#10 - The Year Recruiting Broke: A Hiring Season Recap

#10 - The Year Recruiting Broke: A Hiring Season Recap

Genevieve Riccardelli and Jennifer Soltau, two Big Law legal recruiters, are back with a full debrief of the 2025–2026 hiring season. In this episode, they break down what actually happened, market by market, from August campus panels to February offer letters. If you went through this cycle or are about to, this one's required listening. 👀 In This Episode: * How early campus engagement kicked off in August - and why law schools were the ones pushing it * The wild reality of firms opening 2L summer associate portals in October and November while 1Ls were in the middle of their first semester * Regional market breakdowns: why Texas and California hire earliest, how East Coast timelines differ, and why Philadelphia is its own niche universe * The post-grades sprint: how transcript release triggered a race to the finish line, and a surge in candidate withdrawals * Predictions for the 2026–2027 cycle: will portals open even earlier, or is there a chance they push back? 💡 Key Takeaways: * Tailor your application timing to your target market. California and Texas move fast - don't wait until grades come out to apply. East Coast, especially New York, is more grade-dependent and moved later. * Grades are still the ultimate differentiator. No matter how early you engage or network, firms are not making offers without your transcript. Keep them high - it's the one metric every firm is quietly (or not so quietly) using. * Early engagement matters, but don't panic. Firms held networking dinners within days of portal opening in California - but decisions weren't being made until grades dropped. Engage early, but don't sacrifice your finals prep. * Be strategic about where you apply. New York and Philadelphia are very different markets in terms of class size, competition, and firm culture. Know what you're signing up for before you cast your net. * Withdrawals increased this cycle. Once grades came out, candidates reassessed their options and withdrew. This means competition for the best spots intensified quickly - be ready to move the moment your transcript is available. * Schools are adapting, too. Law schools are shifting timelines for journals, student groups, and engagement activities. Get involved early - it may matter more than you think on your application.

#9 - Summer Squad Goals: Don't Make It Weird

New to Big Law? The summer program is unlike any internship you've had before, and the social dynamics can make or break your offer. In this episode of Lock In & Go Big Law, legal recruiters Genevieve Riccardelli and Jennifer Soltau get into the unwritten rules of navigating relationships during your ten-week job interview: with other summers, with associates, and with partners. 👀 In This Episode: * Why you don't have to be best friends with your co-summers, but you do have to be collegial * How to handle a junior associate who wants to take you to lunch every single day * Real talk on after-parties, open bars, and knowing when to go home * What to do when you have a yacht, a welcome reception, and a summer who just... doesn't show up 💡 Key Takeaways: * You're on a ten-week job interview (even when it feels like happy hour) * Be the glue of your class: include people, share opportunities, build bridges * When an attorney invites you to lunch, "whoever" does not mean your entire class * When in doubt, don't say it. The professional default is always the right one

#8 - Redemption SZN: Your June Pivot Plan

Did not get an offer? In this episode of Lock In & Go Big Law, legal recruiters Genevieve Riccardelli and Jennifer Soltau break down exactly how to diagnose what went wrong and set yourself up for the June recruiting cycle. From grades and application materials to interview performance and outreach strategy, this is the honest reset you need. 👀 In This Episode: * How to figure out at what stage things went wrong * Why you should wait for second semester grades before reapplying * The resume and cover letter mistakes that get you cut before anyone reads your application * What to do if you got an interview but still didn't get the offer * Why your CSO might know about opportunities that never hit the portal 💡 Key Takeaways: * Own your narrative, especially if your grades took a hit first semester * Nearly 1,800 applications. Under 20 spots. Flawless materials are non-negotiable * Tailor your targets - boutique and mid-size firms are a valid path to Big Law * Send your resume and transcript when you cold outreach - don't make them ask * This go-around, have a point of view: which market, which practice, and why

#7 - Summer Associate? Stand Out, Don't Burn Out

Think Big Law summers are just about turning in perfect work product? Think again. The real differentiator isn't perfection - it's mindset, communication, and how you respond when things don't go according to plan. In this episode of Lock In & Go Big Law, legal recruiters Genevieve Riccardelli and Jennifer Soltau sit down with Sidney Wright, a Berkeley Law 2L who crushed her 1L summer and is heading back for round two. From managing assignments and building real mentor relationships to handling feedback (and avoiding social event missteps), Sidney shares an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what actually makes a summer successful. 👀 In This Episode: * What the summer associate assignment process really looks like * How to approach attorneys (and confirm their communication preferences) * The biggest rookie mistake summers make with workload management * How to build authentic relationships with partners and associates * Why social events matter more than you think * How to take constructive feedback without spiraling 💡 Key Takeaways: * Reach out immediately, clarify expectations, and confirm deadlines * Don't overload yourself during slow weeks - use them strategically * "Don't overthink. Don't overdrink." Social events are part of the job * No news can sometimes be good news (especially if you're getting more work) * Reframe nervousness as growth - pressure builds diamonds

#6 - Partner POV: What Makes a Successful Lawyer

Think Big Law hiring is all about rankings and grades? Not even close. Fit, passion, and authenticity matter more than most students realize, especially in today's chaotic, early recruiting landscape. In this episode of Lock In & Go Big Law, legal recruiters Genevieve Riccardelli and Jennifer Soltau sit down with Kevin Lam, National Hiring Partner at Goodwin, to pull back the curtain on what firms are actually looking for. From early 1L recruiting to cultural fit, grades, and finding the right practice area, Kevin shares candid insights from every angle of the hiring process. 👀 In This Episode: * Kevin's path from summer associate to national hiring partner * Why "fit" matters more than firm rankings in Big Law * How students can realistically assess a firm's culture * How grades factor into hiring, and what to do if your first semester doesn't go as planned * Why passion for the law is the biggest predictor of long-term success 💡 Key Takeaways: * Big Law success is about alignment, not prestige * Trust your gut - meeting more people gives you clearer signals about culture * Grades matter, but they're only one piece of a much bigger picture * Passion turns law school from "studying" into real learning * Everything works out. Focus on what you love, and the rest follows