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Title: Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams by Kimm Alayne Walton, Gilbert ISBN: 0-15-900317-2 Publisher: Harcourt Brace Legal & Professional Publications Pub. Date: 01 February, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.91 (22 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Mixed Feelings
Comment: I have read this book, and admittedly not employed all of its suggestions. However, from what I have read and tried, my feelings are mixed. First of all, I'm a graduate from the bottom of the class of a "Top 10" law school. I could not get into any firm, thus I don't have the problem of having to explain not receiving an offer after my summer (I'm interested in gov't at this point).
Grades/school: this book is great for people who are currently enrolled and doing fairly ok-to-well in law school, and want an extra boost to get into a better firm/employer. Students at the very top and very bottom of the class are unlikely to benefit from the book. Why? Because most firms only look at grades, then school, nothing else. Almost all big firms, the ones most capable of hiring graduates, won't hire below the top 75% of a top law school. Kimm suggests avoiding firms that are concerned about grades. Well, unfortunately, that would be almost all of the firms except the ones that pay $28K a year.
Small firms: the author suggests looking at small firms. The problem is these firms also tend to be fixated on grades, sometimes even more so than large firms. In addition, small firms tend to be very low paying ($40K and below) and you will be required to work the same long hours as at a big firm. Grant it, you will have your foot in the door. On the other hand, small firms don't hire until you admitted to the bar, so you're looking at a few months without an income, or longer if you don't pass the bar the first time.
Volunteering: the book suggests doing this at various gov't agencies like DA's or City Attorney's offices. Watch out: most of these places will use the free help and not offer a job. They DO hire volunteers in boom times, but then everyone hires in a boom time so there would be no point in volunteering in the first place. You have to be at the right place at the right time. The experience you will get from volunteering is limited, on the other hand if you are unsure about what you want to do (i.e., corporate vs. litigation), it can be helpful.
Networking: Kimm suggests ways to network. I actually tried her suggestions, and found that I was meeting partners from large grade-heavy firms who could never hire me if they wanted to, OR, solo practicioners. This makes sense, because these are the people who need to make appearances at public events the most. I never really ran into that associate/partner at an up and coming small or mid-sized firm that was recruiting heavily. Although we are in a recession, many firms are doing well. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. However, it seems that more and more firms have set procedures for hiring and are not willing to be schmoozed as easily as in the past.
Mass mailings: her opinion of mass mailings have been confirmed by many attorneys who received my resume. However, I did receive 3 interviews that way. Moreover, if one does not do a mass mailing, how is one supposed to contact employers? Afterall, it is a numbers game. To her credit, I think Kimm talks about well-tailored emails to alum at law firms. This works well, but again, if the firm has a grade-floor, there is no way around it generally.
In conclusion, while many of Kimm's suggestions would be fruitful for that student in the top 55% of a top 25 school wanting to work in NYC, it is not right for everyone.
Rating: 3
Summary: Good tool, but not a magic wand.
Comment: This book won't magically open the door to the legal job of your dreams, but it might empower you with some tools so that you don't totally goof up a great opportunity. Much of the advice is very common sense- yet the explanations behind some of the advice are what is helpful.
I found the book very well supported, even though I did not agree with all of the author's advice. For example, I appreciated her explanation of how to handle the interview question regarding a "weakness." On the other hand, I disagreed with her unorthodox advice to not broach the issue of salary and benefits in an interview. I found her emphasis on the importance of networking to be lengthy. After all, if you're extremely connected within the legal community, you probably don't need this book. Also irritating was the advice to sell yourself in an interview like an "infommercial." I did, however, appreciate her take on certain interview questions and the advice to keep your answers focused on "what is in it for the interviewer."
There is no magic formula in this book, but it is a good presentation of one person's attack strategy in the legal job market. I gave it only three stars because the book made grand promises that I felt it didn't keep and because it is a bit overpriced.
Rating: 1
Summary: Save Your Money
Comment: This book provides some rather basic common sense approaches to finding a job. I would not buy the book. However, if your library has a copy check it out of the library and read it or go to your local book store and sit down and read it with a cup of coffee. I think she makes suggestions about how to get a job that are just extremely unlikely to materialize. She suggests that you can get a job at a big firm by first working as a Contract Attorney. This is VERY VERY unlikely. Big firms have hiring committees and usually a list of schools they will hire from. If your school is not on that list, they cannot consider you. I know people who have done contract work for many years at a lot of big firms and they were never offered a job. It just doesn't work that way. Contract work usually involves working for a short time on a single project with many other attorneys (some cases over 100 other attorneys). I've never heard of anyone getting hired on at a big firm after working as a Contract Attorney. Anything is possible, but it is EXTREMELY unlikley. The truth is that most reputable big and mid-sized firms would rather be understaffed than hire Attorneys who lack the proper credentials. Also, she writes at one point that people hire people, not schools. In my experience, firms hire ONLY from certain schools and her book is not footnoted to back up the claims she is making with rock solid evidence. My suggestion is read this book at your library or book store for free, but don't buy it. Save your money for your student loan payments.
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Title: America's Greatest Places to Work with a Law Degree & How to Make the Most of Any Job, No Matter Where It Is by Kimm Alayne Walton ISBN: 0159001803 Publisher: West Information Pub Group Pub. Date: 15 November, 1998 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Law Firm Interview: A Guide for Law Students by Katy Schubert ISBN: 0972269703 Publisher: Steinberger Editions, Inc. Pub. Date: March, 2002 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: What Law School Doesn't Teach You: But You Really Need to Know by Kimm Alayne Walton ISBN: 0159004535 Publisher: Barbri Group Pub. Date: 15 January, 2000 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Best of the Job Goddess: Phenomenal Job Search Advice from the Country's Most Popular Legal Job Search Columnist by Kimm Alayne Walton ISBN: 0159003938 Publisher: Harcourt Brace Legal & Professional Publications Pub. Date: 01 January, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: The Official Guide to Legal Specialties by Lisa L. Abrams, National Association for Law Placement, National Association for Law Placement, NALP ISBN: 0159003911 Publisher: Harcourt Brace Legal & Professional Publications Pub. Date: 15 December, 2000 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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