Academic All-Stars Won’t Be Hired at Kramer Levin if They Aren’t Client-Worthy
Being an academic all-star doesn’t ensure you a job offer at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel.
The law firm asks its interviewing attorneys to consider whether job candidates would be presentable to clients. And that eliminates some people, James Grayer of Kramer Levin tells the Careerist.
“They can be first in their class, but we won’t make them an offer unless they’re right for us,” Grayer tells the blog. “We look for candidates that are personable and engaging. We’re not a shop that puts a huge number of lawyers on a transaction. You have to interact with people right away.”
Grayer says the firm values good grades and clerkships, but it considers “the total package.” Outside interests that involve the community—such as tutoring—are helpful, but they can’t just be window dressing. “If you’re going to join an organization or if you’re in a clinic for battered women, you should be able to talk about it,” Grayer explains.
