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BC/BU, rank: 2.

What are thoughts on Ropes / Wilmerhale in Boston, ASIDE from the prestige/name-value? Namely in the litigation department, are these firms really sweatshops where juniors get very little substantive work? Aside from the minimum billing requirement, what does an average junior associate bill per year? More generally, what are reasons I should go for firms like Ropes / Wilmer instead of a firm like Choate?

Choate is a fantastic firm and there are reasons to take it over Ropes/Wilmer. However, in terms of litigation, Wilmer is more than a step ahead of both. I also think Wilmer/Choate have a similar culture, although Choate is obviously much smaller.

Blindmelon wrote:Choate is a fantastic firm and there are reasons to take it over Ropes/Wilmer. However, in terms of litigation, Wilmer is more than a step ahead of both. I also think Wilmer/Choate have a similar culture, although Choate is obviously much smaller.

What are those reasons? And what cultural aspects do these firms share?

(I'm also bidding the Boston market heavily)

bailey8078 wrote:

Blindmelon wrote:Choate is a fantastic firm and there are reasons to take it over Ropes/Wilmer. However, in terms of litigation, Wilmer is more than a step ahead of both. I also think Wilmer/Choate have a similar culture, although Choate is obviously much smaller.

What are those reasons? And what cultural aspects do these firms share?

(I'm also bidding the Boston market heavily)

They both tend to staff cases more leanly (isn't Ropes's summer class like 80 people in Boston while Wilmer/Ropes are the same size?). About the litigation thing, its just what each firm focuses on. Ropes is much more transaction-focused and their litigation tends to come from their transaction practice. Although Choate focuses mainly on mid-market M&A, some private wealth, some IP stuff.