What Does "Having Ties" Mean and Do in Terms of Hiring? Forum

[ksllaw]

I've seen a lot of people mention that it can help to "have ties" to a region when it comes to hiring and getting a job out of law school.

My question is what that really means in actual terms? And, how would that play out in terms of getting hired over another person w/o ties?

For example, does it mean one has many friends who are also associates in a region? If so, how might they actually help? ...Do associates, for example, have hiring power/influence at all?

Would love to learn more about this. Appreciate everyone's help and time!

[071816]

here we go...

[vanwinkle]

--ImageRemoved--

[ksllaw]

very funny children ...but I actually was serious about that question.

[IAFG]

Does every thought that pops into your head warrant its own thread? I guess the tried-and-true method of learning by searching, lurking and reading was too time-intensive for you?

[alwayssunnyinfl]

Does every thought that pops into your head warrant its own thread? I guess the tried-and-true method of learning by searching, lurking and reading was too time-intensive for you?

I'm guessing, based on the condescension and overuse of smileys, that we're dealing with a boomer.

[ksllaw]

I'm guessing, based on the condescension and overuse of smileys, that we're dealing with a boomer.

Did I come across as condescending? If so, I'm sorry.

It's actually very much against my nature, as I am caring and friendly. I know I was playfully bantering with the two posts above, but never mean people harm.

I was actually serious about that question, because it seems important. The posts I've read in the past never seemed to specify what is meant by the "ties" thing when people talked about it.

I'll go ahead and make this my last thread post (that I start) everyone. Hopefully that cuts down on the thread volume from potentially repeated topics. Nevertheless, it was fun and educational being here and I appreciate everyone's advice and insights to me in the past (and hopefully they've helped others too). Rest assured I will not start another post (I need to be studying more intensely for the LSAT as well, lol). I might once in a while comment on an existing one, but I'm going to refrain from starting any new thread posts. I actually do feel like I start too many; I just need to learn some self-control (like eating too many sweets or chips!).

*reminder to self: no more thread starting...no more thread starting!*

Take care and good luck to everyone in their studies and future pursuits!

[cinephile]

It probably depends on the market. I grew up in Ohio about an hour away from the Indiana state line and only two hours away from Indianapolis. When my sister and I were young, my parents would often take us to Indianapolis on the weekends so I know the city really well and could see myself being happy there. And yet, when I applied to firms in Indy, they asked about my Indiana ties. Even though I kept my mom's home address on my resume and told them all about that above, they were like so you have Ohio ties which aren't really Indiana ties. Two hours away and visiting all the time seems awfully close to me, but I guess they didn't consider it a tie.

Incidentally, I grew up approximately 2 hours away from Columbus, but because I still happened to be from Ohio they seemed to think that it was cool. One firm told me they were glad to be interviewing a local, and I'm like, okay I'm a local I guess.

So yeah, like everything it can depend. I highly doubt, however, that having friends in that city mean anything to anyone.

[ksllaw]

It probably depends on the market. I grew up in Ohio about an hour away from the Indiana state line and only two hours away from Indianapolis. When my sister and I were young, my parents would often take us to Indianapolis on the weekends so I know the city really well and could see myself being happy there. And yet, when I applied to firms in Indy, they asked about my Indiana ties. Even though I kept my mom's home address on my resume and told them all about that above, they were like so you have Ohio ties which aren't really Indiana ties. Two hours away and visiting all the time seems awfully close to me, but I guess they didn't consider it a tie.

Incidentally, I grew up approximately 2 hours away from Columbus, but because I still happened to be from Ohio they seemed to think that it was cool. One firm told me they were glad to be interviewing a local, and I'm like, okay I'm a local I guess.

So yeah, like everything it can depend. I highly doubt, however, that having friends in that city mean anything to anyone.

Oh. I think I might see what you mean. You're not talking about biglaw hiring right? Or ARE you? I can see how a local firm might want a person with local ties, since you'd need clients in that area. But I was thinking in terms of biglaw hiring. If you WERE talking about biglaw, then that's where it confuses me. How would ties matter in that case?

I was thinking that I do have various friends and acquaintances who are associates in biglaw and small law in various regions, but my thought was how could that help me in anyway? ....As far as I know they wouldn't have hiring power and I wouldn't think they had much influence. Most are literally just starting out...none are partners or close to it.

So, I'm just sort of looking deeper into how "ties" can help and what we even mean by ties. I think I see your point, though, if you were talking about small law.

[cinephile]

No, I'm talking about biglaw. Biglaw cares about these sorts of things.

Also, I grew up an equal distance from Indy and C-bus, but because I happened to also be from from Ohio, the Columbus firms didn't grill me on ties to the state the way Indianapolis firms did. That struck me as weird because the geographic (and I would think cultural) distance was the same.

Also, friends in cities really do not matter at all. I had friends working in the Indianapolis firms I applied to and it didn't make a difference.

[ksllaw]

No, I'm talking about biglaw. Everyone cares about these sorts of things.

Oh! Hmmm, but I thought biglaw's clients are large corporations? ....in which case having personal friends and family in the area wouldn't necessarily help, right? That's where the confusion is..how do "ties" actually help.

Thanks for the response, btw.

[Gorki]

No, I'm talking about biglaw. Everyone cares about these sorts of things.

Oh! Hmmm, but I thought biglaw's clients are large corporations? ....in which case having personal friends and family in the area wouldn't necessarily help, right? That's where the confusion is..how do "ties" actually help.

Thanks for the response, btw.

Does not matter whether its a biglaw firm or a country law practice. You will be living in that city/town/hamlet while working at the firm. Firm does not want to invest the 1~3 years it takes for a fresh grad to become a financial asset to them when you lied about how "charming" the city is and have absolutely hated it. They are out all their time and money training you when you out of the blue move and take whatever other job back where you wished you lived/stayed.

ITE firms are even more selective b/c they can seriously find 5-10 people minimum with your same story. In my own home state I have had several firms ask why I would want to practice in a town so far away (but in the SAME state) as my hometown. We are talking no more than 150-225 miles here...

[iMisto]

^ I really don't understand why people are assholes on here. Is this a library or a forum?

I'm interested in this question as well. I hear people talk about ties and wonder if they're talking about familial ties, or professional (I take it, legal?) ties to a region. For example, I have all sorts of ties to Phoenix, but only a few are attorneys...

Regardless, I'll just go search the TLS library for some answers...

EDIT: This thread pops up first in search... how helpful! Now, all those little searchers navigating TLS will find their answer.

[Mike12188]

^ I really don't understand why people are assholes on here. Is this a library or a forum?

I'm interested in this question as well. I hear people talk about ties and wonder if they're talking about familial ties, or professional (I take it, legal?) ties to a region. For example, I have all sorts of ties to Phoenix, but only a few are attorneys...

Regardless, I'll just go search the TLS library for some answers...

Well there is really no need to search anymore since it is answered right above you.

[iMisto]

^ I really don't understand why people are assholes on here. Is this a library or a forum?

I'm interested in this question as well. I hear people talk about ties and wonder if they're talking about familial ties, or professional (I take it, legal?) ties to a region. For example, I have all sorts of ties to Phoenix, but only a few are attorneys...

Regardless, I'll just go search the TLS library for some answers...

Well there is really no need to search anymore since it is answered right above you.

I see that.

My post was in regards to TLS assholes in general. I totally get that people should learn to use the 'search' function, but I don't understand why people lose all sense of decency when a poster asks a question. In fact, it's very helpful to read a more recent answer to a question, than say, an answer from a few years ago. I clicked on this thread because I was also curious (I didn't create a new thread), but the first several responses were needlessly rude. The average person wouldn't respond with such a lack of manners in real life. It's as if the interwebs permits absurdly hostile behavior.

Just my .02

[cinephile]

I'm interested in this question as well. I hear people talk about ties and wonder if they're talking about familial ties, or professional (I take it, legal?) ties to a region. For example, I have all sorts of ties to Phoenix, but only a few are attorneys...

Ties are something that would actually keep you in this city forever and ever. Like my spouse is from here and has a job here so I'm 100% set on staying in this city. Or I own a home here. Or I grew up here, all my family still lives here.

[Ruxin1]

^ I really don't understand why people are assholes on here. Is this a library or a forum?

I'm interested in this question as well. I hear people talk about ties and wonder if they're talking about familial ties, or professional (I take it, legal?) ties to a region. For example, I have all sorts of ties to Phoenix, but only a few are attorneys...

Regardless, I'll just go search the TLS library for some answers...

Well there is really no need to search anymore since it is answered right above you.

I see that.

My post was in regards to TLS assholes in general. I totally get that people should learn to use the 'search' function, but I don't understand why people lose all sense of decency when a poster asks a question. In fact, it's very helpful to read a more recent answer to a question, than say, an answer from a few years ago. I clicked on this thread because I was also curious (I didn't create a new thread), but the first several responses were needlessly rude. The average person wouldn't respond with such a lack of manners in real life. It's as if the interwebs permits absurdly hostile behavior.

Just my .02

When a search of ties nets you >18,000 hits.

[iMisto]

^ I really don't understand why people are assholes on here. Is this a library or a forum?

I'm interested in this question as well. I hear people talk about ties and wonder if they're talking about familial ties, or professional (I take it, legal?) ties to a region. For example, I have all sorts of ties to Phoenix, but only a few are attorneys...

Regardless, I'll just go search the TLS library for some answers...

Well there is really no need to search anymore since it is answered right above you.

I see that.

My post was in regards to TLS assholes in general. I totally get that people should learn to use the 'search' function, but I don't understand why people lose all sense of decency when a poster asks a question. In fact, it's very helpful to read a more recent answer to a question, than say, an answer from a few years ago. I clicked on this thread because I was also curious (I didn't create a new thread), but the first several responses were needlessly rude. The average person wouldn't respond with such a lack of manners in real life. It's as if the interwebs permits absurdly hostile behavior.

Just my .02

When a search of ties nets you >18,000 hits.

Your point being??

[Swimp]

^ I really don't understand why people are assholes on here. Is this a library or a forum?

I'm interested in this question as well. I hear people talk about ties and wonder if they're talking about familial ties, or professional (I take it, legal?) ties to a region. For example, I have all sorts of ties to Phoenix, but only a few are attorneys...

Regardless, I'll just go search the TLS library for some answers...

EDIT: This thread pops up first in search... how helpful! Now, all those little searchers navigating TLS will find their answer.

I don't think the initial responses to this thread were really about this thread. I think they were more about how many threads ksllaw has started recently, and how often he/she appears to have done no research at all before starting them.

With that said, probably the right course of action is to ignore them rather than to lash out.

[iMisto]

^ I really don't understand why people are assholes on here. Is this a library or a forum?

I'm interested in this question as well. I hear people talk about ties and wonder if they're talking about familial ties, or professional (I take it, legal?) ties to a region. For example, I have all sorts of ties to Phoenix, but only a few are attorneys...

Regardless, I'll just go search the TLS library for some answers...

EDIT: This thread pops up first in search... how helpful! Now, all those little searchers navigating TLS will find their answer.

I don't think the initial responses to this thread were really about this thread. I think they were more about how many threads ksllaw has started recently, and how often he/she appears to have done no research at all before starting them.

With that said, probably the right course of action is to ignore them rather than to lash out.

It's my guess you're referring to the not-so-helpful responses.

My post wasn't even about this thread in particular. I see those sorts of responses all the time (though, I haven't stopped to check if OP is the same in each thread ).

[alwayssunnyinfl]

You sound like you have a terrible sense of humor.

[iMisto]

You sound like you have a terrible sense of humor.

OMG, I've totally heard that before. Maybe it's true...

I love you Sunny, and I love Queens of Comedy. <3 <3

[shntn]

You sound like you have a terrible sense of humor.

OMG, I've totally heard that before. Maybe it's true...

I love you Sunny, and I love Queens of Comedy. <3 <3

lolwut

[iMisto]

You sound like you have a terrible sense of humor.

OMG, I've totally heard that before. Maybe it's true...

I love you Sunny, and I love Queens of Comedy. <3 <3

lolwut

You're obviously not gay enough. Let me help you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgnz9lfXFGE

[nickb285]

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