Law Students

No offer, no cry redux

I suppose I must start pounding the pavement or something. Summer firm will hopefully/ probably/maybe come through, but until they do, I really do need to act as if I don't have a job . . . because I don't.

I went to formally interview with Summer Firm. Summer Firm was a small-to-midsized firm (I don't know what the 'number of attorney' cut off is but presume they're on the cusp) that had never had a formal summer program before they hired me. This was new ground for everyone and was roundly considered successful... right up until the "exit interview" that was postponed... until now.

What I hoped for:

I had a scheduled interview at their invitation. Two partners and one associate would reserve the small conference room, take a few minutes to meet with me together, tell me how much they loved my work this summer and give me an offer to return after the Barzam.

What I thought might happen:

I had a scheduled interview at their invitation. One partners and one associate would reserve the small conference room, take a few minutes to meet with me together, tell me how much they loved my work and offer me the chance to continue to clerk through the school year because they hadn't made any decisions as to their hiring needs for next year, but *wink nod* I was sure to be strongly considered.

What actually happened:

I had a scheduled interview at their invitation. I waited around for 45 minutes for one partner, who met me in his office between phone calls. He told me he loved my work and offered me the chance to continue to clerk through the school year. He had no idea whether there would be a chance to work there post-bar because they usually hired laterally. He agreed to give me a good reference. And promised to recommend me strongly should they decide to hire someone right out of law school. That is, if they hire a newbie, they'll hire me. Maybe.

I had another conversation with another partner thereafter which was even more positive and equally depressing. What's funny is they both seemed surprised that I would start looking elsewhere. It was almost like, well we don't really want you to work somewhere else, but we can't offer you anything except some part-time clerk stuff through the year. Could just be my warped perception though. The second partner realized my position and told me to find a place where I would "be happy." About the only thing that I said through all of this that I regret was "I was happy here." But I didn't say it bitterly and didn't get upset, visibly or otherwise, though any fool could sense I was disappointed. I did remain professional.

So I haven't decided whether I'll do the clerking. They're willing to be flexible with my schedule and let me work from home/school, though the commute to the firm is short anyway. Part of me thinks money = good, experience = good, and it keeps me on the radar. Part of me thinks I might not want to be on the radar as a clerk -- I should be on the radar as an attorney; also I should spend that time job hunting and making sure I rock the grades this semester after a disastrous spring.

Advice, oh Internets?

Full post as published by Butterflyfish on September 12, 2008 (boomark / email).