A Tough Market: Summers Not Getting Offer from Law Firms Should Know Sonia Sotomayer Was No-Offered By Paul Weiss

Rejection not only stings. It could be a disaster, at least early in a law career, if a summer associate does not receive an offer of a full-time position after graduation. 

This summer, when the overall job market for junior lawyers is terrible, this no-offer topic is coming up a lot on professional anonymous networks. Here is a recent one on Fishbowl Big Law:

"I know of summer associates that are likely not going to get offers, but it is not because they had horrible personalities, did something reckless, or anything. I’m worried for them. Starting this thread so they have something to go to — people who got no offer and are doing great now."

In her bestseller book "My Beloved World," current US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayer ponies up the fact that she was no-offered at Paul Weiss. When she graduated Yale Law School she went the route of public service. Never again did she dabble in Big Law for a career path. 

In his bestseller "Zero to One," billionaire venture capitalist and conservative activist Peter Thiel shares that he had had two SCOTUS interviiews for clerking. He was rejected for both. Had he not have been he might have stayed in law after receiving his JD from Stanford. Even if he has excelled  in practicing law he might have only wound up a millionaire. The Profit Per Equity Partner for Paul Weiss is only a bit over $6 million. Peanuts in the current Gilded Age. 

As I tell my coaching clients, fit is everything. Being turned down for a job means progress in the journey to the right one. 

2023. The only way through the uncertainty, AI disruptions and need to conserve financial resources is to get smarter. That ranges from your organizational communications to career issues.  Complimentary consultation with award-winning marketing communications crafter and coach Jane Genova. (For appointments text 203-468-8579 or janegenova374@gmail.com)


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