Miami legal market

[LittleRussianPrincess, Esq.]

ummmm, did u ever visit tampa?  osceola?

I am from Tampa and it's hardly Miami when it comes to the prevalence of Spanish. I don't know of a single non-Spanish grocery store or major business that had any signs in both languages. While the Spanish-speaking population may be substantial, this is not a city that caters to their language needs. Also, it's not like a major law firm like DLA or Holland and Knight are doing business with those people living in Tampa who don't speak English. They deal with corporations, directors and executives -- all of whom will have a sufficient command of English, even if it isn't their native language.

Like the poster above, I had pretty extensive experience with Miami firms in OCI and not only was Spanish not a requirement, it was never even mentioned!

[->Soon]

he said no one spoke spanish,  i was just correcting him.

[cui bono?]

tampa sucks 

[->Soon]

tampa sucks 

and mee-ami is over priced...

[cui bono?]

tampa sucks 

and mee-ami is over priced...

dang, got me there

[LittleRussianPrincess, Esq.]

tampa sucks 

agreed. i prefer miami, but only certain parts.

[jillibean]

I would agree with whoever warned about taking career placement advice from 0L's.  I am a rising 3L at Miami and I look on the OCI board all the time.  I can't recall EVER seeing a Biglaw firm that required Spanish.

It is true that many of the smaller firms do prefer a foreign language, but this doomsday portrait that the 0L's are painting of the Miami market is ridiculous.

I highly doubt 83% of what you just said

[keelee]

This is an interesting comment posted on the ATL Miami comments:



I was just a 3L at UM and I love Miami, but here's one secret:

I don't speak Spanish or Portuguese, but when you do OCI, they don't even mention anything about having to speak those languages on any job descriptions. Then, when you show up to the interview, they give you this huge, blank stare when you say you can't speak Spanish/Portuguese. If you can't speak Spanish or Portuguese, be prepared to work in the Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach offices, not the shiny ones on Brickell Avenue.

http://www.abovethelaw.com/2007/08/fall_recruiting_open_thread_mi_1.php

[queencruella]

This is an interesting comment posted on the ATL Miami comments:



I was just a 3L at UM and I love Miami, but here's one secret:

I don't speak Spanish or Portuguese, but when you do OCI, they don't even mention anything about having to speak those languages on any job descriptions. Then, when you show up to the interview, they give you this huge, blank stare when you say you can't speak Spanish/Portuguese. If you can't speak Spanish or Portuguese, be prepared to work in the Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach offices, not the shiny ones on Brickell Avenue.

http://www.abovethelaw.com/2007/08/fall_recruiting_open_thread_mi_1.php

This isn't much of a surprise. I've known large firms that advertise screening interviews for offices that don't hire any new/summer associates. There are also IP firms that don't advertise a specific specialty desired and then when people apply and get into the screening interview, the interview will say "Oh we really only wanted mechanical engineers" even though the screeners had the person's background in front of them when choosing him/her to interview.

[billthethrill]

I would agree with whoever warned about taking career placement advice from 0L's.  I am a rising 3L at Miami and I look on the OCI board all the time.  I can't recall EVER seeing a Biglaw firm that required Spanish.

It is true that many of the smaller firms do prefer a foreign language, but this doomsday portrait that the 0L's are painting of the Miami market is ridiculous.

I highly doubt 83% of what you just said

Wow, 83%.  So that means you are 17% not retarded.