-- Do you have solid grades and credentials and a good reason you would rather interview than take 2L summer offer? This is a decent position to be in. However, what is your reason? We HPs don't like pure "shopping" or you're not being sure about the 2L summer firm: that might signal you would be unsure about any firm and either just take an offer and continue shopping or join but only stay a very short time. We want people who, even if they won't stay the full partnership track, will stay long enough to make it worthwhile for both firm and attorney. What might be good reasons: change of city for justified reasons -- e.g., newly engaged and fiance (ee) is in city of 3L interview - common scenario. Some firms will be hiring 3Ls. Why? It may be that their 2L summers are not coming back, for various reasons - e.g., family member ill in another city and summer wants to be closer to home; 2L decides to move for spouse/fiance, etc. 2L decides to clerk. Some slots do open and if you are a star and interested in an area where the firms has needs, you should fare well. Be honest with your 2L summer firm because the 3L firm may want to check references. Let your potential references know in advance. HPs and firms appreciate honesty. We understand plans change, especially when it comes to some of the scenarios I have described.
-- Did you not get an offer at 2L summer? This is more problematic. It is best to be honest. Deal killer you say? Well, depends. If no offer because it is well publicized the firm over-hired, then referring to the reports (rather than making it look like your personal opinion) may be helpful. Or, it could be that you really want to practice in X area (e.g., white collar criminal defense), and it turns out that particular group is not hiring and the firm gives offers from particular departments or groups. If you did not get an offer because of substantive work, or judgment issues -- e.g., embarrassing all office e-mail you sent -- this is a big problem. Do not lie. Remember, hiring partner told you that HPs and HPs colleagues have friends at other firms. If you look great on paper but do not have an offer, we may think something does not smell right. We're not dumb.
-- So, assuming you don't follow into the first "easy" scenario above (and yes, I realize there are others - e.g, you worked at a public interest organization and now want to go to a firm), what do you do? The 3L search is not for the lazy. You need to work hard. Most importantly, you need to NETWORK. This is HUGE. You may need to explore smaller firms, regional firms, boutiques, positions in government, other organizations. We will explore this in more detail in a later post. HP does have work to do. Good luck!
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