Lock In & Go Big (Law)

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

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

Think the hard part is over once you get the offer? Think again. From follow-up emails to office visits and offer deadlines, firms are watching how you handle every step after the interview.

In this episode of Lock In & Go Big Law, legal recruiters Genevieve Riccardelli and Jennifer Soltau break down the real do's and don'ts of navigating multiple offers. From ghosting horror stories to why rescinding an acceptance can quietly ruin your reputation, this episode is packed with insider advice you won't hear from career services.

👀 In This Episode:

• Why meeting junior associates matters more than you think
• The real reason firms want you to visit the office in person
• What happens when candidates ghost, and why it always comes back around
• Why rescinding an acceptance is one of the biggest mistakes you can make

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Big Law is smaller than you think, and reputations travel fast
• Communicating with recruiting can work in your favor
• Holding offers you're not serious about hurts more than just firms
• Play the long game - every interaction shapes your future

Think your interview starts when you sit down with a partner? Think again. From mock interviews to lobby chatter, firms are watching and remembering.

In this episode of Lock In & Go Big Law, legal recruiters Genevieve Riccardelli and Jennifer Soltau give you real insight into what makes or breaks your interview day. From dress code disasters to "wait, did they just bring their mom?" moments, this one's full of lessons you don't want to learn the hard way.

👀 In This Episode:

• Why mock interviews might actually be screening rounds

• Name dropping: and why it never lands the way you think

• How your questions can save or sink your chances

• What recruiters really think about dress code

💡 Key Takeaways:

• If you're not sure it's appropriate, it probably isn't

• Your interview starts well before the first question

• Preparation shows, and so does the lack of it

• Suit up. Show up. Speak up.

Ever feel like networking before OCI is more stressful than the interviews themselves? You're not alone. Legal recruiting has moved up earlier than ever, and your every move is already being noticed.

In this episode of Lock In and Go Big Law, your legal recruiting insiders Genevieve Riccardelli and Jennifer Soltau break down exactly what it means to "network like it's an interview" - because it is. From unexpected job offers in August to name-tag stealthing gone wrong, they've seen it all.

👀 In This Episode:

• Why networking is the interview, and what that really means

• The right (and wrong) way to show up at firm events

• Fall receptions, RSVP etiquette, and the myth of the perfect elevator pitch

• Hot tips on how to use 1L fellowships as your golden ticket to a 2L offer

• Cringe stories of bad advice, and how to avoid becoming one of them

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Every interaction with a firm is part of your interview

• Don't fake it. If you don't know what tech M&A is, don't claim you're passionate about it

• Showing up matters. And so does canceling responsibly

• Recruiters remember who stood out, and who flaked

• 1L fellowships are more than summer gigs. They're the feeder for 2L offers

Ever feel like you're playing legal recruiting roulette? Unsure when to apply, what to write, or how to stand out?

In this episode of Lock In and Go Big Law, Goodwin recruiting pros Genevieve Riccardelli and Jennifer Soltau break down the do's and don'ts of Big Law applications, from timing your submission to writing a cover letter that actually gets read. These two have seen every misstep in the book. If you're a law student trying to get firms to swipe right, this episode is your ultimate cheat sheet.

👀 In This Episode:

• When to apply, and how firm size changes the strategy

• Cover letter rules that every law student should know (yes, you need one)

• The #1 section recruiters always read on your resume

• Why ChatGPT can help (or backfire!)

• The formatting mistakes that will tank your application

• What to include (and avoid) in your interests section

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Deadlines are real! Don't sign anything you haven't read carefully

• Your resume = your script. If you can't talk about it, don't list it

• Spelling the firm's name wrong? Immediate red flag

• Cover letters are your chance to tell your story!

• One page, PDF, clean formatting. Always.

Ever wonder what legal recruiters actually do — and how they can help you land your dream job in Big Law? In the very first episode of Lock In and Go Big Law, your hosts Genevieve Riccardelli (NYC) and Jennifer Soltau (California) — aka your legal recruiting big sisters — pull back the curtain on what really goes on behind the scenes of Big Law recruiting.

These two recruiting pros from Goodwin have seen it all: the ghosting, the panic emails, the awkward interviews. Now they're here to give you the insider advice every law student wishes they had before OCI.

• What legal recruiters actually do (spoiler: it's way more than scheduling interviews)
• How to work with recruiters like a pro — and what not to do
• Common myths about the recruiting process
• The do's and don'ts that can make or break your offer
• Real stories (and a few horror ones) from behind the recruiting desk

• When in doubt, reach out. Legal recruiters are your best allies — not gatekeepers
• Communication matters. Ghosting recruiters = not a good look.
• Everyone's watching. How you treat assistants, coordinators, and interviewers says a lot.
• Recruiters are matchmakers. They're not just filling spots — they're building future partner classes.