By: Blaize Hiatt, J.D. Candidate Class of 2024, IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law and Tate Coulter, J.D. Candidate Class of 2024, IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law
The Big Law Breakfast with the Bar was a huge success! This was the largest-attended student-led IndyBar event, with around 50 students signed up. The purpose of this event was to educate law students on what recruiters at big law firms are looking for, what led big law attorneys to their practice, and the culture at these large firms. In attendance were local attorneys, including Andrew L. Campbell, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP; Erica K. Drew, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP; Claunick D. Duronville, Quarles & Brady LLP; John B. Gregg, Ice Miller; Sarah Jenkins, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP; Barry McGinley, Frost Brown Todd LLC; and David Andrew Wong, Barnes & Thornburg LLP. Many of the attorneys had similar nuggets of advice and wisdom.
First, the attorneys discussed what big law recruiters look for in law students. Of course, the first thing is grades. However, not everyone follows this traditional path. One of the attorneys in attendance, Barry McGinley from Frost Brown Todd, who is on the Frost Brown Todd recruiting committee, said that the next thing he looks at is the cover letter. Mr. McGinley stated that the cover letter is the one place to really make yourself stand out other than grades. Additionally, the attorneys stated that having unique and challenging experiences on your resume is a good way to stand out. Examples of these experiences include clerkships, externships, and clinics.
Next, the attorneys spoke about their path to big law. About half of the attorneys were summer associates at a big law firm during law school, and remained in big law once they began practicing. One of the attorneys who began working in big law without the summer associate experience is David Wong from Barnes & Thornburg. Mr. Wong was a teacher before making the shift over to big law and felt that his teaching experience benefited his big law practice.
When asked about the benefits of involvement at the Indianapolis Bar Association, 2020 IndyBar President Andy Campbell from Faegre Drinker explained that even though large firm attorneys typically focus on participating in opportunities to grow their business on a national scale, there is real value in building connections and growing a local network.
Finally, the attorneys spoke extensively about work culture and work-life balance. John B. Gregg from Ice Miller spoke about Ice Miller's culture and how he loves working with people within his practice group. Mr. Gregg and others discussed the difficulties of managing a healthy work-life balance while working in big law. Claunick Duronville from Quarles & Brady said that it's a practice within his household that no matter how busy his schedule is, he and his wife have dinner together at home. His wife lets him go back to the office if needed after they spend dinner together. The main takeaway from this part of the discussion is that it is difficult to find the work-life balance that works for everyone in big law, but it's possible if you have excellent time management skills.
Overall, the students seemed to be really engaged and asked some great questions. Blaize Hiatt and Tate Coulter from the IndyBar Student Executive Committee were thrilled to facilitate this event and see it be executed smoothly. Stay tuned for future Breakfast with the Bar events. Stay tuned for details on our next Breakfast with the Bar all about Real Estate Law.
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