NYC Bar Association The Association of the Bar of the City of New York
Lawyer / Law Student Services >
Home
Career Resources
Resources
Professional Development Workshops
Discussion Forum
Ask The Experts
Spotlight on Careers
Vault Online Career Library
Members-Only
Legal Career Center
City Bar Employment Opportunity

The New York City Bar's Committee on Career Advancement and Management of is here to answer your career questions. Whether you are a newly admitted attorney or a seasoned veteran, in the private or public sector or have questions about your current situation or are looking to take a new direction or to reenter the profession, we can help. Each week the Committee will answer a new question and answers will be posted online.

Question of the Week:

Q. One of my former law school friends referred me to her current law firm. I have been invited back twice and the interviews seem to be going well and I would really like to work there. It has, however, been a week since I have had heard back from them. Is it all right for me to call the partner that I interviewed with to see where I stand?

A. The answer to this question is really dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and is ultimately a judgment call. Nevertheless, here are some factors to consider. If this is a typical large New York law firm,.......Read Full Answer >>>
The answer to this question is really dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and is ultimately a judgment call. Nevertheless, here are some factors to consider. If this is a typical large New York law firm, it is unlikely that you will have made a sufficient connection with the partner to call him or her directly. In addition, large law firms have formal recruiting processes and it would be more appropriate to contact the recruiting office or to ask your friend to do so on your behalf. One week is not a very long time in the life of a busy law firm. It can often take at least a week for a large firm to collect comments from the lawyers with whom you interviewed.

If, on the other hand, we are talking about a small firm without a formal recruiting process, you may have no choice but to contact the partner. An alternative, however, may be to contact your friend. You also may consider waiting another week, assuming you have the time to do so.

Ultimately, if you do choose to contact the partner, you may consider sending an email because an email is easier for a partner to respond to than a call.

View all previously posted questions and answers


Please type in your career question:



Name :

Your name will be kept strictly confidential. Only your initials will be used.
By submitting your question, you grant the New York City Bar Association the right to reprint your submission in print and electronic form. Please note we are unable to answer all questions that are submitted.



back to top

The answers do not necessarily represent the views of the New York City Bar Association or the Committee on Career Advancement and Management.



© 2008 The Association of the Bar of the City of New York. All rights reserved.
42 West 44th Street New York, NY 10036
(212) 382-6600