Big Law Prospects? Forum

[Anonymous User]

JD/MBA student at T-25 school. Safely within top 25%, outside chance at top 20% (not yet known), law review.

Want to work in DC preferably, interested in corporate law, what firms should I be focusing on?

[rad lulz]

Want to work in DC preferably, interested in corporate law, what firms should I be focusing on?

NYC firms.

[XM3045]

NYC firms.

This. Plus maybe Latham DC.

Why do you want to be in DC if you are interested in corporate law?

[.375 H&H Mag.]

Want to work in DC preferably, interested in corporate law, what firms should I be focusing on?

NYC firms.

Please elaborate. Better chances there?

[rad lulz]

Want to work in DC preferably, interested in corporate law, what firms should I be focusing on?

NYC firms.

Please elaborate. Better chances there?

That's where the corporate work is.

[Anonymous User]

NYC firms.

This. Plus maybe Latham DC.

Why do you want to be in DC if you are interested in corporate law?

Mostly because it's where I would prefer to live. I was more trying to get an idea as to what level of firm I would be competitive for rather than what firms offer the best corporate law work.

[Aberzombie1892]

It depends on what T-25

[Anonymous User]

1. DC firms are all about litigation. Corporate practice exists there, but it's marginal. The real action happens in NY.

2. DC firms are also significantly more competitive than NYC firms. While I can't speak to your specific odds at landing NYC BIGLAW, they're certainly much better than landing DC BIGLAW. For instance, when I was going through recruiting as an HLS 2L (grades were roughly top 15-20% at the time), I got callbacks/offers at virtually every NYC firm to which I applied, and those were all in the V20 or higher range. In contrast, I only got two callbacks of the six DC firms with which I interviewed. To be fair, though, the six firms were at the top of the DC heap (i.e. W&C, Sidley, Gibson, etc.).

Keep in mind that these were my results as someone with strong grades from HLS. The bar will be higher for someone coming from a T25.

[Anonymous User]

1. DC firms are all about litigation. Corporate practice exists there, but it's marginal. The real action happens in NY.

2. DC firms are also significantly more competitive than NYC firms. While I can't speak to your specific odds at landing NYC BIGLAW, they're certainly much better than landing DC BIGLAW. For instance, when I was going through recruiting as an HLS 2L (grades were roughly top 15-20% at the time), I got callbacks/offers at virtually every NYC firm to which I applied, and those were all in the V20 or higher range. In contrast, I only got two callbacks of the six DC firms with which I interviewed. To be fair, though, the six firms were at the top of the DC heap (i.e. W&C, Sidley, Gibson, etc.).

Keep in mind that these were my results as someone with strong grades from HLS. The bar will be higher for someone coming from a T25.

Thank you for the feedback. I was not aware that my chances were better in NYC, in fact I was thinking the opposite (although I did plan on applying to firms in NYC in addition to DC, Philadelphia, and DE).

For the record, in addition to corporate law, I also have interest in Bankruptcy, M&A, and potentially Securities or any other field of the law that will enable me to use my finance background. I'm not sure whether that will change people's opinion that NYC is clearly a preferable destination, but I figured that I should expand on my legal interests.

At any rate, thanks to all for their feedback. Any additional feedback on where I may be competitive or where my MBA may enhance my profile beyond my JD rank would be much appreciated.

[DCDuck]

As others have mentioned, NYC is generally better for corporate, M&A and bankruptcy, but there are firms in DC with strong practices in those areas. You should also consider Big Fed (which is just as competitive) with an emphasis on finance and securities. But it'll get you DC in an area you are interested in and can sell yourself because of your background.

[Anonymous User]

As others have mentioned, NYC is generally better for corporate, M&A and bankruptcy, but there are firms in DC with strong practices in those areas. You should also consider Big Fed (which is just as competitive) with an emphasis on finance and securities. But it'll get you DC in an area you are interested in and can sell yourself because of your background.

Correction. Big Fed is more competitive than BIGLAW, whether in DC or elsewhere. Fewer positions + hiring freeze = almost impossible to get a Big Fed job these days. Better luck in a few years with some experience elsewhere and a (hopefully) improved economic atmosphere.

[dingbat]

I don't remember off the top of my head (nor can I currently look it up) but some firms give preference to JD/MBAs
During thè heyday, those firms gave signing bonuses for JD/MBA, or would pay scale as a second year associate; not sure if they still do

[.375 H&H Mag.]

I don't remember off the top of my head (nor can I currently look it up) but some firms give preference to JD/MBAs
During thè heyday, those firms gave signing bonuses for JD/MBA, or would pay scale as a second year associate; not sure if they still do

Paul Hastings. Goodwin Procter.

[shmoo597]

For the record, in addition to corporate law, I also have interest in Bankruptcy, M&A, and potentially Securities or any other field of the law that will enable me to use my finance background. I'm not sure whether that will change people's opinion that NYC is clearly a preferable destination, but I figured that I should expand on my legal interests.

no offense, but how can you have a finance background, be an MBA student, and think that any legal market even approaches NYC in terms of opportunities for bankruptcy, M&A, and securities? NYC has by far the most biglaw jobs. it has the most banks. it is the financial center of the country and the world. it has wallstreet. it has a huge number of f500 companies. if you want to do traditional transactional work, NYC will almost always be your best bet (with few exceptions, ie for VC/start up work, go to SF/SV).

[Renzo]

For the record, in addition to corporate law, I also have interest in Bankruptcy, M&A, and potentially Securities or any other field of the law that will enable me to use my finance background. I'm not sure whether that will change people's opinion that NYC is clearly a preferable destination, but I figured that I should expand on my legal interests.

no offense, but how can you have a finance background, be an MBA student, and think that any legal market even approaches NYC in terms of opportunities for bankruptcy, M&A, and securities? NYC has by far the most biglaw jobs. it has the most banks. it is the financial center of the country and the world. it has wallstreet. it has a huge number of f500 companies. if you want to do traditional transactional work, NYC will almost always be your best bet (with few exceptions, ie for VC/start up work, go to SF/SV).

[Magnificent]

1. DC firms are all about litigation. Corporate practice exists there, but it's marginal. The real action happens in NY.

2. DC firms are also significantly more competitive than NYC firms. While I can't speak to your specific odds at landing NYC BIGLAW, they're certainly much better than landing DC BIGLAW. For instance, when I was going through recruiting as an HLS 2L (grades were roughly top 15-20% at the time), I got callbacks/offers at virtually every NYC firm to which I applied, and those were all in the V20 or higher range. In contrast, I only got two callbacks of the six DC firms with which I interviewed. To be fair, though, the six firms were at the top of the DC heap (i.e. W&C, Sidley, Gibson, etc.).

Keep in mind that these were my results as someone with strong grades from HLS. The bar will be higher for someone coming from a T25.

not to derail this thread but I wouldn't consider Sidley and Gibson to be elite in DC

the elite in DC are W&C, Covington, Wilmer, and to a lesser degree Arnold & Porter......these are the words of a partner (at another firm not in this group) in DC that I interviewed with

Gibson is only elite in the sense of their appellate practice but if we're going by just one practice group then Jenner & Block would also be elite.

[Detrox]

1. DC firms are all about litigation. Corporate practice exists there, but it's marginal. The real action happens in NY.

2. DC firms are also significantly more competitive than NYC firms. While I can't speak to your specific odds at landing NYC BIGLAW, they're certainly much better than landing DC BIGLAW. For instance, when I was going through recruiting as an HLS 2L (grades were roughly top 15-20% at the time), I got callbacks/offers at virtually every NYC firm to which I applied, and those were all in the V20 or higher range. In contrast, I only got two callbacks of the six DC firms with which I interviewed. To be fair, though, the six firms were at the top of the DC heap (i.e. W&C, Sidley, Gibson, etc.).

Keep in mind that these were my results as someone with strong grades from HLS. The bar will be higher for someone coming from a T25.

not to derail this thread but I wouldn't consider Sidley and Gibson to be elite in DC

the elite in DC are W&C, Covington, Wilmer, and to a lesser degree Arnold & Porter......these are the words of a partner (at another firm not in this group) in DC that I interviewed with

Gibson is only elite in the sense of their appellate practice but if we're going by just one practice group then Jenner & Block would also be elite.

Despite the fact that Magnificient is generally an unbearable troll, TITCR.

[vegeta]

What's Big Fed? I'm guessing DOJ, but what else?

[Magnificent]

What's Big Fed? I'm guessing DOJ, but what else?

not really

Big Fed are the elite legal offices in the government (not all are in DOJ). The top ones are Office of Legal Counsel in DOJ, Office of Legal Adviser in State, and the Solicitor General's Office. Getting hired at one of those offices is the equivalent of getting a feeder clerkship in terms of credentials. Others departments like DoD and the SEC have credited legal offices as well.

[Anonymous User]

What's Big Fed? I'm guessing DOJ, but what else?

not really

Big Fed are the elite legal offices in the government (not all are in DOJ). The top ones are Office of Legal Counsel in DOJ, Office of Legal Adviser in State, and the Solicitor General's Office. Getting hired at one of those offices is the equivalent of getting a feeder clerkship in terms of credentials. Others departments like DoD and the SEC have credited legal offices as well.

OLC and OSG aren't equivalent to feeder clerkships, they're equivalent to SCOTUS clerkships. More realistic (i.e., they actually make entry level hires) and elite are Civil Appellate and Federal Programs.

[ph14]

1. DC firms are all about litigation. Corporate practice exists there, but it's marginal. The real action happens in NY.

2. DC firms are also significantly more competitive than NYC firms. While I can't speak to your specific odds at landing NYC BIGLAW, they're certainly much better than landing DC BIGLAW. For instance, when I was going through recruiting as an HLS 2L (grades were roughly top 15-20% at the time), I got callbacks/offers at virtually every NYC firm to which I applied, and those were all in the V20 or higher range. In contrast, I only got two callbacks of the six DC firms with which I interviewed. To be fair, though, the six firms were at the top of the DC heap (i.e. W&C, Sidley, Gibson, etc.).

Keep in mind that these were my results as someone with strong grades from HLS. The bar will be higher for someone coming from a T25.

Would this anon pm me please. Thank you.

[Anonymous User]

How would top 20% at W&L/W&M/GMU do in Richmond/DC? Secondary Journal. Still trying to figure out what type of law I want to practice and open to most, but leaning towards Corporate/M&A?

[Anonymous User]

How would top 20% at W&L/W&M/GMU do in Richmond/DC? Secondary Journal. Still trying to figure out what type of law I want to practice and open to most, but leaning towards Corporate/M&A?

I don't suspect there is much corporate/M&A work in Richmond

[Anonymous User]

Ya from what I've looked at so far it seems McGuire/Woods does corporate law in Richmond and LeClair Ryan does M&A. But I'm new to this game and really don't know where to start.

[Anonymous User]

How would top 20% at W&L/W&M/GMU do in Richmond/DC? Secondary Journal. Still trying to figure out what type of law I want to practice and open to most, but leaning towards Corporate/M&A?

I don't suspect there is much corporate/M&A work in Richmond

There's plenty of corporate/M&A work in Richmond, just not any big deals. Hunton and mcguirewoods have substantial corporate practices in Richmond. FWIW - Harris Williams, a Richmond based i-bank, does a lot of mid-caps work.