What Is a Callback Interview?

What a Callback Is

A callback interview means the firm liked your screener enough to fly you out (or invite you in) for a longer visit. This is the real evaluation. If the screener is a first date, the callback is meeting the family.

Most callbacks are half-day affairs at the firm's office. You'll meet 3-5 attorneys, see the office, and usually share a meal. Some firms schedule callbacks over lunch, others over dinner the night before.

Getting a callback is a big deal. It means you're genuinely in the running.

The Typical Callback Schedule

Here's what a standard callback looks like:

Arrival. You check in with the recruiting coordinator. They'll walk you to a conference room and probably offer you water, coffee, or both. Take the water.

3-5 Interviews, 20-30 minutes each. Each interview is with a different attorney — usually a mix of associates and partners across practice areas. The conversations are more relaxed than screeners, but make no mistake: every person you meet is evaluating you.

Office Tour. A quick walk through the floor. Someone will point out the library, associate offices, and the view. Pay attention and ask questions — it shows you care about where you'd actually be working.

The Meal. Lunch or dinner with 1-2 associates. This feels social, and it partly is, but it's still part of the evaluation. Be normal. Order something easy to eat while talking. Don't order the most expensive thing on the menu. Don't order alcohol unless the associate does first (and even then, one drink max).

How to Prepare

Know the firm deeply. By now, surface-level research isn't enough. You should know the firm's recent major deals, its standout practice areas, any recent lateral moves, and what makes it different from the 10 other firms you're interviewing with. The firm directory is your starting point — dig into practice area breakdowns and firm details.

Prep different material for each interviewer. You'll be asked the same questions by multiple people. Your answers should be consistent, but vary your questions for each interviewer. Ask the M&A partner about deals. Ask the junior associate about training and culture.

Have your "why this firm" answer locked in. This is even more important at callbacks than at screeners. You chose to fly out here. They want to know why. Our guide on answering "why this firm" walks you through building a specific, convincing answer.

Prepare 8-10 questions. You'll need 2-3 per interviewer, and some will get answered before you ask them. Have a deep bench.

What Gets You the Offer

Callback-to-offer rates vary by firm, but a reasonable estimate is 50-70% at most BigLaw firms. Here's what separates people who convert:

• Genuine enthusiasm. Not fake energy. Real interest in the firm's work, culture, and people.
• Consistency. Every attorney compares notes after you leave. If you told one person you love litigation and another that you're interested in corporate, that's a problem.
• Good conversation. The attorneys are asking themselves: "Would I want this person on my team at 2 AM on a deal?" Be someone people enjoy talking to.
• Smart questions. Asking thoughtful questions signals that you're serious and engaged.

After the Callback

Send individual thank-you emails to every attorney you met. Personalize each one — reference something specific from your conversation. Send them within 24 hours.

Then wait. Offer timelines vary — some firms call within 48 hours, others take weeks. Read our post-callback timeline guide so you know what to expect.

If you're juggling multiple callbacks and early offers, check out whether you should accept your first BigLaw offer.