2014 Texas OCI (UT and other schools bidding on TX) Forum

[Anonymous User]

I've got a couple of interviews so far in Houston. There were some good tips about "why Dallas" earlier in this thread, but I didn't see much about "why Houston." Does anyone have any tips for that? For reference, I go to WUSTL, have no real ties to Texas, and am from Virginia (not near DC).

[dkb17xzx]

I'm from Houston - talk about a diverse city (demographics, food, cultural experiences, entertainment, etc), booming oil and gas, stable economy/job market, low COL, major sports teams (if that's your thing)

[mw115]

In addition to what the above post said:

Houston prides itself on being more cultured. Most of Houston's cultural institutions are very well supported and are regarded, at least by locals, as some of the best in the world (esp. MFAH, HMNS, and HGO).

Also, Dallas has a more diverse set of clients. In Houston, the vast majority of clients are all from the energy or the energy services industry.

Houston also has a number of humongous public parks (Hermann, Memorial, Buffalo Bayou) that provide a lot of green space if you live close to DT.

Finally, and this is changing somewhat, but Houston has a reputation of being more blue collar than Dallas.

[shifty_eyed]

Finally, and this is changing somewhat, but Houston has a reputation of being more blue collar than Dallas.

In other words, Houston thinks Dallas is snobby.

[blackmooncreeping]

Finally, and this is changing somewhat, but Houston has a reputation of being more blue collar than Dallas.

In other words, Houston thinks Dallas is snobby.

Dallas is snobby

[BVest]

UT just added another Dallas firm looking for 3Ls (apply through symplicity by 5 tomorrow). I won't say which firm, but no doubt looking for fresh meat after much of their incoming 2014 class of associates followed their partners to Sidley.

[Neff]

.

[shifty_eyed]

Does anyone here know much about Beck Redden? Please PM if so.

[El_Bee_Oh]

Anyone have any info on the current state of the Dallas market? There's been a lot of movement among the firms, with Hayboo and Weil losing a lot of people, some firms retrenching and others getting stronger. What are the consensus top firms in terms of work, culture etc? I'd like to get some info on M&A in particular.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have any info on the current state of the Dallas market? There's been a lot of movement among the firms, with Hayboo and Weil losing a lot of people, some firms retrenching and others getting stronger. What are the consensus top firms in terms of work, culture etc? I'd like to get some info on M&A in particular.

For M&A, I'd go with BB, GDC, or Hayboo. There will be some significant "fit" differences between those three that you'll have to feel out on CBs, but I think they are the best choices in terms of work. I also know several people in each of those three M&A groups who don't hate--and even actually like--their jobs, so that's a good sign as well, particularly since the M&A groups are all fairly small numbers-wise.

Full disclosure: I'm at one of the above firms. I'd like to hear if there are other attorneys lurking on here who want to weigh in with different opinions.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have any info on the current state of the Dallas market? There's been a lot of movement among the firms, with Hayboo and Weil losing a lot of people, some firms retrenching and others getting stronger. What are the consensus top firms in terms of work, culture etc? I'd like to get some info on M&A in particular.

For M&A, I'd go with BB, GDC, or Hayboo. There will be some significant "fit" differences between those three that you'll have to feel out on CBs, but I think they are the best choices in terms of work. I also know several people in each of those three M&A groups who don't hate--and even actually like--their jobs, so that's a good sign as well, particularly since the M&A groups are all fairly small numbers-wise.

Full disclosure: I'm at one of the above firms. I'd like to hear if there are other attorneys lurking on here who want to weigh in with different opinions.

I'm not at one of those firms, but I do question the inclusion of BB in that list. I don't think BB Dallas is known for their corporate work - seems to be a stronger office for lit/IP.

Agreed re GDC and HayBoo. I would also add TK, V&E, Akin and Jones Day. V&E and Jones Day have a bad reputation in terms of office culture (though JD's may be more problematic in just Capital Markets rather than Corporate as a whole), but both have great work. TK and Akin also have good sized groups and seem to have better firm culture reputations. GDC has top-notch work but a smaller group, and HayBoo has good work but its definitely a cut below the other firms here (with the exception of TK).

[Anonymous User]

Somehow just now found this thread...that's what I get for being A Creature of the Lounge.

Who else is doing the NY fair? I may have...spread myself thin with the interviews after not reading the email about 20 minute gap between interviews.

Also, thanks for the "why houston" tips: now that I've spent some time here I actually quite like it but it's hard to articulate.

Edit: This is romanticegotist, we're all friends here.

[Anonymous User]

Somehow just now found this thread...that's what I get for being A Creature of the Lounge.

Who else is doing the NY fair? I may have...spread myself thin with the interviews after not reading the email about 20 minute gap between interviews.

Also, thanks for the "why houston" tips: now that I've spent some time here I actually quite like it but it's hard to articulate.

Edit: This is romanticegotist, we're all friends here.

I have 7 of my interviews back-to-back ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[romanticegotist]

Somehow just now found this thread...that's what I get for being A Creature of the Lounge.

Who else is doing the NY fair? I may have...spread myself thin with the interviews after not reading the email about 20 minute gap between interviews.

Also, thanks for the "why houston" tips: now that I've spent some time here I actually quite like it but it's hard to articulate.

Edit: This is romanticegotist, we're all friends here.

I have 7 of my interviews back-to-back ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

*gives sympathetic nod*

[Anonymous User]

Only have 2/9 back to back. One of my interviewers moved mine to the afternoon.

[romanticegotist]

My presumption is that it won't be huge deal; it'll be hectic and tiring but a lot of people are in that situation. I asked the CSO what I should do about it and they basically said "It depends on what you think you can handle. we've had kids do all 20, and we've had kids preselected for 20 just do 10 and prepare hard for them."

(i did not get all 20)

[shifty_eyed]

My presumption is that it won't be huge deal; it'll be hectic and tiring but a lot of people are in that situation. I asked the CSO what I should do about it and they basically said "It depends on what you think you can handle. we've had kids do all 20, and we've had kids preselected for 20 just do 10 and prepare hard for them."

(i did not get all 20)

I feel like it would be literally impossible to do 20 in the job fair's timeframe, but maybe CSO hands out time-turners to the top students.

[Anonymous User]

Student at non-UT T20. Had a phone interview with a firm in Houston and I saw an opportunity to throw a little shade on Dallas. Dude loved it. Also it seems like Houston prides itself on being open to outsiders, so maybe that's a good thing to play up for people without ties (like myself).

[romanticegotist]

Well I am close enough to that number that I will let you know. It's gonna be one hell of a day, and for one reason or another I will require a LOT of overpriced cocktails after.

[romanticegotist]

Student at non-UT T20. Had a phone interview with a firm in Houston and I saw an opportunity to throw a little shade on Dallas. Dude loved it. Also it seems like Houston prides itself on being open to outsiders, so that's a good thing to play up for people without ties (like myself).

What kind of firm are we talking? That's hopeful advice for a non-texan like myself.

[Anonymous User]

V50, but not a Texas based firm.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have any info on the current state of the Dallas market? There's been a lot of movement among the firms, with Hayboo and Weil losing a lot of people, some firms retrenching and others getting stronger. What are the consensus top firms in terms of work, culture etc? I'd like to get some info on M&A in particular.

For M&A, I'd go with BB, GDC, or Hayboo. There will be some significant "fit" differences between those three that you'll have to feel out on CBs, but I think they are the best choices in terms of work. I also know several people in each of those three M&A groups who don't hate--and even actually like--their jobs, so that's a good sign as well, particularly since the M&A groups are all fairly small numbers-wise.

Full disclosure: I'm at one of the above firms. I'd like to hear if there are other attorneys lurking on here who want to weigh in with different opinions.

I'm not at one of those firms, but I do question the inclusion of BB in that list. I don't think BB Dallas is known for their corporate work - seems to be a stronger office for lit/IP.

Agreed re GDC and HayBoo. I would also add TK, V&E, Akin and Jones Day. V&E and Jones Day have a bad reputation in terms of office culture (though JD's may be more problematic in just Capital Markets rather than Corporate as a whole), but both have great work. TK and Akin also have good sized groups and seem to have better firm culture reputations. GDC has top-notch work but a smaller group, and HayBoo has good work but its definitely a cut below the other firms here (with the exception of TK).

Anon from above. I agree with you on most of that. I don't know a ton about Akin except that the large Hayboo group went there recently and that Akin is known for being somewhat quirky. I've heard similar things as you about V&E and JD re: culture - neither are places I'd recommend someone go if they had other top options. TK corporate is fairly busy, the work is decent and the people are great, but the firm as a whole seems to be having some financial issues, and I don't think it will be too long before they merge with a national firm (likely someone on the Reed Smith level, who they had failed merger talks with a few years ago). On a side note, I'd also avoid the oil and gas practice group at TK completely. I agree that BB isn't particularly known for corporate, but I still think they're a solid choice in terms of culture+good work, and it probably wouldn't matter at all for exit options. But, again, this is based largely off anecdotal evidence from the several BB corporate associates I know who seem generally content with their jobs.

On balance, I'd go with GDC if you don't care about partnership prospects and Hayboo if you did, then BB unless you cared a lot about the prestige of the corporate practice, and otherwise Akin, TK, VE, or JD depending on where you fit in best.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have any info on the current state of the Dallas market? There's been a lot of movement among the firms, with Hayboo and Weil losing a lot of people, some firms retrenching and others getting stronger. What are the consensus top firms in terms of work, culture etc? I'd like to get some info on M&A in particular.

For M&A, I'd go with BB, GDC, or Hayboo. There will be some significant "fit" differences between those three that you'll have to feel out on CBs, but I think they are the best choices in terms of work. I also know several people in each of those three M&A groups who don't hate--and even actually like--their jobs, so that's a good sign as well, particularly since the M&A groups are all fairly small numbers-wise.

Full disclosure: I'm at one of the above firms. I'd like to hear if there are other attorneys lurking on here who want to weigh in with different opinions.

I'm not at one of those firms, but I do question the inclusion of BB in that list. I don't think BB Dallas is known for their corporate work - seems to be a stronger office for lit/IP.

Agreed re GDC and HayBoo. I would also add TK, V&E, Akin and Jones Day. V&E and Jones Day have a bad reputation in terms of office culture (though JD's may be more problematic in just Capital Markets rather than Corporate as a whole), but both have great work. TK and Akin also have good sized groups and seem to have better firm culture reputations. GDC has top-notch work but a smaller group, and HayBoo has good work but its definitely a cut below the other firms here (with the exception of TK).

Anon from above. I agree with you on most of that. I don't know a ton about Akin except that the large Hayboo group went there recently and that Akin is known for being somewhat quirky. I've heard similar things as you about V&E and JD re: culture - neither are places I'd recommend someone go if they had other top options. TK corporate is fairly busy, the work is decent and the people are great, but the firm as a whole seems to be having some financial issues, and I don't think it will be too long before they merge with a national firm (likely someone on the Reed Smith level, who they had failed merger talks with a few years ago). On a side note, I'd also avoid the oil and gas practice group at TK completely. I agree that BB isn't particularly known for corporate, but I still think they're a solid choice in terms of culture+good work, and it probably wouldn't matter at all for exit options. But, again, this is based largely off anecdotal evidence from the several BB corporate associates I know who seem generally content with their jobs.

On balance, I'd go with GDC if you don't care about partnership prospects and Hayboo if you did, then BB unless you cared a lot about the prestige of the corporate practice, and otherwise Akin, TK, VE, or JD depending on where you fit in best.

Would generally agree with all of your above points, except that my ranking would be GDC if you don't care about p'ship prospects (and can get an offer there), and then an even split between HB/BB/Akin depending on your preferences between culture, work quality, group size, etc. - each of those firms have pros/cons but on the whole seem like good places to start your career. After that I'd probably go with TK and then JD/VE (though JD/VE are both great names and offer great work experience if you want to be able to lateral down the road to another firm, market or in house, so if you know you don't want to stick around to make partner at a BigTex firm, I might move them higher up my list).

The final point I'd make is that in today's market, lateraling is super easy (and fairly common), so people shouldn't stress about making sure they pick the firm that will want to be at 40 years.

[Anonymous User]

Mass mail: T6 @ median, auto rejected from Baker Botts Dallas b/c GPA cutoff. Rejected from Bracewell mass mail.

Massive TX ties, sent out emails last night and today.

[romanticegotist]

Mass mail: T6 @ median, auto rejected from Baker Botts Dallas b/c GPA cutoff. Rejected from Bracewell mass mail.

Massive TX ties, sent out emails last night and today.

Keep at it; ties are big and there are a lot of offices, especially in Houston, that would be happy to take you.