Which firm(s)? (Texas or NYC)? Forum

[Anonymous User]

At my school, it seems like Baker Botts is more well-known. However, V&E corporate associates are filtering into in-house positions like they're candy. At least that's my impression, FWIW.

[Anonymous User]

Would it ever be a good idea to go to Texas if you think there's a good chance you won't want to stay there long-term, or is going to Texas pretty much a career commitment to stay in the state? I got an offer from one of the Big 3, and I've never lived in Texas. I think there's a good chance I won't like it, but I'd be fine staying there for five years if I could lateral to another market or find long-term exit options in another state.

Also, the extremely risk-adverse part of me likes the idea of how much money I could save going to Texas, even after paying off my loans, in the event that I'm one of the people who wash out of big law with no exit options, as several other threads have described. (Other market I'm considering is NYC).

[Anonymous User]

I didn't read this whole thread, so I apologize if something was already said on this, but there is a lot of misinformation I think in this thread. I spent both summers in Houston at firms, and have accepted one of the big three.

First off, Willkie is not a top NY firm, whereas V&E, BB and AK are top Texas firms. I would imagine this would be a no brainer. I have multiple friends (as well as myself) who turned down each of the V5 (besides Wachtell) to go to a few of the Texas firms referenced. So don't think that it is a mistake.

From my experience in Houston, V&E does the top corporate work. If you were sure you wanted corporate, then I would say do V&E/AK split. But since you are leaning litigation you may want to do BB/AK. (If you have a Fulbright offer, a Fulbright/AK split would be great because then you have a top Lit firm and a top Corp. firm).
BB also does great corporate work, their group is just slightly smaller, though many wouldn't see this as a bad thing. If you enjoyed your callback at BB, then that is an option because they have a good Litigation program as well.

Pay: V&E moved up to NY salary. So this is easy to figure out. BB does a black box system, but I know it starts at 160 and your second year you are bumped up to 180 (and stay there for two years). In my opinion, BB has the best compensation structure for people who are willing to put in the hours. In the long run, I would not let pay affect this decision...in the end, it will be pretty equal.

The firms you are talking about in Texas have pretty big names. I think your lateral opportunity will be just fine. A few attorneys I knew over the summer had ended up lateraling to NY or Atlanta firms (I believe both for family reasons). In the end, they will know that these are the top shops in Texas. As long as you got some substantive experience as an associate, it should not hold you back.

Let me know if you have any other questions on this and I will see if I have any insight.

Tl;dr: Not a mistake to take TX over NY
Best splits:
Corporate: V&E/AK
Litigation: Fulbright/AK
Litigation with no Fulbright offer: BB/AK