Lately, most firms have asked or forced their incoming first-year associates to postpone their start dates.  Many students interviewed by The Am Law Daily said that they felt pressured to take the time off even if it was optional. For the most part, firms that are delaying start dates until January are seeing about half of their incoming associates opting for the year-long internship at a non-profit.  The firms that are forcing all new hires to delay start-dates are seeing almost 100 percent are taking the stipend for non-profit work.  

Source:  www.law.com