NY v. DC Which is the better place to practice arbitration? Forum

[Anonymous User]

My understanding is that arbitration is a relatively limited, albeit fast-growing, area of practice, and my goal is to specialize in the area. If there is a difference, which city offers more opportunities for junior associates to actually involve in arbitration cases? Does it in part depend on whether I want to focus on investment arbitration or commercial arbitration (as I assume firms in DC have more governtal resources)? Thanks in advance for any input!

[Anonymous User]

Hey OP:

I think that if you're set on arbitration, it makes sense to apply to both NY and DC firms. I think Debevoise (who I'd expect you'd apply to) has the practice group centered in NY, but I think some firms have pushed the practice out to DC. Lots of cross-office work anyway, so not certain it matters much.

I'd expect that New York is more frequently a situs.

[Anonymous User]

Hey OP:

I think that if you're set on arbitration, it makes sense to apply to both NY and DC firms. I think Debevoise (who I'd expect you'd apply to) has the practice group centered in NY, but I think some firms have pushed the practice out to DC. Lots of cross-office work anyway, so not certain it matters much.

I'd expect that New York is more frequently a situs.

OP here. Thanks for the reply!

I am deciding between a 1L summer job in NY which will let me try some arbitration work and one in DC which is irrelevant to arbitration. I have zero tie in DC before so I would like to work there this summer to build some connections, provided that DC would be a better place to practice arbitration.

[Anonymous User]

(Same replied as above)

There's another active arbitration thread where you could ask the opinion of a practitioner in DC.

To my mind, being familiar with arbitration and having touched on the work would be more important, especially as DC is not very concerned about ties.

I think networking opportunities are something to consider, but I'd just take the best paying job you can get. If they both pay the same, quality of work would be what I consider next.

[robotrick]

OP here. Thanks for the reply!

I am deciding between a 1L summer job in NY which will let me try some arbitration work and one in DC which is irrelevant to arbitration. I have zero tie in DC before so I would like to work there this summer to build some connections, provided that DC would be a better place to practice arbitration.

Take the NY job to try out arbitration before you dedicate your entire career to it. DC doesn't care about ties.

[WheninLaw]

OP here. Thanks for the reply!

I am deciding between a 1L summer job in NY which will let me try some arbitration work and one in DC which is irrelevant to arbitration. I have zero tie in DC before so I would like to work there this summer to build some connections, provided that DC would be a better place to practice arbitration.

Take the NY job to try out arbitration before you dedicate your entire career to it. DC doesn't care about ties.

I don't think this is accurate.

[robotrick]

OP here. Thanks for the reply!

I am deciding between a 1L summer job in NY which will let me try some arbitration work and one in DC which is irrelevant to arbitration. I have zero tie in DC before so I would like to work there this summer to build some connections, provided that DC would be a better place to practice arbitration.

Take the NY job to try out arbitration before you dedicate your entire career to it. DC doesn't care about ties.

I don't think this is accurate.

Fair enough. OP and others reading might benefit from hearing your opinion/advice on the matter, though.