How to pick between offers? Forum

[Anonymous User]

How do you go about picking between two firms that are on relatively equal footing? I have two offers from two firms in Chicago (located across the street from one another) that have strong litigation departments and I have not narrowed my practice area interest any further. I really liked the people I met and the vibes that I got during my callbacks at both firms. One firm is a V20 and the other is a V50. I do not want to name the firms because I may be outed.

Generally, what factors do people weigh heavily when differentiating between two firms that you could see yourself at long-term?

[bk1]

Exit options, prestige, size, people, vibe, culture, work assignment systems, firm stability, hours, etc.

Also realize you probably won't be at either place long term.

[Anonymous User]

Exit options, prestige, size, people, vibe, culture, work assignment systems, firm stability, hours, etc.

Also realize you probably won't be at either place long term.

Ok but size, people, vibe, culture, work assignments are all a wash. Prestige is only a factor as far as exit options go, and I am not going in with exit options in mind.

So, how do you go about determining firm stability and (real) hours?

[Richie Tenenbaum]

Exit options, prestige, size, people, vibe, culture, work assignment systems, firm stability, hours, etc.

Also realize you probably won't be at either place long term.

To add to this list: offer rates (people ignore this, but if you are choosing between a firm that traditionally gives 100% offer rates and a firm that only gives around 90%...if you end up being a part of that 10% it can be career devastating), pay scale, pro bono opportunities (and whether they cap pro bono hours), whether bonuses are contingent on an hours requirement (what is that requirement is)....

[bk1]

I am not going in with exit options in mind.

You should since you probably aren't making partner.

So, how do you go about determining firm stability and (real) hours?

Richie is right for additional factors. Firm stability is hard to tell except for the obvious ones (e.g. Winston) so you can't really make much of that. As for hours, ask around to see if people you know have connections that can answer that question, or search the internets for second hand rumors.