sartorialism
Distinguished Member
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Your yield on government agencies will be zero.
Your yield on firms will approach zero.
I would talk to your school's career services and get a list of alumni currently working in D.C. (any job or law firm job). Almost guaranteed the office has this.
Then, forget about any of the Biglaw firms that have official summer programs.
Google every 'unknown' (i.e., non-BigLaw) firm on the list and look at their website. The firms with 3-20 lawyers. Then send an email to the alumnus, not the hiring partner. Maybe it has a resume attached, but probably not. It's just a feeler/networking email saying you're also an alum of XYZ Law School and would like to stay in D.C. and want to get your foot in the door and maybe the two of you can have lunch and talk about the job market in D.C. He might have an opening, or be able to point you at someone who does, etc.
If you only stick to the jobs posted on your career services board, judicial clerkships, and other nationally advertised positions, you're basically boned.
This looks like great (even if somewhat dismal) advice. Thanks!
Have you been working at all while in school, i.e. summer jobs, externships during the school year, etc? In other words, do you have any legal work experience that you'd bring to the table?
I haven't been working during school, but I've worked at a firm last summer and at the NY AG's office (then Cuomo) during my 1L summer. I also have some legal experience from before I started school. Why do you ask?