If all the attorneys like a SA, but the recruiting staff doesn’t, then correct, the recruiter’s opinion isn’t going to result in a no offer. But recruiting staff members have more day to day contact with summers than almost any attorney does. And at any firm with a halfway decent summer program, those recruiting staff members will be reporting to attorneys who head the summer program and the hiring committee. They’re a filter, and they can shape how the attorneys perceive that SA. In sum, be courteous and professional to everyone, not only because your job may depend upon it, but also because it’s the right thing to do.

As for this sentiment that good firms give 100% offers… Nonsense. Some do, but most firms don’t give 100% offers, especially this year. Any many of the firms that say they gave 100% offers included some “soft/cold offers” in that tally to help their numbers.

The point of this is to ingratiate yourself. You write thank-you notes to your interviewers as a callback because it’s the right thing to do: not because they’re just doing their job, but because that’s what gentlemen do. Since when was etiquette all about social gain: it’s what you do because THAT’S WHAT POLITE PEOPLE DO.

And you just made $3,000 / week. The “save your cash” attitude when thinking about a $25 gift-card makes you out to be an ass.

Highly unlikely. But secretaries gossip, so a little hush gift may be reasonable.

“They don’t have direct input, either, but if you alienate them throughout the summer they can affect whether you get an offer by what sort of gossip they allow to be spread about you,…”

A law firm of any standing gives 100% offers. You don’t need to bribe recruiting for doing their job (esp. considering they will have 0% contact with you once you join).