DC Offices - Help Me Choose Forum

[Anonymous User]

Somewhat of a repost (sorry!), but I narrowed it down to the above options.

I am leaning more towards regulatory work -- financial or securities preferred. Also important are work/life balance, offer rates and long-term career goals (i.e., partnership prospects or exit options).

Steptoe: Great D.C. reputation, though it's dropped in Vault rankings in recent years. Tops the associate satisfaction rankings, e.g., best firm to work for, hours, culture, overall satisfaction. On the other hand, I have heard some negative anecdotes from past associates (stuffy, less interesting work, etc.), but the people I met during my CB seemed happy. Doesn't have as much finance or securities work (more energy, insurance, international trade and employee benefits), and I got the feeling that associates are encouraged to do mostly litigation. Not sure about partnership prospects, though the office seems more leveraged than the others. Exit opportunities to government may be greater than my other choices.

MoFo: Seems like a good fit with great work/life balance. Great national reputation. Great Vault rankings re: best firm to work for, training, transparency, business outlook, overall satisfaction, though I don't know how those carry over to the smaller satellite offices. I'm worried the firm's a little IP heavy, and I don't have much interest in going that route. It does rank highly for financial services work which I am interested in -- Banking Compliance (Band 3), Consumer Finance Compliance (Band 1). I got the feeling at the CB that these groups were leanly staffed and wanted to bring me in, which gives me an opportunity to do meaningful work right from the beginning.

Bingham: The people I met here have been awesome; I got a great feeling and can tell it's a good fit. Good reputation, though I'm not sure how the D.C. reputation compares with the other two. Has some interesting practice groups, including Securities Regulation (Band 3), Broker Dealer Compliance (Band 2). The summer program is great, and the offices are some of the nicest (and brightest) I've ever seen. A lot of the work comes out of Boston, so I'm not sure if the HQ overshadows the D.C. office. Associates I've spoken with seem to think that partnership is a good possibility.

[Anonymous User]

Somewhat of a repost (sorry!), but I narrowed it down to the above options.

I am leaning more towards regulatory work -- financial or securities preferred. Also important are work/life balance, offer rates and long-term career goals (i.e., partnership prospects or exit options).

Steptoe: Great D.C. reputation, though it's dropped in Vault rankings in recent years. Tops the associate satisfaction rankings, e.g., best firm to work for, hours, culture, overall satisfaction. On the other hand, I have heard some negative anecdotes from past associates (stuffy, less interesting work, etc.), but the people I met during my CB seemed happy. Doesn't have as much finance or securities work (more energy, insurance, international trade and employee benefits), and I got the feeling that associates are encouraged to do mostly litigation. Not sure about partnership prospects, though the office seems more leveraged than the others. Exit opportunities to government may be greater than my other choices.

MoFo: Seems like a good fit with great work/life balance. Great national reputation. Great Vault rankings re: best firm to work for, training, transparency, business outlook, overall satisfaction, though I don't know how those carry over to the smaller satellite offices. I'm worried the firm's a little IP heavy, and I don't have much interest in going that route. It does rank highly for financial services work which I am interested in -- Banking Compliance (Band 3), Consumer Finance Compliance (Band 1). I got the feeling at the CB that these groups were leanly staffed and wanted to bring me in, which gives me an opportunity to do meaningful work right from the beginning.

Bingham: The people I met here have been awesome; I got a great feeling and can tell it's a good fit. Good reputation, though I'm not sure how the D.C. reputation compares with the other two. Has some interesting practice groups, including Securities Regulation (Band 3), Broker Dealer Compliance (Band 2). The summer program is great, and the offices are some of the nicest (and brightest) I've ever seen. A lot of the work comes out of Boston, so I'm not sure if the HQ overshadows the D.C. office. Associates I've spoken with seem to think that partnership is a good possibility.

For regulatory work Steptoe probably is the best place for you by a solid margin. You're in great shape though, so obviously no wrong options.