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Hey all,

I'd really love your input on this. I'm interested primarily in Corporate, but definitely want to try out Litigation as well. I know the culture at all these is very different, but I genuinely liked most of people I've met at all three. While I'd like a laid back firm (relatively), it's not a big deal if it's not, just as long as people are cordial, respectful, etc. Also, not looking to jump ship anytime soon. I'm not sure yet if I want to do the partnership track but I'm not looking to leave in ~3 years (at least for now). Thanks!

Which region?

Anonymous User wrote:Which region?

OP here. NYC.

How would you describe the difference in culture between the three?

I was a 2011 summer at Shearman and I loved it. Definitely a pretty laid back atmosphere and the people were generally pretty great.

Anonymous User wrote:How would you describe the difference in culture between the three?

All three were great but S&S definitely feels a little more formal and 'white shoe' than the others. Dewey and Goodwin on the other hand, felt a little more laid back and lifestyle type firms. I could be wrong, just the vibe I got from being in their offices.

Problem with S&S is that they do mostly corporate, so you won't really have the chance to do lit there.

Anonymous User wrote:Problem with S&S is that they do mostly corporate, so you won't really have the chance to do lit there.

I wholeheartedly disagree. I did one rotation at Shearman this summer in litigation. It's second largest practice area is pretty much litigation and there were tons of summer who rotated through.

OP here. Seems to be a pretty heavy lean towards Shearman. Aside from the obvious reason that they're better known/higher ranked, what are some reasons people seem to think they're better than the other two?

Anonymous User wrote:OP here. Seems to be a pretty heavy lean towards Shearman. Aside from the obvious reason that they're better known/higher ranked, what are some reasons people seem to think they're better than the other two?

Shearman is still in a different league than the other two options.

relevant to my interests.

Goodwin is a great Boston firm and Dewey is Dewey. Take Shearman.

Anonymous User wrote:I was a 2011 summer at Shearman and I loved it. Definitely a pretty laid back atmosphere and the people were generally pretty great.

Care to elaborate on this? Thanks! Trying to decide b/t Shearman and a peer firm, as well.

Blindmelon wrote:Goodwin is a great Boston firm and Dewey is Dewey. Take Shearman.

Dewey post-merger is not the same as Dewey pre-merger, and the firm appears to be on a decent upward trend. I've heard many say the opposite about Shearman. If OP wants corporate (specifically M&A), Dewey is fifth in the M&A league tables in deal value, behind only S&C, STB, Wachtell, and Skadden (http://www.mergermarket.com/pdf/FINAL_L ... 3_2011.pdf).

I would say this is a tougher choice between Dewey and Shearman than you make it out to be.

Heard from a friend who worked there that Dewey NY only offered Litigation positions to a few SAs who had summered in the Corporate division, causing those SAs to either (a) work in a field that they had no interest in or (b) go find a new job. Very uncool. I would avoid.

Anonymous User wrote:Heard from a friend who worked there that Dewey NY only offered Litigation positions to a few SAs who had summered in the Corporate division, causing those SAs to either (a) work in a field that they had no interest in or (b) go find a new job. Very uncool. I would avoid.

This was for the summer 2011 class?

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Heard from a friend who worked there that Dewey NY only offered Litigation positions to a few SAs who had summered in the Corporate division, causing those SAs to either (a) work in a field that they had no interest in or (b) go find a new job. Very uncool. I would avoid.

This was for the summer 2011 class?

Yes.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Heard from a friend who worked there that Dewey NY only offered Litigation positions to a few SAs who had summered in the Corporate division, causing those SAs to either (a) work in a field that they had no interest in or (b) go find a new job. Very uncool. I would avoid.

This was for the summer 2011 class?

Yes.

Your friend is either not explaining this correctly, or you're lying. I SA'd there, and Dewey doesn't slot people into practice groups until just before they arrive next fall. All of the offers received were for the firm, and not for a general practice group like litigation or corporate.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Heard from a friend who worked there that Dewey NY only offered Litigation positions to a few SAs who had summered in the Corporate division, causing those SAs to either (a) work in a field that they had no interest in or (b) go find a new job. Very uncool. I would avoid.

This was for the summer 2011 class?

Yes.

Your friend is either not explaining this correctly, or you're lying. I SA'd there, and Dewey doesn't slot people into practice groups until just before they arrive next fall. All of the offers received were for the firm, and not for a general practice group like litigation or corporate.

I don't know what to tell you. I'm not lying - just reporting what I heard. Perhaps they "strongly suggested" that this person go into that practice group. It's also entirely possible that this summer was dealt with differently than yourself.

Do you know if Dewey gave offers to all of their SA's?

I was also an SA at Dewey NY last summer and can confirm that they don't put you into a practice area or promise/not promise you a practice area when you get an offer. I dabbled in some of the niche practice areas.

Would stay away from Goodwin, friend was no offered there two summers ago.

Would stay away from Goodwin, friend was no offered there two summers ago.[/quote]

Wasn't this the norm for all firms (in 2009 summer)?

To those who posted in this thread that summered at Dewey last year: Could you give me your impression of the firm? Is it really one of the more "laidback" NYC biglaw firms?

Anonymous User wrote:To those who posted in this thread that summered at Dewey last year: Could you give me your impression of the firm? Is it really one of the more "laidback" NYC biglaw firms?

I'm also curious about this.

Pato_09 wrote:Would stay away from Goodwin, friend was no offered there two summers ago.

Wasn't this the norm for all firms (in 2009 summer)?[/quote]


I meant Summer 2010. It was not the norm then. This person had offers to summer with various other firms, and regrets going with Goodwin. I know very few people who did not receive offers from their firms in 2010.