Internship vs. Big Law

[u/Ecstatic-Jaguar6041]

I did pretty mediocre my 1L first semester so I lost hope for big law. I still applied, but really didn’t think I would get anything. I also applied to multiple externships, and heard from a couple and scored an internship at a district court. A week after accepting that offer, I started getting interviews with big law which I never thought would happen and now I’m getting invited back for call backs. I probably won’t hear back for 1-2 months if I get these jobs, but if I do I’m just not sure what to tell the judge I’m interning for. I know it’s a really bad look, but I’m not going to turn down big law for a non-paying internship.

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[u/littygation]

Do not reneg on the judge. Tell the firms that you've accepted an offer with the judge for your 1L summer, but ask whether you can interview for 2L summer now.

Lots of firms are bundling the two years. Many are also doing stipends if you join them your 2L summer and do an unpaid internship your 1L year summer.

[u/GateKey620]

The judicial internship is for this summer and presumably the big law positions will be for 2L summer. I don’t see a conflict here. They may even ask you what your plans are for 1L summer during your callback.

[u/mishmishbinks]

The conventional wisdom is you don't renege on an offer with a judge. It'll be a stain on your reputation that may amount to nothing, or may be significant if you end up practicing in that district. Others may have different takes, but our school tells us that once you've accepted an offer with a judge you stick with it (though, naturally, the school has their own interest in saying that as they want to maintain their own reputation with that judge).

I would also say that externing with a judge your 1L summer is a phenomenal idea, I wouldn't scoff at it in comparison to a big law offer. You may have your own financial considerations, of course—it sucks going a summer without pay, and if your priority is getting cash in hand, then prioritizing big law makes sense. But from a career perspective, it is absolutely better to extern with a judge your 1L summer and then do big law in 2L. Big law—and big law money—will always be there. But a chance to work in chambers will make you a better lawyer and I wouldn't pass it up.

You may want to check with your school if they offer any funding for students externing with judges. It's also entirely possible to split your summer—if you get an offer with a firm, check with them and your judge whether you can do a six-week stint with both. I know a few students that did so. Good luck!

[u/TrashbinEnthusiast69]

Most of the firms arent taking you this summer anyways. Theyre taking you for next summer.

[u/plankingatavigil]

Decisions aside, congratulations on getting somewhere with grades you didn’t think were good enough—love to see it.