Houston versus Dallas Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anybody have any insight into the opportunities in one city versus the other?

I am from Houston and still have family there, but I really like and would prefer Dallas (I know). I've worked in both cities before law school. Each have reasons why I would like to live there. I'm trying to decide which city to focus on because I would honestly be happy in either, but I don't want to limit my exit options. I am looking at Texas longterm.

Does Dallas have about the same exit options as Houston? Currently at a school that places the vast majority in big law.

[BasilHallward]

Does anybody have any insight into the opportunities in one city versus the other?

I am from Houston and still have family there, but I really like and would prefer Dallas (I know). I've worked in both cities before law school. Each have reasons why I would like to live there. I'm trying to decide which city to focus on because I would honestly be happy in either, but I don't want to limit my exit options. I am looking at Texas longterm.

Does Dallas have about the same exit options as Houston? Currently at a school that places the vast majority in big law.

(1) Great use of anon. (2) Yes, Dallas has "about the same" exit options as Houston. If we're talking in-house options, Dallas and Houston both have over 20 Fortune 500 companies. North Dallas/Plano/Frisco could be a game-changer going forward, as we'll see if companies continue flocking there.

[nealric]

Does anybody have any insight into the opportunities in one city versus the other?

I am from Houston and still have family there, but I really like and would prefer Dallas (I know). I've worked in both cities before law school. Each have reasons why I would like to live there. I'm trying to decide which city to focus on because I would honestly be happy in either, but I don't want to limit my exit options. I am looking at Texas longterm.

Does Dallas have about the same exit options as Houston? Currently at a school that places the vast majority in big law.

Career-wise they are about the same, but I wouldn't underestimate the value of having family in-town over the long term. It's a personal decision.

[Anonymous User]

Hey OP, good question. I am a Texas native and had the same question myself last year. Dallas is a nicer, more pleasant place to live in my opinion. But, for Big Law, I think Houston has a clear advantage due to energy space. The firms are much, much larger and the class sizes bigger. Size of corporate transactions in Houston are much larger. However, Dallas has GREAT PubCo exit options (Houston is mostly energy). I also don't think picking one city eliminates the other for exit options. In fact, I know a guy in H-town big law who just scored a GC job in Dallas. Hope that helps.

[Anonymous User]

^^ this is spot on. Imo, get your training wheels off and the resume line at a top Houston spot then go to Dallas if you want (or stay in Houston if you end up liking it).

[Anonymous User]

I actually split my summer between Houston and Dallas (having been from Austin, both were new experiences for me). I would agree Dallas is "prettier" as a whole, which could be a draw for some (I guess). It is undeniable that Houston has the stronger legal market and does more sophisticated work in general. Dallas probably has more non-energy public company exits, but those positions are usually ones where you are one of 30-50 attorneys and you won't make more than 200/year most likely. Go to Houston for a couple years at BB/VE or Latham and then you can go to Dallas later if you want. There is a reason the TX powerhouse firms are all based in Houston and all the top NY firms are fighting (and paying insane $) to open shops in Houston and not Dallas.

[Anonymous User]

Having worked at a BigLaw firm in Dallas and after moving here to Houston to another BigLaw, the quality and level of work in Houston is generally better than the work in Dallas. If you are indifferent, go to Houston first. You will learn more.

[toast and bananas]

A common go-to in these situations is to simply pick whichever city has a world series caliber baseball franchise.

[Anonymous User]

OP here.

Thanks for the insight, y'all. I really appreciate it. You all have been very helpful. If anybody has further thoughts please feel free to add.

Sorry that the use of anon bothered some of you. I included some personal information in my post and when combined with my profile it may make me identifiable. I don't want future employers thinking I'm trying to flake on one city or another. Just playing it safe.

[Anonymous User]

I'll agree with most of what's been said above. If you want the "best" exit options in terms of resume and prestige, the Houston powerhouse firms are the way to go: VE/Latham/Kirkland are the biggest ones right now with BB/Sidley a bit below (at least in what I've seen), followed by the rest. If you can get one of those big three, do it, otherwise, unless you specifically want to work in energy, the other firms are about equal to Dallas's main firms/branches so then just pick based on fit and what you'd prefer.

[Anonymous User]

What are the hours like for corporate associates at one of the top Houston firms?

[Anonymous User]

Is there any truth to the wisdom that Houston shops are better for corporate, but Dallas shops are better for lit?

[Anonymous User]

What are the hours like for corporate associates at one of the top Houston firms?

The same as at any given big law firm.