections in VA.

With a little bit of hustle and luck you'll be fine.


VA is the second largest employer of WFU students.

State – largest employment North Carolina 72
State – 2nd largest employment Virginia 11
State – 3rd largest employment District of Columbia 9

Stats for class of 2012 via http://career.law.wfu.edu/stats/

[Incubateus]

Yes. Absolutely. This is going to sound ridiculous, but I really don't know a single person who didn't get a job where they wanted to even for there first summer. It might not have been their dream job, but everyone I know ended up where they wanted to be. That being said, I just finished 1L, but I still know a good bit of people.

[InBetweenDays]

Yes. Absolutely. This is going to sound ridiculous, but I really don't know a single person who didn't get a job where they wanted to even for there first summer. It might not have been their dream job, but everyone I know ended up where they wanted to be. That being said, I just finished 1L, but I still know a good bit of people.

That's great to hear. Was the alumni network instrumental in placing people in their respective desired markets? The one con that I have consistently heard about Wake is the career services, that's why I'm curious...