All my frat buddies in high school got no offered before 3L year...it was no big deal.

Most of the employers for 3Ls this year at our OCI are limited to what must be 3 or 4 spots. I think they are only doing it to keep in the school's good graces.

Of course, my school is borderline TTT.

Poll is flawed because it lacks the option for a class action promissory estoppel suit.

Hey 2, way to fuck up frat stud. You suck.

PE, please confirm the authenticity of the Twitter account in your name. I enjoy the tweets and believe it is you, but would appreciate the confirm.

Thanks,
A devoted fan.

Maybe someone who has found a job as a 3L in the past can offer some advice. My firm no-offered several SAs (including me) for economic reasons and things are looking pretty bleak.

6 = PE

"I'm facing . . . a pretty dismal shot at a clerkship in any city I would ever consider living in."

Quit being so picky. Look at it as a year abroad and go clerk in an out-of-the-way place for a year. Is there any way that wouldn't broaden your mind?

Overseas? Didn't ATL run an article last fall saying that even overseas jobs were requiring experience and flawless creds?

Try subsistence farming instead.

As an employer, I can tell you that I don't need any 3Ls--I have several to choose from this summer. I don't consider you anathema, I just have more than I really want already. Sorry.

6, I agree with you regarding his tweets. PE is the only person whose comments I read here, and the tweets have been entertaining. He is awesome.

I second 9. Also, you shouldn't end your sentence with a preposition.

Seriously, asking Mystal and Lat for employment advice? Who are these people?

You aren't getting firm jobs. Seriously. And if you are too stupid to realize this, then you don't deserve them to begin with. This is the best thing that could happen to you: you can get into all the government honors programs/clerkships (yes, in weird cities, not necessarily federal, or magistrate judges, etc.) This is all better than working for a hot month or two, getting laid off, having signed an expensive lease you can't afford, and already started payment on your loans. Yes, THIS SUCKS. But focusing on a firm job in this market as a 3L? Wakethehellup. There are no more six figure jobs for first years. It's over.

13 - How about ending it with a proposition - fuck you.

7 - I got hired by a V25 during 3L OCI, but that was in 2006 as the credit boom was reaching its height. If I were in the same position in this economy, I'd probably appy to the Peace Corps and look into loan deferral. Or marry a Saudi princess.

15, you might consider a little less hostility toward people who are in a tough spot and are simply seeking advice. I don't think anyone has suggested that six figure jobs are on the table for 3Ls in this situation.

13 = FAIL. Useless pedantry is something up with which I refuse to put.

Every major style guide says it's OK to end a sentence with a preposition. Sorry you didn't make the cut.

-- Law Review d00sh

Morris Nichols dropped out of 3L OCI all of 48 hours before they were supposed to interview.

Find an IP job. Even prosecution pays over six figures, and several firms are hiring at OCI.

Oh wait, your history degree is worthless? So sorry, well I hope you got an offer from your 2L SA then, who needs backup plans...

What about the 3Ls who can't work in obscure places due to family? I'm limited to one state for this reason...out-of-state jobs and overseas jobs are completely out of the question. Should I start considering paralegal/assistant jobs? Retail? Drop out of school now while I still can?

In the Stetson Law Review style guide, its very clear that you should never split an infinitive or end a sentence in a preposition.

15 - I am a partner on the hiring committe at a NY Biglaw firm, and you are wrong. Big firms will hire 3L's and give them 6 figure salaries. Even firms that did not give 100% offers to their summer associates. This is true because these firms may be able to attract better talent in the lateral or 3L market than the summer associated that were not hired. Law firms are always hiring, especially those with stellar records. However, if you have average or below average credential, you will probably need to be creative in your job search and significantly lower your expectations..

24 has a typo. His firm must suck.

We got to pray just to make it today!

We got to pray just to make it today!

We got to pray just to make it today!

25 - That is why we hire people who were on law review - so they can sift through my drafts and correct grammar/spelling mistakes. I was not on law review, so I never learned that skill. But I did learn how to negotiate, argue, persuade and win. Maybe those are the skills 3L's should work on to be more effective interviewees.

since when is applying to mid- and small-size firms "thinking outside the box"?? That happens to be the primary way of getting jobs for those of us not in a top 50 school. I go to a top 100 school, with above average grades, but I've had no shot at big-law, ever.

22: Check out conflict analyst positions at biglaw firms. The pay is decent (50-70K), the hours are manageable and it's pretty stable.

24, 29- congratulations on all your accomplishments.

24, do you have any advice on how one should go about applying to a firm outside of OCI?

13 has no job AND no clue. Don't rag on him, just pity him.

32 - I was also 16. And thank you, I need the validation.

33- you send what's called a cover letter, and a resume. You can also include a transcript if you like. Best of luck.

You could also...dare I say it...oh my god I'm going to say it!!...look for firms that DON'T DO OCI! OCI (and the firms that participate therein) is not the only option out there. I worked for a mid-size Texas firm that hired me by the traditional avenues (OCI for 2L summer, then summer offer, then real offer, work after Bar exam), and the pay was alright- that was a while ago. Then, 2 years into my career, I did a lateral switch to a different firm, very small boutique, that pays six figures to incoming 1Ls. Obviously we hire very few, given our small size, but my point is there are lots of firms out there like mine. Not all pay as well, so you have to hunt and actually a little research that goes beyond checking out Vault stats, but they're out there. We don't participate in OCI. We get our candidates by word of mouth referrals or, more frequently, by resumes submitted by students. OCI has created this ridiculous situation in which law students feel they are entitled to have employers come to them. Well, that's a silly notion for the rest of the working world, and it looks like it's about to change for law (finally). So take some initiative, search out other firms in the area in which you want to work, and send your resumes to them, try to find personal connections to them/their partners/their associates to help get your foot in the door. A good tip in finding these gems is participating in the greater legal community in your area. Join the local bar association, young lawyers division, maybe even a practice area section of the state or local bar. These lawyers are out there, and they're probably looking for you. Midsize and small firms are booming now, sucking up disgruntled BigLaw clients all day long, and many need new talent.

I'm a recently graduated Law Review Editor at a T1 school that worked in a V20 firm. I received an offer after my 2L year and tried to OCI as a 3L at some V10 firms I didn't rank my first time around. Not a single firm wanted to see me--and this was last summer.

Sorry rising 3Ls, you're pretty much fucked.

33 - Network your butt off. Talk to lawyer friends, and friends of lawyer friends. Swallow your pride and use your connections. Be creative. Send resumes to alumni at the frims you want to work at. Tell these firms why you are passionate about their firm (this is where your skills of persasion come in).

I have a friend who personally walked into 20+ law firms and asked to talk to the hiring partner at each of these firms. He had not worked at all in 8 years (stay at home dad) and got a job in an area of the law he had never practiced in - even over other lawyers who did have experience in this area. (This was earlier this year) Why? Because he was creative and aggressive. Law firms like that.

I really near to hear some practical, honest advice, not things like "Good luck" or "You're pretty much fucked." Just tell me...if I can't find a job as a lawyer, what should I do realistically? I have bills that need to paid, so obviously I can't just sit around and say, oh well I'm fucked.

I find it (un)necessary to point out that the phrase from Dante's Inferno is "Abandon all hope ye who enter," not "Abandon hope all ye who enter." It's more sinister. In Italian, it is "Lasciate ogni speranza, ch'entrante."

FRIED FRANK NO-OFFERED HALF OF ITS CLASS. WHERE ARE YOU GUYS!!!!

I think most of you without jobs or job offers should consider something other than the practice of law. After all, you must suck, or else you would have a real job. Regardless, think about the FBI, Secret Service, CIA, and other such government agencies, since they love to hire attorneys and CPAs. The pay is decent, the hours are decent, and the benefits are great. If you're female and good looking, then you will have a solid step up on the guys and other ugly girls. If you're black or other minority, you have a step up too. If you're a white male, you still have a chance, so don't give up.

40- you sound to passive and retarded to ever be a succesful lawyer. That's why you're fucked. Get off your ass, find some places you'd like to work and get in their faces.

As an associate, a partner might ask you to find some information for him. He won't tell you how to do it. He wouldn't need you if he already knew. You have to figure some stuff out for yourself.

Good luck.

I was no offered as a 3L last year and decided to apply to every single federal government employer I could find with an entry-level attorney program. I got several interviews (and coming from a TTT!) and took a position with one of the government agencies. It is manageable, you don't have to have top grades, and the hours and salary are still decent. I've been advising people to try the same.

39 Again. Also, do pro bono work. Who does this work? Lawyers. If you work for Habitiat for Humanity, do pro bono tax work, legal aid, the arts, United Way, etc. you will meet many lawyers that maybe can help you. And you will get some legal experience and help some people out. It is also good karma - what goes around comes around.

40, try government jobs as well. Depending on what you find, the experience can be valuable later. For example, a stint at the SEC can be very beneficial to you later if you move to a capital markets practice of a law firm. Applying for federal or state jobs can take time, but the benefits are good, and there is often more stability than at firms.

37, you wrote:

"Not all pay as well, so you have to hunt and actually [do] a little research that goes beyond checking out Vault stats, but they're out there."

Please explain how you find out compensation at small law firms not on NALP, without going through the obvious process of interviewing, which starts to add up to a giant waste of time. Do you ask over the phone before the interview? Is that too aggressive?

Where the fuck are the Career Services people at your law firms??? I understand, if they're anything like mine were, they have their heads up BigLaw's ass, but still!!! I'm shocked to see people on this comment thread asking "how do I find a job if I don't do/aren't good enough for OCI?" Jesus Fucking Christ, people! Did they not teach you anything else about finding a job? Did they just stop at OCI? This is a serious concern if Career Services folks are adapting to the changing environment. I've seen reports about them "talking actively with managing partners," who I assume are at Biglaw firms. Why aren't they also instructing their students on other avenues to pursue? Just because you don't get a BigLaw job doesn't mean you won't get a job as a lawyer at all! Get out there, network, send resumes out, meet lawyers. And while you're at it, drop by Career Services and give them a swift kick in the ass.

41 - You are correct. I'm surprised that Lat made this mistake, for a minute I thought I was reading a Mystal post.

45: why'd you get no-offered?

FYI, the SEC is a highly competitive gig. Good luck just landing a stint there to bide your time.

48, it's the general rule to wait until later stage to ask about salary so I would not ask over the phone prior to the interview. I'd contact alumni of your law firm working at similar firms in the geographic region you're interested in applying. They should be able to give you informal advice. This is something that your career center at you'll law school should typically be able to assist you on. Ask them for help.

37- you don't, but for someone without a job, interviewing isn't really a waste of time. What else do you have to do that's more important?

48, I posted comment 53. I meant to say "I'd contact alumni of your law school working at similar firms in the geographic region you're interested in applying." (not "alumni of your law firm")

Herro. I'm a working mommy in the Career Services office at a T40 school. We haven't been offering much advice beyond pursuing OCI. We've just been busy chatting about our babies and buying shoes. Lately we've decided to save even more time by simply advising, "This ship be sinking." The other day I was even able to leave the office at 10 a.m. I whistled for a cab and when it came near the license plate said "FRESH" and there was a dice in the mirror...

3L recruiting is dead. At GULC third years either got 1 or 0 interviews for OCI.

and the s*&t hits the fan ladies and gentlemen ... today we realize that not everyone can have post graduate education. Law and business schools are ponzi-money-making machines. Most law profs are full of hot air, living on the beach and not doing jack. The game will be over soon. Once 3Ls and members of the classes of 2011, 2012, 2013 can't find jobs then enrolment and law school applications will finally decline. As it should.

and the s*&t hits the fan ladies and gentlemen ... today we realize that not everyone can have post graduate education. Law and business schools are ponzi-money-making machines. Most law profs are full of hot air, living on the beach and not doing jack. The game will be over soon. Once 3Ls and members of the classes of 2011, 2012, 2013 can't find jobs then enrolment and law school applications will finally decline. As it should.

and the s*&t hits the fan ladies and gentlemen ... today we realize that not everyone can have post graduate education. Law and business schools are ponzi-money-making machines. Most law profs are full of hot air, living on the beach and not doing jack. The game will be over soon. Once 3Ls and members of the classes of 2011, 2012, 2013 can't find jobs then enrolment and law school applications will finally decline. As it should.

If not for my girlfriend, predilection for fois gras, and lack of sufficient courage, I would totally ditch my loans and move to Brazil or Amalfi to work retail.

Actually...this is just the "end" of 3L recruiting in the old way of doing things. Here's why:

1. Firms no longer have to hire their entire summer class so underachievers don't take up valuable slots.

2. Firms are interested in picking up talented people, but they want to have a reason. It's not enough to have Internets Skillz to sign up for OCI, a successful 3L has to bring something more: prior work experience, deep knowledge of a specialized field of law, etc.

3. Firms have proven that they lag about six months behind the news. They'll figure out around December that the financial world has started debating in August whether the economic recovery is here or not. Things are getting better, so 3L's should stay at the top of their game.

4. 3L's have lots of the most precious commodity for practicing lawyers: free time. If you don't invest this free time in your skills, then you shouldn't be surprised if others who do invest get a better result.

In other words, if you are a 3L, stop freaking out about interview slots. Go pick an interesting topic in the law, read all there is to know about it and find a Professor to work with to get some article written. In about six months, with plenty of time prior to graduation, you can approach firms doing work in your chosen field. Now, you actually have something to offer to them other 3L's don't.

Good luck.

Two years ago I was in the position of job searching as a 3L in the top 30% at a T25 school. I landed at a solid regional firm with 200+ lawyers and here is my advice. Focus on the second tier markets in fly-over country. This means cities like Denver, Minneapolis, Nashville, Miami and the like. Law firms in these cities tend to be leveraged less and generally felt less of an impact in the recession. Get a hook for each city you apply to and in your cover letter convince the firm that you will stay in that city permanently. These firms are looking to hire people who will eventually become partners, not people who will move on in three years. If possible, get a highly reputable reference (professor, lawfirm partner, judge, etc.) to send a letter of recommendation to the places you have the best shot at separately from the application materials you send. This goes a long way with recruiting heads.

51, 45 is that guy who spat blood at a cop.

52 - FYI, the SEC is competitive for students with decent grades outside the T14. T14, Law Review, great grades = SEC is an easy job to get.

There are plenty of jobs out there for all you 3Ls, worry not. I'll tell you where to look too. Follow the golden arches and you will make it in no time.

First!!!!! Eat it!

24- Yes, HYS, top 10%/law review, etc., will always get jobs. But cmon, those are not the people trolling this website. So go back to laying people off to pay for your 5 mortgages and your yacht. Have a nice day.

i never understood why a 100% offer rate is something to boast about. not all summer associates will make good associates, and the a summer program should be able to identify and weed out those people. so sure, if 100% of the class is great, then give 100%. but if not all the summer associates are good, why give them an offer just to say you have 100% offer rate? doesn't that mean you just devalued your firm and let in people who shouldn't be there? give me a firm with a 90/95% offer rate any day. that way, i know that the socially inept and the incompetent (like people who did well in school but can't seem to write a memo) are being weeded out. the only people who should be afraid of a 90% offer rate versus a 100% offer rate are the ones who think they are at the bottom.

I lied, jobs for 3Ls died. But this isn't about me. I have great health insurance.

I'm Barack Obama?

I was no-offered as a 3L a couple years back (my summer firm was having financial difficulties). Career services at my law school (Top 10) was totally useless. So I sent resumes out to many medium and small sized firms that did the kind of law I wanted to do. Then I called and followed up with them...I usually asked to speak with the hiring partner or the head of the practice group I was interested in. There's no doubt that some partners find this annoying, but a lot of them liked my initiative, and I was able to talk to a ton of them. Some of them didn't have a need for associates, but knew firms that did. Ultimately, I received several interviews and got a fantastic job I really liked that also paid very well. It is doable, but you have to get out there and pound the pavement. OCI will not save you, and you know career services won't. Good luck!

52 and 40, yes, the SEC is very competitive as are other government jobs. My advice to 40 is that this could be a time to make a long-term investment by focusing on positions which can provide solid skills for any future positions. I know capital markets practices at law firms look very highly on candidates coming from the SEC. Often, a stint there is more or less in the same category as doing a clerkship for lawyers interested in capital markets.
-47

I don't know why I post here asking for advice...can anyone give some THOUGHTFUL advice for 3Ls besides stupid jokes and retarded insults?

73- what is it that you want to hear. That there's a secret job fair somewhere that's just like OCI? Grow some balls and pound the pavement. Haven't you ever had a job before? How'd you get that job?

73- what is it that you want to hear? That there's a secret job fair somewhere that's just like OCI? Grow some balls and pound the pavement. Haven't you ever had a job before? How'd you get that job?

NETWORK. Talk to everyone. The janitor at your school. The guy handing out free chicken coupons outside of KFC. The strange-looking homeless man around the block. I had a friend who got a job at a V20 through his garbageman, who happened to be a former Heller partner.

BE CREATIVE. Don't settle for OCI. OCI is the beginning, not the end. Find other OCIs and do them. Don't go to Northwestern Law? It doesn't matter. Go to the Loop, bring a resume, enter the room, and knock their socks off. What about Chicago Law? Doesn't matter. Find the business school and impress the hell out of every firm. When people ask who the hell are you and what are you doing here, you run away . . . creatively.

SHOW YOUR CREDENTIALS. You have a lot to offer. Pierson v. Post? Check. Palsgraf? Check. Cite-checking on your secondary journal? Check, check, check. Play up these credentials, because they can be impressive if you embellish.

I am an NYU 3L and I want to kill myself

73 - see comments 37, 39, 62 and 63.

I'm sure there are more posts.

43 - The FBI actually does NOT love to hire attorneys. Most are doughy, for starters - and that fitness test is a bitch. Lawyers rate low on their hiring standards, although they DO hire a small % per class. Also, while lawyers love to brag that they're smart, which, generally is true, they're much better at memorization and retention than detection and improvisation.

That said, they're really looking to more women/minorities, so if you've got that AND a JD - take that awful personality test and have at, hoss.

- Child of FBI agents.

Hey 73:

Knock knock.

Who's there?

Jobless 3Ls are fucked.

Jobless 3Ls are fucked who?

80: We're all laughing on the inside.

68 - The HYS, top 10%, law review types are some of the people who did NOT get offers as summers. Many times these people do not make good lawyers because they cannot separate legal theory from legal reality. We do not work in the ivory towers of law school, and working lawyers need to be able to actually apply the law, argue about the law, spin the law, talk about the law with non-lawyers, and use the law to benefit their clients' interests. Those are the types of people we look for, and many times they come from mid-tier firms and have less than top 10% grades. That being said, I would not recommend hiring someone unless they showed some type of initiative in a meaningful way at some point in their lives. This would be the stellat credentials I would be looking for (although a top 5 ranking at a good school may also qualify, but by itself).

No. 1 tip of the day = show some skin during your interviews.

*Please note, advice applies to both female and male 3Ls.

83 again - By the way 68, ad hominem attacks make you appear spiteful and childish.

73, the ABA's website has some great resources for job searches. Yes, you're right, this year seems really difficult for finding jobs in OCIs, but in years past, the job market was also difficult, and we had to search out jobs ourselves. Try not to give up, and while other 3Ls are wasting their time complaining on this website, spend your time going through the resources of your career center, speak to alumni of your law school, go through the resources on the ABA's website, check out government jobs and be ready to follow any other leads you get.

7 et al,

Though I received an offer from a V10 firm in NYC after my 2L summer, I decided that I would rather begin my practice in another city. In August of that summer I sent resumes and cover letters directly to a number of firms and, voila, interviewed with several that same week and selected my favorite two weeks later.

Mind you three things: 1) this was prior to the recent economic crisis, 2) I attended the best law school in the country, and 3) contacting potential Biglaw employers outside OCI was strictly verboten at my law school. Nonetheless, I would encourage anyone to give the direct application process a shot.

A final thought: OCI as a process is like tossing your resume into a job machine and waiting to see what comes out the other end. Be your own advocate; actively network, let everyone know you're looking and relentlessly pursue any sliver of opportunity.

M

59 -- enrollment won't drop, just the quality of students attending law school.

Try Med School

I suspect that if most people had the balls and or resourcefulness to get a job without OCI, they probably wouldn't have gone to law school in the first place.

65 - I'm an SEC enforcement attorney [enjoying a day of leave today] and our vacancy announcements routinely draw scores of applicants each, particularly since the economy turned down. The credentials of the applicants have been and continue to be amazingly strong. I encourage BigLaw associates to consider applying but none should expect less than ferocious competition for every spot. BTW, the SEC is an independent federal agency and does not follow the GS pay schedule - I'm five years out of school and earn $150k...not near what BigLaw pays, but plenty to live well in Chicago - and the benefits of federal employment are substantial. Most importantly, the work is fabulous with plenty of responsibility, independence, and support. I love going to work and a great many lawyers, whatever their incomes, do not.

19 - at the very least you could attribute your "up with which I will not put" quote to a most deserving Churchill: http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~brians/errors/churchill.html

All the comments about networking, taking initiative and casting wide nets are all good advice. OCI is just one tool, and not a very good one in this environment. If you haven't already found out, assume that your career services office is useless and that you are on your own.

Be flexible about which practice areas you will work in. Don't leave any stone unturned. Use any and all personal connections you have. Scorched earth job seeking !

I echo the comments re: hustling for work. Again, the vast majority of lawyers do not work at BigLaw. They do not work at firms that are listed in AmLaw or Vault. They do not subscribe to the NALP. But they practice law and frequently co-counsel or oppose BigLaw firms.

Larger cities are chockfull of firms headed by BigLaw refugees. If you've been no-offered from a firm, do some research to see where the refugees have gone. Contact them. The timing may not be right for an immediate hire (esp during the summer when business slows down a bit), but they may keep you in mind.

You've got to change your entitlement attitude. No one manages your career but you. You can't rely on anyone else for your success. Make your own luck. The adage that the harder you work, the luckier you get is a cliche for a reason -- it's true!

I really suggest people consider casting a wider net and being willing to move. You can always get a few years under your belt and move back. And the poster saying he/she can't move because of family? Um, family can move too. My husband quit his job, and found a new one so he could move w/ me after I found a way better job out of state than I could find in state. It was a leap of faith. We own a house in the old state that we couldn't sell, so we rented it. We couldn't afford to buy again, so we are renting. We are making sacrifices but in the long run, it will be worth it. It is way better than me being in the unemployed crew back in the home state sweating about what we will do when my loans become due.

If that still doesn't work, find a job that has to do w/ your preferred field and claim you wanted real world experience before practicing. Want to do employment law, try for an HR job. Want to be a prosecutor, go work in a service field (social work, corrections). It will pay shit but you will have benefits and if you sign up for income based repayment you will survive.

But number one, be willing to move anywhere that will hire you.

91, better watch out. The SEC gods just might be able to figure out who your are. You're right , though. Government work is a fine way to earn a living, plus secure a great retirement package.

86 = nonprofit PR flack

As if the ABA does anything for any lawyer not already entrenched in the largest of large firms. Screw the ABA. The sooner it withers and dies, the better for our profession.

I'm a 3L in a TT in the largest mkt in our state, and there's not much in the way of jobs here unless you're in the elite 10% and our OCI's require at least 20%, with the exception of like JAG.

I'm fortunate to have an externship with a Justice on our state supreme court, but have no real prospects post-grad. Seriously, looking at government opportunities (limited here) and contacting any small to mid-size firms for employment or maybe even multiple case-by-case contract jobs. (Aside, do I need to contract to be covered under there malpractice ins. or some kind of exculpatory clause?)

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

FYI - No. 13, Scalia and Garner, on p. 63 in their book "Making Your Case," write the following:
"Is it proper to end a sentence with a preposition? (Yes, and it always has been.)"

87 - Great to see Fordham grads posting here.

Anyone posting here who claims to be a hiring partner is totally full of shit. 90% of the posts are from current law students, the other 10% are recent grads.

70- sucks to be unemployed, right? But it feels great to be able to blame someone....

maybe you could try the Pres under who the recession started but why let facts get in your way?

Most days, I seriously cannot figure out why I even went to law school. And if it's one thing I hate, it's the rah-rah school spirit that seems to run rampant, like it's the best thing since sliced bread. Shouldn't we all have left that shit in high school?

i am aware that i could have known all of these things before signing on. the fact that i just assumed certain things would be true and that certain options would be available to me if i wasn't happy are monumental miscalculations on my part. i'm not even really whining about the school, because you can't really any school to be in a different a position... what i'm whining about was making a poorly informed decision to go. i have friends in sales who are working 3 days a week, hitting their quota, and making 70k at 23 years old... and here i am spending $130k on law school so i can go be a paralegal... if i'm lucky, in this job market. hence my frustration.

3L too late to drop?

I like how all these peeps on here think getting a Federal Government is job is easier than getting a firm job. Its not easy, and it has always been pretty competitive.

Most agencies have a crap ton of lawyers, low turn over, and very specialized areas of law that none of you likely studied in law school. I cant see any reason an agency would take a recent grad over someone with one or two years of experience at this point. This bloodbath has been great for the Federal Government.

As for State Governments - Hope you like getting paid less and in IOUs- its always better to get paid by the government that has the ability to print the money

97, actually biglaw associate who is actually trying to help. As for the ABA, it does tremendous work, and it provides resources for any lawyer who wants to put in the effort to use them. I hope your day gets better.
-86

51, 65 - was no-offered for "unforeseen business circumstances" - they told me it was an economic reason. This was in 2008, so obviously this firm was ahead of the curve. 2009, this is more the norm

Michigan 3L OCI turned into 1 interview per 3L (and some who had no interviews)

Serious question and hoping for a serious answer by someone who is "in the know": I have heard about all these great federal gov't positions for entry-level attorneys. Right now I am sitting on an offer and it's decent money and not too bad really, but I want to know what my chances would be for these entry-level fed gov't positions.

Credentials: Top 40 law school, right at top 40% of my class, secondary journal, URM (Latino).

What would be my chances if I threw my hat in the ring? IRS, SEC, FDIC, etc.

I am in a V10, and you are not, okay. In general, the patent bar qualified are fine and will make mid-6 figures--every single one of them will, even the stupid. They have skills that are billable.

The history, english, poly sci grads are SOL and should consider some other career asap or get into an LLM program fast to stave off the law loans coming due.

I agree that #40 above eptomizes the attitude that is sure to fail in this environment. Moreover, even if someone knew the answers you needed, they would not share it with you in this Darwinian world unless you had something to trade. See quantum meruit.

107- go for it. You have nothing to lose and only job security to gain.

107- not good.

Go get an SJD in intercultural human rights - this will ensure employment

http://www.stu.edu/LLMJSDinInterculturalHumanRights/tabid/852/Default.aspx

IRS, SEC, FDIC, and every other govenrment agency is turning down Top 10 school attorneys with 2-3 years NYC V20 firm experience.

My experience is that those gov't positions are just as competitive as top firm jobs, and require the same credentials.

Still, nothing lost by applying. Apply to more than just D.C., go to regional offices too.

Also, by the way, clerkships rock! No matter where the court. If rising 3Ls think they're "above" considering certain cities for a clerkship, they clearly have not fully considered the prospects of unemplyment.

Hi!

I was Lathamed by Latham only 4 months after I started. I am more screwed than all of you.

91 - Nice job on the Madoff case.

Excellent point, 101. This is all Bill Clinton's fault.

Whatev, Billy C is a baller. I would totes let him shart all up in mah mouth.

107-
Your odds are long, but who cares? The Government is going to take a while, so why not accept your offer and also apply to whatever agencies you would be interested in and then see what happens?

I got a biglaw job last spring (in the middle of the recession) as a 3L from a TTT without a summer associate gig. How? Crazy networking. Law school administration, professors, friends of family members, mass mailing. Just do everything you can possibly do. The more you get rejected, the more places you should apply. Just don't give up hope.

is v&e houston interviewing 3Ls?

118, how is the paralegal gig working out for you?

I am so thankful for some of the great advices here. You definitely give me more ideas and more spirit to go on with my job search.

My info here:
upper T14 law school, Ivy undergrad, female minority who's somewhat pretty and likable, speak a hot foreign language fluently.
I am somehow one of these people who did great in other acadamic ares but terribly at law school, despite my best efforts. Had a few As, but many many B-s.
But my summer internships always come with great reviews and I have great recommendations. All the law school internship offers I had are made without them seeing my law school transcript. I am also up to the point of moving to anywhere with a job.

Right now I am sending CL w/ resumes to overseas and mid-sized firms (didn't really work for 2L summer though), and then will do all the gov't applications while looking for state clerkships. I don't know many lawyers, but I guess I'll contact any lawyers I ever met...

I know I probably made many typos and grammar mistakes, but don't worry, I am much more careful with eveything else than posting here :)

120, you're a dick...how's that working out for you?

- 2L at T3

God, you people are so lame. Can't you just give good advice without being a douche?

121 - Focus on what you are good at. Do you speak well in public? Then focus on small litigation shops where you will go to court often; however, if you received a B- in Securities class, maybe you shouldn't apply to firm that does a lot of securities litigation; torts or med mal maybe? On the other hand, I received a C- in Property class my first year and I am now a Real Estate partner at a top 20 firm in NYC.

For those who are in a set location with serious bills/loans to pay and just need to do something with their law degree consider temping for a year. The money isn't great, but it will put a roof over your head and prevent you from ruining your credit scores. [No, A-wipe, I'm not a recruiter for a legal temp agency, but I did get a part time job during school through one, and the experience was better than anything I managed to get on my own.]

PaulWeiss gave out offers this last Friday.

After being "practically guaranteed" an offer from my 2L summer position the firm decided it would extend no offers across the board. Now I am seven interviews into the interview process, interviewing with firms of comparable size and smaller, and basically being told nobody wants a 3L.

I have ostensibly done everything right (top 5% from a tier 1, law review, summa undergrad, war veteran for some extra flavor, great letters of rec from the summer firm) yet I am somehow completely unemployable. I keep hearing "a lot of firms will really want you with your credentials, but we are only looking for 2Ls." I have yet to find "a lot of firms."

Does anyone understand this mentality? Should I just go back to bartending?