LA Biglaw Forum

[Anonymous User]

any chance at top 25-30% for GB, latham, o'melveny or skadden?

Need school, or range.

[Anonymous User]

Sorry, CCN

[Anonymous User]

Sorry, CCN

Should be fine at all.

[Anonymous User]

Really? That seems a bit optimistic for me for gb. They're pretty grade conscious with what I hear is a top 20% cutoff?

[Anonymous User]

What are general grade cut offs at Munger, Irell and . . . Arnold & Porter from a lower T14? Top 10%? Top 15%? 20%?

[Anonymous User]

I'd like to also know more about the different firm cultures--- if anyone could give a brief run-down. Associates from which firm(s) have the best quality of life? (could get away with not billing sweatshop hours and still surviving)

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on Latham/Gibson/OMM (both downtown and CC) as far as differences and stereotypes of firm culture?

Gibson's CC office is tiny in comparison to their downtown office. Not sure how many SAs they have, but might be wise to target their downtown office (though CC is much nicer, IMO).

Can we bid both?

[Anonymous User]

I'd like to also know more about the different firm cultures--- if anyone could give a brief run-down. Associates from which firm(s) have the best quality of life? (could get away with not billing sweatshop hours and still surviving)

Hard to say, of course, since generally you will summer at one or two other firms and will only have direct experience working there. I would guess MTO has the best quality of life out of the LA biglaw shops, though obviously I can't say that for sure.

[Anonymous User]

I'd like to also know more about the different firm cultures--- if anyone could give a brief run-down. Associates from which firm(s) have the best quality of life? (could get away with not billing sweatshop hours and still surviving)

Hard to say, of course, since generally you will summer at one or two other firms and will only have direct experience working there. I would guess MTO has the best quality of life out of the LA biglaw shops, though obviously I can't say that for sure.

No personal experience, but I've heard otherwise from junior associates--not that junior associates at any biglaw shop should expect a reasonable quality of life.

[Anonymous User]

I'd like to also know more about the different firm cultures--- if anyone could give a brief run-down. Associates from which firm(s) have the best quality of life? (could get away with not billing sweatshop hours and still surviving)

Hard to say, of course, since generally you will summer at one or two other firms and will only have direct experience working there. I would guess MTO has the best quality of life out of the LA biglaw shops, though obviously I can't say that for sure.

No personal experience, but I've heard otherwise from junior associates--not that junior associates at any biglaw shop should expect a reasonable quality of life.

My response derives from personal experience. It's biglaw, of course, so we're talking relatively speaking.

[Anonymous User]

I'd like to also know more about the different firm cultures--- if anyone could give a brief run-down. Associates from which firm(s) have the best quality of life? (could get away with not billing sweatshop hours and still surviving)

Hard to say, of course, since generally you will summer at one or two other firms and will only have direct experience working there. I would guess MTO has the best quality of life out of the LA biglaw shops, though obviously I can't say that for sure.

No personal experience, but I've heard otherwise from junior associates--not that junior associates at any biglaw shop should expect a reasonable quality of life.

My response derives from personal experience. It's biglaw, of course, so we're talking relatively speaking.

Makes sense. What about Gibson Dunn? Whats its reputation? I hear the associates are bubbly and extroverted. What else?

[Anonymous User]

I'd like to also know more about the different firm cultures--- if anyone could give a brief run-down. Associates from which firm(s) have the best quality of life? (could get away with not billing sweatshop hours and still surviving)

Hard to say, of course, since generally you will summer at one or two other firms and will only have direct experience working there. I would guess MTO has the best quality of life out of the LA biglaw shops, though obviously I can't say that for sure.

No personal experience, but I've heard otherwise from junior associates--not that junior associates at any biglaw shop should expect a reasonable quality of life.

My response derives from personal experience. It's biglaw, of course, so we're talking relatively speaking.

Oh, great. Can you tell us more about MTO? How's it like?

[Anonymous User]

Hard to say, of course, since generally you will summer at one or two other firms and will only have direct experience working there. I would guess MTO has the best quality of life out of the LA biglaw shops, though obviously I can't say that for sure.

No personal experience, but I've heard otherwise from junior associates--not that junior associates at any biglaw shop should expect a reasonable quality of life.

My response derives from personal experience. It's biglaw, of course, so we're talking relatively speaking.

Makes sense. What about Gibson Dunn? Whats its reputation? I hear the associates are bubbly and extroverted. What else?

All I know about GDC is from people who work there, so discount accordingly. I don't know too much about the QOL there. It does seem to live up to its social reputation, though.

[Anonymous User]

Hard to say, of course, since generally you will summer at one or two other firms and will only have direct experience working there. I would guess MTO has the best quality of life out of the LA biglaw shops, though obviously I can't say that for sure.

No personal experience, but I've heard otherwise from junior associates--not that junior associates at any biglaw shop should expect a reasonable quality of life.

My response derives from personal experience. It's biglaw, of course, so we're talking relatively speaking.

Oh, great. Can you tell us more about MTO? How's it like?

I'm happy to answer questions, but can you be a little bit more specific? I posted a bit more about my experiences there in this thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 9#p7749406.

[adam91]

Can you PM me?

[Anonymous User]

So would a friendly but more introverted person be out of place at Gibson?

[Anonymous User]

Also, can we get more info about O'Melveny? Really interested in learning about this firm but it doesn't get talked about much on TLS. Culture/strong practice areas/selectivity/etc. Thanks!

[sundance95]

So would a friendly but more introverted person be out of place at Gibson?

Don't worry about this yet. Get callbacks, use them to preliminary assess these issues, and once you have an offer reach out to junior associate alumni at firms for more detail.

[sundance95]

Also, can we get more info about O'Melveny? Really interested in learning about this firm but it doesn't get talked about much on TLS. Culture/strong practice areas/selectivity/etc. Thanks!

Grapevine has it that OMM is struggling as a firm, but I have no specifics to offer you.

[Anonymous User]

Also, can we get more info about O'Melveny? Really interested in learning about this firm but it doesn't get talked about much on TLS. Culture/strong practice areas/selectivity/etc. Thanks!

I really liked the people at OMM when I did my callback there, though I ended up accepting an offer elsewhere.

[Anonymous User]

Thoughts on Kirkland and Skadden LA?

[Anonymous User]

Median at CCN.
1. What are my targets for LA?
2. Do I have a good enough shot to give up NY classes that have larger classes? (Not all but give up maybe 30% of my bidlist for LA)

[Anonymous User]

Thoughts on Kirkland and Skadden LA?

I loved Kirkland LA when I visited. By far my favorite people at any law firm in any office. They are very very very heavily staffed on the corporate side and there is almost no litigation work that comes through that office. The office is also beautiful. I'm sure you work hard but I know for a fact that they bill far fewer hours than Kirkland in New York. I think the biggest indicator for them is personality fit. Grade distributions at MVP were around median but they only gave a few callbacks and a one offer at my school. I know the people that interviewed there and the people who got callbacks s those who didn't really hedged on personality. If you're outgoing and can actually hold a conversation for a long period of time withotu saying something stupid, and its something that a lot of people, including myself, struggle to do, you have a great shot.

[Anonymous User]

Thoughts on Kirkland and Skadden LA?

I loved Kirkland LA when I visited. By far my favorite people at any law firm in any office. They are very very very heavily staffed on the corporate side and there is almost no litigation work that comes through that office. The office is also beautiful. I'm sure you work hard but I know for a fact that they bill far fewer hours than Kirkland in New York. I think the biggest indicator for them is personality fit. Grade distributions at MVP were around median but they only gave a few callbacks and a one offer at my school. I know the people that interviewed there and the people who got callbacks s those who didn't really hedged on personality. If you're outgoing and can actually hold a conversation for a long period of time withotu saying something stupid, and its something that a lot of people, including myself, struggle to do, you have a great shot.

Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for.

[Anonymous User]

Thoughts on Kirkland and Skadden LA?

I loved Kirkland LA when I visited. By far my favorite people at any law firm in any office. They are very very very heavily staffed on the corporate side and there is almost no litigation work that comes through that office. The office is also beautiful. I'm sure you work hard but I know for a fact that they bill far fewer hours than Kirkland in New York. I think the biggest indicator for them is personality fit. Grade distributions at MVP were around median but they only gave a few callbacks and a one offer at my school. I know the people that interviewed there and the people who got callbacks s those who didn't really hedged on personality. If you're outgoing and can actually hold a conversation for a long period of time withotu saying something stupid, and its something that a lot of people, including myself, struggle to do, you have a great shot.

Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for.

I've heard they take median students, which is nice. My law school friend says they're more laid back than NYC. However, the hours are still crazy. Mid 2000+ billables. I don't know much more beyond that, which is why I asked initially.

However, i'd take both my advice and the one I quoted with a grain of salt. Asking Summer Associates about their firm is going to be skewed. Asking people who just *visited* the office or know people who worked there, is liable to be even more off