I am ready to start mailing firms. However, I’m stressing over how “polished” my writing sample needs to be. I’ve done a lot of good work this summer, but unfortunately, most of the good stuff is confidential and will have to be redacted severely if I use it so I’m stuck using something from my legal writing class. It’s been edited and appears to be “fine.” I’m tempted to butcher it some more and make it into something better, but I’ve been told by several recruiters/lawyers/interviewers/etc that they often don’t even read it/ask for it. Is this true? Thoughts?
In general it seems they are important, but the degree of how important they are varies. My writing sample got me my 2L job and a few writing/research gigs, and my post-grad employer said it was a big factor in their decision to hire me.
That said, your writing sample should be absolutely flawless. I think most employers look at it as proof of your (in)ability to write and edit something to the point of it being perfect.
THIS. It’s much more important that the style and grammar of your writing sample is flawless than the quality of the actual content. They aren’t expecting amazing substance and assume most people’s legal writing work is garbage. Don’t waste time on the actual quality. Make sure your writing is good and there are no glaring editing errors.
Is there an advantage to using “real” work over school work?
yea, it’s probably a lot shorter
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It’ll depend on how well it reads post-redaction, but that’s why I’m tempted to use a writing sample from work.
for OCI/biglaw, not important whatsoever
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The firm I got an offer from 1L summer looked at my writing sample during the interview. One of the attorneys conducting the interview literally just flipped the pages for like 7 seconds and then put it down. I assume for a clerkship or other jobs it is different, but at least in my experience firms dont care too much.
My DA’s office did care . Individual mileage may vary.
can others confirm or deny?
I’ve heard it might matter for White & Case (NYC) but not sure if this is total fiction.
Have heard that NYC BigLaw does not care much (if at all) but DC BigLaw seems to care, at least a little (have heard that Covington takes the writing sample seriously).
Disclaimer: Have not gone through BigLaw; above is all anecdotal evidence.