Future summer associate: should I go to firm's student networking events? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hello TLSers. I've accepted a summer associate offer from a biglaw firm in a secondary market. The firm is hosting an event tomorrow for law students. How important is it for me to attend? The firm does not have a 100% offer rate (last year they extended 17 offers, but they had 18 summers). Should I go and try to mingle with attorneys from the practice I am interested in? Or is it weird because I already have an offer? Thanks!

[cavalier1138]

Is this a networking event for SAs? Or is it one of their events for 1Ls who will be interviewing in the summer?

[Anonymous User]

OP here. The event is for 1Ls.

[cavalier1138]

OP here. The event is for 1Ls.

Are you a 1L?

[malibustacy]

No one cares whether you attend or not.

[axel.foley]

I find it odd for 2Ls to attend such events prior to beginning their SA gig. I'm not really sure what prospective SAs are doing there -- they're not recruiting nor can they sell the firm to 1Ls because they haven't worked there yet. I don't think it's important for you to attend. There will be plenty of opportunities to network and meet members of the firm over the summer.

I would suggest, though, reaching out to any other 2Ls who you know summering at the firm. If they're all going, I also wouldn't want to be the only one not present (given the <100% offer rate, you don't want some random attorney holding this against you).

[mcmand]

No. The event isn't for you. It would be weird.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thank you all for your help. I thought it would be weird too, but was a little hesitant. I won't attend then.

[Lesion of Doom]

In a secondary market, I would reconsider. Most of the incoming 2Ls last year at these things would stop for five minutes just to say hi, although I think in most cases they were personally familiar with their former screeners and so forth. If skipping will cause you any anxiety, just put in a brief appearance.

[mcmand]

In a secondary market, I would reconsider. Most of the incoming 2Ls last year at these things would stop for five minutes just to say hi, although I think in most cases they were personally familiar with their former screeners and so forth. If skipping will cause you any anxiety, just put in a brief appearance.

No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. It's unnecessary. You posting this is contributing to OP's anxiety by making expectations unclear.

Unless this firm is crazy weird or if they specifically ask OP to do so, events for 1Ls are not mandatory events or even expected/"suggested" events for 2Ls who accepted offers.

[Traynor Brah]

I think the right answer is that nobody cares either way.

[PorscheFanatic]

Also, FWIW, the hard part is over for you (interviewing and landing the 2L SA gig), so no need to go to this cocktail thing. Summering is the easy part, even at a firm that gave 17/18 offers. Maybe it is typically a 100% offer firm, and there was someone who really did a terrible job as a summer (usually a social mishap that any reasonable person would have known to steer clear of, not usually poor work product because most SA work product kinda sucks). You may be shocked at how immature some of your cohorts will be, even though they landed the coveted SA position.

[Lesion of Doom]

In a secondary market, I would reconsider. Most of the incoming 2Ls last year at these things would stop for five minutes just to say hi, although I think in most cases they were personally familiar with their former screeners and so forth. If skipping will cause you any anxiety, just put in a brief appearance.

No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. It's unnecessary. You posting this is contributing to OP's anxiety by making expectations unclear.

Unless this firm is crazy weird or if they specifically ask OP to do so, events for 1Ls are not mandatory events or even expected/"suggested" events for 2Ls who accepted offers.

I understand. But OP wouldn't have started the thread but for anxiety. Here in NC, for example, the market is hyper-local and I noticed last year as a 1L that several of the 2Ls made very brief appearances at that stuff. I agree it's fine to skip, but it's hardly a major assignment to stop by and say hello. If OP is stressing it enough to start a thread, anyway. But apologies to OP if indeed I generated any anxiety. Everyone else is right and it's fine.

[jkpolk]

If you want to go, ask recruiting first. No one at the firm will give a shit either way.

[RaceJudicata]

17/18 in the office or firm wide? Assuming firm wide cause I don’t think many firms take 18 SAs in secondary markets. Also, what big law firms take that few summers firm wide?

[Anonymous User]

OP here. I've decided not to go. It's not like the firm invited me directly, I heard about the event by my school's CSO, so I think it's safe not to go.

17/18 in the office or firm wide? Assuming firm wide cause I don’t think many firms take 18 SAs in secondary markets. Also, what big law firms take that few summers firm wide?

I assumed I was in a secondary market, but just realized it might be considered a major market. It's border line, I guess. As to the offer rate, I got that number from my CSO. Their numbers on NALP are firm wide (and they are not much higher than that btw).

[whats an updog]

I never went to any of this type of shit for my firm before or after my summer.

The only people who went were people who wanted free drinks/dinner where that was offered.

[Mullens]

My take is only go if explicitly invited by recruiting.

[Loquitur Res]

I went to one of these as a 2L with an offer, but I was specifically invited and work at a mid-law/ regional big law in a tertiary market.