Richards, Layton & Finger - Callback info Forum

[Anonymous User]

Any 3L movement?

3L here. Had screener w/ RLF during first week of August; received CB invitation the following week [week of August 8]; turnaround time from screener to CB invitation was approx. 5 days. Had CB last week [week of August 15]; now waiting to hear.

Didn't get a lock on CB -> decision timeframe, so can't speak to that. Don't know if the CB -> decision timeframe is different for 2Ls vs. 3Ls.

Would be interested in hearing from other 3Ls.

[Anonymous User]

3l here. I had callback with RLF last week and also did not get to ask anything about deadlines. Still haven't heard from the yet.

[Anonymous User]

have a CB in a week. Any advice? Hard questions?

[Anonymous User]

have a CB in a week. Any advice? Hard questions?

I would have a good answer for the why Delaware, specifically Wilmington.

I'd also look into the practice group you are interviewing with and have a view specific questions.

Which practice group will you be interviewing with?

[Anonymous User]

have a CB in a week. Any advice? Hard questions?

I would have a good answer for the why Delaware, specifically Wilmington.

I'd also look into the practice group you are interviewing with and have a view specific questions.

Which practice group will you be interviewing with?

Not sure which group ill be int with.. I said I am interested in commercial transactions. As for ''why wilmington'', I love how it's an important place for corporate/business law bc of favorable DE laws, and thus for many large deals people go through DE (right?..); I like it's near Philly, and I like the low cost of living. Does that sound decent?

[Anonymous User]

If it was anything like my interview, you don't interview for a specific group. In fact, I wasn't even assigned my practice area until about a month before my permanent position started. That said, you'll definitely interview with Joni and almost certainly with Paul (bankruptcy, hiring director). Paul and Joni are both really fantastic people (as are pretty much everyone else there, it's definitely a good place to work). The rest of your day likely varies, but unless they've changed it, will consist of about five 20 minute interviews with directors from various departments + joni interview + tour + lunch with two associates someplace in town.

Not sure why I can't quote anon.

[Anonymous User]

Also, your 'why DE' answer is good, but generic. Back that up with specific ties to the area/a concrete reason you want to be here as opposed to NY or CA. Also, have something that sets RLF apart from the rest of the Big 4. Why us and not one of the other three? That's a really difficult question to answer as an outsider, but you will likely be asked it at least once. If you can convey that you understand how DE big law works (e.g. working with co-counsel, chancery court), and the expectations associated therewith, you will nail the interview.

[Anonymous User]

Also, your 'why DE' answer is good, but generic. Back that up with specific ties to the area/a concrete reason you want to be here as opposed to NY or CA. Also, have something that sets RLF apart from the rest of the Big 4. Why us and not one of the other three? That's a really difficult question to answer as an outsider, but you will likely be asked it at least once. If you can convey that you understand how DE big law works (e.g. working with co-counsel, chancery court), and the expectations associated therewith, you will nail the interview.

Anyway I could PM you? If you could help get me versed on that I think it would help tremendously since I do not have too much knowledge of any of that..

[Anonymous User]

Can you PM me on here? Im the anon

[shikanota]

Woops. Went Anon. This is my account.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone get an offer recently?

[Anonymous User]

What are the exit options like from RLF?

[Anonymous User]

3l here. I had callback with RLF last week and also did not get to ask anything about deadlines. Still haven't heard from the yet.

Did you ever hear back?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone get an offer recently?

Any movement this week?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone get an offer recently?

Any movement this week?

T20 here. Friend of mine accepted an offer last week.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone get an offer recently?

Any movement this week?

T20 here. Friend of mine accepted an offer last week.

Do you know when they received their offer?

[Anonymous User]

So I got another offer and emailed RLF and they called me 2 minutes later saying that I was being highly considered but for 3ls they won't give out offers till after all their summer associates accept/decline their offer (they have to do so by 10/1).

[Anonymous User]

So the RLF info on here was not entirely accurate.. Had a callback earlier this week and was never asked ''Why RLF and not other DE firms''. Also was never asked about chancery court. Seemed to be basic questions with the obvious ''why Wilmington'' and ''if you had to choose Wilmington v. NY, which would it be''.

[Anonymous User]

I think the questions vary based on interviewer. I was asked all of the above questions at my CB earlier in the summer.

[Anonymous User]

So the RLF info on here was not entirely accurate.. Had a callback earlier this week and was never asked ''Why RLF and not other DE firms''. Also was never asked about chancery court. Seemed to be basic questions with the obvious ''why Wilmington'' and ''if you had to choose Wilmington v. NY, which would it be''.

While RLF definitely has a solid Corp Lit practice, it is really only them that spend time in Chancery court. Rather if you are in another practice such as Gen Lit or Bancrupcy (both of which are other large and expanding practice groups at RLF) you may never spend a day in chancery. I think the point is you need to be comfortable with local counsel work. While RLF does a handful of lead counsel work, their strength is really in being a top local counsel firm for big companies litigating in Delaware (often with big law co-counsel), whether it be in Chancery, Bankruptcy court, or Federal District court for a patent case (Delaware is the #2 district in the nation for patent infringement cases). Being comfortable with local work matters. This means a higher volume case load, but not getting nearly as caught in the weeds of each one as you would if you were lead counsel. Some get board with this idea and feel it does not give them exposure to "real legal work." I think it adds variety to your case load rather then working on the same darn case for over a year.

The Why Delaware question I think especially matters for non-native Delawarians. An outsider may be easily intrigued by the high pay to low cost of living in Wilmington and its status as the "corporate capitol" of America, but they want to make sure you will fit beyond that.Wilmington is certainly no New York (and not even a Philly either), but to many who work at RLF that is a positive. The smaller market vibe of Wilmington definitely makes for a different place to both live and work in. Some take it as a positive, others as a negative. Not to sound cliche but it really does come down to fit.

[Anonymous User]

Had a callback today. Thought it went well. Fingers crossed.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know the size of 2017 class? 10, 20?

[Anonymous User]

So the RLF info on here was not entirely accurate.. Had a callback earlier this week and was never asked ''Why RLF and not other DE firms''. Also was never asked about chancery court. Seemed to be basic questions with the obvious ''why Wilmington'' and ''if you had to choose Wilmington v. NY, which would it be''.

While RLF definitely has a solid Corp Lit practice, it is really only them that spend time in Chancery court. Rather if you are in another practice such as Gen Lit or Bancrupcy (both of which are other large and expanding practice groups at RLF) you may never spend a day in chancery. I think the point is you need to be comfortable with local counsel work. While RLF does a handful of lead counsel work, their strength is really in being a top local counsel firm for big companies litigating in Delaware (often with big law co-counsel), whether it be in Chancery, Bankruptcy court, or Federal District court for a patent case (Delaware is the #2 district in the nation for patent infringement cases). Being comfortable with local work matters. This means a higher volume case load, but not getting nearly as caught in the weeds of each one as you would if you were lead counsel. Some get board with this idea and feel it does not give them exposure to "real legal work." I think it adds variety to your case load rather then working on the same darn case for over a year.

The Why Delaware question I think especially matters for non-native Delawarians. An outsider may be easily intrigued by the high pay to low cost of living in Wilmington and its status as the "corporate capitol" of America, but they want to make sure you will fit beyond that.Wilmington is certainly no New York (and not even a Philly either), but to many who work at RLF that is a positive. The smaller market vibe of Wilmington definitely makes for a different place to both live and work in. Some take it as a positive, others as a negative. Not to sound cliche but it really does come down to fit.

Do you enjoy WIlmington?

[Anonymous User]

Do you enjoy WIlmington?

Wilmington is definitely no glamorous metropolis, but the city definitely gets a worse rep than it deserves. Wilmington definitely has that very old declining industrial city vibe found in many of the Philly satellite city (It is better than Camden - I promise), also somewhat similar to some of the midsize cities outside Detroit I have been in (still not as bad as Flint though). That said the downtown is now dominated by the legal industry (doing everything corporate law) and the banking industry (Delaware has lax usury laws that make it a great place for banks to base their national credit card operations in particular). Despite the high crime rate, most of it is quite contained. The actual Wilmington city limits is quite small in size and population which contains most of the bad neighborhoods and drives up the crime stats. Wilmington is no worse than a Baltimore, Detroit, or St. Louis - yes there is a ghetto, you just don't go there.

Trolly square is probably the classic young professional neighborhood (and has been for several years), however, it is not nearly as big and poppin as you would find in bigger cities. The Rivierfront is also nice and is a newer rapidly developing area of the city that offers a more urban apartment/condo feel. The Riverfront project was a result of successful gentrification, so is definitely a step of the city showing it can have nice things.

Point is Wilmington is not dead, there is still stuff to do. Also, Philly is just 30 minutes away (and during the day you can even get there via the local train service for really cheap if you want, but the drive is just a straight shot up 95 too). Baltimore is an hour south too, DC and NY both just over 2 hours and definitely manageable on a weekend. I like that a bunch of major cities are accessible to me but I don't feel surrounded by them. Some people feel the need to be in the NY/Philly/DC vibe 24/7.

[Anonymous User]

Do you enjoy WIlmington?

Wilmington is definitely no glamorous metropolis, but the city definitely gets a worse rep than it deserves. Wilmington definitely has that very old declining industrial city vibe found in many of the Philly satellite city (It is better than Camden - I promise), also somewhat similar to some of the midsize cities outside Detroit I have been in (still not as bad as Flint though). That said the downtown is now dominated by the legal industry (doing everything corporate law) and the banking industry (Delaware has lax usury laws that make it a great place for banks to base their national credit card operations in particular). Despite the high crime rate, most of it is quite contained. The actual Wilmington city limits is quite small in size and population which contains most of the bad neighborhoods and drives up the crime stats. Wilmington is no worse than a Baltimore, Detroit, or St. Louis - yes there is a ghetto, you just don't go there.

Trolly square is probably the classic young professional neighborhood (and has been for several years), however, it is not nearly as big and poppin as you would find in bigger cities. The Rivierfront is also nice and is a newer rapidly developing area of the city that offers a more urban apartment/condo feel. The Riverfront project was a result of successful gentrification, so is definitely a step of the city showing it can have nice things.

Point is Wilmington is not dead, there is still stuff to do. Also, Philly is just 30 minutes away (and during the day you can even get there via the local train service for really cheap if you want, but the drive is just a straight shot up 95 too). Baltimore is an hour south too, DC and NY both just over 2 hours and definitely manageable on a weekend. I like that a bunch of major cities are accessible to me but I don't feel surrounded by them. Some people feel the need to be in the NY/Philly/DC vibe 24/7.

I was an SA at one of the Big 4 this year and I'd second all this. Is Wilmington great? No. Does it get a worse rep than it deserves? Yes. From someone who's spent lots of time in the Deep South, Wilmington and the surrounding neighborhoods/suburbs are relatively nice. Just don't go to the concentrated shitty parts of the town.