Denver firm cultures? Forum

[cslouisck]

I'm on spring break and have started doing a little research on Denver firms, but aside from the warnings that it's almost impossible to get a position at any of these places, there's not a lot of info about them here on TLS. So can anyone speak to the quality of the work + the distinction between published info/reality at H&H, DGS, Brownstein, Lewis Roca, Otten Johnson, etc. or the satellite offices of firms like Hogan or Patton?

If the answer depends on practice area, I'm interested in both general litigation and real estate/land use, but that's not set in stone. And since "Tell me about XYZ" is pretty open-ended, if there's a way to narrow to question that would make it easier to answer, just let me know.

[cslouisck]

Bump. Nothing on this?

[Anonymous User]

I worked at Gibson Dunn. Not sure if that's also on your list, but the people there are very high quality and very, very smart. I would also say that they are considerate of work/life balance, at least in comparison to other offices of the firm. Firm is litigation focused but has about 40% of its attorneys doing transactional work.

[cslouisck]

I worked at Gibson Dunn. Not sure if that's also on your list, but the people there are very high quality and very, very smart. I would also say that they are considerate of work/life balance, at least in comparison to other offices of the firm. Firm is litigation focused but has about 40% of its attorneys doing transactional work.

Hey, thanks for this. Really appreciate it.

[cslouisck]

Figure I'll give this one more bump given that OCI's coming up soon for a lot of people. Anything new?

[Anonymous User]

Also interested as I plan to bid all the biglaw firms in Denver.

Anonymous from above, are you willing to provide more insight on your time at GDC?

[Kronk]

Brownstein is considered the place for "democratic" government regulatory work, but that's kind of B.S. because they'll lobby for whomever.

Hogan bills the most and is the biggest office of the national law firms. Has a reputation as a sweatshop, but is considered the best firm in the city.

Arnold and Porter is tiny but prestigious, and I liked everyone I met there quite a bit.

DGS is a great local firm, I enjoyed everyone I interviewed with.

Holland & Hart is probably the most prestigious local firm for pure legal stuff. I didn't get an interview--they weren't hiring my year. Not sure if they are yet but it would be a great gig to the extent that a biglaw job can be a great gig.

Faegre's office was very nice as well.

Most of the national firms are just too small, though.

[LeDique]

Holland & Hart hired at least one person from CU 2014, and it might be as many as three. I am 90% sure there is a second person, but I can't think of who it is so I don't want to say for sure.

Sherman & Howard should maybe be mentioned? I only really know them from litigating against them and they don't hire via CU's OCI, so I don't have a helpful opinion unless you want to know about their employment partners.

[Kronk]

Holland & Hart hired at least one person from CU 2014, and it might be as many as three. I am 90% sure there is a second person, but I can't think of who it is so I don't want to say for sure.

Sherman & Howard should maybe be mentioned? I only really know them from litigating against them and they don't hire via CU's OCI, so I don't have a helpful opinion unless you want to know about their employment partners.

My understanding is Sherman & Howard hasn't hired anyone in years. I had a phone informal screener with them but I still don't think they were hiring, maybe just keeping their name out there.

[LeDique]

Holland & Hart hired at least one person from CU 2014, and it might be as many as three. I am 90% sure there is a second person, but I can't think of who it is so I don't want to say for sure.

Sherman & Howard should maybe be mentioned? I only really know them from litigating against them and they don't hire via CU's OCI, so I don't have a helpful opinion unless you want to know about their employment partners.

My understanding is Sherman & Howard hasn't hired anyone in years. I had a phone informal screener with them but I still don't think they were hiring, maybe just keeping their name out there.

I was told they didn't hire from CU anymore, and thought it was just CU. I think it was because there was some anecdote of a terrible summer or new associate that made it seem CU-specific.

[Anonymous User]

Brownstein is considered the place for "democratic" government regulatory work, but that's kind of B.S. because they'll lobby for whomever.

Hogan bills the most and is the biggest office of the national law firms. Has a reputation as a sweatshop, but is considered the best firm in the city.

Arnold and Porter is tiny but prestigious, and I liked everyone I met there quite a bit.

DGS is a great local firm, I enjoyed everyone I interviewed with.

Holland & Hart is probably the most prestigious local firm for pure legal stuff. I didn't get an interview--they weren't hiring my year. Not sure if they are yet but it would be a great gig to the extent that a biglaw job can be a great gig.

Faegre's office was very nice as well.

Most of the national firms are just too small, though.

This all seems pretty right on the money to me.

I'd add that Gibson, while tough to break into, is a great office with good partners to work for (and about double the size of A&P or MoFo, the two other huge brand names with small Denver presences). DGS, Brownstein, and WTO seemed prestigious and incredibly well-regarded, but I never interviewed with any of them so I can't vouch for the people. I really liked everyone I met at Faegre, but my friends who are there say that they work people far harder than they let on.

[Anonymous User]

Are the exit options out of these national firms (e.g. MoFo, GDC, etc.) for transactional attorneys limited to Colorado?

I would imagine that life as an associate is above average but that the exit options may be below average?

[JusticeJackson]

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[Kronk]

Holland & Hart hired at least one person from CU 2014, and it might be as many as three. I am 90% sure there is a second person, but I can't think of who it is so I don't want to say for sure.

Sherman & Howard should maybe be mentioned? I only really know them from litigating against them and they don't hire via CU's OCI, so I don't have a helpful opinion unless you want to know about their employment partners.

My understanding is Sherman & Howard hasn't hired anyone in years. I had a phone informal screener with them but I still don't think they were hiring, maybe just keeping their name out there.

I just got a random recruiting blast that says Sherman & Howard is looking for a junior lit associate.

Entry level doe?

idk, I just heard from a partner at S&H that they haven't hired a SA in a few years, but I can't back it up with anything more than that.