1L SA Thread - C/O 2020 Forum

[Anonymous User]

Have ppl here targeted/heard back from ATL firms like Jones Day/Alston & Bird or is this more of a NYC/TX biglaw thread?

This thread is NY/LA dominant, TX has their own thread.

[Anonymous User]

Have ppl here targeted/heard back from ATL firms like Jones Day/Alston & Bird or is this more of a NYC/TX biglaw thread?

Seems like more than one of us is targeting CA at least

[Anonymous User]

Hi guys.

I had 7 1L SA interviews and have strong work experience (2 years in an in-house legal department), but have gotten dinged from all of them except one (still haven't heard back yet - hopefully by Fri.) My grades are above median and good, but could definitely be better. I just got rejected from a firm where I had really great and positive conversations with several partners.

My question: does 1L SA hiring focus even more on grades than 2L OCI? One of my grades is just above median, and the other is high above. So am I getting rejected because of that one borderline grade, or because I interview poorly (I've gotten positive feedback on my interviewing style, but I'm trying to look for anything to improve come 2L OCI.)

Sorry for sounding neurotic af. I just put so much work into these apps and interviews and I feel like I'm reaping nothing for it.

Are you at a T13 and what market were you targeting?

I'm at T6, and I was targeting a number of markets: California (Silicon Valley), DC, and Chicago.

How many of the interviews were screeners vs. callbacks? Did you apply for diversity positions or just 1L SA spots in general? What types of firms did you apply to? How many firms did you apply to?

Non-diversity 1L SA positions are extremely competitive and honestly pretty luck dependent. Don't take a lack of success as a failure - you'll do great at OCI. Especially if you're top 20% or so at Chicago.

These were a mix of diversity positions and regular 1L SA spots. I had 5 in-person callback interviews. For all except one, there was no initial screener. I applied to about 20 firms, and I had ties to the region for all the ones I got callbacks for. Thanks for the kind words and encouragement (greatly, greatly appreciated!)

Oh wow 7 callback interviews for ~20 applications is a great ratio. Going (potentially) 0/5 on callbacks is a bit unlucky, but it's not a red flag given how competitive the 1L SA application process is. You'll be golden at OCI with your grades, so just keep focusing on killing 1L year if a firm job doesn't pan out this summer.

[Anonymous User]

PW and Kirkland lets see some movement!! (Anybody else frustrated about how slow this process has been...)

[Anonymous User]

PW and Kirkland lets see some movement!! (Anybody else frustrated about how slow this process has been...)

Very frustrated but it does look like things are picking up and I'll at least know one way or the other.

[Anonymous User]

Hi guys.

I had 7 1L SA interviews and have strong work experience (2 years in an in-house legal department), but have gotten dinged from all of them except one (still haven't heard back yet - hopefully by Fri.) My grades are above median and good, but could definitely be better. I just got rejected from a firm where I had really great and positive conversations with several partners.

My question: does 1L SA hiring focus even more on grades than 2L OCI? One of my grades is just above median, and the other is high above. So am I getting rejected because of that one borderline grade, or because I interview poorly (I've gotten positive feedback on my interviewing style, but I'm trying to look for anything to improve come 2L OCI.)

Sorry for sounding neurotic af. I just put so much work into these apps and interviews and I feel like I'm reaping nothing for it.

We have a similar profile and a very similar experience. I'm also in the same boat. It sucks, don't feel discouraged. We'll have the huge advantage at OCI of being known to firms already AND knowing what a callback is like.

[Anonymous User]

What’s the deal with DC firms??

[Anonymous User]

14 apps, 2 dings so far (Baker McKenzie diversity position for DC & Venable diversity for DC). Right around top 30% at a T-40 and non-minority diverse candidate.

Can anyone shed some light on large firm diversity programs? How many they take? Things they look for? Also, do regular 1L SA positions give any preference to diverse candidates? I know with my #'s & school Aware that with my numbers/school rank I don't have great odds but any info would be appreciated. Thanks

[Anonymous User]

.

[Anonymous User]

.

[Anonymous User]

Thought I'd add in my CB -> Offer timeline.
Fish & Richardson CB -> Offer (10 days)
Paul Weiss CB -> Ding (5 days)

Two more scheduled CB to go.
---------------------------------------
YHS + IP + not really diverse + No WE

[Anonymous User]

14 apps, 2 dings so far (Baker McKenzie diversity position for DC & Venable diversity for DC). Right around top 30% at a T-40 and non-minority diverse candidate.

Can anyone shed some light on large firm diversity programs? How many they take? Things they look for? Also, do regular 1L SA positions give any preference to diverse candidates? I know with my #'s & school Aware that with my numbers/school rank I don't have great odds but any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Very few offices take more than 1L SA, you can check NALP for specifics. I believe many of the non-diversity positions actually do value diversity but I'm just guessing on that. They look for school/grades, commitment to the firm, but mostly personality if you get an interview.

[Anonymous User]

Thought I'd add in my CB -> Offer timeline.
Fish & Richardson CB -> Offer (10 days)
Paul Weiss CB -> Ding (5 days)

Two more scheduled CB to go.
---------------------------------------
YHS + IP + not really diverse + No WE

OP above obviously goes to Yale lol

[Anonymous User]

[Anonymous User]

For people applying solely to DC: are we agreeeing DC is super slow ?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard anything from Latham NY after a CB?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear back from DPW post-call back?

[wz130]

For people applying solely to DC: are we agreeeing DC is super slow ?

Totally agree. Any Akin Gump pro bono CB for DC? I just did a screener.

[Anonymous User]

PW and Kirkland lets see some movement!! (Anybody else frustrated about how slow this process has been...)

Very frustrated but it does look like things are picking up and I'll at least know one way or the other.

PW is almost done hiring their 1Ls. Kirkland has also definitely sent out some of their offers already.

[Anonymous User]

Any movement in Seattle/Portland?

[Anonymous User]

PW and Kirkland lets see some movement!! (Anybody else frustrated about how slow this process has been...)

Very frustrated but it does look like things are picking up and I'll at least know one way or the other.

PW is almost done hiring their 1Ls. Kirkland has also definitely sent out some of their offers already.

Confirmed PW is done hiring their 1Ls -- all offers are out.

[Anonymous User]

Just talked to PW recruiter earlier today, they’re still making 1L offers. Don’t buy into the bs above!

[Anonymous User]

Just talked to PW recruiter earlier today, they’re still making 1L offers. Don’t buy into the bs above!

When did you apply to PW? I haven't heard anything since I sent my app in a little over a month ago

[Anonymous User]

2 weeks ago

[Anonymous User]

What is the consensus on checking in with recruiters to see if they are still hiring/received your application?