Hi UK_Law, not sure if you're still looking at firms, but I found this topic via search & thought I'd add my 2 cents on these firms since I'm somewhat familiar with all of them. (I don't work at any of these firms, but I know people at most of them.) In the order you mentioned them....
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Dinsmore & Shohl -- Large firm (450+), historically an "outsider" in Lexington since it's a Cincinnati-based firm, but currently trying to increase its stature in Lexington. Doubled Lexington office (to 40ish I think?) in late 2000s by acquiring another local firm. Good group of attorneys, but perhaps a bit of a wild-card in terms of employment right now, since you can't be sure to what extent Kentucky will remain a focus area for them. (Also, as of the last time I was there, offices aren't as nice as the others, if that matters to you at all...) Good culture here. Cincinnati focus, which could be good or bad (or neutral I guess) depending on what your preferences are.
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Frost Brown Todd -- Also large, like Dinsmore (450+). I would say this is currently the "best" firm in Lexington in terms of overall reputation (although, like others said, these firms are all somewhat similar). This is at least true for business/corporate, but IMO they are probably considered the best overall as well. Tends to attract more lawyers from the top law schools (Harvard, Stanford, Chicago, UVA, etc.) -- not sure if you're in that boat (Did you go to UK Law? If so, you should probably just talk to career services, not a message board! ), but if you did go to a top school then you might fit in here better than elsewhere. Also a good culture / work environment as far as I can tell. (Also, if you're straight out of school, as mentioned above, they have a seemingly good new first year program: put you in-house with a client for a few weeks, lower (1000?) billable requirement, more training, etc.)
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Greenebaum Doll McDonald -- More of a KY-focused firm, rather than regional like some of the others. Used to be the best business firm in town, but IIRC a lot of their top talent ended up starting their own firms or going to Frost over the past few decades. Has tried to merge with a few others recently, not sure if that's trying to save the firm, or reposition themselves, or what. So anyway, they're riding on their reputation somewhat at this point, but like I said earlier, it's not like any of these firms are night-and-day different from any of the others. Long term, looks like they're in decline, but that's just my impression....
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Stites & Harbison -- A solid firm ... guess I'd put it with Dinsmore and maybe Stoll (?) as a step below Frost? However, as a workplace, apparently it can be a bit stiff, and they pay less ($85k) than any of the others, so that's unfortunate if you're straight out of school.
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Stoll Keenon Ogden -- Another very KY-focused firm. Definitely a good reputation in the state, but its lack of regional presence makes some consider SKO to be on a lower tier than the others. I don't personally know anyone at this firm very well, so I can't tell you much more about it, sorry...
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Wyatt Tarrant & Combs -- Kind of reminds me of Greenebaum in that it seems to have declined recently, although it was never as strong as Greenebaum to begin with. I know they have lost a lot of attorneys recently to other firms. Probably the weakest of this bunch, IMO. Unless you like the culture, probably best to look elsewhere.
That's just one person's perspective, so take it all with a grain of salt. Mainly I would say you should get as many interviews as you can, and try to get a feel for the CULTURE of the place. I personally would shoot for FBT, since they have the best reputation & the best overall lineup of lawyers, plus a good culture, but who knows -- you may get to your interviews and really have a good feel for any of these firms.
Bottom line is, you can't go wrong with any of them, but let's just say some will position you better than others in terms of your future success as a lawyer. My advice is to put yourself among the best attorneys & with the best firm, and the rest will take care of itself.
(That being said, if you develop a strong interest in a certain practice area, definitely do look at the attorneys in that particular area at each firm, since that'll make a big difference....)
If you have any Qs, just post a reply. HTH.
