Best Options for 1L Summer Job in this Economy?

[randomkoreandude]

now is the time all 1L's study for exams AND start applying for jobs/internships for the summer ...
due to poor economy, most paid jobs will be taken by 2L's who can't find jobs themselves, which limits options for 1L's

so any lawyers/firms on here hiring, haha? or recent grads of law school that can point out options, pointers, etc.?

 

[bluemagic]

Good luck on finals, dude. I'm gearing up for my first one ever, Contracts, in a few days. This will be my last post on StyleForum for now.

 

[FLMountainMan]

McDonald's. Sorry to say, but you're goign to law school at a terrible time. I'd be very open-minded, look for pursuits outside of law firms (that's the route I wound up taking)

 

[theincumbent]

I'd recommend applying for part time positions with small or solo firms. Look for those
that do General practice - such as PI/Family/Criminal.

It seems like Solo/Small Firms are doing better than their BigLaw counterparts in this economy.

Its not going to be a higher paying job with the big PI firms that top 1Ls got in the old days, but it will give you experience with a variety of different fields of law. You may end up with more practical experience than others.

Good Luck.

 

[videocrew]

Killself.

I kid, I kid, this isn't autoadmit...

 

[AR_Six]

Up here no one even gives 1Ls summer jobs. Maybe 3% of the class will find a firm that hires 1Ls. If I was in 1L now I would be taking summer classes to get a leg up.

 

[Ataturk]

Do something, even if you aren't getting paid. It'll give you something to talk about in the 2L interviews.

 

[crazyquik]

Dominate your exams. That will give you a big leg up in 1L hiring season (which may be better than you expect, at least based on some reports that some firms are already double-dipping on 2L hiring).

If all else fails and remunerative employment can't be found, volunteer-clerk for a judge (preferably in a city you hope to practice in).

- You will potentially get a broad exposure to the law (criminal and civil).
- It will look much better for getting a future judicial clerkship than working at XYZ Law Firm
- Judges have big networks, and can help you out in the future.

 

[randomkoreandude]

lol was hoping for better answers ...

makes sense but was trying to optimistic

 

[unjung]

Originally Posted by randomkoreandude

lol was hoping for better answers ... makes sense but was trying to optimistic

Ha! Sorry, you're going to be a lawyer? And you wanted to be optimistic? I've never met an optimistic lawyer in my life (except some broad who worked for the City). You want to be optimistic, be a weather forecaster instead!

 

[crazyquik]

Originally Posted by randomkoreandude

makes sense but was trying to optimistic

FAIL. Leave that to bankers who get FAILouts and politicians who peddle hope and change. You should be planning next summer, not based on short term plans, but on where you want to be your 3L year. I just noticed you're at Georgetown. Your city is full of internship options for the summer. There are 80,000-ish lawyers in the DC area. A volunteer clerkship on the DC Circuit, Court of Federal Claims, Tax Court, or in an administrative branch will set you up much better for 2L and 3L than working for a solo or small law shop.

 

[randomkoreandude]

yeah im planning on going the judicial internship route at one of the courts (hopefully federal)

thanks all

 

[intent]

Whatever you do, paid or unpaid, make sure it's legal related so you can have something to talk about in 2L OCIs.

Law school grades aren't as important after the first semester of 1L (and maybe 2nd semester).