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I'd appreciate input/thoughts on these three firms, esp. with regard to certain points:
- Most likely interested in transactional work
- Job security and firm stability are very important (noting, for example, corporate partner OMM exodus last year)
- Not looking for a SUPER social atmosphere, but a pleasant work environment is key
- International prospects are very helpful (I know CC dominates here, but would love to hear more about MB and OMM)
- Exit options? How well recognized are these firms outside California (OMM) and in the U.S. (CC)? I don't have exit plans at the moment but it's feasible that I might want to change firms.
- Other normal concerns, like substantive work for junior attorneys, partner-associate relations, etc.

clifford chance. the name is known world wide.

I would go with Mayer Brown, just because of prestige and stability, but I don't know that much about the answers to your other Qs, though I have two friends that have worked there who I know enjoyed the people and the work

Anonymous User wrote:clifford chance. the name is known world wide.

Correct answer.

Mayer Brown is better known within the U.S. while clifford chance is clearly superior outside of it. clifford chance firm stability is tied to how Europe is doing, so it's a bit different than U.S. firms, so fingers crossed that nothing goes south with the Euro or EU as a whole.

Anonymous User wrote:Mayer Brown is better known within the U.S. while Clifford Chance is clearly superior outside of it. Clifford Chance firm stability is tied to how Europe is doing, so it's a bit different than U.S. firms, so fingers crossed that nothing goes south with the Euro or EU as a whole.

Thanks!

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Mayer Brown is better known within the U.S. while Clifford Chance is clearly superior outside of it. Clifford Chance firm stability is tied to how Europe is doing, so it's a bit different than U.S. firms, so fingers crossed that nothing goes south with the Euro or EU as a whole.

Thanks!

I agree with that analysis and I'd still choose clifford chance. I think the extent to which clifford chance is better known in Europe and worldwide is much greater than Mayer Brown's minimal name recognition advantage in the US.

As far as the whole Euro and EU thing, I mean, it wasn't too long ago that that the US market plunged. I'd say you have about the same chance of either thing happening. I'd still imagine Clifford Chance provides for better options on the corporate side. It's what I would choose.