ITT: you tell me about IP boutiques Forum

[Anonymous User]

Offers from both and trying to decide. Both offices have their pluses and minuses, and the people at both firms were awesome. Basically, for me, its pretty much a wash. Therefore, does anyone have any information/insight/experience/second-hand experience/opinions/references about either of these firms? Principally, I'm looking for stuff along the lines of "I had a friend who said..." or "I heard they...".

At this point, I've done lots of research about the firms and I'm looking to supplement/jade that research with opinionated anecdotes from an anonymous internet forum.

tyia and kthnxbai

edit: they're both in nyc, fwiw
edit 2: im leaning toward patent lit, although im still going to want to do a mix of both in the beginning

[Anonymous User]

Bump for the afternoon crowd...any IP'ers out there?

[Bosque]

What area of patent lit work are you looking for more specifically?

Another way of asking the same question: what was your degree in before law school?

[dood]

...

[dood]

...

[Anonymous User]

What area of patent lit work are you looking for more specifically?

Another way of asking the same question: what was your degree in before law school?

bme--so just about anything, although leaning towards medical device/pharma since thats most of what my experience entails (plus what im interested in)

its my understanding that fitz represents brand name manuf and kenyon represents generics...however that factors into the calculus?

haha, and thanks dood

[Bosque]

What area of patent lit work are you looking for more specifically?

Another way of asking the same question: what was your degree in before law school?

bme--so just about anything, although leaning towards medical device/pharma since thats most of what my experience entails (plus what im interested in)

its my understanding that fitz represents brand name manuf and kenyon represents generics...however that factors into the calculus?

haha, and thanks dood

Yah, just thought I would make sure you knew that bout them. I can attest to the fact that they do very little interesting electrical work. Very nice people at both firms, but if you are not into the pharma game they are not the best places to be.

So, I am with dood. Go with the one that fits you better. Both do pretty much the same work, so it really comes down to the intangibles. I would tell you about both, but if you are deciding between offers at both firms, you should have visited. And your personal visit will tell you worlds more than anything I could tsay (when it comes to fit that is).

[Anonymous User]

bumping for the sunday afternoon crowd...would love to see if anyone has any insight here...thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Don't know a lot about Kenyon, but interviewed with a guy that lateraled from FCHS to his current firm. He said it was kind of impersonal--not a bad place to work, and always professional--but he preferred the more friendly climate of his current firm.

[Bosque]

Don't know a lot about Kenyon, but interviewed with a guy that lateraled from FCHS to his current firm. He said it was kind of impersonal--not a bad place to work, and always professional--but he preferred the more friendly climate of his current firm.

I would agree, but I would also add that this is the general feel I got from all most New York firms.

[Anonymous User]

Is there any difference between the two office locations, generally? Kenyon is at 1 broadway on battery park, and FCHS is right near 30 rock. I mean, which part of town is better to work in? Just curious.

[Anonymous User]

Monday afternoon bump...Any one else wanna weigh in? Experiences interviewing with either firm? I would really appreciate any information!

[Anonymous User]

I wish I had more to add... These are similar firms with similar upsides and downsides. I know Kenyon way more than Fitzpatrick, with a lot more interaction before & then I did CBs there. I've really liked everyone I've met, and I think their location is fantastic -- way better than midtown, in my opinion. Their issues are IP boutique issues -- obviously the "major" boutique is a dying breed, but it probably won't affect you as an associate because the likeliest exit for a firm like that is acquisition at this point.

If you're in New York, go back and visit the firms / tell them you want to go out to lunch or dinner with people. Meet as many people as you can to decide, and if you're still torn, recognize that they're very similar and even if you have a "dumb" reason for picking one over the other (coin flip, office location) it's no big deal -- too much is still going to be left to factors outside your control, like economic future of the firm and potential of working with assholes, so even if a few years from now things go badly, you can't look back and say retrospectively "I made the wrong decision" on the basis of the information you can really expect to get.

[Anonymous User]

I wish I had more to add... These are similar firms with similar upsides and downsides. I know Kenyon way more than Fitzpatrick, with a lot more interaction before & then I did CBs there. I've really liked everyone I've met, and I think their location is fantastic -- way better than midtown, in my opinion. Their issues are IP boutique issues -- obviously the "major" boutique is a dying breed, but it probably won't affect you as an associate because the likeliest exit for a firm like that is acquisition at this point.

If you're in New York, go back and visit the firms / tell them you want to go out to lunch or dinner with people. Meet as many people as you can to decide, and if you're still torn, recognize that they're very similar and even if you have a "dumb" reason for picking one over the other (coin flip, office location) it's no big deal -- too much is still going to be left to factors outside your control, like economic future of the firm and potential of working with assholes, so even if a few years from now things go badly, you can't look back and say retrospectively "I made the wrong decision" on the basis of the information you can really expect to get.

Great points here...thanks!

[Anonymous User]

CBed with both and definitely preferred the atmosphere at Kenyon. The people I met were more friendly/open ("collegial" as some might say) and I agree that the location is much better! I found them to be quite different, which is especially interesting because attorneys at both expressed that they don't think much of the other...

[Anonymous User]

I use to work at Kenyon, (not as an attorney but doing admin support type stuff.). The people were very friendly and hardworking, the majority of the partners were down to earth as well... One thing I didn't like was the cleaning staff. There were times when I was in the office overnight finishing up projects and there would be this large Romanian woman stalking me and ending up sitting in my office with the lights off. (It sounds funny but I was really freaked out). Just be sure to not be too friendly with them!

But yeah, I agree with the other posters on the location, it's a really nice place to work. Battery park = awesome.

[Anonymous User]

Thank you soooooo much for the responses!

[Anonymous User]

A huge part of Fitz's practice is pharma/ANDA lit. Apparently, at Fitz, there is a senior partner who is an absolute RAINMAKER in pharma/ANDA litigation. What happens when he leaves? How often at firms does business change after the rainmaker leaves? Stay the same, based upon younger, groomed partners, or could it cause clients to go elsewhere? Is this something that should bear heavily on the decision? On the other hand, Kenyon seems to be more diversified in technology/practice areas. What result?

[saima122]

very nice post...

[vanwinkle]