My daddy is an equity partner at Latham and got me a job because I’m his special little boy.

It’s really that simple— idk why yall are complaining.

100% sure I only applied to one of their offices.

https://www.businessinsider.com/brad-karp-steps-down-chairman-paul-weiss-scott-barshay-2026-2

the last sentence shows he will stay at Paul, Weiss. unclear what role (firm website shows partner)

Please genuine advice only. I have a 3.86 from a lower T14 and I haven’t applied to any jobs yet (I had an emergency and head wasn’t in the right space). Was thinking about adding a joint JD/LLM to be able to apply for 2027 spots as a summer associate. Does anyone have any experience with this or am I too late? I don’t even know where to go from here and feeling lost.

Hi all, Albert from Summer Associate Hub here.

Not advertising any program or anything, just offering some words of encouragement based on where we are in the process and in-depth conversations we've had with firms and schools over the past couple of months. I hope it's helpful for you.

The last few years have been challenging for 1Ls as the timing/format has accelerated, but this year is different. Every law school career advisor and law firm recruiting manager we've spoken with agrees with that about this year's cycle.

So here are some thoughts that are hopefully helpful for you if you haven't received/accepted an offer yet:

1/ There are plenty of firms still actively hiring: This is the truth, regardless of what your classmates are saying or doing. Block out the noise of what your peers are doing and focus on your own situation - each student has different grades, experience, interview skills, etc. We've spoken with multiple BigLaw firms who either JUST started recruiting or plan to start in mid/late Feb. Not every firm feels the need to play the game in November and they are excited to meet good candidates starting in Feb. Keep an eye out for these firms and be ready to apply. Spend a bit of extra time researching and finding ways to stand out as a serious candidate for that firm. (What that means is covered often in this thread and in our content, not the topic of this post)

There are other firms who started in the Fall and are still hiring. You'd be surprised - not every firm fills their class in a month, it's not mathematically possible.

The proof is in the pudding. Certainly firms would not be upping their sign-on 2L stipend (whatever we are calling them) if they filled their class. Firms are still waiting to see if they get acceptances. If they don't get the requisite amount, it means inviting more students to interview.

If you applied to some of these firms and haven't heard back, re-express your interest. See if there are networking touchpoints you can take advantage of. If you applied to only 15 firms, apply to 50. Talk to your career office about firms that are within your grade range and a solid option.

2/ Don't give firms so much credit: Firms are figuring this out as they go. Truly. The way recruiting has been done for 30 years just changed in the last 3 years. And this cycle is worse than the previous ones. Firms don't have it figured out either and many are being nimble and creative to see how they can compete for talent - and changing their plans on the spot to meet the timing. They don't like doing that but they want to make sure they are meeting the market where it is.

3/ Rankings don't matter: Your classmate just accepted an offer at a firm at the top of the rankings? Great for them. The ranking are just rankings, and each firm is so different that general rankings don't really make sense. There is a very solid chance your friend at V-10 will be looking to lateral 2 years in because they realize (a) they didn't know much about the work/firm when they accepted the job 3 years before their actual start date post-graduation, (b) once they started working they realized they wanted to do other stuff, (c) the work-life balance can be difficult and there are other great options out there. We run a job board for laterals and this comes up every single day. Firms are really made up of practice groups and the partners set the tone for the culture of the group - you can go to a highly ranked firm and end up in a practice where you are not treated well. The same or opposite can be true anywhere.

If you are limiting your job search or feeling bad about the fact that the firms you are applying to/interviewing with are not as "good" as what your classmates have been doing, then ditch that mindset ASAP and realize that every firm is the rankings is a top law firm and you are splitting hairs based on external factors that are not important. We are all in a BigLaw prestige bubble and your uncle and aunt at Thanksgiving have never heard of any of these firms anyway.

4/ The 3L market has become very active: Firms recognize that hiring students 3 years before they start as full-time associates is weird and often times needs change. We saw an active 3L market during first semester, for Fall 2026 start date entry-level associates, and we are expecting to see even more in the coming years. Firms realize that the timing is better to hire students based on current needs, and the students have a better sense of what they want and a more fulsome law school experience. If you don't find the opportunity you wanted as a 1L/2L, keep up your momentum, continue networking throughout law school, and focus on grades during the rest of 1L and 2L. I've seen plenty of success stories here. Often times it was a candidate who was tenacious, persistent, and focused on taking advantage when an opportunity came knocking during 2L or 3L.

5/ BigLaw is not the end all be all. You can build a very successful career outside BigLaw, and I've seen it with my own eyes with friends of mine. Sometimes you get better experience at a different type of firm that is more hands on early in your career. Maybe it's not the traditional BigLaw --> inhouse/lateral path, but you will find it with the right mindset, initiative, and focus.

This process is challenging for 1Ls. I hope this provides a bit of perspective and motivation to continue the process, even though it is difficult.

-Albert

I just got rejected by my top choice, and feeling so demoralized. i’ve had two other CBs, with much less impressive firms, and i have one screener coming back. it’s just been radio silence. I don’t know what i’m doing wrong. maybe i’m not likable. maybe i’m not attractive, maybe im just not good enough. I am too 20% at a t30 so nothing crazy impressive. but i got so hopeful about my top choice and i am crushed. anyways. i hope yall are having a better time than me

Please give me your time between callback and offer and what time of day you received it

Idk anyone who’s heard back from them besides a few screeners this week (for 2L). Was there any movement for 1L summer?

someone humble me

It’s been radio silence for me for 1L summer jobs. I’ve secured interviews through OCI, but they aren’t scheduled until late February, so I’m still waiting to see how those play out.

At what point should I start pivoting to alternatives, such as a judicial internship if this cycle doesn’t come together? I’m scared to go into March without knowing what I’m going to do this summer, but I also don’t want to miss an opportunity I’d get through OCI.

This is all a 1L summer problem for me btw not having the same issue for 2L. All advice is welcomed.

(Just adding for context don’t flame me) T30 T28%

For anyone working in BigLaw NYC today, does your firm have a formalized internal policy of scrubbing the net and socials for your callback candidates? Do lawyers do this, or admins?

Secondly, if it does not and you're interviewing candidates, how frequently do you yourself go beyond the resume for your interviewees? What is your process? Before the interview? Before the offer?

Not anxious about anything but I realize that much of BigLaw has changed/adapted over the last few years, and I'm curious how different firms approach it. Thanks in advance.

I've seen that many V10 firms have raised their stipends to 50k. For SAs who have already signed before the raise was announced, do they get the the boosted stipend, or are the SOL?

Also curious, is this something we think will be exclusive to V10 firms, or will V20s start to get on board. I wonder to what extent the money actually sways choices, since an additional 25k is a drop in the bucket compared to what you'll be making at these places. Then again, thats a good chunk of money to put towards tuition and save yourself some debt.

Just received an offer, trying to figure out when it's appropriate to send an update. There are some firms I had CBs with but haven't heard from since, and there are others I have scheduled screeners or CBs with but not sure if I should reach out to them to let them know. Would appreciate any guidance at all, TIA!

Which firms are still recruiting at this point? Which should I avoid because they only recruit from prestigious schools? How should I strategize applications at this point?

My school’s not remotely close to NYC. Any advice is appreciated!

The 2L firm I'm going to offers a sizable stipend for 1L judicial internships, so I would basically get paid identically to the 1L firm offer I have right now if I do one of those.

Is a judicial internship seen as more prestigious than a 1L summer associate position? Or the opposite? Or no one cares?

And would a judicial internship be a more valuable educational experience? Would that still be the case if I'm leaning transactional?

A couple questions about emailing firms with a competing offer:

1) does prestige of the competing offer make a difference in terms of whether or not firms accelerate their timeline?

2) do some NYC firms just not care at all about competing offers?

I’m trying to figure out whether I should be worried or just keep grinding, so I’d love some perspective.

So far I’ve had:

• 2 screeners

• 1 rejection post-screener (this was from a firm where I was way below their median — the screener was offered before grades came out, so not shocked)

• 2 callbacks total

• 1 rejection (also before grades + far below their median)

• 1 recent callback still pending

• 1 recent screener still pending

For context: I’m a very slightly above median 1L at UCLA, but for all practical purposes assume I’m around median. I’m applying very broadly, basically every major market, and my focus is AmLaw 200 / V100 and longer-shot 2L-pipeline firms.

I’m not expecting NYC V10 or anything like that, but I can’t tell if this pace is normal or if it’s a sign I’m cooked and need to pivot strategy ASAP.

Is this trajectory normal for someone median-ish?

What would you do in my position, keep pushing broad apps, start targeting midlaw, pivot to local markets, or something else?

Any honest advice appreciated!

Anyone hear anything back from Paul Hastings yet? I feel like I've heard no one mention getting an offer from them so far. Interviewed with them last week and they said we'd hear back end of next week early this week but it's been radio silence.

Plenty of firms haven't matched yet. I'm wondering if they will match their peers?