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Want project finance. Worth it to turn down S&C, Skadden, DPW, and Cleary for Milbank?

Any through-the-grape-vine or reputation stuff I dont know about these guys is all welcome (in terms of work, specifically projects work, lifestyle, exit options, etc).

Thanks

Anonymous User wrote:Want project finance. Worth it to turn down S&C, Skadden, DPW, and Cleary for Milbank?

Any through-the-grape-vine or reputation stuff I dont know about these guys is all welcome (in terms of work, specifically projects work, lifestyle, exit options, etc).

Thanks

Why project finance?

quakeroats wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Want project finance. Worth it to turn down S&C, Skadden, DPW, and Cleary for Milbank?

Any through-the-grape-vine or reputation stuff I dont know about these guys is all welcome (in terms of work, specifically projects work, lifestyle, exit options, etc).

Thanks

Why project finance?

I answered this q enough in interviews. lets just assume I have relevant pre-lawschool WE and PF is why im in school.
I want to work with the best infrastructure and power project clients, not be miserable while im doing it, and have exit options to go in house with a project developer/sponsor after my firm time.

Where should I go? FWIW, of the 4-5 people you meet at cb, Milbank's were coolest (not in a work-related way, just in a getting along way)

Anonymous User wrote:

quakeroats wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Want project finance. Worth it to turn down S&C, Skadden, DPW, and Cleary for Milbank?

Any through-the-grape-vine or reputation stuff I dont know about these guys is all welcome (in terms of work, specifically projects work, lifestyle, exit options, etc).

Thanks

Why project finance?

I answered this q enough in interviews. lets just assume I have relevant pre-lawschool WE and PF is why im in school.
I want to work with the best infrastructure and power project clients, not be miserable while im doing it, and have exit options to go in house with a project developer/sponsor after my firm time.

Where should I go? FWIW, of the 4-5 people you meet at cb, Milbank's were coolest (not in a work-related way, just in a getting along way)

If you are dead set on PF, then I don't see why not; Milbank (and to a lesser extent, Chadbourne) dominate the field. But don't overlook Skadden's PF team, particularly if you're interested in Oil & Gas/Energy. Also know that, if renewables is your thing, they advised on the Caithness/Shepherd's Flat deal last year, which was a monster (although that may have been one of their eight hundred satellite offices).

Anonymous User wrote:FWIW, of the 4-5 people you meet at cb, Milbank's were coolest

This amorphous "fit" component was big in my decision. If you liked the Milbank people, go for it. Furthermore, if you like international work and travel, go for it. Choosing Milbank, I bet you'll be in one of their foreign offices within 1 year of joining (LNG and other energy deals are going to boom globally).

This amorphous "fit" component was big in my decision. If you liked the Milbank people, go for it.

Considering the fact that recruiting usually puts the firm's best people in the front, "getting along with people" on a callback or even a follow-up isn't necessarily the best indicator of much.

Fresh Prince wrote:Considering the fact that recruiting usually puts the firm's best people in the front, "getting along with people" on a callback or even a follow-up isn't necessarily the best indicator of much.

That is reasonable. So what is your advice...

monkey85 wrote:

Fresh Prince wrote:Considering the fact that recruiting usually puts the firm's best people in the front, "getting along with people" on a callback or even a follow-up isn't necessarily the best indicator of much.

That is reasonable. So what is your advice...

You could find out the people at your school who summered there or contact alumni (UG or law) working there as associates. I've talked to a few Milbank people outside the OCI/cb process that way and found them to be consistently awesome and enthusiastic about the place.

Anonymous User wrote:

quakeroats wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Want project finance. Worth it to turn down S&C, Skadden, DPW, and Cleary for Milbank?

Any through-the-grape-vine or reputation stuff I dont know about these guys is all welcome (in terms of work, specifically projects work, lifestyle, exit options, etc).

Thanks

Why project finance?

I answered this q enough in interviews. lets just assume I have relevant pre-lawschool WE and PF is why im in school.
I want to work with the best infrastructure and power project clients, not be miserable while im doing it, and have exit options to go in house with a project developer/sponsor after my firm time.

Where should I go? FWIW, of the 4-5 people you meet at cb, Milbank's were coolest (not in a work-related way, just in a getting along way)

It sounds like you're on the right track. Just make sure you have a realistic picture of what the legal side entails. For example, there are plenty of CPAs that are shocked to find out that Tax is very different than what they did before.

Specifically in the work/clients and exit options categories, are there any significant disadvantages choosing Milbank over one of these others?
Are Skadden exit options much better? Anyone have any insight in to this?

Anonymous User wrote:Specifically in the work/clients and exit options categories, are there any significant disadvantages choosing Milbank over one of these others?
Are Skadden exit options much better? Anyone have any insight in to this?

Btw, do you have a preference for an area of project finance?

quakeroats wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Specifically in the work/clients and exit options categories, are there any significant disadvantages choosing Milbank over one of these others?
Are Skadden exit options much better? Anyone have any insight in to this?

Btw, do you have a preference for an area of project finance?

In terms of a sector or industry, I want to work on power projects. I think all types of infrastructure are neat (domestic/international bridges, ports etc). but power plants and electricity grids are my main focus, and preferrably renewables (although at this point experience generally is more important). and within renewables, preferrably solar and batteries

Anonymous User wrote:

quakeroats wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Specifically in the work/clients and exit options categories, are there any significant disadvantages choosing Milbank over one of these others?
Are Skadden exit options much better? Anyone have any insight in to this?

Btw, do you have a preference for an area of project finance?

In terms of a sector or industry, I want to work on power projects. I think all types of infrastructure are neat (domestic/international bridges, ports etc). but power plants and electricity grids are my main focus, and preferrably renewables (although at this point experience generally is more important). and within renewables, preferrably solar and batteries

Milbank and to a lesser extent Skadden would seem to be your answer:

http://www.chambersandpartners.com/USA/ ... 7#org_3640

Anonymous User wrote:Want project finance. Worth it to turn down S&C, Skadden, DPW, and Cleary for Milbank?

Any through-the-grape-vine or reputation stuff I dont know about these guys is all welcome (in terms of work, specifically projects work, lifestyle, exit options, etc).

Thanks

Yes. The Vault rankings should in no way trump going to firm that excels in what you want to do.

I understand turning down the others, but why not Skadden? They have a very respected projects team. Did you really like Milbank that much more?

imchuckbass58 wrote:I understand turning down the others, but why not Skadden? They have a very respected projects team. Did you really like Milbank that much more?

I dont know really enough about either to make an educated choice bc ive only spent half a day at each, met a handful of people, and done research on their own websites (marketing pieces) and chambers and third party sites.

Thats why I want advice from all sources (for whatever it is worth).

Milbank or Skadden, lets say...are the "prestige" and exit options of skadden far superior to milbank? Does skadden deserve the bad sweatshop rep (compared to milbank, anyways)?

Anonymous User wrote:

imchuckbass58 wrote:I understand turning down the others, but why not Skadden? They have a very respected projects team. Did you really like Milbank that much more?

I dont know really enough about either to make an educated choice bc ive only spent half a day at each, met a handful of people, and done research on their own websites (marketing pieces) and chambers and third party sites.

Thats why I want advice from all sources (for whatever it is worth).

Milbank or Skadden, lets say...are the "prestige" and exit options of skadden far superior to milbank? Does skadden deserve the bad sweatshop rep (compared to milbank, anyways)?

NY firms will all work you hard. At the big NY firms, your practice group is going to drive your hours more than the firm.

I think it's worth taking Milbank if your goal is in-house in project finance, but if you'd like to have broader options I think Skadden is worth it.