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When do firms typically make practice group assignments?

How long before the start date are new associates assigned t...
Opaque rigor tattoo
  09/02/10
Probably more the latter than the former, though both play s...
Marvelous Fortuitous Meteor Sweet Tailpipe
  09/02/10
ty. plz see my edit above...
Opaque rigor tattoo
  09/02/10
There is no "typical". Some firms hire into pract...
Turquoise domesticated school
  09/02/10
My firm didn't "hire into" a practice group. They...
Opaque rigor tattoo
  09/02/10
Again, there is no "typical", sport. Just call up...
Turquoise domesticated school
  09/02/10
This. Protip for associates: Recruiting chicks, HR chicks...
lime maniacal lodge candlestick maker
  09/02/10
ty. I made an edit to my post above, so feel free to weigh ...
Opaque rigor tattoo
  09/02/10
You didn't ask this when you received your offer? I was t...
Bull headed fluffy telephone newt
  09/02/10
Yes, we were told something similar, but the date has passed...
Opaque rigor tattoo
  09/02/10
Lol @ your tiny pink non-mandatory rotation non-Cravath syst...
greedy legal warrant university
  09/02/10
...
Opaque rigor tattoo
  09/02/10
Corporate is corporate, bro. Only so many ways to copy/paste...
greedy legal warrant university
  09/02/10


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Date: September 2nd, 2010 8:53 AM
Author: Opaque rigor tattoo

How long before the start date are new associates assigned to practice groups? And how are those decisions made? Is any weight given to the person's interests and relationships with partners/associates (from the summer program) or is it all based on which groups are busiest around the time of the start date (and will be busy for the foreseeable future)?

EDIT: Another related question: to what extent is the practice area assignment negotiable? I was talking to a friend of the family the other day who is a BigLaw partner (a Chambers band 1 guy, actually), and he said that if I end up in corporate, I should "make myself available" to do the occasional litigation assignment, and vice versa. I was sort of like, LOLWUT, because I've never heard of anyone at my firm doing that, but this advice was coming from a trusted source. Any thoughts on that? If he's correct, should I explicitly mention to people at my firm that I want that kind of flexible arrangement?

tyia

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946373)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 8:58 AM
Author: Marvelous Fortuitous Meteor Sweet Tailpipe

Probably more the latter than the former, though both play some role. But I think there's only a narrow subsection of firms that have specific practice groups and don't let you have control over which group you join. E.g., Sidley Chicago.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946385)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 9:01 AM
Author: Opaque rigor tattoo

ty. plz see my edit above...

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946395)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 8:58 AM
Author: Turquoise domesticated school

There is no "typical". Some firms hire into practice groups, others don't assign you officially to a practice group until after you've been working a year for them...that's the range...

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946386)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 9:00 AM
Author: Opaque rigor tattoo

My firm didn't "hire into" a practice group. They gave us "standard" offers, and we had to fill out a form listing our top choices. Presumably they are taking our interests/summer work into consideration...

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946392)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 9:03 AM
Author: Turquoise domesticated school

Again, there is no "typical", sport. Just call up the recruiting chick and ask her.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946399)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 9:05 AM
Author: lime maniacal lodge candlestick maker

This.

Protip for associates: Recruiting chicks, HR chicks, etc. have almost no meaningful interaction with decision making lawyers. You can ask them as many dumb questions as need be.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946403)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 9:05 AM
Author: Opaque rigor tattoo

ty. I made an edit to my post above, so feel free to weigh in on my additional question. much appreciated.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946406)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 9:22 AM
Author: Bull headed fluffy telephone newt

You didn't ask this when you received your offer?

I was told that the firm I summered at makes these decisions in mid-September.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946451)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 9:28 AM
Author: Opaque rigor tattoo

Yes, we were told something similar, but the date has passed and not a word.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946470)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 9:34 AM
Author: greedy legal warrant university

Lol @ your tiny pink non-mandatory rotation non-Cravath system.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946494)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 9:38 AM
Author: Opaque rigor tattoo



(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946507)



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Date: September 2nd, 2010 9:39 AM
Author: greedy legal warrant university

Corporate is corporate, bro. Only so many ways to copy/paste.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1412314&forum_id=2#15946511)