Biglaw’s recruitment of legislation college students is effectively and actually damaged. That’s not a shock — in 2018, when NALP introduced it was eliminating the recruitment guardrails, the race to the underside was on. Seven years later, it’s terrible on the market. Main legislation companies are peace-ing out of on-campus recruitment. 1Ls are securing their 2L summer season jobs *earlier than* their 1L summer season jobs. Presents for summer season affiliate jobs that explode earlier than the primary yr of legislation college is even over have develop into a factor. It’s insanity — and it uniquely disadvantages legislation college students with no built-in community of Biglaw contacts, those who suppose a Cravath is only a misspelling of an Ascot-style tie.
Nevertheless it’s additionally a battle for Biglaw companies making an attempt to stack their summer season affiliate lessons with the very best and brightest. At the very least two Biglaw companies have struck upon a reasonably… fascinating technique to draw expertise. In accordance with Above the Legislation tipsters Sullivan & Cromwell and Paul Weiss have tapped legislation college students to deal with some key recruiting capabilities for the companies. Upperclass college students at prime legislation faculties (ATL hasn’t heard of the observe exterior of the T14) that already accepted affords on the companies have been given the authority to wine and dine 1Ls as a part of the agency’s recruitment. It’s strolling round cash for 3Ls who aren’t but full fledged attorneys to deal with their pals to the advantages of a Biglaw expense account.
Above the Legislation reached out to Paul Weiss and Sullivan & Cromwell for a remark, however haven’t heard again.
It’s a daring transfer that, on the one hand, frees up full-time associates to proceed billing, however places the vital screening operate on college students with a essentially restricted expertise with the agency. It’s additionally fascinating that the companies ATL has heard of taking part within the observe are ones on the receiving finish of a number of MAGA-related destructive publicity (Paul Weiss was the primary Biglaw agency to capitulate to Donald Trump and ink a deal offering him with hundreds of thousands in professional bono payola for conservative causes and purchasers, S&C is representing Trump in his felony case and was reportedly concerned within the negotiation of Paul Weiss’s cope with Trump). 1Ls don’t have essentially the most expertise with Biglaw, however the Paul Weiss and S&C tales have crossed over into mainstream information. Throwing cash round most likely helps to negate a few of these destructive associations.
However Biglaw recruiting is cutthroat, and I’ve to think about the observe will unfold… if it hasn’t already.
Do you have got expertise with legislation college students recruiting on behalf of Biglaw? In that case, electronic mail ATL along with your story or information on different companies doing the identical. All tipsters are saved strictly confidential.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Legislation, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Considering Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the very best, so please join along with her. Be happy to electronic mail her with any suggestions, questions, or feedback and comply with her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].
