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Hi, I'm a young, minority, left-leaning, female that is looking at the Texas market. I have lived in Texas.

Out of the Big 3, what do you think?

Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry?

I've heard you shouldn't go to FJ unless you want litigation.

FJ had an abysmal offer rate this year. Houston was better than Dallas, but not by much. Baker Botts is in serious financial trouble. The move to the merit-based, three-tier system is worrisome. V&E did stealth layoffs and is looking to organize itself more like a NY firm. Of the three, I would choose V&E.

What was V&E's offer rate like last year in the big TX offices?

BB is really conservative-leaning, even for TX firms. I'd go V&E as well (trying to, actually).

I also would go with V&E. BB was very stuffy and oddly intense for a TX firm.

Anonymous User wrote:I also would go with V&E. BB was very stuffy and oddly intense for a TX firm.

Ditto. BB was a very...awkward cb for me.

I agree with the above posters concerning BB and FJ. BB seems very formal and stuffy, and FJ was just downright unpleasant. V&E has its problems, but seems to be a better place, overall.

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I really enjoyed my Fulbright Dallas visit. Does anyone have info on their summer offer rate?

NYAssociate wrote:It's weird how frequently incorrect disco barred is.

Anyhow, there are still differences between the firms. I've been told by many that in TX, it's:

1) V&E
2) BB
3) F&J

I personally thought F&J was super stuffy.

Who are the many? From my experience, I have heard basically that BB and V&E go back and forth for top in TX every year and both are highly regarded. Vault rankings have them going back and forth as well, and in Houston, the one that most people take note of is BB (from experience). However, that may be a function of history rather than present day reality.

If you want transactional work go to 1 of those 2. If you want litigation then throw FJ into the mix. None of the three are stellar with minorities or diversity, so I wouldn't base your decision on that.

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Anonymous User wrote:I really enjoyed my Fulbright Dallas visit. Does anyone have info on their summer offer rate?

I wasn't there but a reliable source told me 50-60%. He wondered if they would try to cook the numbers though because their offer rate was 50% last year too. Did they tell you what their offer rate was?

F&J seems to be only interested in hard charging litigators- nerds and any non-type A personalities need not apply.

BB is extremely formal and can be very impersonal. They have some excellent people working there, but I can understand how the atmosphere wouldn't be for everyone.

V&E is becoming more like an NYC firm- and is really shifting its resources towards their NYC offices. Personally, I would pick V&E of the three.

nealric wrote:F&J seems to be only interested in hard charging litigators- nerds and any non-type A personalities need not apply.

BB is extremely formal and can be very impersonal. They have some excellent people working there, but I can understand how the atmosphere wouldn't be for everyone.

V&E is becoming more like an NYC firm- and is really shifting its resources towards their NYC offices. Personally, I would pick V&E of the three.

What do you mean by V&E becoming more like a NYC firm? I am not entirely sure it is accurate to say they are shifting their resources towards the NYC offices. Houston will always be their most profitable and largest office.

Anyone have any thoughts on how other TX firms stack up against these three? In particular, I'd be interested in thoughts on Gibbs, McKool, Bickel, Susman, and other smaller TX shops.

(anon as I have offers at a few of these)

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V&E- had 100% offer rate for the summer class.

BB- laid off a lot of people.

FJ- litigation, litigation, litigation.

I would be interested in hearing thoughts on Gibson Dunn, Weil, and Akin Gump as compared to BB, FJ, and V&E for Dallas. I have little interest in litigation.

chadwick218 wrote:I would be interested in hearing thoughts on Gibson Dunn, Weil, and Akin Gump as compared to BB, FJ, and V&E for Dallas. I have little interest in litigation.

I heard that aside from Jones Day, people should avoid the satellite offices generally.

As for Akin Gump, what are they up to anyway?

Anonymous User wrote:V&E- had 100% offer rate for the summer class.

BB- laid off a lot of people.

FJ- litigation, litigation, litigation.

V&E did not have 100% offer rate for the summer class. Very close though.

Anonymous User wrote:As for Akin Gump, what are they up to anyway?

Just going through their listing of associates, the bulk appear to be in financial restructuring and commercial litigation with a few in corporate/investment funds/private equity. There are only ~100 attorneys in Dallas. Akin Gump is interesting b/c the firm used to be HQd in Dallas before calling D.C. home.

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I recently had a CB at the Dallas Akin Gump office. They asserted that the office doesn't suffer from the "bicoastal" focus that a lot of other firms have. According to them, since Akin Gump was originally a Texas firm and retains its Texas focus, the Dallas office isn't viewed as just another satellite office. I have no idea if they were BSing or telling the truth, but it sounded pretty convincing.

Re: Split summers - most Texas firms appear to be stealthily moving away from allowing splits. Most firms are now requiring that splitters spend the first half of the summer with them, while very few firms are allowing second half summers. Essentially I think splitting is beginning to end in practicality, if not officially. Which sucks.