Houston OCI, Callbacks, Offers Forum

[Anonymous User]

JD v. Bracewell? (I have other offers from the big Houston firms but am really interested in hearing about these two)

Can't speak firsthand about Bracewell, but from my understanding the work will be much more regional. Litigation at JD is often staffed across multiple offices, although some practice groups are more confined to Houston than others. I know people at both firms, and both seem generally happy. The young litigators I know at JD got a lot of experience early on--some of that has been a function of the office having an incredibly busy past two years. The partners at JD are all young and care about mentoring, which I think makes for a good culture.

There's been a lot of hate on TLS due to the offer rate two summers ago, but that was an abnormal summer and wasn't due to the health of the office in any way. The offer rate was 100% this summer. For context, I'm going to JD and chose it over V&E, BB, Latham, Kirkland, etc.

[Anonymous User]

JD v. Bracewell? (I have other offers from the big Houston firms but am really interested in hearing about these two)

Don't know too much about Bracewell but I've heard that JD is really struggling in Houston. I've heard their Dallas office is considerably stronger. JD is a national firm that almost always has a 100% offer rate, but they no offered 2 of 4 summers in Houston last year. Re: Bracewell, the fact that Houston is its HQ is probably a plus.

JD Dallas is much, much stronger than Houston. One of the no-offers of the 2/4 was because a summer drunkenly assaulted another summer at the Jones Day in D.C. event that summer. Not sure about the other one at all.

However, the people at JD in Houston (besides that no-offered summer) seem great. I've only worked with that office but never inside of it.

[Anonymous User]

Have anybody heard from Willkie Farr? It's been two weeks since I have call back with them.

[Anonymous User]

Have anybody heard from Willkie Farr? It's been two weeks since I have call back with them.

Offer about 24 hours after CB.

[Anonymous User]

Have anybody heard from Willkie Farr? It's been two weeks since I have call back with them.

Offer about 24 hours after CB.

Anyone know if this office is full or if a 2 week wait is fatal? This is only firm I am waiting to hear back from and given the holiday weekend I am not expecting a response to my follow up. Headed to family wedding tomorrow and I would like to be able to tell peeps what firm I am working at and I don't want to make that decision until I hear from every firm. Also, just SO ready to be done with OCI (LOL).

[Anonymous User]

JD v. Bracewell? (I have other offers from the big Houston firms but am really interested in hearing about these two)

Can't speak firsthand about Bracewell, but from my understanding the work will be much more regional. Litigation at JD is often staffed across multiple offices, although some practice groups are more confined to Houston than others. I know people at both firms, and both seem generally happy. The young litigators I know at JD got a lot of experience early on--some of that has been a function of the office having an incredibly busy past two years. The partners at JD are all young and care about mentoring, which I think makes for a good culture.

There's been a lot of hate on TLS due to the offer rate two summers ago, but that was an abnormal summer and wasn't due to the health of the office in any way. The offer rate was 100% this summer. For context, I'm going to JD and chose it over V&E, BB, Latham, Kirkland, etc.

They've also no offered several SAs in the past, it wasn't only last summer. If you want litigation and don't care about making less money, then JD is a fine firm to work at. All of these firms are good options and do good work, so you're splitting hairs here between V&E, BB, Latham, Kirkland, JD, Bracewell, etc. with a litigation focus.

I would say choose based on fit rather than which firm TLSers like more. The firms on that list have very different cultures and tend to attract different personalities.

[Anonymous User]

Have anybody heard from Willkie Farr? It's been two weeks since I have call back with them.

Offer about 24 hours after CB.

Anyone know if this office is full or if a 2 week wait is fatal? This is only firm I am waiting to hear back from and given the holiday weekend I am not expecting a response to my follow up. Headed to family wedding tomorrow and I would like to be able to tell peeps what firm I am working at and I don't want to make that decision until I hear from every firm. Also, just SO ready to be done with OCI (LOL).

They have a small office. You might be on their waitlist as they wait to hear back from others they've made offers to.

[Anonymous User]

JD v. Bracewell? (I have other offers from the big Houston firms but am really interested in hearing about these two)

Can't speak firsthand about Bracewell, but from my understanding the work will be much more regional. Litigation at JD is often staffed across multiple offices, although some practice groups are more confined to Houston than others. I know people at both firms, and both seem generally happy. The young litigators I know at JD got a lot of experience early on--some of that has been a function of the office having an incredibly busy past two years. The partners at JD are all young and care about mentoring, which I think makes for a good culture.

There's been a lot of hate on TLS due to the offer rate two summers ago, but that was an abnormal summer and wasn't due to the health of the office in any way. The offer rate was 100% this summer. For context, I'm going to JD and chose it over V&E, BB, Latham, Kirkland, etc.

They've also no offered several SAs in the past, it wasn't only last summer. If you want litigation and don't care about making less money, then JD is a fine firm to work at. All of these firms are good options and do good work, so you're splitting hairs here between V&E, BB, Latham, Kirkland, JD, Bracewell, etc. with a litigation focus.

I would say choose based on fit rather than which firm TLSers like more. The firms on that list have very different cultures and tend to attract different personalities.

Can you elaborate on cultures? V&E and Bracewell seemed similar to me, and I really loved both, but am lit focused.

[Anonymous User]

Have anybody heard from Willkie Farr? It's been two weeks since I have call back with them.

Offer about 24 hours after CB.

Anyone know if this office is full or if a 2 week wait is fatal? This is only firm I am waiting to hear back from and given the holiday weekend I am not expecting a response to my follow up. Headed to family wedding tomorrow and I would like to be able to tell peeps what firm I am working at and I don't want to make that decision until I hear from every firm. Also, just SO ready to be done with OCI (LOL).

They have a small office. You might be on their waitlist as they wait to hear back from others they've made offers to.

FWIW I haven't heard anything from them either. Given that this firm is my last shot (3/4 have rejected me) I am being a pessimist and assuming that it is just an issue with putting the rejection letter in the mail. Anyone know if reject is via email or snail mail?

[Anonymous User]

Have anybody heard from Willkie Farr? It's been two weeks since I have call back with them.

Offer about 24 hours after CB.

Anyone know if this office is full or if a 2 week wait is fatal? This is only firm I am waiting to hear back from and given the holiday weekend I am not expecting a response to my follow up. Headed to family wedding tomorrow and I would like to be able to tell peeps what firm I am working at and I don't want to make that decision until I hear from every firm. Also, just SO ready to be done with OCI (LOL).

They have a small office. You might be on their waitlist as they wait to hear back from others they've made offers to.

FWIW I haven't heard anything from them either. Given that this firm is my last shot (3/4 have rejected me) I am being a pessimist and assuming that it is just an issue with putting the rejection letter in the mail. Anyone know if reject is via email or snail mail?

It’s probably one of the least selective big law offices in the city now (they have had some associates leave and have hired with less than stellar pedigrees, from a good friend still there), but do tend to move fast I think though...prob worth reaching out to them.

[Anonymous User]

Willkie Farr rejections come by email, and several went out this morning. The fact that you didn't get one means you're still in the running.
With your confidence boosted, why not give the recruiter a personal phone call? Let them know that your other offers are about to expire, that you really enjoyed meeting their attorneys, and that they are your number one choice.

[Anonymous User]

Another question about calling to check in: I’m a UT student and, realistically, slightly below the qualifications for a successful OCI. About a month ago now I had 5 cbs. I heard back “no” almost immediately from 1 and have heard nothing back from the 4 others. Called at the 2 week mark and was told to keep waiting. It’s now been a month and still nothing. I know that all 4 firms have sent out a lot of rejections and I really only think I have a good shot at 1 of them, but I can’t figure out what’s up. I realize some firms just ghost instead of sending a rejection, but I thought this was more for screeners than callbacks. Seeing as how I do not have any deadlines to meet (no offers), would it be bad if I called again. At this point I really don’t care and I am just ready to get this stress out of my life and move on from this horrible month (LOL). Also anyone know if this is normal for Houston?

[Anonymous User]

Another question about calling to check in: I’m a UT student and, realistically, slightly below the qualifications for a successful OCI. About a month ago now I had 5 cbs. I heard back “no” almost immediately from 1 and have heard nothing back from the 4 others. Called at the 2 week mark and was told to keep waiting. It’s now been a month and still nothing. I know that all 4 firms have sent out a lot of rejections and I really only think I have a good shot at 1 of them, but I can’t figure out what’s up. I realize some firms just ghost instead of sending a rejection, but I thought this was more for screeners than callbacks. Seeing as how I do not have any deadlines to meet (no offers), would it be bad if I called again. At this point I really don’t care and I am just ready to get this stress out of my life and move on from this horrible month (LOL). Also anyone know if this is normal for Houston?

FWIW I only got rejected by 1 of the 4 or so firms that I am assuming I got a ding from/haven't heard from. Not sure what's normal in Houston, though.

[Anonymous User]

Another question about calling to check in: I’m a UT student and, realistically, slightly below the qualifications for a successful OCI. About a month ago now I had 5 cbs. I heard back “no” almost immediately from 1 and have heard nothing back from the 4 others. Called at the 2 week mark and was told to keep waiting. It’s now been a month and still nothing. I know that all 4 firms have sent out a lot of rejections and I really only think I have a good shot at 1 of them, but I can’t figure out what’s up. I realize some firms just ghost instead of sending a rejection, but I thought this was more for screeners than callbacks. Seeing as how I do not have any deadlines to meet (no offers), would it be bad if I called again. At this point I really don’t care and I am just ready to get this stress out of my life and move on from this horrible month (LOL). Also anyone know if this is normal for Houston?

FWIW I only got rejected by 1 of the 4 or so firms that I am assuming I got a ding from/haven't heard from. Not sure what's normal in Houston, though.

I get that it is all part of the "game," but just super annoying/frustrating that the same firm may reject one candidate and then ghost another.