V15 Partner/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions... Forum

[itbdvorm]

Thanks for perpetually answering questions in here. I'm a 3L heading to a V15 after graduation. Ideally, I'd like to go solo one day. Do you think after 3-4 years of biglaw lit I'd have the know-how to go solo? I'm afraid that after three years in biglaw I'll still have no idea how to do basics like depositions or drafting discovery requests, much less actual trial work.

Any other practice areas I should consider for making a biglaw to solo transition?

Do you know anyone who went straight from biglaw to solo?

really don't know many folks who have gone solo. why do you want to go solo? seems an odd ambition.

[itbdvorm]

because a few people have been asking me privately, let me know if you'd like me to weigh in on decisions (publicly or privately). will give thoughts to the extent i know.

Quinn vs. Boies? I want to have at least a chance at international work and am interested in a practice group Quinn might be expanding, but those bonuses could pay off my loans 3 times as fast.

i don't think quinn is a good place to be a jr associate.

[Anonymous User]

How do you feel about smaller New York branches of DC firms? For example, WilmerHale, Arnold & Porter, or Covington-- how much does that name brand value carry over?

[Anonymous User]

How do you feel about smaller New York branches of DC firms? For example, WilmerHale, Arnold & Porter, or Covington-- how much does that name brand value carry over?

I vaguely remembered OP talking about Covington at one point, so I went back and found what he said:

Thoughts on Covington NY?

For Corporate, Covington seems to be small but very good. They won't do a ton of deals given their size but they seem to be a very nice team and I think people are reasonably happy there. I don't think you'd be making a bad choice by going there (unless your sole goal was to go do lev fin / i-banking, in which case Cahill's your spot)

I am interested in a more specific response to your question, though, too.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for perpetually answering questions in here. I'm a 3L heading to a V15 after graduation. Ideally, I'd like to go solo one day. Do you think after 3-4 years of biglaw lit I'd have the know-how to go solo? I'm afraid that after three years in biglaw I'll still have no idea how to do basics like depositions or drafting discovery requests, much less actual trial work.

Any other practice areas I should consider for making a biglaw to solo transition?

Do you know anyone who went straight from biglaw to solo?

really don't know many folks who have gone solo. why do you want to go solo? seems an odd ambition.

Always wanted to run my own business and I like the idea of building my own firm and hopefully growing it one day. I'm only really happy in entrepreneurial endeavors. I see biglaw as a pit stop along the way to pay down debt, hopefully get experience and a professional network, and get start up capital. I just don't know if biglaw will provide me with the right skill set.

[S1mm]

I just posted a question on top-law (http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=194385), but I wanted to direct it to you. To summarize: Allen & Overy vs. Milbank? Both NYC. Thanks.

[itbdvorm]

How do you feel about smaller New York branches of DC firms? For example, WilmerHale, Arnold & Porter, or Covington-- how much does that name brand value carry over?

I vaguely remembered OP talking about Covington at one point, so I went back and found what he said:

Thoughts on Covington NY?

For Corporate, Covington seems to be small but very good. They won't do a ton of deals given their size but they seem to be a very nice team and I think people are reasonably happy there. I don't think you'd be making a bad choice by going there (unless your sole goal was to go do lev fin / i-banking, in which case Cahill's your spot)

I am interested in a more specific response to your question, though, too.

all fine firms. not as well regarded in NY as in DC?

[itbdvorm]

I just posted a question on top-law (http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=194385), but I wanted to direct it to you. To summarize: Allen & Overy vs. Milbank? Both NYC. Thanks.

knowing nothing else...prob milbank I guess?

[Anonymous User]

Thanks again for answering questions.

If my ultimate goal is to be a GC for a tech/emerging company, what kind of firm setting will give me the best skill set/experience: NYC biglaw, Regional biglaw, or full service IP boutique? For the biglaw options I would probably choose general corporate or M&A.

Also would it be possible to get to a GC role if starting in bankruptcy/restructuring?

[Anonymous User]

Thanks again for answering questions.

If my ultimate goal is to be a GC for a tech/emerging company, what kind of firm setting will give me the best skill set/experience: NYC biglaw, Regional biglaw, or full service IP boutique? For the biglaw options I would probably choose general corporate or M&A.

Also would it be possible to get to a GC role if starting in bankruptcy/restructuring?

I'm not OP, just a mere 2L, but if you want to work for a tech/emerging company I think working for the Valley firms (Cooley, WSGR, Gunderson, Fenwick) would be a good idea.

[Anonymous User]

because a few people have been asking me privately, let me know if you'd like me to weigh in on decisions (publicly or privately). will give thoughts to the extent i know.

Quinn vs. Boies? I want to have at least a chance at international work and am interested in a practice group Quinn might be expanding, but those bonuses could pay off my loans 3 times as fast.

i don't think quinn is a good place to be a jr associate.

Why not, and why worse than Boies or any other place with crazy hours (e.g. Cravath)? Sounds like at least juniors at Quinn get to do real work before they burn out.

[somewhatwayward]

Why not, and why worse than Boies or any other place with crazy hours (e.g. Cravath)? Sounds like at least juniors at Quinn get to do real work before they burn out.

From what I have heard from someone who worked there in NYC, that is more something they tell you to get you to come there than a reality. You will get to do some so-called "real" work at all firms, but Quinn associates do not do a disproportionately large amount compared to other firms, according to this person. Perhaps it is different at Quinn in other markets.

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on Milbank v Sullivan & Cromwell for litigation?

[anon168]

Any thoughts on Milbank v Sullivan & Cromwell for litigation?

Which office?

[anon168]

because a few people have been asking me privately, let me know if you'd like me to weigh in on decisions (publicly or privately). will give thoughts to the extent i know.

Quinn vs. Boies? I want to have at least a chance at international work and am interested in a practice group Quinn might be expanding, but those bonuses could pay off my loans 3 times as fast.

i don't think quinn is a good place to be a jr associate.

Why not, and why worse than Boies or any other place with crazy hours (e.g. Cravath)? Sounds like at least juniors at Quinn get to do real work before they burn out.

Which office for QE? And which one for BSF? For both firms, unlike some other bigger ones, office location really matters.

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on Milbank v Sullivan & Cromwell for litigation?

Which office?

NYC for both.

[anon168]

Any thoughts on Milbank v Sullivan & Cromwell for litigation?

Which office?

NYC for both.

Go to S&C.

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on Milbank v Sullivan & Cromwell for litigation?

Which office?

NYC for both.

Go to S&C.

I'm a little concerned about the rumors of S&C being not such a nice place to work. Not too worried about only being able to stay a few years as I've heard exit options are great, but a little worried about it being a bad environment to work in.

[roranoa]

Any thoughts on Milbank v Sullivan & Cromwell for litigation?

Which office?

Anon168, in your opinion, how does one become a good lawyer? Any tips?

[itbdvorm]

Thanks again for answering questions.

If my ultimate goal is to be a GC for a tech/emerging company, what kind of firm setting will give me the best skill set/experience: NYC biglaw, Regional biglaw, or full service IP boutique? For the biglaw options I would probably choose general corporate or M&A.

Also would it be possible to get to a GC role if starting in bankruptcy/restructuring?

I'm not OP, just a mere 2L, but if you want to work for a tech/emerging company I think working for the Valley firms (Cooley, WSGR, Gunderson, Fenwick) would be a good idea.

that sounds right. or NY firms, corporate M&A generally. corporate means much more than IP in this context, unless IP boutique specializes in emerging companies (different than "IP")

[itbdvorm]

I'm a little concerned about the rumors of S&C being not such a nice place to work. Not too worried about only being able to stay a few years as I've heard exit options are great, but a little worried about it being a bad environment to work in.

Milbank's no picnic either. And name value/exit options will be night and day.

[itbdvorm]

Why not, and why worse than Boies or any other place with crazy hours (e.g. Cravath)? Sounds like at least juniors at Quinn get to do real work before they burn out.

From what I have heard from someone who worked there in NYC, that is more something they tell you to get you to come there than a reality. You will get to do some so-called "real" work at all firms, but Quinn associates do not do a disproportionately large amount compared to other firms, according to this person. Perhaps it is different at Quinn in other markets.

Sounds like according to whom?

Seriously - I've heard absolute nightmare stories about being a junior at Quinn. Maybe it's different if you're an identified superstar, but from what people have told me I would recommend against it. No inside knowledge, just second-hand sources.

[Anonymous User]

What do you think for S&C, DPW, or PW? All NYC. I'd say I'm 90% leaning lit, but I could imagine experiencing more corporate work in the summer and deciding I like that more. I know that PW has a better rep for lit, but I can't imagine that that will matter that much for me in my first 3-4 years in the firm. (I don't plan on staying longer than that). Any thoughts?

[Anonymous User]

Quinn vs. Boies? I want to have at least a chance at international work and am interested in a practice group Quinn might be expanding, but those bonuses could pay off my loans 3 times as fast.

i don't think quinn is a good place to be a jr associate.

Why not, and why worse than Boies or any other place with crazy hours (e.g. Cravath)? Sounds like at least juniors at Quinn get to do real work before they burn out.

Which office for QE? And which one for BSF? For both firms, unlike some other bigger ones, office location really matters.

NY.

Everyone says Quinn is a shitty place to work, but no one ever explains why it's shittier than Cravath, S&C, other sweatshops that pay lower bonuses and don't let you wear yoga pants when you're cranking out memos at 3am. Seriously, is there any actual reason for not choosing Quinn over peer firms/litigation depart,ents based on associate quality of life? or are y'all just jealous you can't wear flip flops to your V15?

[anon168]

Any thoughts on Milbank v Sullivan & Cromwell for litigation?

Which office?

Anon168, in your opinion, how does one become a good lawyer? Any tips?

I don't mean to be pedantic, but what do you mean by "good lawyer"? And what kind of lawyer -- corp., lit., prosecutor, etc.?

And when you say "good lawyer" do you mean good lawyer in the absolute sense, like how do I become the next Clarence Darrow? or David Boies?

Or do you mean how do I become a good lawyer in biglaw? Or more precisely, how does one become a good associate at a law firm?

Those are two very different things.

If we were to use Venn Diagrams, there might be some intersection but less than you might think.

PM if you want, but otherwise clarify your Q and I'd be happy to help.