Susman - but I've never been to Texas. Forum

[Anonymous User]

Rising 3L. Tippy top of the class at CCN. LR, note/comment published. Worked at V5 in NYC this summer. Applying to clerk on DC and 9. I want to be a trial lawyer. I want to work at Susman. BUT I've never been to Texas. I would work in any of Susman's locations (Seattle, LA, Texas, or NYC). I have to select one location for my 3L OCI bid. Where in the world do I bid? Spent time in LA and NYC, that's it. I just want to maximize my chance at a CB.

Thoughts/comments...help?

[Transferthrowaway]

Rising 3L. Tippy top of the class at CCN. LR, note/comment published. Worked at V5 in NYC this summer. Applying to clerk on DC and 9. I want to be a trial lawyer. I want to work at Susman. BUT I've never been to Texas. I would work in any of Susman's locations (Seattle, LA, Texas, or NYC). I have to select one location for my 3L OCI bid. Where in the world do I bid? Spent time in LA and NYC, that's it. I just want to maximize my chance at a CB.

Thoughts/comments...help?

I would think "I've never been to Texas" would sink you. On the other hand, "I worked at a V5 in NYC this summer, loved the city, and want to stay here but work for your firm" will jive.

Also, look into Bartlit Beck

[Anonymous User]

Rising 3L. Tippy top of the class at CCN. LR, note/comment published. Worked at V5 in NYC this summer. Applying to clerk on DC and 9. I want to be a trial lawyer. I want to work at Susman. BUT I've never been to Texas. I would work in any of Susman's locations (Seattle, LA, Texas, or NYC). I have to select one location for my 3L OCI bid. Where in the world do I bid? Spent time in LA and NYC, that's it. I just want to maximize my chance at a CB.

Thoughts/comments...help?

I know two people who did callbacks in the Houston office. Neither of them had any Texas ties, and they both go to a school where Susman doesn't do OCI; they got their callbacks simply by mailing (using a resume that lacked the word "Texas" on it). I get the strong sense that they already know that because they're the best, you'll be willing to go to Texas to work there; I don't think ties are much of an issue.

Disclaimer: I have no firsthand knowledge as I've never spoken to a Susman attorney myself.

[quakeroats]

I get the strong sense that they already know that because they're the best

They aren't "the best," whatever that means. They're a small, regional litigation firm that pays associates well.

[ToTransferOrNot]

Rising 3L. Tippy top of the class at CCN. LR, note/comment published. Worked at V5 in NYC this summer. Applying to clerk on DC and 9. I want to be a trial lawyer. I want to work at Susman. BUT I've never been to Texas. I would work in any of Susman's locations (Seattle, LA, Texas, or NYC). I have to select one location for my 3L OCI bid. Where in the world do I bid? Spent time in LA and NYC, that's it. I just want to maximize my chance at a CB.

Thoughts/comments...help?

I would think "I've never been to Texas" would sink you. On the other hand, "I worked at a V5 in NYC this summer, loved the city, and want to stay here but work for your firm" will jive.

Also, look into Bartlit Beck

You can look into Bartlit Beck, but they don't really consider CoA folks until the turn of the new year during the clerkship year.

[Anonymous User]

I get the strong sense that they already know that because they're the best

They aren't "the best," whatever that means. They're a small, regional litigation firm that pays associates well.

Sorry, I forgot that TLS posters are super nitpicky about word choice and can't simply read that to mean "among the best." Susman only hires people with super strong credentials, works on very high stakes trial litigation matters, gives associates tons of responsibility, pays bonuses as high as 100% of their salary, and has a very short partnership track (with much better odds than most big law firms), and has an extraordinary reputation. For someone who is attracted to that, I don't think they could find an objectively better firm. There are similar firms like Barlit Beck, but debating which one is better is like debating which Supreme Court justice is more prestigious to clerk for.

[Transferthrowaway]

I get the strong sense that they already know that because they're the best

They aren't "the best," whatever that means. They're a small, regional litigation firm that pays associates well.

Sorry, I forgot that TLS posters are super nitpicky about word choice and can't simply read that to mean "among the best." Susman only hires people with super strong credentials, works on very high stakes trial litigation matters, gives associates tons of responsibility, pays bonuses as high as 100% of their salary, and has a very short partnership track (with much better odds than most big law firms), and has an extraordinary reputation. For someone who is attracted to that, I don't think they could find an objectively better firm. There are similar firms like Barlit Beck, but debating which one is better is like debating which Supreme Court justice is more prestigious to clerk for.

Zombie Rehnquist is clearly the most prestigious.

[Grizz]

You misspelled preftigiouf.

[quakeroats]

I get the strong sense that they already know that because they're the best

They aren't "the best," whatever that means. They're a small, regional litigation firm that pays associates well.

Sorry, I forgot that TLS posters are super nitpicky about word choice and can't simply read that to mean "among the best." Susman only hires people with super strong credentials, works on very high stakes trial litigation matters, gives associates tons of responsibility, pays bonuses as high as 100% of their salary, and has a very short partnership track (with much better odds than most big law firms), and has an extraordinary reputation. For someone who is attracted to that, I don't think they could find an objectively better firm. There are similar firms like Barlit Beck, but debating which one is better is like debating which Supreme Court justice is more prestigious to clerk for.

You're looking at this like a law student. How did you learn about Susman? Was it one of their non-Texas "high stakes trial litigation matters," or did you overhear someone mention the handful of things everyone repeats about Susman?

[Anonymous User]

OP here.

So aside the standard, prestige-fighting TLS banter - the credited response is either NYC or just fuck it tell the truth (I don't care where, I just want to work for your firm, in which case I put Houston)?

[quakeroats]

OP here.

So aside the standard, prestige-fighting TLS banter - the credited response is either NYC or just fuck it tell the truth (I don't care where, I just want to work for your firm, in which case I put Houston)?

You're aware their New York "office" has 10 people, 4 of whom are really stationed in Texas, right?

[Anonymous User]

OP here - this is my question - do I bid on their Headquarters, in a state I've never been to, or a satellite office in a state I have ties to.

[quakeroats]

OP here - this is my question - do I bid on their Headquarters, in a state I've never been to, or a satellite office in a state I have ties to.

You can't go right either way. Think this over a little more.

[Anonymous User]

OP here - this is my question - do I bid on their Headquarters, in a state I've never been to, or a satellite office in a state I have ties to.

You can't go right either way. Think this over a little more.

OP here - I think that's a little dramatic.

[fathergoose]

Bid Houston. Be honest. Hope for the best.

If you have the credentials, you'll get hired. It's not a "Texas" firm like a Fulbright or V&E so I don't think your lack of ties is probably as big a deal.

[quakeroats]

OP here - this is my question - do I bid on their Headquarters, in a state I've never been to, or a satellite office in a state I have ties to.

You can't go right either way. Think this over a little more.

OP here - I think that's a little dramatic.

Maybe, but people tend to be interested in Susman for the wrong reasons, and you seem to fit the bill.

[Anonymous User]

Bid Houston. Be honest. Hope for the best.

If you have the credentials, you'll get hired. It's not a "Texas" firm like a Fulbright or V&E so I don't think your lack of ties is probably as big a deal.

OP here - this is the advice I'm getting elsewhere as well. Here's to hoping.

[Anonymous User]

I get the strong sense that they already know that because they're the best

They aren't "the best," whatever that means. They're a small, regional litigation firm that pays associates well.

Sorry, I forgot that TLS posters are super nitpicky about word choice and can't simply read that to mean "among the best." Susman only hires people with super strong credentials, works on very high stakes trial litigation matters, gives associates tons of responsibility, pays bonuses as high as 100% of their salary, and has a very short partnership track (with much better odds than most big law firms), and has an extraordinary reputation. For someone who is attracted to that, I don't think they could find an objectively better firm. There are similar firms like Bartlit Beck, but debating which one is better is like debating which Supreme Court justice is more prestigious to clerk for.

You're looking at this like a law student. How did you learn about Susman? Was it one of their non-Texas "high stakes trial litigation matters," or did you overhear someone mention the handful of things everyone repeats about Susman?

Gosh you're annoying; it's a shame TLS hasn't outright banned you. My description of Susman comes after researching the firm fairly extensively last summer to determine whether it was worth sending them an application (eventually I decided it wasn't what I was looking for), as well as talking to students who did callbacks there. Yes it's a Texas firm, but if you think the name doesn't carry the same weight outside of Texas, you're dead wrong. OP, apply to their Houston office and hope for the best.

[johndhi]

Didn't know Susman's NY office was so small. So they're primarily a Texas thing? So much for my interest in them, I guess...

[quakeroats]

I get the strong sense that they already know that because they're the best

They aren't "the best," whatever that means. They're a small, regional litigation firm that pays associates well.

Sorry, I forgot that TLS posters are super nitpicky about word choice and can't simply read that to mean "among the best." Susman only hires people with super strong credentials, works on very high stakes trial litigation matters, gives associates tons of responsibility, pays bonuses as high as 100% of their salary, and has a very short partnership track (with much better odds than most big law firms), and has an extraordinary reputation. For someone who is attracted to that, I don't think they could find an objectively better firm. There are similar firms like Bartlit Beck, but debating which one is better is like debating which Supreme Court justice is more prestigious to clerk for.

You're looking at this like a law student. How did you learn about Susman? Was it one of their non-Texas "high stakes trial litigation matters," or did you overhear someone mention the handful of things everyone repeats about Susman?
Gosh you're annoying; it's a shame TLS hasn't outright banned you. My description of Susman comes after researching the firm fairly extensively last summer to determine whether it was worth sending them an application (eventually I decided it wasn't what I was looking for), as well as talking to students who did callbacks there. Yes it's a Texas firm, but if you think the name doesn't carry the same weight outside of Texas, you're dead wrong. OP, apply to their Houston office and hope for the best.

Take a crack at these:

Can you name some major cases they've been involved in and the role they played? To what extent is the firm Stephen Susman's personal fiefdom? What kind of business does the firm do outside of Texas? Assuming you make partner after 5 years, what does your role look like? Would one make more at Susman or a larger firm with a reasonably sized book? Will working for Susman limit your practice-area choices?

[fathergoose]

Bid Houston. Be honest. Hope for the best.

If you have the credentials, you'll get hired. It's not a "Texas" firm like a Fulbright or V&E so I don't think your lack of ties is probably as big a deal.

OP here - this is the advice I'm getting elsewhere as well. Here's to hoping.

I'm a native Houstonian fwiw and in what admittedly is at best moderate experience interacting with lawyers in Houston, they don't really consider it to be all that "Texan". I think the names went to UT law but did Ivy league UGs and most of their attorneys are far more Ivy league/east coast types than Lucchese-wearing types you might see in the Big-Tex firms.

[Transferthrowaway]

Do you own any bolo ties?

[Anonymous User]

Take a crack at these:

Can you name some major cases they've been involved in and the role they played? To what extent is the firm Stephen Susman's personal fiefdom? What kind of business does the firm do outside of Texas? Assuming you make partner after 5 years, what does your role look like? Would one make more at Susman or a larger firm with a reasonably sized book? Will working for Susman limit your practice-area choices?

Sorry, I'm not going to waste my time on your silly little quiz just to prove a point. OP has already gotten the information s/he needs. I'm out.

[quakeroats]

Take a crack at these:

Can you name some major cases they've been involved in and the role they played? To what extent is the firm Stephen Susman's personal fiefdom? What kind of business does the firm do outside of Texas? Assuming you make partner after 5 years, what does your role look like? Would one make more at Susman or a larger firm with a reasonably sized book? Will working for Susman limit your practice-area choices?

Sorry, I'm not going to waste my time on your silly little quiz just to prove a point. OP has already gotten the information s/he needs. I'm out.

I suspect you're trying to save face, but think about what I wrote. Maybe you should find answers to a few of those questions.

[Anonymous User]

Do you own any bolo ties?

OP here - haha, this is the money question.