Bidding on London Forum

[Anonymous User]

Received a CB for two different London firms one is an overseas office of a V-10 firm think Cleary/Skadden/Kirkland and one is a Magic Circle firm think Clifford Chance/Freshfields/A&O if I were to get offers from both what is the better option? Is the Magic Circle better for promotion potential because it's the main office? Or maybe the US firm is better because if/when I transition back to the states I'll be at a stronger domestic firm? I know US attorneys in all of these offices do pretty much the same work but is there a difference in the level of complexity? Exit options? ANy help would be greatly appreciated.

Except for Freshfields and S&M, Magic Circle firms led the crop of layoffs two years ago.

So is that a vote for the V-10 firm?

[Anonymous User]

Once one has an offer from a London firm what is the best way to ask about compensation? Is it appropriate to ask the recruiting staff or the hiring partner?

[Anonymous User]

Once one has an offer from a London firm what is the best way to ask about compensation? Is it appropriate to ask the recruiting staff or the hiring partner?

I found this answer out by asking an associate. They were really helpful.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if British firms give bonuses the same way American firms do?

[unc0mm0n1]

Does anyone know if British firms give bonuses the same way American firms do?

Depends on the firm. Some firms basically follow NYC but some don't so you'd have to research the specific firm you're talking about. This would be a good question to ask during your callback.

[Anonymous User]

Once one has an offer from a London firm what is the best way to ask about compensation? Is it appropriate to ask the recruiting staff or the hiring partner?

I have few offers from London firms. A couple laid it out in the offer letter, the other one I just asked.

[Anonymous User]

Received a CB for two different London firms one is an overseas office of a V-10 firm think Cleary/Skadden/Kirkland and one is a Magic Circle firm think Clifford Chance/Freshfields/A&O if I were to get offers from both what is the better option? Is the Magic Circle better for promotion potential because it's the main office? Or maybe the US firm is better because if/when I transition back to the states I'll be at a stronger domestic firm? I know US attorneys in all of these offices do pretty much the same work but is there a difference in the level of complexity? Exit options? ANy help would be greatly appreciated.

Got both offers. Any ideas now?

[Anonymous User]

Received a CB for two different London firms one is an overseas office of a V-10 firm think Cleary/Skadden/Kirkland and one is a Magic Circle firm think Clifford Chance/Freshfields/A&O if I were to get offers from both what is the better option? Is the Magic Circle better for promotion potential because it's the main office? Or maybe the US firm is better because if/when I transition back to the states I'll be at a stronger domestic firm? I know US attorneys in all of these offices do pretty much the same work but is there a difference in the level of complexity? Exit options? ANy help would be greatly appreciated.

Got both offers. Any ideas now?

Bump. Also interested, with similar options in London. Would also be fantastic (if anyone is so inclined) to get perspectives on V5 London office vs. V5 NY headquarters, with preference for London as a city but concerned about limiting career potential...

[Anonymous User]

Also interested. Has anyone worked for an MC firm? How were the US practice areas overseas?

[Old Gregg]

While I view US firms as more stable, I do think there might be longevity concerns about your career in the long term. Apparently, making partner is even harder than in the US office, and exit options are poor state side. This is all second hand information, and I'm curious to know if anyone's heard anything different.

[Anonymous User]

While I view US firms as more stable, I do think there might be longevity concerns about your career in the long term. Apparently, making partner is even harder than in the US office, and exit options are poor state side. This is all second hand information, and I'm curious to know if anyone's heard anything different.

What about exit options in London?

[Anonymous User]

While I view US firms as more stable, I do think there might be longevity concerns about your career in the long term. Apparently, making partner is even harder than in the US office, and exit options are poor state side. This is all second hand information, and I'm curious to know if anyone's heard anything different.

A partner at a (US) V10 in London told me the same thing. He actually said the chance of making partner were actually similar and all the London partners had spent a majority of their career in London. But he said that the exit options would be more limited than if I worked in NYC. Although he didn't say how much they were limited.

[Anonymous User]

Are ay of the US practices in the Magic Circle firms thought to be better than the others? Ie among Freshfields, A&0, clifford chance and Linklaters - is there one US group in London that stands out?

[bendurnotes4me]

Has anyone decided on London yet? If so, PM me. I will definitely be there next summer/after graduation.