How crucial are "ties"? Forum

[Sls17]

As a long-time TLS lurker, I am constantly reading about the importance of developing ties to the place where you want to work, whether it's being from there, having family there, or choosing a school in that area.

In my situation, I have no ties anywhere I would want to be. The state where I grew up, went to undergrad, and where my family lives is not a state with a thriving legal market or any major opportunities in what I want to do.

I'm going to be at SLS so I'm hoping the national name and top three status will help me out. Still, should I be worried about this? How much do ties really matter?

Any insight on this would be appreciated!

[Louis1127]

Ties are important in the south, I'm sure someone else will chime in about the non-south.

[09042014]

Ties are important in the south, I'm sure someone else will chime in about the non-south.

You gotta wear a tie everywhere except Quinn.

[A. Nony Mouse]

This question comes up a lot in various forms:

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... hilit=ties
http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... s#p7387107
http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... ilit=+ties
http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... ilit=+ties
http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... ilit=+ties
http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... ilit=+ties

(Basically, search the forum for topics with "ties" in the subject line.)

[Sls17]

Ah sorry, I didn't realize this question has been so thoroughly discussed elsewhere. I should have searched first!

Thank you!

[Yea All Right]

I'm guessing that TLS will tell you that with the Stanford brand on your resume + reasonable social skills, you should be fine in whatever market you want to go into, assuming it's not very ties-sensitive like Texas or the South. Be able to articulate good reasons why you want to work in that area though.

[baal hadad]

Ties are crucial for interviews

I recommend a red power tie

[AndrewDean]

You can always form ties - and school is a good place to do it. Yes, it will set you back not to have connections - but this is true in any field.

[First Offense]

Propose to women in each city in which you want to work. After interviews, when you decide which market you want, dump all but that one.

[Nomo]

One thing to consider is that bigger firms with gigantic institutional clients are not going to care as much about ties as smaller or mid-sized firms that want you to start bringing in clients early. As a Stanford student you should do just fine with mega firms in California or New York regardless of ties. A mid-law firm paying 100-120k in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Denver, Portland, Birmingham, etc. is probably out of reach without ties.

[Sls17]

I guess my main question, and one that isn't really addressed in the threads linked above or in any that I can find, is how do ties play out for PI jobs? All the prior discussions about ties seem very firm-specific.

P.S. I am a female so the tie-wearing jokes, while clever, don't apply to me.

[A. Nony Mouse]

I think it's tougher to generalize about PI. In terms of PD/DA, one of the things that helps is interning for that office during law school, but I don't get the impression you have to have lived there/be from there to get that experience (though it may vary). I think it can help to intern during the school year so going to a local school can be a plus (but isn't necessarily required either). If you mean PI more like human rights/non-profit/etc., I don't think ties are that important, as opposed to connections/relevant experience. If the big issue is dedication to the cause, and you can show dedication to the cause, I think employers would be convinced you're willing to move/live wherever it is for the job.

[Sls17]

That's really helpful, thank you!!