Long term health of K & L Gates? Forum

[trebekismyhero]

Yeah, just avoid K&L Gates unless it is your only SA offer

[First Offense]

I just finished my summer with K&L in the Pittsburgh office. Several folks (out of 15) received no-offers even though they had largely favorable reviews. All of them are shocked.

If you have other options, I'd think strongly about exercising them. Put simply, there are too many question marks with KLG at this point. The revolving door is real.

Jesus... they did the same thing last year, right?

[Anonymous User]

i was really interested in the pittsburgh office--any idea what happened to make those summers go no offered?

[landshoes]

definitely a risky place. some data points of people being busy and an office moving up start dates from january to september doesnt really seem like a compelling argument given the facts. 800k profits per partner and flat growth the last couple of years in a booming economy is pretty damning.

The ATL article said around 800k in REVENUE per partner, which is even worse.

[Johann]

i was really interested in the pittsburgh office--any idea what happened to make those summers go no offered?

Yeah - K&L has shitty clients or a lack of shitty clients and they don't have enough money to pay a couple people 160k (or 145k or whatever this TTT pays). Any firm that is not making fistfuls of money in this economy is in the process of croaking. I'd look to insurance defense mills at 80-100k rather than K&L whatever they pay.

For the people defending K&L above, stop being biased and get the hell out of there.

[Johann]

definitely a risky place. some data points of people being busy and an office moving up start dates from january to september doesnt really seem like a compelling argument given the facts. 800k profits per partner and flat growth the last couple of years in a booming economy is pretty damning.

The ATL article said around 800k in REVENUE per partner, which is even worse.

jesus christ. not sure if indiana tech law school or K&L gates has a longer expected life at this point. got any actuaries around? I've got my money on K&L folding first.

[anonymous5491]

For some of us who have interviews with the firm (and just need to pick up an offer), what would those who summered at K&L or are working there say about the positive aspects and why you chose the firm? It seems like there is a lot of negative press to get over, and nevertheless, there needs to be something if the interviewer asks "why here?" It's tough figuring it out why.

From my experience, the firm stresses three things on a macro level:

(1) Global, integrated firm with one partnership
(2) We don't carry debt, we're not Dewey
(3) No face time requirement, which provides a superior work-life balance than what one might find at a peer firm

During OCI with KLG, I placed a great deal of emphasis on the first two points.

[Anonymous User]

I have from a good Charlotte source to avoid their KnL Gates office. Have been bleeding attorneys to satellite biglaw firms in town and it will only get worse. She said don't even bother bidding them in OCI. Apparently everyone their is trying like hell to lateral fast.

[DJ JD]

Anyone believe Pete?

https://bol.bna.com/kl-gates-chair-on-p ... -expected/

[Anonymous User]

I have from a good Charlotte source to avoid their KnL Gates office. Have been bleeding attorneys to satellite biglaw firms in town and it will only get worse. She said don't even bother bidding them in OCI. Apparently everyone their is trying like hell to lateral fast.

Former Charlotte summer with contacts there. Can confirm. People in my class got no offered, and it's just generally a dumpy place to be. They've lost a ton of their high rollers in real estate to Troutman Sanders.

I anecdotally heard about no offers in other offices as well.

Like others said, don't take it unless it's your only offer.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have an idea about the NY office? I have a callback there.

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Miami office? I have a callback this week.

[Anonymous User]

non NYC associate here and have several points:


- mainly, the business of associates (and partners) is extremely department and office specific. Some are doing incredible. Others aren't. Very few offices are so slow that they are going to just straight up shut them down, if any, and certainly nothing major market.
- a lot of the bleeding has been underperforming income partners. I know that's the firm like but some truth to that.
- even slow associates aren't getting stealthed or anything, even the ones who are slow due to partner departures etc. in my office particular, no offers haven't been too bad and all of them were pretty justified, not just simply we can't handle more talent
- the no debt thing is real. Doesn't mean firm is or will be thriving, but it certainly isn't going Dewey anytime soon.
-bottom line, and why I wrote this, is if it's your only big law offer, take it. The insurance comment is just absurd. I know SEVERAL people who did kl and then went 3l oci to other places and if you do end up here, it will exist, and they park market. However, many offices are in flux, offers are not guaranteed, and you might be wise to check out other offers. Just isn't as dire as has been reported and doing something crazy like shit law would be insane. Just my take.

To user above: last I heard of Miami office, they were killing it. That was about a year ago, but they were a thriving office and looking for lateral associates as well

[bearsfan23]

K&L Gates Recruiting Dept right now

[Monochromatic Oeuvre]

non NYC associate here and have several points:


- mainly, the business of associates (and partners) is extremely department and office specific. Some are doing incredible. Others aren't. Very few offices are so slow that they are going to just straight up shut them down, if any, and certainly nothing major market.
- a lot of the bleeding has been underperforming income partners. I know that's the firm like but some truth to that.
- even slow associates aren't getting stealthed or anything, even the ones who are slow due to partner departures etc. in my office particular, no offers haven't been too bad and all of them were pretty justified, not just simply we can't handle more talent
- the no debt thing is real. Doesn't mean firm is or will be thriving, but it certainly isn't going Dewey anytime soon.
-bottom line, and why I wrote this, is if it's your only big law offer, take it. The insurance comment is just absurd. I know SEVERAL people who did kl and then went 3l oci to other places and if you do end up here, it will exist, and they park market. However, many offices are in flux, offers are not guaranteed, and you might be wise to check out other offers. Just isn't as dire as has been reported and doing something crazy like shit law would be insane. Just my take.

To user above: last I heard of Miami office, they were killing it. That was about a year ago, but they were a thriving office and looking for lateral associates as well

(Titanic PR Department)

[Anonymous User]

In that analogy, even if I was saying KL was Dewey (which it unequivocally isn't, and I'm not trying to be bias, I'll likely leave within next year for govt, I don't GAF), all I'm saying is that a life boat is better than a fucking kate winself sized door like insurance work, and not that another ship isn't more seaworthy, that there aren't less passengers, or that there aren't any ice bergs ahead. Christ.

[bearsfan23]

Nothing to worry about, just another year-end review at K&L Gates

[Monochromatic Oeuvre]

In that analogy, even if I was saying KL was Dewey (which it unequivocally isn't, and I'm not trying to be bias, I'll likely leave within next year for govt, I don't GAF), all I'm saying is that a life boat is better than a fucking kate winself sized door like insurance work, and not that another ship isn't more seaworthy, that there aren't less passengers, or that there aren't any ice bergs ahead. Christ.

"It's true some of the ship is underwater, but look at how much is still above the water level, indeed even higher than it was before! Yes, some third-class cabiners have been tossed overboard, but they were probably drunk and too close to the railing anyway. First class is still dining on lobster salad and filet mignon as we speak. And there's just the one hull breach--the rest of the ship is totally solid! We didn't explode; this isn't the Maine or anything. But hey, if you want to take some fucking sloop for the rest of your life, I guess that's your decision."

[runinthefront]

In that analogy, even if I was saying KL was Dewey (which it unequivocally isn't, and I'm not trying to be bias, I'll likely leave within next year for govt, I don't GAF), all I'm saying is that a life boat is better than a fucking kate winself sized door like insurance work, and not that another ship isn't more seaworthy, that there aren't less passengers, or that there aren't any ice bergs ahead. Christ.

"It's true some of the ship is underwater, but look at how much is still above the water level, indeed even higher than it was before! Yes, some third-class cabiners have been tossed overboard, but they were probably drunk and too close to the railing anyway. First class is still dining on lobster salad and filet mignon as we speak. And there's just the one hull breach--the rest of the ship is totally solid! We didn't explode; this isn't the Maine or anything. But hey, if you want to take some fucking sloop for the rest of your life, I guess that's your decision."

I don't understand. Taking a K&L Gates offer is almost always the better choice than taking some shitlaw/insurance defense offer. What was so offensive about the anon's post?

ETA: ok, I see the original post was a poor excuse for a sinking ship

[dixiecupdrinking]

I mean, the consensus seems to be buyer beware, the quibbling is just over the degree of trouble the firm is in?

[Anonymous User]

Again. No PR. No bullshit. No bias. Fair to both sides, nether of which I give a single fuck about. But was trying to provide an insider view that may be of use to someone with an actual decision to make. It's not the best situation but I can say that the entire ship is not going down like Dewey (all financial information for both Dewey then and KL now are publicly available). But thanks for reminding me why these boards blow. Just remembered TLS from my law schol years to be less like autoadmit

[Anonymous User]

As someone considering K&L, I appreciate your input. Good luck in your career.