Detroit firms. Forum

[Anonymous User]

Foley pays above market. Other than that, where does reputation stand to be the best, who is the most stable, who has the best exit options/higher chance of partnership, etc.

At school out east but interviewing with all the major firms. Debating between big law Chicago and Detroit(where I'm from).

[Anonymous User]

Anyone updates on the status of hiring in Detroit (and other Michigan cities)?

[Anonymous User]

General thinking for Detroit is that it is, in no particular order: Honigman, Dickinson, Dykema, Bodman (for banking/finance), Miller Canfield and then everyone else. Some other firms outside the city pay similar, but unless you go over to the west side of the state, you wont get hte same size

[Anonymous User]

General thinking for Detroit is that it is, in no particular order: Honigman, Dickinson, Dykema, Bodman (for banking/finance), Miller Canfield and then everyone else. Some other firms outside the city pay similar, but unless you go over to the west side of the state, you wont get hte same size

*Disclosure - i interviewed received offers from some of these firms, In their Detroit and/or other offices.

From my OCI experience

Honigman - think they are a NYC law firm, white shoe, etc - claim they pay the highest but pay isn't lock-step - once you move past year 2-3 the "pay" they list on their website includes bonus (built on business development, etc) - pay is around 110-115. That being said, very well respected - most people i met came from Latham, Kirkland, Skadden, or Weil(?) but came to hangman when looking to return to their hometown - my guess is the similar environment. Know of people who received an offer from T25

Dickinson - great reputation, growing slowly, but still a solid firm. Is very well respected in the Detroit legal community (i think a former mayor and governor work there now, but could be wrong). Pay is at market for detroit - around 110 Know of people who received an offer from T25

Dykema - good, solid firm. I know they are hiring. I believe pay is slightly below market around 105, but could be wrong. Plus to having an office in Chicago which is fairly large so you could always move to that office and stay w/in the firm. Know of people who received an offer from T25

Bodman - solid firm, good reputation, below market pay around 105 - no debt on books and still growing. Bonus, office space is w/in ford field, con: you can't stay in the office during football games. Relaxed environment and most people don't take themselves too seriously - downside is it seems like there are a limited number of rain makers. Know of people who received an offer from T25

Foley: Pay is substantially above market (130, though i've heard it is going to 140-145 next year - unconfirmed). I believe most of their M&A work occurs out of the Detroit office, and from what i've heard they are growing this office fairly rapidly - possibly doubling in size over the next 4-5 years as the city comes back. Know of people who received an offer from T25

Clark Hill - also has a solid reputation in the city, has offices elsewhere, seems to be growing. Down side is some of the people are a bit awkward - not in the sense they are elitist or off putting, just plain socially awkward - otherwise pay is good and seem to be hiring. Didn't receive an offer. Know of people who received an offer from T25

Miller - from what i've heard, slowly on the decline. not really going places - seeing a lot of defections to other firms

Butzel - Don't go there - surprised if it will be in business much longer.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know anything about McDonald Hopkins?