| Topic Name: |
1L-2L Summer |
| Message Name: |
1L Summer |
| Date Posted: |
07/27/2000 |
| In Reply To: |
I disagree with the earlier poster who implied that grades are everything. I just don't think that is true. Many firms are extremely picky about the quality of person they hire -- not just their grades. That is particularly true for 1Ls looking for a summer position. Because there are so many 1Ls and so few positions for them, firms can afford to be even more selective than they might otherwise be.
I think that your best approach is to aim high AND aim low.
Understand at the outset that you're going to be dinged by firms right and left. You will be tempted to be discouraged. You will joke about rejection letters -- having enough of them to wallpaper your bedroom. It happens to everyone. So don't take it personally.
Then, aim high: Target the largest law firms, because they will have the mosts room for 1Ls.
And aim low: Target firms that you wouldn't dream of working in after law school. Little mom and pop shops that will give you good, relevant experience but won't pay as much or be as prestigious. They will be ecstatic at the idea of a live candidate from a good school and your peers will be disdaining them so the competition won't be as fierce.
And, if you can afford it, think about public interest. See whether your school offers stipends for summers spent doing good things for society.
Finally, talk with the placement center at your law school. Seriously, those folks know a lot and they get paid to help you find a job. |
| Message: |
It's difficult to get a summer associateship with a firm as a 1L. I agree that grades aren't everything, especially since you need to get your resume to the firms as soon as you're allowed (Dec. 1) and at that time you have no grades on your transcript and won't have any until their posted in February (at most schools). My experience is that those who find work with firms usually have some kind of personal hook-up or an exceptional skill from previous work experience. You'll have better luck with small and mid-sized firms, which might pay $12-20/hr.
I started my job search from G-town Law hoping to get work with a firm, but ended up with a small fellowship and an intership at the DOJ. I loved every minute of it!
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