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I have offers from both. I liked the people equally at both firms so which should I choose?

Cahill's litigation department is mostly known for its First Amendment work. Cleary's litigation work tends to arise from its corporate work, which is heavily capital markets-focused. Cahill has almost no capital markets work, while Cleary does basically no First Amendment work (except maybe the occasional pro bono). Which would you rather be doing?

I will say that Cahill's litigation department is the best at First Amendment litigation, but Cleary is almost entirely a corporate firm and is not known for litigation. Cleary still has great litigators; it's just not their strength.

Cleary for the exit options if that is something you are interested in.

Anonymous User wrote:I have offers from both. I liked the people equally at both firms so which should I choose?

How long was your turnaround in hearing back from Cleary? Had CB on Fri (8/26) and wondering when to expect a response or start giving up hope.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I have offers from both. I liked the people equally at both firms so which should I choose?

How long was your turnaround in hearing back from Cleary? Had CB on Fri (8/26) and wondering when to expect a response or start giving up hope.

I heard in just over a week, but I called to let them know about other offers/deadlines and got an offer the same day. I don't know how long it would have taken otherwise.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I have offers from both. I liked the people equally at both firms so which should I choose?

How long was your turnaround in hearing back from Cleary? Had CB on Fri (8/26) and wondering when to expect a response or start giving up hope.

I had on a different Friday and I heard the following Wednesday. Their hiring committee meets once each week.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I have offers from both. I liked the people equally at both firms so which should I choose?

How long was your turnaround in hearing back from Cleary? Had CB on Fri (8/26) and wondering when to expect a response or start giving up hope.

I had on a different Friday and I heard the following Wednesday. Their hiring committee meets once each week.

My turnaround was much shorter - I interviewed on a Wednesday afternoon and heard back the next day. Maybe the hiring committee meets Wednesday evenings or something.

Cleary. Don't think it's that close either. Assuming that you want to stay in NYC for a lengthy period and that you're not hell bent on doing First Amendment lit work, Cleary's exit options for the NYC legal market will greatly outstrip Cahill's. Cahill has done quite well the past few years, but Cleary has been, and will continue to be, considered a top-notch firm for most practice areas.

I'm no Cleary apologist, and no I don't work there, but I think it's a pretty easy call. Maybe go back to each firm for a second visit to get some more details on the lit groups?

I'm sure you've already consulted Chambers Associates, but the reviews should confirm ^ and what's been said elsewhere here. http://www.chambers-associate.com/FirmFeature/3824

OP, I summered at Cahill this summer and currently have an offer now (as a 3L) from Cleary. This post originated a few weeks ago so I assume you've made your decision, but un-anonymize if you want the skinny on Cahill. And if you chose Clearly, I'd be interested as to why (for my own personal knowledge). I'm still not sure what I'm going to do (since Cahill was great but Cleary is the awesome unknown). Good luck.