Incoming Debevoise summer: got $25 Starbucks card. What the hell is one supposed to do with a law firm blanket?

Anyone receive a hot cocoa sampler box in lieu of a monetary bonus?

2- Use it costanza styles when you are in the office for 30 hours straight and need a little bit of shut eye.

R&G: food tower from harry & david. yum!

cookies and M&Ms from Wilmer DC, at least the cookies were good!

S&C gift included card saying they donated to a charity on your behalf (along with the hot chocolate and cookies).

I received a Texas Big AIDS themed gift basket from Locke Lord.

Thnx, Locke Lord.

#7 - That charity was the Human Fund.

A law firm . . . blanket? Well, that's a little odd, especially for Texas.

@9, Human Fund = Partners Boat Fund?

2L headed to Allen & Overy this summer: received a jar of mini chocolate chip cookies. Pretty tasty.

3L headed to Sedgwick in San Fran....received a starbucks card, Ghiradelli (sp?) chocolate and a mug.

Did Sedgwick other offices do anything?

Well written.

Juxtaposing "pockets of happy holiday news" like firm blankets and sweatshirts with the "depressing time for the economy" that involves boatloads of debt-ridden lawyers being laid off definitely does what you wanted it to do.

11 - watch more seinfeld

Oops. Just noticed this was written by Lat, not Ely. Well written, Dave. No joke.

-14

2L here, my "Texas or DC" based firm didn't send me a gift, I got a few emails from members of the firm, so I was happy about that, hopefully I'm the last to go in this grim season.

Hi Lat!

Bucket of Garrett's popcorn from a Chicago firm. Caramel AND Cheddar!

Howard Rice gave us a box made of chocolate and filled with chocolates. Sounds better than it tastes.

O'DOYLE RULES.

@5, that was the same last year.

2L here, my "Texas or DC" based firm didn't send me a gift, I got a few emails from members of the firm, so I was happy about that, hopefully I'm the last to go in this grim season.

DPW sent me a big box from The Popcorn Factory full of different kinds of popcorn (carmel, etc.); a lot of good chocolate fudge; sucking candy; cookies; and a note saying happy holidays.

Milbank sent...an e-card.

my TTTexas firm gave me a huge inferiority complex

Cleary sent a very nice Holiday card (once again reaffirming its classy, but entirely swag-free, approach to recruiting).

Skadden sent me a fancy box with its name on it and nuts, hot chocolate, cookies, etc. in it. The weird thing...there was no card or anything! No best wishes for the holiday and finals at all. The only way to know who it was from was their name on the box...

MWE sent a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift card

God, it is good to see Lat back - even if it is only for an increasingly rare appearance!

Skadden NYC sent a sweatshirt and a box of goodies including cookies, shortbread and other assorted snacks. It was nice.

Mayer Brown = small bottle of champagne

I got nothing from my law firm ... though I am glad to (still) have a job.

Was Elie given the day off?

where is the big guy?

-no caps man

Morgan Lewis NYC sent a fresh box of brownies from fat witch bakery and a nice note. Delicious!

Got gourmet cookies and brownies from my nyc vault firm...although it was a finals care package, not necessarily a holiday one..

Gummy bears

Latham sent food stamps, cuz they know we'll sure be needing 'em!

Dewey = E-Card notifying us that a donation has been made in our name. Very generous . . .

Clifford Chance sent a very nice holiday card and a basket full of cookies.

when firms make donations on "your" behalf, exactly how much did they really donate?

firm-themed blanket? probably a left-over from gifts they ordered for their regular-associates 6 months ago...which was 4 months before they laid off a bunch of associates.

After Skadden went with $20 Starbucks cards, Cravath sent out $10 cards with no guarantee of anything for 2009

Fried Frank sent out a fancy holiday card and a warm blanket. Insert joke here.

I got a nice warm glass of shut the hell up

The Human Fund. It's for People (tm).

I love Dewey's approach of just making a donation. Great for tax purposes for them and pretty crappy for the summers...

giant popcorn factory gift box tin thingy... two Christmas cards from recruiters. and a big one singed by everyone who interviewed me.

and the best gift of all..... they are apparently going to pay me money this summer to work.......so i got that going for me, which is nice

Lat, please Elie's job for him and delete the posts naming the "douchy" transfer student.

Someone told me Latham sent nice care packages last year, but they didn't send anything this year.

Weil sent me a Powerbar (granola bar type thing), with a postcard saying I could use it to "power" through exams...no joke.

gdc -- $10 Johnny Rockets gift certificate

Damn, 47, the lawyers with whom you interviewed actually SANG you a Christmas card? Like a singing telegram kind of thing? That's awesome.

Employer-matching unemployment checks.

2L headed to Cahill Gordon -- just a holiday card signed by recruiting.

On a side note, have any 2L's signed SA contracts yet? I haven't and am getting nervous...

sidley -- vhs copy of Michael Clayton

I got a christmas card with a pink slip in it. Kind of like what Rick Vaughn found in his locker in Major League

Cravath sent me a job offer from Skadden.

That is an awesome gift!

Nice reference 47. Very well done.

Texas firms cutting 1L programs left and right

I came for the "hot cocoa sampler box" jokes.

I was not disappointed.

This federal employee got only to work today. No bonus, no hot chocolate. Here's to wishing I had transferred from U of AZ.

Who gives a shit?

54- who signs a contract? Did they tell you that you'd be signing a contract? No? Then you probably won't.

is it early to sign SA k's or is this usually the next order of business in the new year?

Jones Day sent this guy a tin of chocolate covered pretzels, along with a nice card.

Skadden DC sent me a WARN notice for Christmas.

Happy holidays.

I don't know whether we sign contracts or not but I'd sure as hell prefer to have it in writing...

I already signed my contract. It's a done deal. Now they can't fire me at-will. Those of you summers who haven't signed your SA contracts yet should ask recruiting to send it to you. Don't want to be left high and dry in this economy.

Kirkland Chicago sent a blanket.

1L Law firm blanket:

Covers the bottom of the back of my pickup truck.

Gibson sent wonderful homeade cookies from a place in Chicago!

I'm bored.

1) Got a Christmas Card from my firm that clearly went out to a huge list of people, not just SA's, saying a donation has been made. Was glad to get it, but not at all personal, and have gotten no other cutesy crap.

2) Have signed a SA contract. Signed it 2 months ago actually, upon accepting.

You should donate your firm themed blankets to the homeless.

Studies have shown that eagerness to sign a summer contract is directly correlated with the TTTness of one's firm.

Im sitting in a hearing in Federal Court. Sweet

Are you wearing a jumpsuit?

where is Kevin?

Hogan DC sent a small duffle bag with the firm name on it.

My Chicago firm sent me a 1 year's subscription to the jelly of the month club

Lowell the Hammer Stanley makes more than all of us.

http://endofesq.com/?p=758

My Chicago firm sent me a 1 year's subscription to the jelly of the month club

got an e-card from my firm...no donation made on my behalf tho (bummer...)...and I also signed a SA contract upon accepting.

3L heading to K&L Gates. They gave me a tube of anal lube and a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20.

Hey Mr Drier! When are we going to hear something about bonuses?

Lowell the Hammer Stanley makes more than all of us.

http://endofesq.com/?p=758

youre not serious about michael clayton on VHS! last year we got ipod alarm clocks. what a downgrade.

Got the same Texas gift. Also got a decent overnight bag from my California firm (splitting the summer).

Interesting, I thought everyone was getting this stuff.

didn't get anything from Paul Weiss.?

In regards to the comment above about Texas firms "cutting" 1L programs . . . that boat left the dock last year. With a few exceptions like V&E and Fulbright, 1L recruiting was way down at Texas firms for 07-08. A few "BigTex" firms had offices that didn't even hire 1Ls (Baker Botts - Dallas and Akin Gump - Dallas). Texas firms are managed fairly conservatively, so this year's near prohibition on 1L summers should come as no surprise.

Kaye Scholer sent some pretty good cookies, brownies, other snacks.

Shearman NYC sent a nice garment bag

Texas firms appear to be doing well.

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202426848197

Is energy a better place to be than finance for the future?

2L heading to pillsbury SF - got a huge block of chocolate with the firm logo on it.

If firms aren't giving full bonuses and raises to the associates they already have they shouldn't be wasting money on any swag on recruits. Bah humbug.

"came to mind when I received it: (1) are other firms still doing small gestures like this for their incoming summer associates"

what a loser. just enjoy your blanket fool.

When I got my blanket I was afraid it was a nice gift to let me down easy that they were rescinding their offer for the summer.

93 -- Acceptance rates aren't a real indicator of firm health, especially in a market like Texas. All the firms are competing for essentially the same kids, so it makes sense that those kids would still want jobs regardless of how the market is doing.

Linklaters sent a beach towel.

Luckily I'm heading to Aruba. For people enjoying a more traditional winter Christmas, not sure what they're going to do with that.

98 - read the whole article

My firm gave me a fully revocable commitment that it won't rescind my offer if it makes one.

I saw Elie kissing Santa Claus . . .

100,

I did. Still not convinced. What's the real indicator of performance here? 2 firms increasing their summer classes? How about the fact that the firms no-offered a lot more people this year?

And if you're basing it off the Texas law schools saying that the market is doing great, come on.

Oh, and it was me again.

- 98/103

Texas is headed for trouble--I work for one of the "Big 3" TX firms, and firings have already started. 3 in the last month, and rumor is that more are coming after the New Year. Corporate is dead.

my BIG Texas firm gave me a cockpunch and a case of Texas BIG AIDS. they also gave me a twatwaffle for my sheep, which I am going to nail tonight under my BIG Texas firm smallpox covered blanket.

Nothing from my firm yet. Should I e-mailing them asking when I should expect a package?

texas is doing just great...don't sweat that oil thing (y'know, the collapse from 147 a barrel to todays 35 bucks a barrel.....energy is THE future)

you dumbfuks will see another bust and you and your shitstain native son bush can suck it

I'm summering at Fish & Richardson, and I got a really nice Wenger backpack. Thanks, Fish!

Nice 108, cause Bush is definitely a Texas native.... oh wait, FAIL.

107- That is the only option. Make sure you cc the managing partner on the email.

As for my firm, I understand that we sent out knee pads and a large tube of KY. Just goes to show we really are going soft here at CWT......

all I got was a messenger who came to the door and swiftly delivered a cock-punch and some stale cookies, but that was during the first bush recession.

-CWT 4th year

107 - I would love to see that letter:

Dear Firm:

Despite the collapsing legal market and the high likelihood that your firm has instituted lay offs and pay freezes, I was wondering if you had the opportunity to send me cookies and a blanket. After all, it is the holidays and I am a tremendous douchebag.

Truly yours,
107

P.S. If you have since been fired from recruiting, please forward this to the person who replaced you.

Andrews Kurth TX Assoc here- they told us we are doing fine and that recruiting will continue, but that next year will probably be one of the toughest in the firm's history

107 I would follow 111's advice. Great way to ensure you get an offer...

WILDMAN sent me a Rolex watch....they're cool there.

111-

Former CWTer here: Did they yell "Welcome to the Real DEAL!" while delivering the cock-punch?

That's what they did for my holiday present back in 05.

All I got was a bad case of herpes......

I miss my Skadden zip-up from last year. Need more Skadden schwag!

You could solve a mystery, or rewrite history...

Ducktales, a woo oo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milbank sends us a friggin e-card? Times must be tough there!

54-

2L heading to Cahill as well. At least the card was hand signed by the recruiting team.

I heard we get SA contracts in Jan. or so. Though, it would be nice to officially accept in writing and know what the pay scale is, etc.

I got a nice gift package from Skadden. My friend is going to Covington and she didn't get any gifts. Joke's on her!

3L working for large Midwest-based firm.

I received a tin filled with cookies and brownies that had my firm's logo on it. It was nice.

WILDMAN HARROLD made donations to the Human Fund in lieu of gifts to its incoming SAs.

i got a pretty useful laptop lap desk (the beanbag thing with the hard top on it) from Crowell and Moring. No firm logo, which actually makes it more useful. I was happy.

Dude, where's my Gibson holiday swag?

Did you guys really get Johnny Rockets gift certificates and cookies? F me.

I didn't get anything but my firm pays 3100/week. Eat that all you 3077 and 3080 suckers!

Um, this is a thing? STB sent me nothing.

Texas firms are fairing very well in this economy. Law firms are handing out gourmet cookies, starbuck gift cards, exclusive spa packages, & Duck Tales....A Woo Hoo!!!!

Mintz Levin Boston sent a box of brownies, I thought it was nice and unexpected

some firms don't feel the need to send silly xmas gifts. what did wachtell, csm, and williams connolly send this year?

49 - stop spreading rumors. They sent a long sleeved t-shirt and a nice card to their summers.

132 -- i got a Gobama t-shirt. weird.

Would it be crazy to go to work for a firm big in Energy in this market? Or take a project finance job?

2L going to a non-Texas office of a BigTex firm - got the firm-logoed blankie, which I love to curl up with while I watch football and drink beer and pray that the economy gets better

2L, what Texas firm are we talking about? Is it V to the Izz-E?

S&C also gave a donation to a poverty and homeless charity in our names, which is ironic to send to a 2L 100k in debt ... rodge should have donated to my landlord or to columbia!!

2L headed to one of the "big" Cleveland-based firms. Chocolate. Tasted good. If they have to cut back here so that I can summer in a few months, they can cut back all they want!

138-
are you a 2L at CleMarsh, excuse me, Cleveland State? Did you do the call-me-back interviews yet? I'm trying to schedule mine at Jonesday and Benesh and the recruiting girls won't call me back. Did I do something wrong?

I'm a Gibson guy and I haven't received so much as an e-card.

I couldn't care less, though.

Wachtell hasn't sent anything.

Got a very nice holiday card from Baker & McKenzie NYC...

141-
does Watchtell recruit at CleMarsh?

2L going to Reed Smith. And as if that weren't bad enough right now, they sent me a candy cane. Awesome.

What is a Baker or a CleMarsh?

- Skadden 3rd yr

2009 associate at C&M; got a card and a Brookstone portable laptop desk

Does REED SMITTTH recruit at CleMarsh? I know they recruit at Dookie-cane.

113,

Care to elaborate? Any layoffs yet?

Baker & Hostetler: Chocolates and a hand-written card...the last part was a nice touch

145 = Douche Bag

151st-y.
CleMarsh to 190k, biznatch

My big texas law firm sent everyone a pair of bose noise canceling headphones.

152-
What firm is that?

Kirkland LA - Got a company blanket... nicer than the blanket I currently have, so I was happy.

Nothing from Covington. :( Well, a card.

Chadbourne & Parke: ipod speakers/radio with logo.

Chadbourne & Parke: ipod speakers/radio with logo.

DOJ Honors sent me a subpoena for my voter registration card.

156, I'm surprised Chadbourne & Parke didn't send you a toilet of the third-tier variety.

149:

Who did you blow at Baker Hostetler to get a gift? When I summered with them in 2007 they were EXTREMELY cheap. I didn't get any holiday swag at all.

BITCH SPREAD THE BUTT CHEEKS SO I CAN SMELL THE JUICY INSIDES!

SRZ:

Last year: windstopper umbrella that everyone has lost by now

This year: sweatshirt-material blanket

Both are pretty nice.

I wonder if this site is for real?

139 - No I don't go to Cleveland State. I got the offer through regular OCI, and have had it for awhile. Sorry I can't be of more help. If you are a 1L and attend Cleveland State, and haven't heard anything yet, I would assume that there is no interest. If you're a 1L and don't get a big firm job your first year, don't sweat it. Most of your classmates won't.

145 - Skadden 3rd Year - Clemarsh is a magical land where, despite being paid significantly less than your 190 in New York, I have significantly more buying power with my money. Moreover, I bill less than 2,000 a year to have more spending power than you, and so I'm able to spend time with friends and family. If you ever get more than a Sunday morning off and care to stop by some time, I'd love to show you around.

(Note: Nothing against NYC firms. I interviewed and turned down offers to a few. It's just a different lifestyle that isn't for me. For those of you who are there and are happy - good for you. I'm happy in Cleveland, Clemarsh, or whatever you want to call said city.)

160: No blowjobs. Sorry you didn't get any chocolates.

164-
First of all, CleMarsh is the nickname for Cleveland State.
Second, I'm not sure what is so great about more buying power in a depressed rustbelt hole. I was just in Cleveland for the holidays and wanted to shoot myself I was so bored.

165 - I'm curious...what ISN'T there to do in Cleveland?
1) 3 of 4 big sports teams
and
2) Bars a plenty where drinks don't cost $15 a pop

165 - I'm curious...what ISN'T there to do in Cleveland?
1) 3 of 4 big sports teams
and
2) Bars a plenty where drinks don't cost $15 a pop

I'm thinking that you couldn't find something to do, you weren't looking more than 2 feet in front of your face