The list of similarities between big law firms can be long: they represent the same clients, offer mentorship, have offices all around the country, maintain robust summer programs, and maybe even have impressive diversity programming. It is hard to differentiate among these firms, big and small alike. Here are a few things to look out for in the different stages of your job search to help you make informed choices.
At the job search phase:
First: Ask and listen! Word of mouth is powerful. If all of your friends who are lawyers in Chicago say that the Chicago office of XZY is unpleasant, there is probably some truth to it. Nothing is more telling than first-hand experience. Find alumni at these firms and get honest feedback about what it’s like. Second: Use the firm website to ascertain whether you must join a specific practice group immediately. Are you a general litigator for three years before deciding your major? Or do you have to choose Products Liability day one, and then are you stuck there?
At the pre-screen phase:
Ask about the typical career of an associate. Is this the kind of firm where most junior associates leave after a couple years and don’t look back? Phrased more bluntly, is the firm a factory? Is this the kind of firm that heavily invests in their associates and hopes they will stay and make partner? Is this the kind of firm that has a career counselor and wants associates to maximize their careers? For example, is it common for associates to leave, go work for the government or go in-house, then return? It’s hard to think of this when you’re in law school, but you’ll have a long career, and it may matter to you whether the firm churns out associates. Or maybe that’s exactly what you want!
At the call-back phase:
Look around the office and take careful note of how attorneys speak to each other and refer to each other. Do they know each other by name? Are they joking around with each other in the halls? Do they know what other attorneys are working on? Does the office have a strong feel of comradery? These seem like small things, but interpersonal relationships at firm can speak volumes about the firm life.
Good luck! Feel free to reach out to me at c.nicholas@wustl.edu with questions.