UChicago OCI 2016 Forum

[bill_swerski]

Did not personally bid CA, but I think with a 179 you should be fine getting something at least in LA. If you are risk adverse maybe throw in some NY firms with strong litigation practices (Paul Weiss, etc; see Chambers and Partners for a good list). However I know people personally who got CA jobs with below median grades, so I can't imagine someone with a 179 and ties not getting a job there.

[Anonymous User]

I know it's difficult since you didn't bid CA, but is my order correct?

Where should I be bidding NY? If I'm really uninterested in NY, should I bid my home market (in the south) instead of NY?

[Eldon Tyrell]

I know it's difficult since you didn't bid CA, but is my order correct?

Where should I be bidding NY? If I'm really uninterested in NY, should I bid my home market (in the south) instead of NY?

I think you'll be fine with your current bid list. A 179 and LA isn't super risky. If you had a much heavier focus on SD, then I would be a little worried, since the market's so small and IP-focused. If you want to, add in a few non-WLRK NYC V10s to your top twenty. But I don't think it's 100% necessary.

[Anonymous User]

Grades: Transfer Student from the 40s - GPA 4.0
Work Exp: N/A
Preferred Market: Chicago/NY
Practice Area: Corporate/Transactional
Bid list:

1. Kirkland Chi – 84
2. Gibson Dunn NY - 23
3. Sidley Chi - 84
4. Skadden Chicago - 84
5. Baker Mackenzie -31
6. Latham Chicago - 69
7. Simpson Thatcher NY - 56
8. Jones Day Chicago -42
9. White & Case NY – 21
10. PHasting Chicago – 21
11. McDermott - 63
12. Skadden NY - 42
13. Paul Weiss NY - 42
14. Davis Polk NY - 42
15. Cleary NY - 42
16. Kirkland NY -21
17. S&C NY -42
18. Debevoise NY - 63
19. Freshfields NY - 11


Thank you so much in advance! I need help with the entire thing and filling out the bottom half. I really have no idea what I am doing, I have been basing this off old threads.

[Eldon Tyrell]

Grades: Transfer Student from the 40s - GPA 4.0
Work Exp: N/A
Preferred Market: Chicago/NY
Practice Area: Corporate/Transactional
Bid list:

1. Kirkland Chi – 84
2. Gibson Dunn NY - 23
3. Sidley Chi - 84
4. Skadden Chicago - 84
5. Baker Mackenzie -31
6. Latham Chicago - 69
7. Simpson Thatcher NY - 56
8. Jones Day Chicago -42
9. White & Case NY – 21
10. PHasting Chicago – 21
11. McDermott - 63
12. Skadden NY - 42
13. Paul Weiss NY - 42
14. Davis Polk NY - 42
15. Cleary NY - 42
16. Kirkland NY -21
17. S&C NY -42
18. Debevoise NY - 63
19. Freshfields NY - 11


Thank you so much in advance! I need help with the entire thing and filling out the bottom half. I really have no idea what I am doing, I have been basing this off old threads.

1. Gibson Dunn NY - 23
2. Mayer Brown Chicago/Jones Day (I would put Mayer here since they hire more people)
3. Kirkland Chi – 84
4. Sidley Chi - 84
5. Latham Chicago - 69
6. Skadden Chicago - 84
7. Simpson Thatcher NY - 56
8. Jones Day Chicago -42/Mayer Brown
9. White & Case NY – 21
10. PHasting Chicago – 21 (I would put Kirkland NY here)
11. McDermott - 63
12. Skadden NY - 42
13. Paul Weiss NY - 42
14. Davis Polk NY - 42
15. Cleary NY - 42
16. Kirkland NY -21
17. S&C NY -42
18. Debevoise NY - 63
19. Freshfields NY - 11

Did someone really get Jones Day Chicago at number 8 last year? If so, then great. If not, then I would consider putting another NY firm there, or rejiggering some of your top ten to fit them in. Maybe substituting for W&C.

[Anonymous User]

Grades: Transfer Student from the 40s - GPA 4.0
Work Exp: N/A
Preferred Market: Chicago/NY
Practice Area: Corporate/Transactional
Bid list:

1. Kirkland Chi – 84
2. Gibson Dunn NY - 23
3. Sidley Chi - 84
4. Skadden Chicago - 84
5. Baker Mackenzie -31
6. Latham Chicago - 69
7. Simpson Thatcher NY - 56
8. Jones Day Chicago -42
9. White & Case NY – 21
10. PHasting Chicago – 21
11. McDermott - 63
12. Skadden NY - 42
13. Paul Weiss NY - 42
14. Davis Polk NY - 42
15. Cleary NY - 42
16. Kirkland NY -21
17. S&C NY -42
18. Debevoise NY - 63
19. Freshfields NY - 11


Thank you so much in advance! I need help with the entire thing and filling out the bottom half. I really have no idea what I am doing, I have been basing this off old threads.

1. Gibson Dunn NY - 23
2. Mayer Brown Chicago/Jones Day (I would put Mayer here since they hire more people)
3. Kirkland Chi – 84
4. Sidley Chi - 84
5. Latham Chicago - 69
6. Skadden Chicago - 84
7. Simpson Thatcher NY - 56
8. Jones Day Chicago -42/Mayer Brown
9. White & Case NY – 21
10. PHasting Chicago – 21 (I would put Kirkland NY here)
11. McDermott - 63
12. Skadden NY - 42
13. Paul Weiss NY - 42
14. Davis Polk NY - 42
15. Cleary NY - 42
16. Kirkland NY -21
17. S&C NY -42
18. Debevoise NY - 63
19. Freshfields NY - 11

Did someone really get Jones Day Chicago at number 8 last year? If so, then great. If not, then I would consider putting another NY firm there, or rejiggering some of your top ten to fit them in. Maybe substituting for W&C.

Thanks for the revision, is the list too NY heavy? Any suggestions about rounding out the end of the list?

Here is my revision.

1. Gibson Dunn 23
2. Jones Day Chicago - 42
3. Kirkland - 84
4. Sidley Chi - 84
5. Latham Chi - 69
6. Skadden Chi - 84
7. Simpson Thatcher - 56
8. White and Case NY - 21
9. Kirkland NY - 21
10. McDermott - 63
11. Skadden NY -42
12. PWeiss NY - 42
13. Davis Polk NY -42
14. Cleary NY -42
15. S&C NY - 42
16. Debevoise NY 63
17. Freshfields NY - 11
18. Latham NY -29

[Eldon Tyrell]

I don't think you're too NYC heavy. If you're transactional focused, then you need to look more towards NYC after the Chicago firms you have on your list. There is a major drop off in quality of transactional work in Chicago after Mayer/Skadden/Latham/Jones Day/McDermott.

[bill_swerski]

Don't know alot about transfer OCI outcomes (though I've heard that transfers do quite well with most firms) but I will echo the sentiment that NY is best region (with the most firms) for transactional work.

[Anonymous User]

Is Latham NY too low at 18?

[Eldon Tyrell]

Is Latham NY too low at 18?

There has to be examples of this over the last few years right?

[Eldon Tyrell]

Is Latham NY too low at 18?

There has to be examples of this over the last few years right?

Looks like there aren't too many examples of Latham NY (I'm too nice for you and hate studying for the bar). It's probably too low since there are so few spots. I think your bid list is ok though, so only make room if you really want to go there over somewhere else in your top ten.

[Anonymous User]

Thank you so much for your help! Maybe switch it with White/Paul Hastings?

[Eldon Tyrell]

Thank you so much for your help! Maybe switch it with White/Paul Hastings?

Yeah that sounds like a good plan.

[Anonymous User]

Grades: Incoming Transfer Student (CSO said they could give me an idea where I fall on Chicago's grade scale - will update when I know, but top 10% at T1).
Work Exp: 5-6 years (nothing fancy) and a few good legal internships (transactional and litigation).
Preferred Market: CA (LA/OC/SD) >>>>>>>>>>> NY (safety)
Practice Area: Interested in Tax but open to whatever. I know LA is lit heavy.
Bid list:

*Used last year's stats to be as specific as possible with shared slots.
*Used last year's highest/lowest successful bids as a reference for placement.

1. Latham & Watkins LA (12 shared - 7 in 2015)
2. Shearman & Sterling NY (21)
3. Gibson Dunn LA (10)
4. Skadden LA (21)
5. Paul Weiss NY (42)
6. Morrison Foerster LA (21)
7. Cleary Gottlieb NY (42)
8. Proskauer Rose LA (21)
9. Sidley Austin LA (21)
10. O'Melveny NB (4)
11. Debevoise NY (63)
12. Holland & Knight LA (11 shared - 1 in 2015)
13. Cadwalader NY (21)
14. Jones Day LA (21 shared - 8 in 2015)
15. Cooley LA (42 shared - 7 in 2015)
16. Foley & Lardner LA (21 shared - 6 in 2015)
17. WilmerHale NY (21)
18. Mayer Brown LA (7)
19. Paul Hastings OC (2)
20. Kirkland Ellis LA (21)
21. Fenwick & West MV (21 shared)
22. Fried Frank NY (21)
23. Vinson Elkins NY (21 shared - 4 in 2015)
24. Winston Strawn LA (21 shared - 7 in 2015)
25. Munger Tolles LA (21)
26. Perkins Coie LA (7 shared)
27. Norton Rose LA (21 shared)
28. Covington Burling LA (21 shared)
29. Irell & Manella LA (21)
30. Fox Rothschild LA (9 shared)

Really wanting LA, but bidding some NY to be safe. Again, not sure how the GPA will translate but I think given Chicago's grade scale (180-186 - A, 184-179 - B, etc.) I would fall within a reasonable range for most firms 25-75% (even assuming a lower treatment of my GPA as a transfer).

Are NY firms mixed in well (total amount and placement)? Any firms transfer unfriendly?

All thoughts are welcome and appreciated. I'm brand new to this! Thanks everyone!

[WheninLaw]

Grades: Incoming Transfer Student (CSO said they could give me an idea where I fall on Chicago's grade scale - will update when I know, but top 10% at T1).
Work Exp: 5-6 years (nothing fancy) and a few good legal internships (transactional and litigation).
Preferred Market: CA (LA/OC/SD) >>>>>>>>>>> NY (safety)
Practice Area: Interested in Tax but open to whatever. I know LA is lit heavy.
Bid list:

*Used last year's stats to be as specific as possible with shared slots.
*Used last year's highest/lowest successful bids as a reference for placement.

1. Latham & Watkins LA (12 shared - 7 in 2015)
2. Shearman & Sterling NY (21)
3. Gibson Dunn LA (10)
4. Skadden LA (21)
5. Paul Weiss NY (42)
6. Morrison Foerster LA (21)
7. Cleary Gottlieb NY (42)
8. Proskauer Rose LA (21)
9. Sidley Austin LA (21)
10. O'Melveny NB (4)
11. Debevoise NY (63)
12. Holland & Knight LA (11 shared - 1 in 2015)
13. Cadwalader NY (21)
14. Jones Day LA (21 shared - 8 in 2015)
15. Cooley LA (42 shared - 7 in 2015)
16. Foley & Lardner LA (21 shared - 6 in 2015)
17. WilmerHale NY (21)
18. Mayer Brown LA (7)
19. Paul Hastings OC (2)
20. Kirkland Ellis LA (21)
21. Fenwick & West MV (21 shared)
22. Fried Frank NY (21)
23. Vinson Elkins NY (21 shared - 4 in 2015)
24. Winston Strawn LA (21 shared - 7 in 2015)
25. Munger Tolles LA (21)
26. Perkins Coie LA (7 shared)
27. Norton Rose LA (21 shared)
28. Covington Burling LA (21 shared)
29. Irell & Manella LA (21)
30. Fox Rothschild LA (9 shared)

Really wanting LA, but bidding some NY to be safe. Again, not sure how the GPA will translate but I think given Chicago's grade scale (180-186 - A, 184-179 - B, etc.) I would fall within a reasonable range for most firms 25-75% (even assuming a lower treatment of my GPA as a transfer).

Are NY firms mixed in well (total amount and placement)? Any firms transfer unfriendly?

All thoughts are welcome and appreciated. I'm brand new to this! Thanks everyone!

Guess it depends on the school, but you have no shot with Munger, Covington is really unlikely, and Gibson/Irell have not been very transfer friendly recently. Maybe things have changed.

[2014]

Is Latham NY too low at 18?

No chance - NY firms with <42 slots, especially ones with name brands, almost invariably fill below 13ish

[Anonymous User]

Grades: 181+
URM/Female: No
Work Exp: 2 years
Preferred Market: Chicago
Practice Area: Leaning Lit. or Labor and Employment
Misc:
Bid list:

1. Jenner & Block (63)
2. Sidley Austin (84)
3. Mayer Brown (73)
4. Kirkland & Ellis (84)
5. Morgan Lewis & Bockius (13)
6. Skadden (84)
7. Foley & Lardner (21)
8. Ropes & Gray (21)
9. Baker & McKenzie (31)
10. DLA Piper (21)
11. Winston & Strawn (63)
12. Katten Muchin Rosenman (42)
13. Miller Shakman & Beem (21)
14. Dechert (21)
15. Greenberg Traurig (21)
16. Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg (32)
17. McDermott Will & Emory (63)
18. Bryan Cave (21)
19. Perkins Coie (34)
20. Proskauer Rose (21)
21. Steptoe & Johnson (21)
22. Dentons (21)
23. Holland & Knight (10)
24. Paul Hastings (21)
25. Reed Smith (21)
26. Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton (21)
27. Drinker Biddle & Reath (36)
28. Duane Morris (37)
29. Faegre Baker Daniels (12)
30. Eimer Stahl (21)

[Eldon Tyrell]

Grades: 181+
URM/Female: No
Work Exp: 2 years
Preferred Market: Chicago
Practice Area: Leaning Lit. or Labor and Employment
Misc:
Bid list:

1. Jenner & Block (63)
2. Sidley Austin (84)
3. Mayer Brown (73)
4. Kirkland & Ellis (84)
5. Morgan Lewis & Bockius (13)
6. Skadden (84)
7. Foley & Lardner (21)
8. Ropes & Gray (21)
9. Baker & McKenzie (31)
10. DLA Piper (21)
11. Winston & Strawn (63)
12. Katten Muchin Rosenman (42)
13. Miller Shakman & Beem (21)
14. Dechert (21)
15. Greenberg Traurig (21)
16. Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg (32)
17. McDermott Will & Emory (63)
18. Bryan Cave (21)
19. Perkins Coie (34)
20. Proskauer Rose (21)
21. Steptoe & Johnson (21)
22. Dentons (21)
23. Holland & Knight (10)
24. Paul Hastings (21)
25. Reed Smith (21)
26. Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton (21)
27. Drinker Biddle & Reath (36)
28. Duane Morris (37)
29. Faegre Baker Daniels (12)
30. Eimer Stahl (21)

I might switch Morgan Lewis to #1 - 13 spots is barely anything. This is assuming they are good at the practice areas you're interested in. I think your top five should be:

1. Morgan
2. Jenner
3. Sidley
4. Kirkland
5. Mayer

If the rest of the firms in your top ten are the best firms at litigation and labor and employment, you'll be more than fine. Congrats on the great grades. Don't forget to practice your interviewing though. Make sure you have a good why Chicago answer and all of the other standard questions. Do not go into interviews overconfident. Also try to understand that your classmates might be more stressed than you during this process.

Oh yeah take out Winston from your bid list. Fuck them and you don't need them. Perkins is a cool firm IMO, and you won't be getting them so far down. Maybe take replace Foley/DLA/Baker with them? If those firms are like amazing at employment law though, then don't listen to me.

[Anonymous User]

May be a dumb question but why all the hate for Winston itt?

[Eldon Tyrell]

May be a dumb question but why all the hate for Winston itt?

Many law firms had to layoff people during the financial crisis. But the percentage of associates Wintson fired was very high. They also no-offered 1/3 of their 2012 summer class - not sure how they didn't know back in 2011 they wouldn't need that many summer associates.

But the worst part is that it wasn't an open layoff. They did stealth layoffs, and then equivocated when those attorneys tried to get new jobs. They basically put the blame on the attorneys themselves for being fired.

If it's a choice between Winston and unemployment, I would still take Winston, but a 181 doesn't have to worry about them. And if you have any other offer out there I would probably take it over Winston.

http://abovethelaw.com/2012/08/nationwi ... on-strawn/

[Prestige Regionwide]

Hey all, thanks in advance for the help.

Grades: ~178.7
URM/Female: No
Work Exp: Good variety of internships/paralegal jobs
Preferred Market: LA (Century City to be exact)
Practice Area: Lit

Bid list (the "s" next to an interview slot means they are shared):

1. Latham & Watkins (12s)
2. Paul Hastings (8)
3. sidley austin llp (21)
4. O'Melveny & Myers LLP (century city) (8)
5. Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP (10)
6. Skadden (21)
7. Irell & Manella L.L.P. (21)
8. Wilson Sonsini (21s)
9. Jones Day (21s)
10. cooley llp (42s)
11. proskauer rose llp (21)
12. Kirkland & Ellis LLP (21)
13. Morrison & Foerster L.L.P. (21)
14. fox rothschild llp (9)
15. mayer brown llp (7)
16. Foley & Lardner LLP (21s)
17. susman godfrey llp (19s)
18. Winston & Strawn LLP (21s)
19. Covington & Burling (21s)
20. Baker Hostetler (17s)
21. Holland & Knight LLP (11s)
22. Polsinelli (13s)
23. Norton Rose Fulbright (21s)
24. Perkins Coie LLP (7s)
25. Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP (21)
26+ will be researching easy to get callbacks in NY and Chi to round out the list and get some semblance of a safety net

I appreciate the help!

[bill_swerski]

You will probably miss most NY firms putting them at 26+. Your grades are good so I don't think CA should be a problem, but you might consider throwing in a few large NY firms with big SA classes in your top 20

[WheninLaw]

Hey all, thanks in advance for the help.

Grades: ~178.7
URM/Female: No
Work Exp: Good variety of internships/paralegal jobs
Preferred Market: LA (Century City to be exact)
Practice Area: Lit

Bid list (the "s" next to an interview slot means they are shared):

1. Latham & Watkins (12s)
2. Paul Hastings (8)
3. Sidley Austin LLP (21)
4. O'Melveny & Myers LLP (century city) (8)
5. Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP (10)
6. Skadden (21)
7. Irell & Manella L.L.P. (21)
8. Wilson Sonsini (21s)
9. Jones Day (21s)
10. Cooley LLP (42s)
11. Proskauer Rose LLP (21)
12. Kirkland & Ellis LLP (21)
13. Morrison & Foerster L.L.P. (21)
14. Fox Rothschild LLP (9)
15. Mayer Brown LLP (7)
16. Foley & Lardner LLP (21s)
17. Susman Godfrey LLP (19s)
18. Winston & Strawn LLP (21s)
19. Covington & Burling (21s)
20. Baker Hostetler (17s)
21. Holland & Knight LLP (11s)
22. Polsinelli (13s)
23. Norton Rose Fulbright (21s)
24. Perkins Coie LLP (7s)
25. Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP (21)
26+ will be researching easy to get callbacks in NY and Chi to round out the list and get some semblance of a safety net

I appreciate the help!

Eliminate Susman and Munger. Can drop Irell down a few spots. MOFO and MB should be higher

[Anonymous User]

Grades: ~179.5
URM/Female: No
Work Exp: 3+ years
Preferred Market: DC/Chicago/NYC
Practice Area: Lit

Number Firm Office (if specified)
1 Kirkland Chicago
2 Covington DC
3 WilmerHale DC
4 Sidley Chicago
5 Jenner & Block Chicago
6 Boies Schiller DC
7 Latham Chicago
8 Skadden Chicago
9 Mayer Brown Chicago
10 Ropes and Gray Chicago
11 Cravath NYC
12 Clearly Gottlieb DC
13 Williams and Connolly DC
14 Sullivan Cromwell NYC
15 Davis Polk NYC
16 Arnold and Porter DC
17 Gibson Dunn DC
18 O'Melveny LA
19 Irell Manella LA
20 Paul Hastings Chicago
21 Susman Godfrey Houston
22 Winston Strawn Chicago
23 Simpson Thatcher NYC
24 Munger Tolls LA
25 Crowell Moring DC
26 Steptoe Johnson DC
27 Morrison Foster LA
28 K & L Gates Chicago
29 Greenberg Traurig Chicago
30 Wachtell NYC
31 Debevoise NYC
32 Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP Chicago
33 Fenwick & West SF
34 Baker McKenzie Chicago
35 McDermott Chicago
36 Katten Muchin Chicago
37 DLA Piper Chicago
38 Schiff Hardin Chicago
39 Dentons Chicago
40 Foley and Lardner Chicago

[Eldon Tyrell]

Holy shit fuck that bid list is all over the place. Why are you bidding four markets?


Nope just saw a fifth market. Five markets?