FAQ
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Is there
a charge for Wilcox and Hackett's services by a candidate? No. Should you be selected by a firm, they compensate us for putting both parties together. The only thing we ask is that should you believe that we did a good job in assisting you that you refer others to us. |
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I am
already using another search firm can I use Wilcox and Hackett as well? Yes. But we caution that as with attorneys, there are good search firms and bad ones. We provide ethical, confidential, targeted, and professional services. We also can work with the other search firm to make sure that your best interests are fulfilled. |
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I didnt
have a very good GPA in law school, is that going to keep most firms
from looking at me? Unfortunately, more than likely, yes. Firms and corporations that use search firms are looking for attorneys with cum laude, honors, or a high law school ranking. In the low 3's, a strong extracurricular background, ie. Moot Court, clerkships, publications, etc help. |
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At what
point do I need to make a move or have difficulty in making a move if I
don't? Most firms are looking for somewhere between 2-6 years of experience. We do not work with recent grads and some opportunities are available at the 1 year mark. After 6 years marketability begins to have a transition into an attorneys ability to develop clientele. How much of a book do they have? |
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Why
shouldn't I just do the search on my own? You can. What we offer is experience in placing attorneys. We can help provide discretion, suggestions, and contacts. When a firm receives a resume from us they know that the attorney has been pre-screened as to their qualifications for their specific needs. Additionally, most attorneys do not have the time to be able to dedicate to a strategic search. We handle that for you. |
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When do
firms stop looking at GPA or law schools attended? Some firms look at GPA's 10-15 years out. They have a certain level that they set as minimums and certain law schools that they have historically found the type of attorney they are looking for. Most firms will hold GPA and law school with less weight around the 4-6 year range if a candidate has a strong work history, quality work product, and matches their needs. |
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I have
been out of law school a few years and have been with a couple of firms
that just haven't been the right fit. How can I overcome this? Frankly, it depends on the market in many ways. If a skill set is in high demand or very niche then a firm make take more of a chance. They are looking for stability though. Making a few moves in a few years can make a stellar academic and work product look very average. A couple of suggestions. 1) Don't just make a move for more money. Everyone wants to make more money but waiting for the right position even if it's a year or two from now will save a great deal of frustration later. 2) Tenure at a firm will sometimes overcome what your GPA may lack. If you are with the same firm for 3-5 years you will develop and not keep starting over. You will be handed more responsibility usually and that translates to marketability. |
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I want to move to
Florida, Georgia... somewhere where it's warm and I have family there...what do I need to know? First, take the Bar Exam for whatever respective state that you want to move to. The Southeastern migration has led firms to get resumes from all over the country. One quick way they screen you in or out is to see how serious you are. Taking and passing the bar is a buy-in to the fact that a move is more than just a fun idea. Second, as the song goes, "Everybody's got a cousin in Miami" or a parent in Naples or a grandparent in Boca. This is not good enough for most firms. Chances are that they will incur some expense in moving you and/or your family along with the changes a new scenery will cause you to be less effective when you first start. The only exceptions that I have seen to these observations are 1) Someone has been with a top national firm in NY, DC, Chicago or alike and has hit the type of major league pitching that a firm in Florida would like to match. There is a work ethic that comes from those candidates that may separate them. 2) There is a truly compelling reason that they must move. There has been a trend for firms in the Southeast to look for Corporate Associates from the Northeast that are coming from larger firms. If you decide you would like to move, be prepared to sit for the bar exam in the state you are looking to move to should you be selected. |
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