Declining Offers

[ruskiegirl]

What's the best way? Letter, phone call, email?

If you are writing a letter, what format are you using?

God, I am really starting to hate this part of the process.

[T. Durden]

let them know about that raging case of the clap that we all know you have

that'll probably do the trick for you

[ruskiegirl]

let them know about that raging case of the clap that we all know you have

that'll probably do the trick for you

how exceptionally mature and witty of you!

[T. Durden]

aim to please

[mstiger]

I sent a letter.  Here is how I phrased it:

Dear Mr. <Offeror>,

   Thank you for providing me an opportunity to interview with you and for inviting me to be a part of your firm this summer. 

During my interview, everyone made me feel very welcome and comfortable.  Although I was very impressed by the atmosphere and the people of <firm name>, I have decided to accept a similar position with a different firm.  I am therefore respectfully declining your offer for a summer associate position.

   Please extend my gratitude to everyone that I met during my visit.  Best wishes for your firm’s continued success.

Sincerely,

<name>

[elo]

I'm sure you had them with the split infinitive.

[zaphod]

I'm sure you had them with the split infinitive.

You may recall he didn't WANT THEM.  Besides, with some exceptions, nit-picking the split infinitive is reserved for the anal-attentive these days. 

[margee]

I sent a letter.  Here is how I phrased it:

Dear Mr. <Offeror>,

   Thank you for providing me an opportunity to interview with you and for inviting me to be a part of your firm this summer. 

During my interview, everyone made me feel very welcome and comfortable.  Although I was very impressed by the atmosphere and the people of <firm name>, I have decided to accept a similar position with a different firm.  I am therefore respectfully declining your offer for a summer associate position.

   Please extend my gratitude to everyone that I met during my visit.  Best wishes for your firm’s continued success.

Sincerely,

<name>

There aren't any split infinitives - unless I'm blind.  There are only 3 infinitives, and none of them are split...

[T. Durden]

infinitive no infinitive

the clap will still resolve the dilemma

[Ajude]

I think a phone call to the attorney who was your primary contact at the firm (for me it was the Partner who interviewed me during OCI)followed up by a phone call to the recruiting director is the best policy.  Speaking from experience, the folks who interview you feel somewhat invested in you and, though making a phone call is the most difficult for you, it will leave those folks with the most favorable impression of you.  Down the line, if you want to work at a firm that you chose not to go to for your 2L summer, it will be to your advantage to have made those calls.  People remember such gestures, especially folks in recruiting or attorneys on the recruiting committee.  Good luck.